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Best PFD For Kayaking, Canoeing and Rafting 2023 – Top Kayak PFDs

Are you looking for the best PFD for kayaking? Kayaking, canoeing, rafting, and other water sports can be dangerous if you are not taking enough safety precautions. No matter if you are a seasoned swimmer or not, you should take some time to look for a PFD aka personal floatation device. It’s always better safe than sorry. Even if you are planning to kayak for a very short time, it is wise to put a PFD for safety. In this post, I tried to share the top ten best PFDs for kayaking & canoeing. To sort the top PFD for kayaking, I had to go through the factors to consider when making a buying decision. At the end of the post, I shared a guide on how to choose the best PFDs for kayaking and canoeing. Let’s check this chart of top Kayak PFDs first.

~Best Kayak PFD 2023~

 

Stohlquist Men’s Ebb Life Jacket/Personal Floatation Device

Best PFD for kayaking (Men): Made of nylon and other materials, this is one of the top PFD for kayaking, canoeing, and rafting. It has a stylish outlook and comes with a 400×200 denier ripstop shell and 210 deniers oxford liner. There is a neoprene padded waistband with it. This PFD is available in two different colors and three sizes.

Stohlquist is one of the best PFDs available for kayakers. The manufacturer used 400×200 denier ripstop shell fabric and 210 denier oxford liner in this beautifully crafted PFD. This lightweight yet amazing personal floatation device has two side entry pockets to keep essentials like keys. If you look closely to the picture, you will notice the Ebb PFD features the Stohlquist chest chin-strap to have a better fit. The eight-point adjustability allows a wide range of fit.

The padded shoulder strap ensures a great amount of comfort to the user and ensures you can easily carry your kayak. The ventilated sides and the mesh back also contribute to the overall enjoyment of wearing this amazing PFD for kayaking. A reflective graphic is used in the PFD for better visibility. On top of that, the high black floatation fits above the seats of most sit-on-top kayaks and canoes. In a nutshell, this proves itself to be one of the best kayak PFDs in the market.

Best for: Longtime kayaking

Color: Steel Green, Red Gray (at the time of writing)

Size: S,M,L,XL,Univ Plus

NRS Chinook Mesh Back Kayak Fishing PFD

If you enjoy kayak fishing, the NRS Chinook is the perfect PFD for you. The NRS Chinook offers all of the characteristics that a kayak angler might want. The PFD has many front pockets for storing fishing equipment such as pliers, bait, a filleting knife, and other items. There are rod holder loops, a knife lash tab, and multiple D-rings/attachment loops for attaching other equipment such as a kayak GPS. Chinook has a mesh lower back, making it ideal for a high-back seat in a kayak or canoe. This also provides excellent ventilation if you are kayaking in hot weather.

There is a front zipper on the PFD to make sure you can have an easy on and off experience with this PFD. Eight adjustment points are available in the Chinook to customize the fit for comfort and security. The soft plus fit foam goes smoothly with the body moves as you keep paddling for the day. This kayak PFD is a must for the anglers, and it will not only help you with security but will improve your fishing experience.

Best For: Kayak fishing

Color: Orange, green, charcoal, black

Size: S,M,L,XL, XXL (at the time at the date of writing)

Stohlquist Trekker Personal Floatation Device

Trekker is another great personal floatation device from Stohlquist. This feature-rich PFD for men comes in different sizes and colors. 500 Denier Cordura shell and the 200-denier oxford liner make this PFD very durable to withstand a harsh environment. Like most other Stohlquist PFDs, Trekker also comes with a Wrapturetm-shaped torso. In the back, the half flotation/half cool mesh keeps the user comfortable while allowing the user to sit comfortably on a kayak seat. The adjustable padded shoulder increases comfort and a good fit.

There is a strap over the chest to keep it under control. This cinch harness ensures zero ride-up. It comes in several vibrant colors to make it easy to spot the PFD on the water. There are two zippered pockets on the front to keep your necessary items like cell phone, keys, GPS device, or other stuff. This kayak PFD comes in some vibrant colors like red, yellow, green, and more. Considering a vivid color like yellow can significantly improve your chances of getting rescued if anything terrible happens.

