Best Women’s PFDs For Kayaking

When you think about getting involved in water sports like kayaking this summer into fall, it is clear that you need to wear proper protection. That includes both men and women, yet there are certain needs for women that must be considered. While the best women’s PFDs for kayaking will keep a woman safe, there are certain needs like size, material, etc. to keep in mind.

What happens if you do not consider these things? You end up getting a PFD that does not help as much or perhaps not at all. There have been cases of some falling off or simply popping on people when they need them most.

This comes down to how they are made. Plus, you want them to be comfortable as kayaking will be hard to do while strapped down like people on a roller coaster. Therefore, it’s clear for anyone that this much should be considered. Yet what about women?

In case you have not noticed, women’s breasts tend to be larger than men’s breasts. Yet some women have larger breasts than others. Therefore, you want to have a PFD that gives women multiple adjustable straps to give them protection and comfort at the exact same time.

There are many that offer this but before we get there, we want to discuss some of the important things you need to keep in mind about the best women’s PFDs for kayaking.

What Is A PFD & Why Should I Wear One?

PFDs are “personal floatation devices.” Most of us tend to call them “life jackets.” They are very useful and can literally save your life. Clearly, they have a reason for the name we give them. It is important to wear one because you could need one at any time.

Should you wear one when kayaking? It’s not exactly forced in most states but it’s recommended by everyone. It’s not hard to find a good PFD for a good price, and they work well for most on-water needs. Thus, you can use the same kayaking PFD on a speed boat, while water skiing, etc.

State Laws On PFDs

Of course, there are also certain laws in the United States and in some countries that demand the use of them in certain situations.

First and foremost, every PFD has to be cleared for use by the United States Coast Guard. You will see their seal of approval on the box the PFD comes in or on the PFD itself.

In most states, there are laws regarding their use for children. Pretty much every state has a law for those under the age of 10 to wear one anytime you’re on the water. Other states have some that go as far as 17 and under must wear one.

Meanwhile, for adults, the activity dictates the need. For ships, such as that lovely cruise you went on…they have to have enough for every passenger. They must all be checked and completely ready to go should you need one.

On the flip side, many states require the use of them on boats whether you’re on a lake, river, or ocean. This differs somewhat in other instances, but rafting requires a PFD all over due to its danger.

Like if you own your own boat, there is not a lot of forced law by states on adults regarding PFDs. Yet the same boat, if used for business purposes, WILL have laws regarding them.

If you want to learn more about the requirements your state has, you can click here to see.

Federal Laws On PFDs

The United States Federal Government also has its own laws on the books that, at times, trump state laws. The Federal Government put in “regulations,” which recommend children 13 and under must wear a life jacket on any vessel under 12 meters or 39.3 feet in length.

However, while this is the recommend regulation on life jackets by the Fed, it is not a law. Thus, this means state laws are still the law of the land. The federal laws only come into place when it comes to the actual vest itself.

This is where those Coast Guard rulings come into play.

Do You Have To Wear A PFD While On A Kayak?

While most adults do not have state laws requiring the use of PFDs on kayaks, everyone recommends that you wear one. Sure, you CAN avoid not using one on a kayak…but it’s reckless to not wear one.

Most states, again, do not require the use of life jackets on a kayak. However, some do, such as the state of Tennessee. They mention that you’re not given a pass on either a canoe or kayak, but this is one of the few states that enforce them specifically on the two.

Therefore, when it comes to kayaking….you are not forced to wear a life jacket in every state. Of course, after you cross by a certain age bracket. Either way, law requirement or not, one needs to be worn when you’re kayaking.

PFD Safety Standards

First and foremost, you should know that PFDs work on Types, which is based on the principle of buoyancy. This is mostly regarding the ability to keep one’s head above water. This is why you might see it based on weight or size, but it’s also based on where you’re using it.

You’ll see Type I, II, III, IV, and V

The United States Coast Guard recommends and/or requires one to wear one of these types, with many state law enforcement agencies backing them up on the matter. You will see them formatted like this:

[callout]

• Type I: 22lbs
• Type II: 15.5lbs (Near-Shore Buoyancy Vest)
• Type III: 15.5lbs (Flotation Aid)
• Type IV: 16.5lbs
• Type V: 15.5 to 22lbs

[/callout]

The Personal Flotation Device Manufacturer’s Association or PFDMA claims that most adults will need an extra 22lbs of buoyancy in comparison to their body weight, in order to keep their head above water. Their recommendation has become the official standard.

Foam vs Inflatable PFDs

While the world of inflatable PFDs is filled with terrific options, we’d recommend ignoring those for the time being. If you’re going to be on a kayak, an inflatable option will do you about as much good as an umbrella in a snowstorm. In that, it’ll kinda work but chances are…not much.

This actually comes back around to the types we mentioned above. The PFDs made mostly for use in sports are under Type III. Although they can work for multiple needs beyond sports too.

They will be made with foam, as inflatable PFDs won’t work that well. For women, this is important as the foam versions typically can be fitted to work well with breasts. They will have several straps for comfort as well.

Overall, they are just a better option for women anyway. Yet for kayaking, it’s a no-brainer…you go with foam. This type will keep you safe and there’s no risk in this option popping on you. In all seriousness, you could open or scratch them and the foam option won’t be effected at all.

Inflatable types are cooler to wear, so you won’t have to worry about overheating. Yet the foam types, while somewhat warmer, aren’t as bad as you might think. Plus many are now made to be cooler on people, especially in the back.

Therefore, the one thing inflatable types have on foam versions is likely soon going to be a thing of the past.