Performance Boat Shop

Life jacket preference - Lifeline, Mustang, Stearns, others?

For high-performance boating, what are your preferences? Best retailers for purchase?

Public Comments

1. Stearns, they seem to be the most popular so there is more competition among retailers. A boat shop will usually be the most spendy, try a general sporting good store, Sportsmens Warehouse, Gart sports, etc.
2. We use Mustang on our boat, use it for skiing and tubing.Very popular and reliable.
3. The brand is much less important than the fit. I would suggest trying the different brands and types on to find one that fits you well and is comfortable. That way you are more likely to ware it on the boat rather than simply stowing it. The best life jacket is the one you have on when the emergency happens.
4. I would say stearns. Make sure that you get the high performance type, and try it on.
5. what ever brand you choose the most important three things are: make sure it fits properly! make sure it has neck protection (who cares how it floats, if in hi-perf boating you crash/fallout if your neck is broke you are dead!!) wear it wear it wear it!!!! ps I have had the horrible duty of dragging for bodies with the coroner for 25 years please use life jackets!!!!