10 Best Womens PFD For Kayaking of 2022

There is simply no denying that kayaking is one of the most exciting outdoor activities that you partake in these days.

Kayaking is an activity that is unlike any other out there, and this is just one of the many things that make it so enticing. Of course, kayaking isn’t something that you can just jump right into. Not only does it take practice and patience, but it takes the right equipment. Equipment that could potentially save your life in the right situations.

If you are going to get out there one the open you without a doubt want a quality life jacket (PFD) that includes all the essential features, but how does one know what these essential features are? That is exactly what you are going to learn here, along with a pick of some of today’s most popular and effective models. We will review the best womens PFD’s for kayaking.

COMPARISON TABLE – 5 BEST KAYAK PFDS FOR WOMEN

Table could not be displayed.

Best Womens PFD For Kayaking Reviews

1. Stohlquist Flo

Any woman looking to get out there on the open water and be safe while doing so can’t miss with this life jacket. This pfd is ultra-light and features and airy designed that makes the jacket a real pleasure to wear. The sides are open to provide the airflow that you need to stay cool during those hot, humid months. Another impressive thing about the design is that it features built-in supportive inner cups and network shoulders, which are other impressive features that will come in handy for airing.

Pros

• Features a wide design of 400 x 200
• PE Foam with inner lock lining for coolness and comfort
• Neoprene padded waistband that lies firmly in place
• Hand wash soap and water are included with the initial purchase

Cons

• The sizing might be a bit off, but the jacket is extremely adjustable

2. Stohlquist Betsea

When it comes to comfort and safety it really is hard to stand up to this pfd. This jacket is not only ergonomically designed for comfort, but it provides a low profile fit with a cross-chest harness. This unique harness also makes flotation safer and more comfortable. It does this by keeping the flotation positioned low on the torso. This simply stops the jacket from riding up, while also providing the most effective in-water buoyancy possible.

Pros

• Constructed with nylon material
• Ergonomically designed to wrap comfortably around the torso area
• Built-in contoured supportive inner cups that also wrap rather than crush
• Includes hand wash soap and water

Cons

• The size listings online are kind of suggestive. A woman with a 44.5-inch chest can wear the jacket snuggly, buy comfortably

3. Astral Layla For Kayaking

This jacket might feature a design that is 20 years old, but this should tell you something right away. It should tell you that the design works. And, it does! This is a design that has been tried and tested over and over again in real-life situations. That aside, the hinged princess closures with the boob cups and super soft organic kapok provide a special type of fit that women just won’t get with other jackets. Along with this, the jacket features an easy to access zipper located right on the front.

Pros

• Easy access zipper
• Jacket only weighs 1 pound and 13 ounces
• Men and women both can use the jacket
• Front panels are designed to hug your luscious curves

Cons

• The pockets are not waterproof

4. Astral Linda

This PFD will not only keep you safe, but it will keep you more than comfortable at all times. And, a lot of this is thanks to the unique design. The jacket features a back panel that is made of super-thin foam and mesh. This design and material not only will keep you cool in the hottest weather, but it will also allow you to lean back against the tallest of seats. The adjustable buckles on the side ensure that you always get the fit that you need for safety as well as comfort. With several storage pockets and a mesh liner, you won’t have a problem storing your phones, key, and other essential items.

Pros

• Inside mesh liner keeps the jacket cool
• Adjustable straps for comfort fitting
• Several front pockets for storage

Cons

• Not really designed for kids
• Works for whitewater rafting, but is not specifically designed for it

5. NRS Womens Life Vest

When it comes to women’s life jackets, you simply will not find a jacket that is more synonymous. In fact, the NRS jacket features unique front foam panels that were specifically designed for the curvature of a woman’s body. Another unique thing about the jacket is the soft plush FIT foam. This advanced foam conforms and complies with your body as you wear it. The zippered front entry allows for easy on and off access.

Pros

• Designed specifically for women and high-backed seats
• Offers great ventilation even on the hottest of days
• 8 adjustable settings allow you to customize the jacket for a specific fit
• Two large zippered pockets give you easy access to your essential items

Cons

• A bit heavier design of 2.34 pounds
• Order a size bigger and make the adjustments, otherwise, the jacket might end up too small

6. O’neill Women’s Life Jacket

There is a lot to like about the O’Neill Women’s Slasher Comp Life Vest. While it is not approved by the United States Coast Guard, it is great for many purposes. Ultimately, this might be the best life vest for women who want to go kayaking. This vest is great because it is not going to absorb a lot of water. On average, it will absorb 15 to 20% less water than vests made with regular PVC foam. Simultaneously, you’ll find that putting on the jacket will be very easy. It features a front-zip design. This ensures that you’ll be able to enter and exit the vest without a hassle.

The vest features NytroLite foam. This means that it is going to be 3x lighter than its competitors. And, you should know that this vest is available in numerous color schemes. You can guarantee that it is going to suit your style preferences.

Pros

• Available in numerous colors
• Will be lighter than most
• Front-zip design means getting it on and off will be easy
• Absorbs less water
• Great for wakeboarding, water skiing, and kayaking

Cons

• Not approved by the United States Coast Guard

7. Onyx Curve MOVEVENT PFD

The Onyx Curve MOVEVENT is one of the best PFD on the market. The PFD is designed to be utilized in all kinds of water sports. It can be utilized for kayaking, boating, and skiing. If you are a picky kayaking fanatic, you will love the MOVEVENT because it is available in several designs. You can choose from yellow, blue, black and navy.