Best For: touring/kayaking/paddling
Color: Mango, red, bright green, deep red, fireball red, sapphire blue, black
Size: S/M, L-XL, XX-large, Univ Plus

Stohlquist Edge – Life jacket/ PFD

Stohlquist Edge uses a 200D oxford liner, mini-ripstop nylon shell, and an ergonomic WRAPTURE torso to make this amazing PFD. Hundreds of kayakers loved how this personal floatation device offered them protection while kayaking or canoeing. It is available in four colors: black, red, gray, and royal blue. Stohlquist Edge’s shoulders are adjustable and can be adjusted to have a great fit. Four side pulls with front waist buckle closure adds extra adjustment and fitting ability.

As a kayaker will need enough flexibility to paddle, a large arm opening is provided in the jacket. This ensures that the kayaker will have enough space for their arm to move easily. Stohlquist Edge also has other cool features like a front pocket, 3M reflective accents, mesh sides, and contoured padded shoulder straps.

Best For: Kayakers who love extra space

Color: Black, grey, red, Royal blue
Size: S/M, L-XL, XX

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NRS Ion PFD 

NRS is a famous kayak accessories manufacturer that made this Ion PFD. NRS Ion PFD is focused on flexibility to ensure that the kayaker can paddle with ease. This low-profile kayak PFD uses 200 denier ripstop nylon outer fabric with 210D nylon lining to ensure high durability to be used season after season. It got cool flow system ventilated back or AirMesh inner panels that provide ventilation throughout the jacket. The six-panel design with the ultra-soft foam ensures a soft, comfortable, and flexible fit that wraps your torso while flowing with your movements. The shoulder has been padded to increase the comfort to the wearer. As you can see in the picture, there is one dual-entry front zippered pocket that can be used to keep the essentials like a fishing plier. NRS Ion is US coast guard type III approved and has a 16.5 pounds flotation. 

 

NRS Vapor PFD

NRS Vapor PFD is one of the most popular PFDs on the marFour side pulls with front waist buckle closure addion and comes with tons of cool features. 400 Denier nylon fabric is used to make the PFD fabric, which offers great durability for many many seasons. This durable ripstop nylon fabric outer shell can handle daily abuses with ease. A six-panel design constructed with soft foam offers a flexible fit that wraps your torso and ensures flexible movements. Additionally, the AirMesh inner panels provide great ventilation for hot days. The shoulder straps with strap garages have been adequately padded to make it comfortable to the users. On top of that, the six adjustment points help you achieve/lock a fit that works the best for you. It is available in different colors and sizes. Some of the colors combo come with reflective accents for higher visibility of the low-light outings.

Color: Available in 5 different colors  (at the time of writing)
Size: S, M, L, XL, XXL  (at the time of writing)

NRS Ninja PFD

Especially built PFD for paddlers and swimmers:

NRS Ninja is one of the best PFD for paddling, rowing, and swimming. If you are a serious paddler or swimmer who needs a PFD but doesn’t want to slow down, this NRS Ninja PFD is an excellent choice for them.

NRS Ninja PFD uses soft PVC-free foam floatation panel which is very comfortable. Ninja PFD allows four side adjustment with two shoulder adjustments for a better custom fit to different users. It’s super easy and quick to put this on or off. It offers side entry with quick release buckles.

500D Cordura shell is very sturdy to provide good protection. On the inside soft and stretchy fabric provides nice breathability. You can attach your rescue knife to the last tab. You can get this paddling PFD at different sizes, colors, and a competitive price.

Astral Designs Astral Ronny

Best kayak PFD for fishing: This lifejacket / PFD is made for using in kayaking, canoeing, and rafting purpose. USCG certifies this lifejacket as PFD. It comes with several features and comfortable yet strong fabrics. This is perfect Lifejacket for high seat-back recreational kayaks.

Best For: Kayak fishing

Color: Saffron & Blue (at the time of writing)
Size: S, M, L, XL (at the date of writing)

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Astral Ringo PFD for Kayaking and Stand-up Paddle boarding

We couldn’t make this list without including Astral Design’s PFD, one of the finest kayak PFD maker in existence. Astral Ringo is one of the best touring kayak PFDs on the market. It can also be used for white water kayaking and stand up paddleboarding. The tri-panel front: organic kapok, PVC free gaia & PE foam inserts, this is designed to offer great safety to the wearer. Astral Ringo has a buoyancy rating of 16.3 lbs and has USCG type III approval. Its 50D Cordura & stretch polyester shell with 200 Denier lightweight liner and polypro webbing ensures high durability, to fight the harsh marine environments.

