Canoeing, rafting, and kayaking are a few of the most adventurous watersports. You are on the waters, mingling with nature, and testing your potential against it. Whether you love taking risks, or have a mild outdoor personality, canoeing is a great option. It is the best thing to do on a gentle and calm river, as well as on white water rapids and high waves.
Before you go for a canoeing experience, you must read our informative reviews and choose the best life jacket for your new favorite thing to do.
When riding a canoe, you need a life jacket that is convenient enough to sit down with, and allows enough freedom of movement for your arm; it must not take you too far forward.
If you want to see which canoe life jacket meets these requirements in the best possible manner, read on. Also, remember that the difference between a good and a great PFD is too small to be significant, so you need to be vigilant.
Best Life Jacket for Canoes: Reviews
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Astral Buoyancy V8
The very first canoe jacket that has made it to our list is the Buoyancy V8 from Astral. It comes with a revolutionary airflow system, several front pockets, and a knife tab.
This is a simple life jacket; however, it is somewhat bulky. Also, the knife tab is not in the ideal position either.
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Pros
- Front pockets allow for enough storage
Cons
- A bit bulky
- Ergonomically unsuitable
Who Is This For?
If you are an experienced, committed canoeist, go ahead. Investing in this life jacket will be worth it, as this is a basic life vest to wear on canoes.
Value for Money
Not a particularly recommended life jacket; it does not have to offer as much as its higher price tag shows it should. There are various other affordable options to consider.
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Eyson Inflatable Life Vest
If you have been looking for a high quality fabric life vest, this is the one. Made with highly reflective rip stop fabric, you can wash and air-dry this jacket really quick. This is an important feature when you have less time left to be back on water.
Like Buoyance 8, it is a bit bulky as well. Also, it has not been approved by Coast Guard as of yet.
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Pros
- Quickly air dries
- Top quality fabric
Cons
- Not approved by the Coast Guard
- A bit bulky
Who Is It For?
As it comes with a higher cost attached, it is best for committed canoeists for whom Coast Guard’s approval does not matter that much.
Value for Money
A bit expensive for the features it comes with.
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MTI Adventurewear Solaris
The MTI Adventurewear Solaris comes with enough storage, as it has front pockets to keep everything you want to take with you on canoeing such as your smartphone, keys, whistle etc. Also, it has large armholes to freely allow for movement.
The front and back has hi-vis stripping, giving you the peace of mind you were looking for. If you ever need to be rescued, no worries!
Even though this jacket is safe and solid, it rides up on the back a little while canoeing. It might be distracting for beginners but once you get used to it, Solaris is a good canoeing partner.
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Pros
- Enough storage
- Big armholes for easy canoeing
Cons
- Rides up from the back
Who Is It For?
This is a great life jacket for causal canoeists. If you are a competitive canoeist, you might get irritated with a life jacket riding up your back like this one does.
Value for Money
This offers a great value for money as far as enthusiastic beginner canoeists are concerned. For advanced canoeists, there are better options to consider.
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Onyx MoveVent
The Onyx MoveVent life jacket is best for high-back canoe seats. It has a hi-vis reflective material, so you are easily identifiable if you accidentally fall in the water.
Moreover, this life jacket is Coast Guard approved. The packaging offers a whistle – in case you need quick assistance, this whistle can help in drawing attention.
MoveVent is a bit on the bulky side, but the large armholes ensure easy movement.
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Pros
- Coast Guard approved
- Hi-vis reflective built
- Large armholes for easy movement
Cons
- A bit bulky
Who Is It For?
This is the ideal life jacket for a beginner, as well as an advanced canoeist. No matter how good or how poor your canoeing skills are, this is the safest life jacket to wear.
However, if you are considering pursuing canoeing as a career sport, this might not be the one you are looking for.
Value for Money
It is one of the most affordable life jackets and thus, offers great value for money for both beginner and competitive canoeists.
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Stearns Watersports Vest
Stearns Watersports Vest comes at a reasonable price, and is a basic canoeing life jacket to get. Being approved by the Coast Guard, it features open sides that help in free and easy arm movement.
However, it does not offer storage pockets. At times, it is a bit uncomfortable as it rides up and far forward, tightening the space around your neck. It is also too bulky to be a quality life vest.
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Pros
- Approved by the Coast Guard
- Reasonable price
- Open sides
Cons
- Bulky
- Uncomfortable as it rides up and forward
Who Is It For?
This is the ideal life jacket for serious canoeists. Comfort does not really matter once you have adrenaline rushing through your body from the thrill of canoeing.
Value for Money
Its affordable price makes it a worthwhile purchase.
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The Final Decision
When considering affordability and practicality, the Stearns Watersports Life Vest is the most reasonable and safe life jacket that allows for freedom of movement. And so, is a winner on the list!