Lightweight Design

The Onyx Curve has a lightweight design. Contrary to belief, the weight of a PFD is extremely important. Since many kayakers travel with a lot of gear, they do not want to be burdened down with a heavy PFD. Well, that will never be an issue with this PFD because it only weighs about eight ounces.

U.S. Coast Guard-Approved

It is crucial to only consider PFD brands that have been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. The organization works diligently to protect people when they are in the water. One way they do this is by overseeing the many types of water gear, such as PFDs. The MOVEVENT PFD is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, so you can rest assured that it will keep you afloat even in swift, deep waters.

Pros

• Suitable for people 90 pounds and over
• Lightweight design (weighs approximately eight ounces)
• Approved by the U.S. Coast Guard
• A variety of designs and sizes available

Cons

• Does not have pockets

8. Astral Ronny Life Jacket PFD For Kayaking

The Astral Ronny PFD is ideal for women kayakers. The design is lightweight with a buoyancy rating of 16 pounds. It has also been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. The PFD is available in a variety of styles, including burnt orange, Cherry red, blue, cloud gray, conifer green, deep water blue, ocean blue, and RealTree Max-5 Camo. With so many styles to choose from, you will not have any issues finding something that will coordinate with your kayaking gear.

Durable Construction

The Astral Ronny PFD has a very durable construction. The PFD is designed from heavy-duty 200 Denier high-tenacity nylon. To provide adequate ventilation, the PFD has PolyPro webbing. The large zipper appears to be durable, so you should endure normal wear and tear without an issue.

Environmental Friendly Design

The company claims to recycle scrap pieces to protect the environment. The PFD does not contain toxins, such as PVC.

Pros

• Mesh liner for adequate ventilation
• Buoyancy rating – 16 pounds
• U.S Coast Guard-approved
• Heavy-duty 200 Denier Nylon construction

Cons

• Needs more pockets

9. Onyx MoveVent Torsion Kayak PFD

The Onyx MoveVent Torsion is not only an affordable PFD but also lightweight and durable. The design provides adequate comfort for women of all sizes. You can choose from a variety of sizes, including small, x-small, medium, large, x-large, and xx-large. Unfortunately, there is only one color to choose from and that is red.

Durable Design

The Onyx MoveVent Torsion is designed from 200 and 400 Denier nylon materials. These materials are notable for their durability, longevity, and ability to withstand long-term exposure to the elements. You can feel confident with this purchase because the PFD will provide you with many years of great service.

Very Comfortable

If you demand comfort when wearing a PFD, you will definitely appreciate the Ony MoveVent Torsion design. The inner back is embedded with bubble foam to deliver more comfort than other designs. The bubble foam will also add more stability in your back region.

Pros

• Denier nylon design
• Available in all sizes
• Pockets are expandable and zippered
• Superior ventilation

Cons

• Not suitable for swift waters but great for calm waters

10. Astral Norge Life Jacket PFD

The Astral Norge PFD is ideal for women who enjoy kayaking. The design ensures adequate comfort, durability, and durability. The U.S. Coast Guard has approved this PFD for most water sports. It has a buoyancy rating of 17.4 pounds and front Soft Kapok panels, so it will conform to your body perfectly.

Extremely Durable

The PFD is designed from heavy-duty 200 and 400 Denier nylon materials. These materials work together to deliver comfort, a high level of safety, and durability. PolyPro webbing helps ensure adequate ventilation, so you can stay cool in hot weather.

Pros

• Buoyancy rating – 17.4 pounds
• Approved by the U.S. Coast Guard
• Lightweight design – 2.14 pounds

Cons

• Slight stiff may need to be broken in

Women’s PFD Buyers Guide

Ultimately, buying a PFD for women will be much more difficult than you could ever imagine. Nevertheless, you’ll want to go above and beyond to ensure that you get the right one for your individualistic needs.

Failing to put in the time and energy to research will result in major problems in the long run. There are several characteristics that need to be considered. They will be explored in greater depth for your consideration.

The Types

First and foremost, you should take the time to consider the different types.

The fishing life vest will normally be a type III PFD. It is primarily designed for women who are going to be fishing. Therefore, it will likely not be a good option for kayaking.

The kayaking and canoeing life vest will be your best option. This type of vest will feature wider openings around your arms. This ensures that you’re able to move freely so you can paddle without much effort. Simultaneously, these vests will feature thinner nylon backing. This provided you with more comfort when you’re seated in the kayak. Again, this type of vest will normally be a type III PFD.

Other options include compliance vests, water skiing vests, and youth life vests. A woman who is going to be kayaking will want to go with a paddle, kayak, or canoeing life vest.

Materials

When it comes down to it, your options are plentiful. Therefore, you need to make sure that you get the right one for your individualistic needs.

Material is very important. If you do not get the right material, there is a good chance that you’re going to regret your purchase.

For the best results, you should choose a jacket made of nylon or neoprene. Both are great. In general, you’ll find that nylon is most commonly used for paddling. The material is inexpensive so nylon life jackets will be less expensive than the alternatives.

Size

While you’re at it, you’ll need to consider the size of the jacket. After all, you need to make sure that the jacket is going to fit perfectly. Otherwise, it might not provide you with the protection that you need. With that being said, you should get some accurate measurements. Make sure that the jacket is going to provide a snug fit. This will ensure that you’re going to be protected to the fullest.

Style

Finally, you should consider the style. This isn’t a major factor but it is something you’ll want to consider. After all, you’ll want to look great while riding in your kayak. Make sure that you consider the color scheme of the vest so you don’t stick out like a sore thumb.