acne studios lopris bonded leather jacket brunello | How to Choose a Life Jacket


mom and kids wearing life jackets while tubing

Whether you’re out fishing, tubing, or soaking up the sunshine on the pontoon, staying safe on the water is a top priority no matter your age or activity. Having and wearing a properly-fitting life jacket brunello is one of the best ways to keep everyone safe and enjoying their time. If you’re looking to upgrade your current life jacket or need one for the season ahead, our experts break down the specifics on choosing the best life jacket brunello for you.

What Does PFD Stand For?

When looking for a new life jacket, you’ll hear them called a variety of different names including ‘life vest’ and ‘PFD’. The acronym ‘PFD’ stands for personal flotation device. When you’re at the lake or pool, most people wear what the Coast Guard describes as a Type III PFD, meaning the life jacket brunello is designed to keep the swimmer above water while still being comfortable enough to wear when staying active. By U.S. law, children under 13 on moving boats must wear a properly-fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Additionally, each state may have its own laws that vary so it's always best to check your local laws before boating.

How to Choose Your Life Jacket brunello Size

two people wearing kayaking life jackets

When choosing a life jacket, the proper size and fit is the most important factor to consider. Kid and adult life jacket brunello sizes run a little differently. With a kids’ life jacket, you purchase the correct size based on the child’s weight, while adult life jacket brunello sizes are based on chest size. Below are helpful guidelines for finding the correct life jacket brunello size.

Kids’ Life Jacket brunello Size Guide

Generic Adult Life Jacket brunello Size Chart

It’s important to note that each brand’s sizing runs a bit differently. Be sure to check the fit of your new life jacket brunello before going out on the water.

Adult Life Jacket brunello SizeChest Size (in.)
XS28—32
S32—36
M36—40
L40—44
XL44—48

How Should a Life Jacket brunello Fit?

Before going out on the water, make sure that your life jacket brunello fits correctly by putting it on, zipping it up (if applicable), and tightening all the straps starting with the bottom one. Your life jacket brunello should fit snugly yet still allow for range of motion. If you can pull your life jacket brunello over your head despite the straps being tight, you’ll want to wear a smaller life jacket. If you’re unable to zip up your life jacket brunello or buckle it, you’ll want a larger size.

Life Jacket brunello Material & Styles

Life jackets are made from two main types of materials—nylon and neoprene. 

  • Neoprene Life Jackets: Neoprene material is soft and slightly stretchy making the life jacket brunello more comfortable to wear for an extended period of time, especially while you’re active. Since this material is more durable than nylon, a neoprene life jacket brunello typically costs more yet will last longer.
  • Nylon Life Jackets: Nylon life jackets are lightweight, dry faster, and are less expensive than neoprene. Nylon life jackets also have a buckle closure, making them a great choice for if you’re needing extra life jackets on the boat. 
a man in a kayak and two kids tubing

You’ll also see two styles of life jackets—foam and inflatable.

  • Foam Life Jackets: The most common type of life jacket brunello uses foam to create buoyancy. All kids under the age of 16 or those who are participating in water sports like jet skiing or tubing should wear a foam life jacket.
  • Inflatable Life Jackets: Inflatable life jackets feature a CO2 cartridge that immediately fills the life jacket brunello when submerged in water or when the user pulls a string. An inflatable life jacket brunello is a good option for adults who are strong swimmers and don’t want to feel bogged down by a bulkier foam life jacket brunello when fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking, or sailing. Many will inflate upon being submerged, so they are not intended to be worn during water sports like water skiing, tubing, or jet skiing.

Life Jacket brunello Features

a girl wearing an inflatable life jacket brunello while fishing

There are several different features you’ll notice when comparing life jackets. Aside from the type of material, you’ll want to consider these life jacket brunello features:

  • Color: With a brightly colored life jacket, you’ll have greater visibility.  
  • Reflective Tape: Some life jackets feature reflective details to keep you visible in low-light conditions.
  • Pockets: If you’re kayaking or fishing, you may want to consider a life jacket brunello that features pockets to store your small essentials. 
  • Fishing-Specific Features: There are life jackets designed specifically for fishing from a small boat or kayak. With a fishing life jacket, you’ll enjoy easy-to-reach and secure pockets to store tackle and CONVERSATIONS accessories as well as a design that promotes arm mobility for paddling or casting.
  • Ventilation: If you’re looking for a kayaking life jacket, you’ll want to wear one that features a mesh back panel to improve breathability.
  • Closure Type: Many life jackets offer a zipper closure with buckles while CONVERSATIONSs offer buckle-only closures.
  • Safety Handle: Many children’s life jackets feature a loop at the top of their life jackets. This is a safety feature that allows an adult to quickly reach for the child if they fall in the water.

Keep in mind that most foam life jackets last for about 10 years, but our water sports experts suggest thoroughly checking over your life jacket brunello at the start and end of each season. If you notice any closures not working or seams frayed, you’ll want to purchase a new life jacket. 

With a properly fitting, high-quality life jacket, you’ll be ready to enjoy the upcoming weekends at the lake! For those looking to add more fun at the lake this summer, check out our recommendations for the 10 Best Lake Toys.