The soft kapok front panels will cover and fit varying chest sizes for a comfortable experience. Also, you will find side quarter zip and adjustable buckles at side. There is a front pocket with an internal divider and key clip to easily access your essentials. Additionally, this kayak PFD is free of toxic, and Astral Designs used as many scraps possible to recycle. Astral Ringo is a great kayak personal flotation device available in different sizes and colors. 

MTI Adventurewear Headwater High Buoyancy PFD Life Jacket

Life jacket for whitewater rafting: This PFD is made for extreme scenarios where protection is a crucial issue. This is primarily designed for the big water paddlers and professionals who are paddling on rough and tough environments. This PFD life jacket comes with a different component with four front storage pockets and two fleece-lined warmer pockets to carry important kinds of stuff. The raw materials used to prepare this has high durability and high visibility also.

Size: Xs, S, M, L, Xl, XXL (at the time of writing)

What is a kayak PFD?

The full meaning of PFD is a personal floatation device. It means life jacket, life vest, lifesaver, life rescue jacket, etc. These personal floatation devices or life jackets will help you to float effortlessly on the water.

The basic functioning of PFD is to keep your float and survive on the water till the help comes. PFDs are usually made in such a way thus no matter whether the wearer is conscious or unconscious it will keep the wearer floating. Some of the PFDs are customized upon specialized need like for kayaking, rafting or canoeing.

Today we will be focusing on the PFD aka life jackets which are best for kayaking, rafting, and canoeing. Kayaking and canoeing are pretty easy on normal weathers, but sometimes they can be tough as rafting as you decide to paddle in a rough environment. This is why you need PFD for kayaking, rafting, and canoeing

All the PFD aka life jackets, life vests mentioned below are for man. We will provide another article on women’s version.

How to Choose the Best PFD for kayaking, canoeing, and other water sports?

Not a single swimmer in the world can swim unaided indefinitely. Hence, the need for a personal floating device arises. No matter if you are a swimmer or not, picking up the best PFD is a no-brainer. Since we are talking about paddling, it is wise to choose the PFD which offers more safety & comfort while you can paddle. In this article, we shared the top PFD for kayakers, but we need to know what are the factors to choose the best PFD for our type of paddling. Let’s jump to the factors and see if we can help you make the best buying decision:

Fit

The most important thing to look for when buying a personal floating device is the fit. Even if the PFD offers great features, it’s no use if the fi is horrible. I hope you understand the importance of having a PFD with a perfect fit.

To start with, you have to loosen all the adjustment straps of the PFD. Then, put it on, and start tightening the straps again. Look carefully, does it have comfortable snug around your chest? Or, are you feeling suffocated? Can you move your hand properly? If you feel comfortable, and your movements are still good, do the upward pull now. Is it above your chin or ears? If the answer is yes, then this will be awkward when you are in the water. Try a size

down and see if the same thing happens again. You may have to readjust it again and see if it has a good fit or not. Another way of checking the comfort is to simulate the paddling position. You can sit down in your paddling position, and try doing a paddling stroke. If you think the PFD is not causing any trouble and allows you to paddle and move smoothly, it’s a great fit for you.

A lot of the PFD will come with a crotch strap, especially for kids. Sometimes, this crotch strap can be annoying, and cause irritation. Try to look for the material of the crotch strap, and choose a strap that has soft material.

Material

If we consider the type of material, there are only two types of PFDs available on the market.

1. Foam PFD: Foam PFDs are highly reliable for both swimmers and non-swimmers. The downside is that they are heavier than the inflatable PFDs.
2. Inflatable PFD: Inflatable PFDs are becoming very popular among both swimmers and non-swimmers. They are slimmer and the easiest to wear than traditional foam PFDs. However, they need to be inflated before wearing. There are two types of inflatable life jackets: manual inflatable PFD, and automatic. Inflatable PFDs are comfortable, but not a good fit for kids and active watersports. Unless you know swimming, I would not recommend this type of PFD to you.

