TEST VERDICT

It is clear to see that all lifejackets are not created equal, certainly not in how they feel from person to person. One boater’s meat is another’s poison. While all of our lifejackets on test performed well according to basic safety standards, they all have elements that could be tweaked and adjusted to be better functioning or designed and all of them have their unique selling points.

HORSES FOR COURSES

It’s not just your personal preference or body shape that can make any given lifejacket more or less suitable, different activities might also influence your choice depending on whether you are an adventurous RIB owner who cruises offshore regardless of the conditions or a fair-weather river-based owner of a slow displacement cruiser.

For good value and no frills you can’t go wrong with the Seago Seaguard or Waveline 165. They weigh very little (from 800g), they stow easily in a kit bag and they are inexpensive to buy making them a good option for occasional users or to keep on board for guests.

However, on the basis that the only lifejacket worth having is the one you are wearing the day you need it, comfort, lightness and style are just as valid attributes for the more regular boat user as the latest offshore survival equipment. In this instance it’s worth spending a little more on the Spinlock Deckvest Lite, a favourite of many of our testers, Teamo Micro Ultra Light or Ocean Safety Kru Sport. The Crewsaver 180 Pro’s extra buoyancy and safety features also looks conspicuously good value for money.

Last but by no means least, for women who find some of the unisex designs uncomfortable to wear, the Baltic Athena could be a genuine gamechanger. Hats off to Baltic for recognising this issue and doing something proactive about it. Give it a try, you might be surprised how much of a difference it makes.