Buying Guide What You Need to Know When Choosing a PFD for Fishing
US Coast Guard Certification
All the products we’ve reviewed today have been certified by the US Coast Guard as either Type III or Type I personal floatation devices.Never use a PFD that isn’t certified - or isn’t appropriate - for the activity you’re engaging in.
Type III PFDs
Type III PFDs come in two designs: those that use inherently-buoyant materials and those that inflate.
According to the BoatUS Foundation, Type III PFDs are intended for “supervised activities, such as sailing regattas, dinghy races, water skiing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and during personal watercraft operation.” These PFDs are designed to provide adequate buoyancy for “protected, inland water near shore, where chance of immediate rescue is good,” but they are
“not suitable for extended survival in rough water,” nor are they “designed to turn unconscious people face up in water.”
What does this mean in the real world?
Experts explain that if you go into the water alone in a Type III PFD, “the amount of time a life jacket will keep you afloat depends on many factors, including your body size and weight, the type of life jacket, whether you are wearing it properly, the water conditions and whether you are struggling or floating in the water. In general, most adult-size life jackets will keep you afloat for at least 8 hours in calm water conditions.”
Many Type III PFDs will rotate unconscious anglers face up in the water, but you can’t depend on them to do so reliably.
Type I PFDs
Type I PFDs are inherently buoyant, offering maximum protection from drowning and cold water. They’re typically uncomfortable and bulky, and virtually everyone will prefer to wear a Type III PFD.
Type I PFDs are designed for “cruising, racing and fishing offshore, or when boating alone, or in stormy conditions.” They’re the “best for open, rough or remote water where rescue may be slow to arrive,” and they “will turn MOST unconscious wearers face-up in water.”
In short, they provide “the best protection, but [are] somewhat bulky and uncomfortable.”
In the real world, they offer the best chance of survival and rescue.
Comfort and fit
PFDs are only truly useful if you’re wearing them, and for that reason, comfort and fit matter a lot more than you might think.
And as you’d expect, greater comfort comes at a price.
The most comfortable PFDs on our list are expensive inflatables. Cool-wearing and easy to fit, they’re a great choice for many anglers because they’ll actually get used rather than tossed into a storage compartment.
A reliable Type I PFD may be superior in buoyancy and safety, but if you won’t actually wear it, it’s not nearly as protective as an inflatable Type III PFD that you’ll actually put on.
Proper fit matters, too. If you don’t fit your PFD properly, it’s both uncomfortable and unsafe, as you may slip out of it in the water, have it ride up far too high, or leave you in an untenable position on the surface.
Durability
Fishing can get your PFD dirty in a hurry, and constant exposure to U light, abrasions, cuts, and punctures can shred cheap products like cheese over pasta.
You want tough high-denier nylon on the outer layer, and softer denier fabrics on the inside to enhance comfort. These should be relatively easy to wash with warm soap and water as well, because once you get fish slime and blood on your PFD, you’ll need to get it clean to avoid a stinking mess.
Storage
Many anglers like the idea of extra gear storage on their life vest, and many Type III PFDs offer such options.
The NRS OS Chinook is probably the best on the market on this front.
Visibility
Last, but certainly not least, take visibility seriously.
While many PFDs are offered in dark or subdued colors, if you ever do need to be rescued, you’ll want to be wearing a life vest that contrasts with the water, allowing easy visibility even in low-light conditions.
The addition of reflective materials can be critical as well, creating bright spots that rescuers can spot with lights even at night.
Final Thoughts
No one thinks they’re going to become a statistic, but every year, some anglers add to the numbers of fishermen who drown in entirely avoidable situations.
Always wear a PFD during your fishing adventures.
We can’t tell you which of the products we’ve reviewed today is the best fit for your budget and needs, but every product on this list is a life saver.
We hope that this article has helped you make the best choice for your safety, and if you have any questions or comments, please leave us a message below!
