Life jacket we, and most other paddlers, see as a matter of course, there is no reason to be without. And I actually think most people agree. Of course you meet a kayaker without a life jacket, but there are quite a few. Some have the life jacket under the deck lines and expect to put it on if they fall into the water, most people with that arrangement have probably not tried putting the life jacket on in the water and realized how difficult it can be, especially when there are a few waves or is cold. Nah, it's just as good to have the vest on your body, if you fall in you need the extra buoyancy right away and the warmth that the vest provides! If you find it awkward with a life jacket, it must be because you have a life jacket with a bad fit. There are life jackets that suit everyone, regardless of length, width, clothing, temperature, etc...
Some people don't think you need a life jacket when you have one dry suit, but means that there is enough buoyancy in the clothes. Here I almost agree, but you can actually get a tear in a jacket and in a dry suit too!!
There are lots of different types of life jackets, in different price ranges and with different looks and functions. Some have tons of pockets, attachment points, and more, while others are pretty much just to keep the wearer afloat. The most important thing is, of course, that the vest provides the buoyancy aid it is intended to do. When that is fulfilled, you can look at the remaining functions/features.
In principle, all life jackets that are made/intended for paddling allow full mobility for paddling. Then of course you can have different needs for mobility depending on whether you paddle long and fast or short and slow.
It's convenient with lots of pockets that you can put fun and/or good things in; camera, binoculars, candy, flares. And a lot of attachment points for tow lines, fluid systems, lights, watches, knives, etc... However, it may be worth thinking about how much all the attached stuff weighs and how it affects mobility both in the kayak and during an eventual dive... Having a light vest with high mobility and agility is very nice, especially if you are not a marvel of agility yourself.
But it also has its advantages to have a larger vest with room for a little more things, sometimes it makes sense to have things easily accessible, this perhaps mainly applies to those who paddle a lot in rougher water and in groups. Where you often need to have the towline, the cow-tail, the emergency rockets and more ready. Having a drinking bag on your back and drinking from a tube is convenient; but count on at least 2 kilos extra that the back has to carry. In addition, I feel as if I drink unnecessarily when I have drunk "too much" available. And it's not really a problem, except when you want to skimp on the water on slightly longer trips and that you have to relieve your bladder a little more often.
When ascending in a kayak from the water, everything that hangs on the vest is in the way and represents a bit of extra work so that it doesn't get caught in deck lines, cockpit trim. stuff-on-decks etc. A good plan is to try climbing into the kayak from the water with all the stuff on the life jacket that you normally have when paddling, so you know it works and that the stuff isn't in the way too much. Many people with a life jacket and a kayak deck full of stuff have probably not tried to climb out of the water.
We have two different life jackets that we use for different needs. We usually have slightly larger vests with a pocket for both mobile phone, camera and maybe some sweets or gloves. The smaller vests only have one pocket, so it's usually for the mobile phone. We rarely have either a towing system or drink in the vest, but a small waterproof camera, phone and some sweets.
The drinking bottle is usually under nets on or under the deck, as does the towing system. As a rule, you can guess that the tug will be needed or that it is good/convenient to have it available and can then put it around the waist. Much nicer and easier than always wearing it, but of course it depends on how and in which waters and with which fellow paddlers you have.
Choose a life jacket for kayaking as needed. If it is mainly short day trips and exercise trips in protected waters, a light and flexible vest with full mobility is probably enough. If it is long trips with groups, course activities, expeditions, etc., the need is probably different.
One of my old vests; Hiko Extreme Pro, with space for both tows, drinks, large camera and lots of other things. Weighs easily 3-4 kilos more than a lighter and slimmer vest.
Read also How much does it cost to kayak? And take a look the favorites!
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