Updated October 4, 2024
With the range of possibilities that stand-up paddleboarding offers, from cruising the flats, fishing, or practicing yoga, to surfing small waves, the popularity of SUP is skyrocketing. It should not be forgotten while you’re out there having the time of your life that there is an element of danger that fortunately can be mitigated by using a life vest, often called a PFD or personal flotation device. In addition, a point to take note of is that the U.S. Coast Guard has regulations regarding the operation of a SUP outside a surfing or swimming zone that requires that a flotation device be onboard.
How can you select the best SUP life vest for your needs? There are many models on the market today, some of which will serve you well in other sports like kayaking. To give you a step up in your selection process, top life vests are introduced below with a comparison table, key features, photos, videos, and a buying guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know in the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For other related information, please check out these popular reviews:
SUP Boards Yoga SUP Roof Racks Fishing SUPs SUP Boards Surfing Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboards SUP Paddles Stand Up Paddleboards
Best SUP Life Vest Reviews
- NRS Ninja SUP Life Vest
- Onyx MoveVent Dynamic SUP Life Vest
- Stohlquist Edge SUP Life Vest
- MTI Adventurewear Atlas High Buoyancy SUP Life Vest
- NRS Raku Fishing SUP Life Vest
- Astral YTV SUP Life Vest
- Stohlquist Women’s Flo SUP Life Vest
- NRS cVest Mesh Back SUP Life Vest
Best SUP Life Vest Comparison Table
| Picture | Life Vest | Flotation | USCG Rating | Weight | Sizes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | NRS Ninja SUP Life Vest | 16.5 pounds | Type III | 28 ounces | 3 | $$ |
  | Onyx MoveVent Dynamic SUP Life Vest | 15.5 pounds | Type III | 26.24 ounces | 3 | $ |
  | Stohlquist Edge SUP Life Vest | 15.8 pounds | Type III | 26.5 ounces | 3 | $$ |
 | MTI Adventurewear Atlas High Buoyancy SUP Life Vest | 24-28.56 pounds | Type III | unspecified | 2 | $$ |
  | NRS Raku Fishing SUP Life Vest | 16.5 pounds | Type III | 31.2 ounces | 3 | $$$ |
  | Astral YTV SUP Life Vest | 16.5 pounds | Type V | 28.2 ounces | 3 | $$ |
  | Stohlquist Women’s Flo SUP Life Vest | 16.25 pounds | Type III | 22 ounces | 3 | $$ |
  | NRS cVest Mesh Back SUP Life Vest | 16.5 pounds | Type III | unspecified | 3 | $$$ |
| Picture | Life Vest | Material | USCG Rating | Weight | Sizes | Price |
The soft foam flotation panels can be adjusted to match your shape and a low profile and flexible inner fabric allow for unrestricted movement in paddling.
It has an easy side entry and a large front zippered pocket and a lash tab for accessories. Available in 4 colors it comes in a range of sizes suitable for men and women.
- Material: 200 denier urethane-coated nylon construction
- Soft flexible inner fabric
- Soft foam flotation panels with 4 side and 2 shoulder adjustments for a custom fit
- Floating front panel
- Side entry with quick-release buckles
- Zippered front pocket and a lash tab for accessories
- Available in black, red, charcoal, and pink
- Unisex
- Flotation: 16.5 pounds
- Weight: 28 ounces
- Sizes: S/M, L/XL, XXL
- USCG Rating: Type III
- Price: $$
Onyx MoveVent Dynamic SUP Life Vest
Adjustable padded shoulder straps and a flexible, contoured design provide good freedom of movement and a comfortable fit.
There is ample storage in the expandable mesh pocket and a lash tab for small accessories, and reflective material and a whistle for attracting attention should you need it.
Easy entry is accomplished through the durable front zipper.
It’s available in 4 color combinations and several sizes to fit a range of men and women.
- Material: 200 denier nylon ripstop and nylon oxford
- Mesh lower back
- Adjustable shoulder straps with neoprene padding
- Durable zipper
- Adjustable side belts
- Drying loop on the back
- Expandable mesh pocket with zipper
- Lash tab for accessories
- Whistle, SOLAs grade reflective material
- Available in 4 color combinations with orange, purple, yellow, and teal
- Unisex
- Flotation: 15.5 pounds
- Weight: 26.24 ounces
- Sizes: XS/S, M/L, XL/2XL
- USCG Rating: Type III
- Price: $
It has an offset main zipper for overhead donning and doffing which allows space for a large top-loading central storage pocket.
