Vaikobi Life Jackets for paddling and sailing

The most comfortable range of PFDs and Life Jackets you'll ever wear.

Vaikobi's range of life jackets (PFDs, life vests, buoyancy aids) is designed to keep you safe and highly visible on the water, while being really comfortable. Designed and tested in Australia to International standards, our personal flotation devices are so comfortable you won't even know you're wearing them!

Looking for a PFD for kayaking, canoeing, surf ski paddling or stand up paddle boarding?

View Vaikobi’s Australian-designed life jackets for kayaking. With hydration pockets and storage pockets, as well as high vis safety colours, our range of life jackets are ideal for paddlers and people who enjoy being on the water.

Looking for sailing life jackets?

View our range of sailing PFDs designed for windsports such as windsurfing, wingfoiling and sailing. The low profile is ideal for use on skiffs, small boats, sports boats and foiling craft.

Looking for a kids life jacket or a PFD for young children?

Vaikobi makes life jackets for kids and teens so they can have fun while staying safe on the water. View our Youth PFD collection.

The most comfortable life jacket you’ll ever wear: 

Every Vaikobi life jacket is designed to be safe, comfortable, and perform in all conditions. The minimal, low profile design and performance fabrication moulds your body so you won’t even know you’re wearing it. Our life jackets are lightweight due to the high buoyancy rating of our super soft foam. More buoyancy means less bulk.

Life Jacket Safety rating:

Vaikobi PFDs are manufactured to the most internationally recognised standard, ISO 12402-5 (Level 50 - equivalent to AS 4758 Type 2, USCG 50N) so you can be confident your Vaikobi PFD will be there when you need it.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) //

While a life jacket is not mandatory for inshore paddle boarders, the benefits of wearing a life jacket in on a SUP is the ability to stand out (be visible on the water) with a brightly coloured life jacket, and the benefit of being able to take water with you in a hydration bladder that fits into your PFD. Find out what to take for a great day out paddle boarding.

Life jackets do not have an expiry date, but there are several things to watch out for as your PDF life jacket gets used over time. Stay safe and find out more about PFD expiry dates in our article: Do life jackets have an expiry date.

Different states within Australia have different rules around wearing PFDs while kayaking, as do other countries around the world. Please check with your local waterways authority before kayaking alone. Find out more in our comprehensive article to find out if you need a life jacket for kayaking.

Swim vests are worn to help aid a neutral swimming position and are mostly worn by young children. A life jacket is different to a swim vest in that is has an official buoyancy rating and is not designed for stroke swimming, rather to keep you safe in the event of an emergency.

A PFD life jacket is a personal floatation device which has a safety and buoyancy rating for keeping adults or children afloat in the water. All Vaikobi PFDs have a buoyancy rating above the minimum floatation required, which is ISO 12402-5 certification. Find out more in this article: How to choose the right PFD for you.

We’re glad you asked! A life jacket, buoyancy vest or PDF are pretty much the same things, but are called different terms around the world. To find out more, read our article: What is the difference between a PFD and a life jacket.