🦺Best outdoor life jackets for 2020

A life jacket is a personal means of preserving human life while in the water. Rescue clothing is actively used in water tourism, outdoor activities and fishing. While in a river, sea or lake, the vest supports the body, preventing it from submerging in the water.

The editors of the site bestx.htgetrid.com/en/ have prepared a rating of the best life jackets that are used by different categories of the population during outdoor activities.

Criterias of choice

The life jacket is designed to ensure the safety of human life in dangerous situations and is a mandatory equipment for many types of active water recreation

Lifejackets provide buoyancy, protect against cold temperatures and soften the impact of a person entering the water.

When choosing rescue clothing, the following criteria should be considered:

• type of rest;
• rider weight;
• age qualification.

Before starting an active holiday on the sea or river, every adult thinks over safety measures for himself and his family members. The best protection measures for different types of recreation are considered to be the use of life jackets.

Security equipment must meet requirements such as:

• high reliability;
• ease of wearing;
• appropriate size;
• simplicity of design.

To buy a quality vest, you need to take into account the physical data of a person (height, arm and chest girth). It is also necessary to understand that sports products for different water sports and life jackets for fishermen are different protection. Athletes and leisure tourists need to purchase very lightweight designs, while fishermen need products with reliable support, signal colors and reflectors.

Types of rescue products

In terms of buoyancy, lifejackets are classified into:

• self-inflating (with an internal cavity for filling with air);
• filled with lightweight material that provides a push-out effect.

In operation, four safety categories are established with respect to the load. Of these, products for rescue and insurance are distinguished, which are used in closed and open water bodies with a certain distance from the coastline (up to twenty miles).

The belay devices have excellent buoyancy and are designed for free movement for people who are involved in various water sports. Unlike other life-saving appliances, the safety vest does not provide for the survival of an injured or unconscious swimmer. A special cushion collar is installed on life-saving appliances to maintain the respiratory function of a drowning person.

How to choose the right life jacket

Choosing a security tool is easy. First of all, it depends on body weight.Certified products are marked with a label attached to the back of the garment. It indicates the size (from XS to 3XL) with the recommended human weight.

Life vests are made for men, women and children.

The latter are designed for children weighing up to 30-39 kg, adults can withstand loads from 40 to 149 kg. If a life-saving device is purchased for the winter, then it is necessary to adjust the dimensions, taking into account the weight of the clothes.

The product should fit well on the figure: a tight-fitting vest hinders body movement, and you can simply fall out of a larger one. This is especially true for children who need to purchase a product based on actual height and volume, and not to use the model for an extended period.

Neoprene clothing protects athletes well from water hammer, back and spinal injuries during a sudden fall into the water while windsurfing, kiting or wakeboarding. These designs provide freedom of movement and fit well. These products are made of durable material that protects the athlete from cold, wind and rapid temperature changes.

Life jackets have a size range that is determined by the size of the chest:

• for women - from 70.0 (XS) to 114.0 cm (2XL);
• for men - from 83.3 cm (XS) to 128.3 cm (3XL).

With a nylon life jacket that provides extra buoyancy, it is good to ride jet skis, raft down a mountain river and learn to swim.

They are produced in the following sizes:

• women - from 71.1 (XS) to 101.6 cm (2XL);
• male - from 74.0 (XS) to 142.0 cm (3XL).

Nylon models are equipped with a fixing strap, thanks to which they fit snugly to the body and provide mobility. During movements in the water, a person wearing such clothes makes less effort and does not get tired.

The peculiarity of the anatomy of women involves the manufacture of special clothing with additional softening blocks from injuries for the sides, back and chest.

Varieties of clothing for a safe stay in the water

For lovers of water recreation

When preparing for rafting on a mountain river on a catamaran, kayak or raft, it is necessary to choose a safe vest with which it is not scary to go down and overcome wide rapids, shafts and stormy currents. This type of tourism presupposes repeated falling overboard of a sports vessel, therefore, it is necessary to secure yourself in advance and acquire special equipment.

Most often, for these purposes, inflatable life jackets with additional lift are purchased. The product itself is lightweight, compact and inexpensive.

Inflatable products also have many disadvantages associated with the poor safety of the rower when he hits water or stones. They are also difficult to move in the water, climb on a boat or shore.

That is why the lovers of extreme types of recreation are better suited for foam rescue products, which have less buoyancy than inflatable ones. With them, it is much easier to move in the river, since there are multiple rings by which you can grab the swimmer in order to move him to the watercraft.