Adjustable shoulder, front and side waist straps give you a personalized, streamlined fit, and mesh sides keep you ventilated and cool even on hot summer days.
Suitable for men and women, it comes in several sizes, has reflective accents for visibility, and is available in 3 colors.
- Material: durable ripstop nylon shell and liner
- Ergonomically contoured torso
- Adjustable padded shoulder straps
- 4 adjustable front and side waist straps
- Offset front zipper entry
- Front waist-buckle closure
- Large zippered top-loading central pocket
- Reflective accents for visibility
- Large arm openings and mesh sides
- Comes in black, red, and royal blue
- Unisex
- Flotation: 15.8 pounds (S/M model)
- Weight: 26.5 ounces (S/M model)
- Sizes: S/M, L/XL, XXL
- USCG Rating: Type III
- Price: $$
MTI Adventurewear Atlas High Buoyancy SUP Life Vest
The rugged 400D shell is reinforced with 1.5-inch webbing and has 4 adjustable webbing loops, a webbing belt, and padded shoulder straps for a secure fit that will accommodate your body shape.
2 large cargo pockets can store an ample amount of accessories and large armholes give you plenty of freedom of movement for paddling.
It has a tethered whistle and reflective panels and trim to let people know where you are should it be necessary, and is currently available in 2 sizes and 2 colors,
- Material: 400D shell
- 1.5-inch webbing reinforcement
- 2 large zippered cargo pockets, one with mesh
- Tethered whistle
- Reflective trim and panels for visibility
- 4 webbing loops (allow for adding crotch straps)
- Center zipper
- Webbing belt with squeeze attachment
- Reinforced adjustable padded shoulder straps
- Comes in mango and red
- Unisex
- Flotation: 24-28.56 pounds (depending on size)
- Weight: unspecified
- Sizes: XS/S, M/L
- USCG Rating: Type III
- Price: $$
View More From MTI Adventurewear
NRS Raku Fishing SUP Life Vest
A well-thought-out system of pockets allows storage of a lot of the gear and tools you’ll need and there is even a loop and strap mechanism to secure your pole should you need to free up your hands.
Currently available in orange and charcoal, it comes in a range of sizes suitable for women and men.
- Material: 400 denier nylon ripstop
- Thin back construction with PlushFit™ foam flotation
- Front zipper entry
- 6 adjustment points for a custom fit
- 2 large zippered pockets
- 2 small hook & loop accessory pockets
- Tool holder pocket
- Loop & strap rod holder
- Lash tab for accessories
- Reflective accents for visibility
- Comes in orange and charcoal
- Unisex
- Flotation: 16.5 pounds
- Weight: 31.2 ounces
- Sizes: XS/M, L/XL, XL/XXL
- USCG Rating: Type III
- Price: $$$
After pulling it on, side buckles and shoulder straps adjust it to a “Torso Lock” conforming fit.
Large armholes and the low profile deliver the excellent freedom of movement needed for effective paddling. 2 zippered front pockets and a knife tab provide storage on this vest constructed of sturdy denier nylon on the shell and liner and PVC-free PE and Gaia foam inserts for flotation.
In 3 sizes and 3 colors, it is a unisex model fitting a range of body types.
- Material: 200 and 400 denier ripstop nylon shell, 200 denier nylon lining, polypropylene webbing
- Gaia and PE foam inserts (PVC-free)
- Pullover style with adjustable side buckles
- 2 zippered front pockets
- Quick access knife tab on the chest
- Heavy-duty hardware and zippers
- “Torso Lock” conforming fit
- Comes in eggplant, hot coral, and slate black
- Unisex
- Flotation: 16.5 pounds
- Weight: 28.2 ounces
- Sizes: S/M, M/L, L/XL
- USCG Rating: Type V
- Price: $$
Stohlquist Women’s Flo SUP Life Vest
It has a comfortable neoprene waistband and cross-chest cinch strap to eliminate riding up.
High-back flotation (which is a feature especially useful for kayaking), mesh lower back and shoulders, and open sides provide good ventilation and flexibility for paddling.
In addition, storage capability is substantial in the large self-draining bellows side pockets.
