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   [Boating Safety](/articles/boating-safety)# Which Life Vest Should You Buy?

 Jul 22, 2023

 

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  **ARTICLE COURTESY OF [BASS PRO SHOPS](https://www.basspro.com/shop/en)**

  

 

 

 

**If you’re going to be on the water**, you need a certified, wearable personal floatation device also known as a PFD or life vest. It’s required by law, and it’s only smart. However, the array life vests and life jackets from which you have to choose can be confusing even to a crusty old seafarer. This convenient guide shows you what various types of PFDs look like and how they work. It also shares pros and cons of each design, to help you make the right choice for your kind of time on the water – fresh, salt, or anything in between!

### 1) Type l Life Vest

 ![Bass Pro Shops Life Vest Type I](/sites/default/files/images/2023-07/BPS-life-vest-type-I-7-22-23.gif)



**Pros**:

1. Excellent for survival in rough water
2. Designed to turn unconscious face up
3. High visibility for rescue
4. Approved for commercial use

**Cons**:

1. Bulky
2. Not comfortable for extended wear
3. Tends to be put on for emergencies rather than worn at all times

### 2) Type lV Flotation Cushion

 ![BPS Flotation Cushion type IV](/sites/default/files/images/2023-07/BPS-Flotation-Cushion-type-IV-7-22-23.gif)



**Pros**:

1. Lightweight
2. Throwable device
3. Also serves as seat cushion
4. Inexpensive

**Cons**:

1. Not wearable
2. Not approved as sole PFD for many types of watercraft
3. Of no use to unconscious victim
4. Loses buoyancy quickly when used as seat cushion

### 3) Auto Inflatable Life Vest - Suspender Style

 ![BPS Auto Inflatable Life Vest Suspender Style](/sites/default/files/images/2023-07/BPS-auto-inflatable-life-vest-suspender-style-7-22-23.gif)



**Pros**:

1. Minimal restriction to movement
2. Maximum comfort for extended wear
3. Both auto inflate and manual inflate options
4. Wide adjustability for body size

**Cons**:

1. Expensive
2. Needs to be rearmed after inflation incident

### 4) Full-Feature Life Jacket 

 ![BPS Full feature life jacket](/sites/default/files/images/2023-07/BPS-full-feature-life-jacket-7-22-23.gif)



**Pros**:

1. Excellent for all-around use
2. Comfortable fit
3. Pockets and D-rings for gear
4. Excellent bouyancy

**Cons**:

1. More restrictive than some other models
2. Not designed to turn unconscious victim face up
3. Size specific with minimal adjustability

### 5) Adult Universal Life Vest 

 ![BPS Adult universal life vest](/sites/default/files/images/2023-07/BPS-adult-universal-life-vest-7-22-23.gif)



**Pros**:

1. Wide range of adjustment for body size
2. Great to have on hand as extra PFD for guests
3. Form fitting for comfort
4. Inexpensive

**Cons**:

1. Not breathable for really warm weather
2. Not designed to turn unconscious victim face up
3. No pockets

### 6) Basic Mesh Fishing Life Jacket

 ![BPS Basic mesh fishing life jacket](/sites/default/files/images/2023-07/BPS-basic-mesh-fishing-life-jacket-7-22-23.gif)



**Pros**:

1. Maximizes free arm and upper body movement
2. Adjustability for body size
3. Comfortable even in warm weather
4. Inexpensive

**Cons**:

1. Less buoyancy than some other models
2. Not designed to turn unconscious victim face up
3. No pockets

### 7) Realtree MAX-5 Mesh Life Jacket

 ![BPS Realtree Max-5 mesh life jacket](/sites/default/files/images/2023-07/BPS-realtree-max-5-mesh-life-jacket-7-22-23.gif)



**Pros**:

1. Camouflage for waterfowl hunting
2. Both shoulders open for right- or left-handed shooting
3. Padded Shoulders for shooting
4. Pockets for shells and gear

**Cons**:

1. Not available in range of colors
2. Sized primarily for men only
3. Not designed to turn unconscious victim face up

### 8) Type ll Life Vest

 ![BPS life vest type II](/sites/default/files/images/2023-07/BPS-life-vest-type-II-7-22-23.gif)



**Pros**:

1. Lowest priced wearable
2. Bright orange color for visibility
3. Simple to put on and wear
4. Long durability and buoyancy

**Cons**:

1. Bulky
2. Not comfortable to wear
3. Kids don’t like the look
4. Tends to be put on for emergencies rather than worn at all times

### 9) Full Floatation Jacket/Float Coat/Float Parka

 ![BPS Full flotation jacket](/sites/default/files/images/2023-07/BPS-full-flotation-jacket-7-22-23.gif)



**Pros**:

1. Maximum survivability in cold water
2. Camouflaged for hunting
3. Lots of pockets and gear attachment points
4. Rain and snow repellant

**Cons**:

1. Restrictive to arms and upper body
2. Not comfortable for extended wear
3. Too warm to wear in anything but coldest weather
4. Most expensive wearable option

### 10) Inflatable Flotation Belt Pack

 ![BPS Inflatable flotation belt pack](/sites/default/files/images/2023-07/BPS-inflatable-flotation-belt-pack-7-22-23.gif)



**Pros**:

1. Least restrictive to arms and upper body
2. Less expensive inflatable option than suspenders
3. Extremely comfortable to wear
4. Fits wide range of adult body sizes

**Cons**:

1. Manual inflation only
2. Requires victim to “put on” device after inflation
3. Must be rearmed after each inflation