When choosing a foam vest, you need to carefully examine the cut, zippers, locks and their serviceability.

In rescue stamps for rafting on rivers, there should be many recesses for various little things, as well as harnesses for belaying or attaching stop cutters. It is best to purchase products of bright colors, the signal color of which can attract attention.

Tourists for kayaking

Safe equipment for fans of extreme kayaking on rough waters is considered very expensive and technological, because during such a trip the athlete is always on the move. That is why the equipment should be functional, not restrict movement and allow you to work with an oar.

The kayaker's life jacket is short (up to the belly) and has many pockets to store your gear.It provides for a special fastening system with a wide belt and a carabiner, which is called a "tram" and is used for the safety of lost boats, for which it is necessary to quickly unfasten the belt and suddenly start pulling on a special device.

When choosing products, it is recommended to carefully consider the tailoring and strength of the materials.

Athletes

In water competitions, swimmers use simple and safe means, which are subject to minimum requirements:

• life jackets must meet the established requirements;
• should be light and not interfere with the swimmer's movements.

For such products, the lifting force is strictly prescribed in the regulations of the upcoming competition, so they are subject to mandatory verification by a special commission.

The athlete's safety device is small. It is generally light and has little lift. The design of such vests does not imply a pocket and hinge. They lack unnecessary details, therefore, during the competition, swimmers do not feel it on the body, since they are specially designed for comfort when swimming.

For fishermen

Each fisherman should have his own individual rescue kit. This requirement is mandatory because:

• A safety vest is a pass-permission to sail a long distance, moreover, its absence does not give the right to fishermen to move around the water on watercraft. Without a vest, the State Inspectorate will not register personal swimming transport.
• According to Russian law, all crew members must have life jackets. Their absence provides for the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of up to one thousand rubles.

For a rich catch, many fishermen sail further from the coast. If an accident occurs on the water, then you will have to swim to the shore for a long time. For this reason, the angler's lifeline should be foam, not inflatable. It should also be light and free of movement. The size is selected by body weight. You can choose a slightly larger product if you plan to wear it over clothing.

It also happened that a fishing enthusiast flew out of a watercraft at high speed. In flight, a life jacket can be lost, limbs can be damaged, the fisherman can lose consciousness and even die. To avoid such outcomes, you need to use foam vests that protect the body. They are provided with a sling and groin strap for adjustment, as well as keeping the fisherman in the vest.

The life jacket should be equipped with collars and head restraints, then even in case of loss of consciousness, the victim's head will be above the water at a distance of up to 11 cm. It is good when there is a whistle that is attached with a tourniquet to the vest. If a disaster strikes, you can draw attention by whistling.

Fishermen are advised to purchase safe products of a specific orange or red color so that it can be seen not only in the river, but also, for example, in thick reeds. Modern manufacturers make double-sided products: one side has a camouflage color, and the other has a catchy signal, on which many reflective elements are sewn so that victims can be found at any time of the day.

For transportation of the victim to the water transport, safety equipment is equipped with special handles sewn to the back of the product.

The special equipment has many pockets, which store the necessary fishing equipment.

Life jacket for a child

Children's rescue equipment is made of modern materials with a comfortable and perfect shape. Conventionally, they are subdivided into inflatable and life jackets, equipped with floating materials: neoprene, latex, polyester or foam.

In the characteristics of a child's product, age, body weight and chest girth must be indicated, therefore, you need to buy a protective product based on the listed indicators, otherwise it will either fall off the child or press him.

In many models, adjusting fixation elements are installed: a buckle, a strap, etc.

For a child who does not know how to float at all, it is better to buy a neoprene safety device with foam inserts. The inserts are removed from the protective device as the child learns to stay on the water.

Safety compliance is an important characteristic of children's models. There are life jackets for children, which are selected by weight. They have their own characteristics:

• high buoyancy and water resistance;
• padded collar to keep the baby's head high above the water;
• the presence of fixing belts;
• a supporting strap between the legs to prevent the product from slipping.

The materials from which the baby products are made do not rot, they are not afraid of the sun and they protect the baby's skin from ultraviolet rays.

How to care for a life jacket

For a lifejacket to last as long as possible, it needs careful and proper care:

• after staying in sea water, it must be rinsed with running water;
• it is recommended to wash with warm soapy water;
• life jackets must not be washed in washing machines, as the filler may deform and the product will lose its safe properties;
• after cleaning, the product is dried in an open place (you cannot put it on a heated towel rail or a battery);
• store the vest in a dry place where the sun's rays do not fall.

