Four Top Inflatable PFDs Tested

Inflatable life jackets have crossed over from expensive professional gear to an affordable recreational necessity. With good reason. Not only are they cooler, lighter, and more comfortable to wear, but they are also easier to protect from deterioration and mildew and can stow in a far more compact package than inherently buoyant life jackets.

However, they do their job ­differently than old-school PFDs and require yearly maintenance, which means unpacking the inflatable bladder, removing a trigger mechanism and the C0₂ cartridge, then replacing and ­repacking the bladder. If you keep six of them on your boat, that could be an annual three-hour job, and repack kits cost around $30 each.

Be aware that inflatables are a legal replacement for ­inherently inflatable jackets, but in most states, only if worn while underway. They are also legal replacements only on people 16 years old and older. They are not legal for use on personal watercraft.

How We Tested 

We used an underwater POV cam in an 8-foot pool to record water entry to resurfacing. We started the clock when feet broke the surface and stopped when the “victim’s” head resurfaced. Faster is better, but as long as you know what to expect, we didn’t think the 2-second difference between the fast ones and slow ones mattered.

Repacking

All but one PFD we tested had a similar bobbin and cartridge trigger. Unscrew the bobbin barrel, replace the yellow bobbin—it can go into the barrel only one way and screw the bobbin barrel cap down until the charge window shows green for ready. Then replace the CO₂ cartridge. We deliberately did not clock repacking time. The procedure goes faster with practice, and we repacked them to see how ­complicated it was and how easily we could return them to original ­undeployed shape.

Mustang Survival MIT 150 A/M Convertible

$189.99; mustangsurvival.com

Best Application: Inshore to Nearshore 

Mustang Survival has specialized designing and producing marine safety gear for law enforcement, military, recreational boaters and more since 1967. The MIT jacket is sleek, and the bladder is integrated into the shell rather than stuffed into the shell, as with competitors. When it inflates, it unfolds and can be easily refolded and recharged. Mustang Survival’s MIT 150 offers about 38 pounds/168 newtons of buoyancy.

On-Deck Comfort: The MIT design hugs the neck more than Spinlock models, but they are so light and sleek, I often forgot to take it off when I left the boat. Its front center waist belt buckle is convenient and much appreciated. The seam around the collar was a little raspy on dry land but more comfortable in the water.

Water Comfort: The design of the MIT ensures that there is no sharp bladder edge anywhere near the neck or chest. We found this to be the only one that gave us protection from chaffing, which we think could be very important if rescue were to take more than a few minutes.

Adjustability: The waist strap remains straight as the jacket is pulled over the shoulders. Once buckled, the waist strap can be adjusted from the right side by pulling the strap through a slotted friction buckle until the back strap is snug. The excess strap is fastened in a hook-and-loop enclosure.

Bonus Points: This was by far the sleekest in our test group and very comfortable to wear. MIT’s foldable bladder is genius, easy to repack, and makes it most comfortable in the water. It is simplicity in motion.

Repacking: This is hands-down the easiest to repack thanks to the unique design of the MIT, which integrates the shell with the bladder instead of confining an accordion-folded bladder inside the shell.

Deployment Time: 4 seconds

Deployment Depth: 8 feet

Bluestorm Stratus 35

$159; bluestormgear.com

Best Application: Inshore to Nearshore

The Stratus 35 provides 35 pounds of buoyancy (about 155 newtons). Its design is similar to the Mustang MIT jacket in that its inflation bladder is integrated into the shell, so when repacking, all one needs to do is fold the shell in thirds and fasten with the hook-and-loop strips. It’s a good-looking jacket and comes in a variety of colors, including camo and Kryptek water camo (for a $20 upcharge).

On-Deck Comfort: This one did rest on the neck. But its breathable, moisture-wicking collar was soft and nonabrasive, mitigating the added contact. The collar is compact and styled into the webbed back yoke that spreads the load and adds comfort.

Water Comfort: This one was the second-most comfortable in the water, but we noticed a little contact with the abrasive bladder. Still, it kept our victim secure with the air passageway well above the water while awaiting rescue.

