Some people think that a life jacket is only “just in case”, that it bothers, that it’s hot, that it’s not necessary in calm sea conditions. Until one day the sea gets serious or something in your canoe fails. And then, that “just in case” becomes the only thing that matters.
In surfski, the life jacket is one of the mandatory safety elements, maybe the most important. That’s why you have to know how to make the right choice. Weight, fit, buoyancy… Not all are suitable for everything and not all are suitable for everyone.
In this post we will review the different types of life jackets you can use in canoeing, what to consider before choosing one and why you should not settle for the first one you see.
Life jacket or buoyancy aid?
First, an important clarification: in canoeing we do not use life jackets as such, but Personal Flotation Devices (PFD).
That means, they are not designed to keep you upside down or to support your full weight without movement. They are technical pieces, specifically designed for athletes, that allow you to move, to paddle….
To fulfill their function, they must be approved and fit nicely to the body. And if they are also comfortable and practical, all the better.
What should you take into account?
- Fit: it should fit against your body, without riding up in the event of a fall into the water.
- Buoyancy: enough to keep you afloat without limiting movement.
- Comfort: the more comfortable it is, the easier it will be for you to wear it all the time.
- Pockets and storage: for gels, whistle, radio or phone.
- Visibility: bright colors and reflective details.
- Hydration system: space for bag and tube attachment.
- Opening type: front (more comfortable) or side (lighter).
Our trusted brands: Vaikobi and Mocke
At Livingsea we trust two brands that are not the result of marketing: Vaikobi and Mocke. Both created by canoeists, with years of experience and that meet all the necessary standards and technical specifications.
Vaikobi
Pat Langley fell in love with surfski on the northern coasts of Sydney (Australia). Since then he has not stopped designing pieces to improve the time athletes spend in the water.
The big difference is the super-flexible internal foam, which molds to the body after just a few uses. This ability to mold is a key feature of this brand.
Bright colors and reflective strips help maintain visibility even in adverse conditions.
Vaikobi V3 and Vaikobi V4 - Front Opening
The Vaikobi V3 and the Vaikobi V4 life jacket have a central zipper opening. For my taste, they are more comfortable to wear, especially if you wear a visor. They are adjustable by the straps on the sides, so you can adjust them so that they do not move during paddling or in case of a fall into the water.
As I said before, the technical canoeing life jackets have a series of details that make the time spent in the water more comfortable.
Some of those details are:
- Front pockets: these models include two front pockets, one on each side of the zipper. They are perfect for storing your whistle, gels for downwinds or competitions, keys… The pockets of the V4 model are expandable and can hold your phone, a VHF radio or a 650 ml hydration bag.
- Hydration bag pocket: in the back you can fit a bag of up to 1.5L. In addition, there is a series of elastic bands and hooks along the jacket so you can easily attach the tube and bring it to your mouth.
- Elastic bands for you to attach a VHF radio, whistle or other accessories.
Vaikovi VXP - Side Opening
This model is often preferred by competitive paddlers. It can be somewhat less agile to put on, as the opening is sideways. The closure is made by two snaps on the side.
It is fully adjustable, just like the front opening ones, so you can adapt it to your volume without problems. It has two adjustment points on the side: by tightening the lower adjustment, you will prevent it from riding up. The adjustment that is in the center, you can leave it a little looser so you can breathe well.
There are two major differences between the V3 and V4 models:
- It is shorter, so it is ideal to avoid chafing on the legs. We know that this happens to many paddlers, especially girls.
- Its large front pocket. It is quite big, you can store everything! It has an inner lace so you can attach your phone case without the risk of dropping it. At the bottom it has a small drainage net to evacuate water.
Like the other models, the Vaikobi VXP model also has a compartment on the back to carry your hydration bag.
Mocke
The sportsman Dawid Mocke is one of the pioneers developing this safety device. If you are a veteran paddler in surfski you have probably had or you are familiar with the Racer model.
Its “Flow” line stands out for being light, compact and functional, without losing safety and comfort.
Mocke Flow Zip - Front Opening
A jacket designed to flow, as its name suggests. Mocke’s life jackets are quite lightweight and low volume. The front pockets are just the right size so you can carry what you need on the water. It has three points of adjustment so you can adapt it well to your body and paddle in the most comfortable way.
Includes a nautical whistle that attaches to one of the fixed bands on the front.
Front opening life jacket (Flow Zip)
This version has the same features as the model above but has no zipper: it is worn over the head and adjusted with the side straps. It is even lighter and more minimalist, ideal if you are looking for a life jacket that you barely notice on you. It retains the three attachment points to fit to the body and features the same built-in nautical whistle system.
The front pocket is a bit more compact, but enough to carry the essentials. Also, like the rest of the Mocke line, it is designed to facilitate ventilation, evacuate water well and allow total freedom of movement while paddling.
It is a very good choice if you prefer a simpler design or if you compete and prioritize lightness and functionality over load capacity.
Conclusion: the best one is the one you always wear
There are many models and nuances, but in the end the key question is: do I always wear it, even when the sea is calm?
The best life jacket is not the most expensive, the most beautiful, the one worn by your training partner or your favorite paddler. It’s the one that goes with you every time you go out on the water, that you know how to adjust and that doesn’t bother you when paddling.
If that life jacket has everything you need for racing or training, then it’s yours.
And if you are still not sure, write to us. In Livingsea we are here to help you choose the one that fits you. Because everything is much easier if you can choose right the first time.