Buoyancy

Buoyancy is another critical factor to consider when buying a PFD. As you may know, buoyancy is the amount of water displaced by the PFD. They are usually measured in kilograms. PFDs function buy displacing the water. The more amount of water they displace, the more buoyancy they offer. Even though most PFDs available on the market have at least the minimum buoyancy, I suggest you go for something more than the minimum. As we know, fresh and frothy water are not dense like saltwater, so I think you should buy a PFD with high buoyancy.

Usually, 3-5kgs of buoyancy is enough for adults to keep their heads high over the water. Obviously, body type, height, weight, and clothing play a role when choosing the buoyancy of a PFD.
Government Approval

Sometimes, provinces and governments will set the minimum buoyancy for the PFD depending on the size. You will have to ensure the PFD you buy has minimum buoyancy. Howbeit, most of the PFD manufacturers, comply with government restrictions.

Sizing

While choosing a PFD, a good amount of attention needs to be placed on the sizing. A lot of people confuse weight with chest size when selecting a PFD. Well, it’s the chest size that needs to be considered, not the weight size. But, for the kids, it is their weight that would determine the size of their PFD. As sizing may vary from brand to brand, you may have to check the details or try a similar one in a physical store.

Color

As color plays a significant role in safety, manufacturers tend to make PFDs in highly vibrant colors like red and yellow. However, there are different colors available, but I suggest choosing something, that is easy to spot on the water. In case of emergency, it makes life easier for the rescuer to notice the PFD more quickly and easily. If you are thinking about getting that cool-looking black PFD, make sure it is vibrant or comes with a bright color patch or part.

Pockets

Last month, I went to a beautiful island named Isla Mujeres on a cruise. We were given PFD with pockets to keep necessary items like cell phones, keys, cards or some cash. This type of touring PFDs will come with pockets to keep some essentials. Some of them will also feature attachment points to attach more gears. A pocket may not be needed for a kayaker, but having one will be a plus. If you love kayak fishing, you can attach some of the fishing gears like fishing pliers to the PFD.

Movement

As a kayaker, you will always want your hands to keep free to paddle or for other activities like fishing. When choosing a kayaking PFD, you need to make sure that the PFD doesn’t restrict your movement. For example, if you fell off the kayak, and want to get up again, you will have to use your hands. Any PFD that doesn’t offer such flexibility and movement will just cause extra trouble.

Breathability

When it comes to breathability, kayaking in summer is totally different than kayaking in winter. If you are kayaking in winter, you will enjoy the snug fit of the PFD. However, if you are kayaking in summer, it will be hot, and you may have to loosen the strap of the PFD. If you are heading towards the rapid, you will have to tighten it again.  The ideal PFD would be the one that lets you easily change the adjustability of it within seconds with ease.

Easy on and off

Trust the one thing you will hate is not being able to put it on and off with ease. Sure, it’s okay if you are touring, but not for kayaking. You may have to put it on quickly or off at different times. Try to choose a PFD which lets the user use it with comfort and allows changing it easily.

Price

Safety is the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of kayaking. If you have the budget, I would suggest you buy the best PFD for kayaking. However, if that’s not the case, and you want to save some money, try buying a PFD with great safety features but compromise in other features like pockets or attachment.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Do you have to wear a PFD in a kayak?

Yes and no! If you are from the USA, you need to check the local laws about wearing a PFD when doing water sports. Regardless of the local law requirements, one should always wear a PFD, as it helps save lives. Many manufacturers are making kayak fishing PFDs with big armholes to ensure that you have the flexibility to move your arm to paddle or catch fishes.

What color is best for a kayak PFD?

Try to choose kayak PFD with Red, Yellow, Fluorescent green, or any other vibrant colors that are easy to spot on the water. If you choose a colorful kayak PFD, it will act as a safety measure if something bad happens on the water.

Conclusion

I hope this article helps you to choose the best life jacket for kayaking or canoeing. We will continue to add more amazing PFD for kayaking, canoeing, and paddling. Meanwhile, you can comment with your favorite life jacket or PFD in the comments section below.

What Causes a PFD to Wear out Over Time?