BEST PADDLE BOARD LIFE VESTS
- BEST OVERALL: Astral V-Eight
- BEST VALUE: NRS Vapor
- BEST AFFORDABLE: Onyx MoveVent Curve
- BEST MOBILITY: NRS Ninja
- BEST ALL-AROUND: Stohlquist Spectrum
PADDLE BOARD LIFE VESTS COMPARISON
| PRODUCT | PRICE RANGE | USCG RATING | SIZES | FOAM TYPE | WEIGHT | MAIN MATERIAL | REVIEW | SHOP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BEST OVERALL Astral V-Eigh |
High | Type III | S/M: 31-37″ M/L: 38-44″ L/XL: 45-51″ |
PE foam EVA foam |
20 oz (31-37″) |
– 200 x 400D ripstop nylon | Jump to Review |
Check Price on REI.com |
BEST VALUE NRS Vapor |
Medium | Type III |
XS/M: 30-42″ L/XL: 42-52″ XL/XXL: 50-56″ |
Soft foam |
28 oz (30-42″) |
– 400D urethane-coated ripstop nylon shell – 200D nylon liner |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on REI.com |
BEST AFFORDABLE Onyx MoveVent Curve |
Low | Type III |
XS/S: 28-36″ M/L: 36-44″ XL/XXL: 44-56″ |
PVC-free PE foam |
21 oz (36-44″) |
– 240D ripstop nylon shell – 200D nylon liner |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on Amazon.com |
BEST MOBILITY NRS Ninja |
High | Type III |
S/M: 33-40″ L/XL: 38-46″ XXL: 42-50″ |
PVC-free PE foam |
34 oz (33-40″) |
– 400D urethane-coated ripstop nylon exterior – 200D nylon interior |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on REI.com |
BEST ALL-AROUND Stohlquist Spectrum |
Medium | Type III | Universal: 30-52″ |
PVC-free PE foam |
21 oz (30-52″) |
– 240D ripstop nylon shell – 200D nylon liner |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on Amazon.com |
PADDLE BOARDS LIFE VESTS REVIEWS
Astral V-Eight
BEST OVERALL
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Versatile – Big pockets – Good ventilation – Comfortable – Breathable – Strap management system – Large armholes keep front panels out of your way while paddling – Well worth the price | – Back-panel’s very high cut leaves most of your back exposed – Runs a bit larger than it claims – May be expensive for some |
BEST FOR:
- Touring
- Fishing
- Paddling with friends
QUICK SPECS
- Price range: High
- USCG rating: Type III
- Sizes: S/M: 31-37″ / M/L: 38-44″ / L/XL: 45-51″
- Foam type: PE foam & EVA foam
- Weight: 20 oz (31-37″)
- Main material: 200 x 400D ripstop nylon
TODAY’S PRICE
NRS Vapor
BEST VALUE
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Easy and pleasant to wear – Comfortable – Quite flexible – Armholes cuts keep edges from interfering with your paddle strokes – Secures without inhibiting your breathing | – Full coverage panels are less breathable – Has no pockets or strap management – A bit long |
BEST FOR:
- Paddling
QUICK SPECS
- Price range: Medium
- USCG rating: Type III
- Sizes: XS/M: 30-42″ / L/XL: 42-52″ / XL/XXL: 50-56″
- Foam type: Soft foam
- Weight: 28 oz (30-42″)
- Main material: 400D urethane-coated ripstop nylon shell, 200D nylon liner
TODAY’S PRICE
Onyx MoveVent Curve
BEST AFFORDABLE
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – More freedom of movement than expected – Comfortable fit – Inexpensive | – Has no pockets – Runs a bit large – The front vertical mesh vents tend to close when you secure the jacket |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Paddling
- General water activities
QUICK SPECS
- Price range: Low
- USCG rating: Type III
- Sizes: XS/S: 28-36″ / M/L: 36-44″ / XL/XXL: 44-56″
- Foam type: PVC-free, PE foam
- Weight: 21 oz (36-44″)
- Main material: 240D ripstop nylon shell, 200D nylon liner
TODAY’S PRICE
NRS Ninja
BEST MOBILITY
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Preserves a huge range of mobility – Comfortable inner fabric – Easy to wear against your skin – Breathable – Large handwarmer pocket – Durable – Organizational pocket | – Unbending shape – A bit bulky – Straps are a tad scratchier and less well-protected than you may like – Shoulder straps run a bit narrow |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Paddlers with short torsos
- Hardcore paddlers
QUICK SPECS
- Price range: High
- USCG rating: Type III
- Sizes: S/M: 33-40″ / L/XL: 38-46″ / XXL: 42-50″
- Foam type: PVC-free, PE foam
- Weight: 34 oz (33-40″)
- Main material: 400D urethane-coated ripstop nylon exterior, 200D nylon interior
TODAY’S PRICE
Stohlquist Spectrum
BEST ALL-AROUND
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Pretty decent option all around – Ability to fit just about any paddler – Does the job reasonably well – Impressive adjustability – Pretty low price | – Hard to secure for smaller paddlers – Not durable – Stiff – With full coverage, it can also be a bit warm on hot days |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Much better for larger wearers
- As a spare jacket to have
- All kinds of paddling and water activities
QUICK SPECS
- Price range: Medium
- USCG rating: Type III
- Sizes: Universal: 30-52″
- Foam type: PVC-free, PE foam
- Weight: 21 oz
- Main material: 240D ripstop nylon shell, 200D nylon liner
TODAY’S PRICE
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST PADDLE BOARD LIFE VEST
TYPE
For SUP boarding, I recommend Type III and Type V life vests because they combine safety and comfort.
SIZE
The life vest size is important because if it does not fit you well it will not work properly.
POCKETS
Paddleboard life vest pockets size and placement should be considered to not interfere with your movements.
COLOR
I recommend bright colors like red or yellow to be more visible to others around you. If possible, get one with a reflective tape.
VENTILATION
Since SUP paddling is often practiced in the summer and under the sun, you should look for life vests with good ventilation.
FAQ
MY BEST PADDLE BOARD LIFE VESTS ARE…
– BEST OVERALL: Astral V-Eight
– BEST VALUE: NRS Vapor
– BEST AFFORDABLE: Onyx MoveVent Curve
– BEST MOBILITY: NRS Ninja
– BEST ALL-AROUND: Stohlquist Spectrum
MY BEST AFFORDABLE PADDLE BOARD LIFE VEST IS…
If you are looking for a life vest to stay safe on the water and you are on a budget, I will recommend you the Onyx MoveVent Curve.
For just about $50, you get a paddleboard life vest with good performance, comfortable fit, and easy to lean back in.
Updated on April 14, 2022 by Ben