Rating of the best life jackets

A life jacket is an essential piece of equipment for safety on the water. It should be on every vessel, for athletes, tourists and ordinary people on the water. You can buy it both in specialized stores and order online, for example, from AliExpress.

We have prepared for you an overview of products for all categories of the population, which, according to buyers, enjoy high confidence and good purchasing power.

Rating of the best safety vests for men

Ark Premium

This safety certified orange-black product has a size range L-XL / р.50-52 / and can support a person weighing up to 85 kg. The letters correspond to the size of the garment, but this model can be worn over other garments.

Its base consists of a multi-layered lightweight, flexible and floatable isolone with zero moisture absorption. The top is covered with water-repellent Oxword fabric.

The vest belongs to the premium class, it has a zipper and a tightening belt with a fastex fastener. The horizontal adjustment is made through the tightening of the strap located on the back, using elastic bands sewn on the sides in 3 rows.

The model is equipped with a groin strap and a snap-on collar to support the head and protect it from the wind. There are also many reflective pockets and patches.

The vest is suitable for lovers of active recreation on the water and fishermen.

Manufacturer: Kovcheg.

Country of origin: Russia.

The cost is 2,490 rubles.

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Jetpilot Strike Nylon Vest W. Super Grip Yellow

This men's nylon jet ski life jacket is widely popular. The products are certified, therefore they comply with local standards AS4758 and international (EN ISO 12402-5 50N). Recommended for those who love extreme water recreation.

The product is equipped with a standard support system with 4 buckles and straps, as well as patented handles on the sides. These safety features prevent the product from jumping off when dropped into water.

Country of origin: Australia.

The cost is 4 310 rubles.

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Rating of the best safety vests for women

Life vests for women have the same quality characteristics as men, but they are distinguished by an elegant cut, spectacular design and maximum lightness.

O'Brien Wms Traditional Aqua

The model is made of lightweight neoprene with a floating filler. The waistcoat has built-in straps for tightening to the figure, which do not restrict movement. The enlarged armholes give the athlete more freedom, and the internal support in the lumbar region prevents fatigue.

The smoothness and convenience of the product allows you to comfortably relax on the water. BioLite material provides free air access, accelerates drying, makes the vest lightweight and environmentally friendly, providing absolute comfort.

The zip closure and both front straps ensure a tight fit and safety on the water.

Country of origin: China.

The cost is 5 560 rubles.

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Jobe Neoprene Life Vest Cool Gray

This rescue product is made of soft and comfortable neoprene. The model is equipped with a front zipper, durable buckles and adjustable shoulder straps.

The product is ISO 50N certified and the soft PVC foam makes it very flexible and comfortable.

The emergency lanyard (if necessary) attaches to the ring on the front. There is a powerful zipper in the front.

Features:

• ISO 50N certified buoyancy;
• comfort like an uncertified vest;
• available in large sizes.

Country of origin: China.

The cost is 7 350 rubles.

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Rating of the best life jackets for children

Jung B-011

The product is suitable for children and teenagers from 8 to 12 years old, weighing up to 50 kg. The model is suitable for summer recreation on calm water: rivers, lakes, floods.

Made of synthetic nylon and PPE filler.

The design of the life jacket provides for a collar that holds the head above the water, as well as a lining in the form of inter-groin straps to keep the vest on the child.

Features:

• stand-up collar;
• reflective stripes;
• belt with adjustable buckles;
• fasteners like fastex.

Country of origin: Russia.

Brand: Yukon.

The cost is 1,310 rubles.

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Yukon Nemo Yu-V-006K

This lightweight camouflage life jacket is suitable for boys between the ages of 4 and 6. The special equipment has a good design. It fits perfectly on the child's figure, without hindering his movements and reliably protecting his head and chest from the wind.

The design includes a tractor zipper and bright belts with Fatex. At the bottom, the vest can be secured with groin straps, adjustable in length. The design also has options that exclude its spontaneous removal when a child gets into the water.

There is also a high movable headrest, on which there is a loop at the back for towing out of the water.

The camouflage color is interesting for children.

The model provides the best floating filler - polyethylene foam (lightweight and does not absorb water).

The product is certified by ROSS RU.AG80. ВОО143.

Country of origin: Russia.

The cost is 1,400 rubles.

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The editors of the site "bestx.htgetrid.com/en/" provided an overview of different models for maintaining safety on the water for all categories of the population. The article contains information that can be used when choosing security tools for yourself and your family members.

We are waiting for your feedback on the models of life jackets provided in the rating.