Adjustability: It buckles in the center, making it easy to put on and keep the back strap from twisting. The large 2.25-inch center buckle is easy to operate, even with gloves. The right-hand waist-strap adjustment was easy to operate as well, and it remained adjusted.

Bonus Points: Similar in design to the Mustang MIT, it repacks easily and wears comfortably. The clear inspection window on the front makes it easy to see if your jacket is ready to save our life.

Repacking: Replacing the bobbin (water-dissolving trigger) and cartridge was easy. Once that was done, the jacket folds in thirds—the outside inward, and that inside over the outside to be secured on a hook-and-loop strip. The collar didn’t return to its original position quite as easily as the yoke, but a kid could manage it.

Deployment Time: 6 seconds

Deployment Depth: 8 feet

Bluestorm Arcus 40

$199; bluestormgear.com

Best Application: Nearshore to Offshore

The Arcus 40 shared similarities with some Spinlock models. Its 40 designation referenced 40 beefy pounds (179 newtons) of flotation, making it suitable for nearshore and offshore use. The shell around the bladder is zippered and rounded when packed. Its webbing is a heavy-duty 2 inches, and the back yoke is foam-padded for comfort. The device is made for commercial use, but it’s compact, comfortable and economical enough for recreational use.

On-Deck Comfort: We liked this one a lot. Like the Spinlock, it is comfortable to wear, giving plenty of margin around the neck, so it doesn’t chafe. The back padding might make it a bit warm in Southern climes but will make it more comfortable in the water awaiting rescue.

Water Comfort: The zippered shell is designed to protect the neck from chaffing from the inflatable bladder, and it did to some extent, but not completely. The bladder seam inflated beyond the shell, and we felt the abrasive bladder around our jawbone more than around our neck.

Bonus Points: There is a zippered pocket in the lapel to hold a cellphone, wallet or other gear, and though it isn’t big enough for the larger new smartphones, it’s still a handy feature. The thickly padded back has bumped-out foam to add ventilation and comfort—especially in the water. It is surprising how much difference there is between 35 pounds of flotation and 40.

Repacking: The zippered shell is a little harder to arrange around the accordion-folded bladder because it takes two hands to manage the zipper and one to hold the bladder in place while zipping it. We did manage to do it single-handed by inching the zipper up while holding the bottom with one hand and using the other to simultaneously hold the bladder and pull the zipper.

Deployment Time: 6 seconds

Deployment Depth: 8 feet

Read Next: How to Properly Read New Life-Jacket Labels

Spinlock 6D Deck Vest

$419; spinlock.co.uk

Best Application: Nearshore to Offshore 

Spinlock has been making sailing equipment since 1968 and life jackets since 2004. The life jackets come with mesh storage bags that allow them to hang while drying. The 6D includes a lift ring for man-overboard recovery. A crotch strap prevents the vest from riding up, either on deck or in the water. An integrated spray hood will prove welcome in rough conditions. It provides 38 pounds of flotation, or 170 newtons.

On-Deck Comfort: The rounded yoke feels reassuring and comfortable around the shoulders, and its design keeps it off the neck, making the vest an extra measure cooler to wear. The back of the yoke is padded for comfort. It tested as most comfortable on deck.

Water Comfort: We thought that the padding around the neck on the collar would provide comfort when deployed, but it did not. The bladder inflated beyond the neoprene collar and left the sharp edges of the bladder against our neck. While in the water, we couldn’t raise the neoprene collar above the seams. 

Adjustability: The jacket waistband opens conveniently front and center. When buckled, the back strap adjusts easily from both the left and the right with web straps just about kidney height. 

Bonus Points: We liked the clear inspection window and especially that streamlined manual-deployment handle tucked into the lapel. It’s easily accessible and unlikely to snag. Two water-activated LED rescue lights begin flashing on immersion.

Repacking: The bladder has to be folded accordion-style to fit back within the jacket shell. It takes practice to get it into shape and hold it in shape while maneuvering the zipper to pull around it. When done, it was exactly as comfortable as when new out of the package.

Deployment Time: 4 seconds

Deployment Depth: 8 feet

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