With a center zipper, it is easy to put on and take off and is available in 2 attractive color combinations, and 3 sizes to fit all women’s body types.
- Material: 400 and 200 denier ripstop nylon shell
- High-back PE foam flotation
- Neoprene padded waistband
- Open sides, mesh shoulders and lower back
- Cross-chest cinch strap
- Webbing shoulder, side, and belt straps
- Self-draining bellows side pockets
- Center YKK #10 zipper
- 4-way lash tabs back and front
- Comes in orange/gray and purple/gray
- Women’s
- Flotation: 16.25 pounds
- Weight: 22 ounces
- Sizes: XS/S, M/L, Plus
- USCG Rating: Type III
- Price: $$
NRS cVest Mesh Back SUP Life Vest
It has high-back flotation that is also great for kayaking and a mesh lower back to help keep you cool.
8 adjustment points give you a secure fit and 3M reflective accents all around make you visible in low-light situations.
Lime and red are the colors to choose from and the 3 sizes are designed to cover the range of men’s and women’s needs.
- Material: 400 denier ripstop nylon shell
- High-back flotation, mesh lower back (good for kayaking)
- Numerous D-rings and 2 lash tabs for attaching accessories
- 2 large zippered pockets
- 2 small dual-entry clamshell pockets
- 3M reflective accents for visibility
- Comes in lime and red
- Unisex
- Flotation: 16.5 pounds
- Weight: unspecified
- Sizes: XS/M, L/XL, XL/XXL
- USCG Rating: Type III
- Price: $$$
SUP Life Vest Buying Guide
USCG Classification
The United States Coast Guard has a system to classify life vests into five types based on the intended use. For a detailed description, check this out: USCG Rating System
Life vests for SUP usually fit into Type III or Type V like all the models reviewed above.
Type I – for distant locations, designed to have enough buoyancy to keep you face-up on the surface, brightly colored and large.
Type II – for nearby, close to shore, a quick response is possible, smaller than Type I vests.
Type III – “flotation aids” when quick rescue is likely, comfortable, flexible movement is possible, keep you face-up but not automatically as with a Type I vest.
Type IV – a throwable item like a circular ring or cushion, not for rough water or unconscious victims, considered a backup.
Type V – designed for particular activities like SUP, kayaking, windsurfing, etc., with more flotation than Types II or III.
Buoyancy
In the descriptions and on the comparison table buoyancy is a term that refers to the amount of force necessary for something to stay at the surface of a body of water. A person’s weight and body fat ratio influence buoyancy as well as whether it is fresh or saltwater.
A Type III vest in the USCG rating system must have a buoyancy of at least 15.5 pounds. It is estimated that an adult needs from 7 to 12 pounds of buoyancy to float.
Here is an article describing the calculations to determine buoyancy: How Do We Calculate Weight in Water?
Materials
Most quality SUP life vests use some version of nylon as the main shell material. It is water-resistant and stands up well to abrasions and scrapes, and the effects of UV rays.
Different varieties of plastic foam are used for flotation. Manufacturers are always trying to develop new types that are softer and more flexible, among other characteristics. PVC is used in some which is frowned upon by environmentalists.
Sizing and Fit
Sizing of SUP life vests is organized around chest size. The vest also needs to accommodate the weight of the user and ensure enough flotation. It should fit snugly but comfortably but must allow for the range of motion through the arms and shoulders necessary for effective paddling without excess rubbing or chafing.
Storage and Pockets
SUP paddlers benefit greatly from an ergonomically designed system of places to store accessories. This can be front and side zippered pockets, inner compartments, clamshell pockets, mesh pockets, D-rings, lash tabs, loops, and others. Fishermen can make great use of well-organized storage to put their gear, tools, lures, etc. in easy-to-reach spots that can be quickly accessed without interfering with fishing or paddling. If you’re just an ordinary paddler a place for your radio, knife, or drink can come in handy.
Visibility
If you find yourself in a low-light situation your visibility is important, especially in an emergency. Vests that are brightly colored or have reflective highlights, strips, or patches can be much easier to see. In addition, having a signaling device attached to your vest like a whistle, flashlight, radio, or cell phone is an option to consider.
For other related information on SUP, please check out these popular reviews:
SUP Boards Yoga SUP Roof Racks Fishing SUPs SUP Boards Surfing Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboards SUP Paddles Stand Up Paddleboards
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