SUP life jackets
The best SUP lifejackets in comparison
A SUP life jacket is already mandatory in Switzerland , whether it comes in Germany and Austria, I do not know yet.
Let me still explain in this article, when and why a life jacket for SUP makes sense. Later I’ll show you what to look for when choosing a SUP lifejacket, introduce good models and compare them with each other.
Children and teenagers traveling alone should always wear a life jacket. Even experienced swimmers eventually reach their limits at long distances. In the swimming pool the edge is seldom more than 10 meters away.
On a SUP tour, there are often hundreds of meters to the shore, with waves and current, which make the progress difficult, it is quickly exhausting.
Especially with cool water this is not to be protected.
I advise adults to a SUP life jacket (PFD ~ p ersonal f loating d evice in English called).
There is no special SUP vest. The range of lifejackets for canoeists, rowers, sailors and kite surfers, however, is huge. Of course, these models are just as suitable for the requirements of Stand Up Paddling.
With the help of the following criteria you can find a suitable life jacket.
- Buoyancy: From 100 Newton buoyancy one speaks of life jackets. If the life jacket is used as a rescue device 100 N should be the minimum. As a pure buoyancy aid as the SUP, you can, however, the rule of thumb “8 Newton per 10 kilograms of body weight” hold. Below, I have inserted a table with the values.
- Cut: The vest should provide enough freedom of movement. The area around the arms and shoulders is especially important.
- A few loops: strings and straps that hang around disturb me personally when paddling. Ideally, the cords are all festmachbar or run on the inside.
- Weight: Too much weight interferes with paddling. In my opinion, the West should weigh no more than 1 to 1.5 kilograms.
- Extras: Some models offer side pockets.
The short answer: The best life jacket for SUP
For adults
For children and adolescents
The alternative: Resttube Classic
If you are interested in this post, you will surely find my posts on waterproof bumbags for swimming and SUP or SUP boards for kids exciting.
Alternative: Resttube Classic – The self-inflating floating island
- Weight: 300 grams
- Buoyancy: 7 newtons
The resttube I have taken as an alternative to lifejackets. It does not replace them in any case. In particular, children and adolescents should wear a proper SUP life jacket.
The Resttube Classic will be worn as a belt pouch. You can inflate the floating island before take off. The peculiarity, however, is the self-inflating function. By means of a CO2 cartridge, the island is completely filled in a few moments and provides buoyancy.
Conclusion: An exciting gadget that has quite a lot of positive reviews accumulated. Annoying, I find the nachkaufenden cartridges. For the serious case definitely a great part that you’ll like to buckle up.
Jobe SUP Neoprene life jacket for adults
- Weight: 1100 to 1700 grams (depending on size)
- Buoyancy: 50 Newton
The vest is good. Thanks to the zipper at the front, donning is easy.
A big advantage of the Jobe life jacket are the many different variants. This life jacket is available in sizes from S to XXXL + in the colors black, red, blue and yellow.
Conclusion: The neoprene life jacket by Jobe is a high-quality vest, which is perfectly suited for stand up paddling thanks to the large cutouts around the shoulders. The model is designed for men, but looks quite neutral. For women, Jobe has made extra those vests *that are a little shorter and slimmer.
Chaobite life jacket for adults
- Weight: 522 grams
- Buoyancy: 75 Newton
With this savings model, you certainly do not do anything wrong. For very little money, there is a life jacket, which with 7.5 kilograms (~ 75 Newton) provides enough lift for up to 90 kilograms heavy paddlers.
The weight of wet clothing should not be neglected, but you still get here a SUP life jacket for adults for a true offer price.
Conclusion: With personally the Chaobite life jacket has too many straps. I just like it simple as with the models of Jobe. You can not complain about the price. To save the Chaobite is great, fashionable but not my taste.
SECUMAR buoyancy aid Jump
- Weight: 480 to 560 grams
- Buoyancy: 50 Newton
The gray buoyancy aid Jump from Secumar offers 50 N buoyancy. The Jump life jacket is not only a simple vest, but also has a small side pocket that can be opened by zipper.
Attention at this point: The bag is not waterproof. Phones and car keys should also be stowed in a waterproof case.
The vest is closed by a Velcro on the side. The whole vest works apart. The vest can be put on and taken off just as easily.
Other buyers have already reported on their experiences on Amazon. The tenor was also very positive.
Conclusion: The vest by Secumar has a fair price. She is a bit overblown with her personally. The side pocket is certainly a handy feature if you want to reduce the number of pieces of luggage on the SUP or just take an energy bar anyway.
Mesle life jacket Sportman Junior
- Buoyancy: 50 Newton
The Mesle life jacket is quite flexible adjustable. It is suitable for a chest circumference between 64 and 74 cm.
The vest is open at the sides, so paddling with SUP, kayaking or canoeing is easy.
The triple fuse ensures that the life jacket is firmly in the water.
Conclusion: Mesle has in addition to the many models for adults and SUP life jackets for children on offer. This model provides plenty of buoyancy, so you can enjoy the water fun with the little ones, without worrying too much about safety.
Jobe Progress neoprene vest for kids
- Weight: 1000 grams
- Buoyancy: 50 Newton
The Progress life jacket is available in four child sizes S / M, L-XL, XXL and XXL. You can choose between the colors red, blue, pink and black.
The closure is the same as my personal favorite among the adult model. The central zipper at the front and the double security ensure a firm sitting of the vest. At the same time, the vest can be put on and taken off quickly.
Conclusion: The Jobe children’s vest Progress is a great choice for the little ones. With the four different sizes you will surely find a suitable model.
How many Newtons buoyancy does a life jacket need for my body weight?
Based on the rule of thumb of 8 Newton per 10 kilograms, you can estimate the required buoyancy of your SUP lifejacket.
With the formula you get to the values:
Table: Recommended lift depending on body weight *
| Body weight in kilograms | Buoyancy in Newton |
|---|---|
| 30 kg | 24 N |
| 35 kg | 28 N |
| 40 kg | 32 N |
| 45 kg | 36 N |
| 50 kg | 40 N |
| 55 kg | 44 N |
| 60 kg | 48 N |
| 65 kg | 52 N |
| 70 kg | 56 N |
| 75 kg | 60 N |
| 80 kg | 64 N |
| 85 kg | 68 N |
| 90 kg | 72 N |
| 95 kg | 76 N |
| 100 kg | 80 N |
| 105 kg | 84 N |
| 110 kg | 88 N |
* For rafting or very turbulent waters, you need a model that provides more lift.
Practical test: After the order
On the first tour with your new life jacket, you should thoroughly test it. Jump into the water a couple of times, climb back on board and get familiar with the wet life jacket. If you get into trouble, you will not panic.
Safety thanks to SUP Leash?
SUP leashs also provide security. The leash is a tether attached to one end of your ankle and the other end to the SUP. When falling into the water the board does not drive away like that.
On lakes, canals and calm waters, I strongly advise a leash. The leash is now standard equipment for Stand Up Paddlers.
Beware of running waters, white water rafting and waters with many obstacles and underwater plants.
Although the leashs are rolled and do not expand until they fall (it is called “coiled leashs”), there is still a small danger of getting caught in something.
Further reading
- SUP Vienna, Palm Glide Review
