Do you need a life jacket to wakeboard?

Of course you should wear a life jacket or vest while wakeboarding. In fact the Coast Guard requires you wear an approved life jacket when participating in any towed water sports. Sending a toeside backroll without a PFD would just be ridiculous, especially if you come up short.

What is a wakeboard vest?

First, there are 2 types of vests/life jackets used in wakeboarding: USCGA life jackets and comp style vests. To be considered a life jacket, the vest must be United States Coast Guard Approved. USCGA vests are constructed with extra floatation, designed to keep your head above water, have additional padding to protect your torso from impact and have passed a rigorous series of tests for USCG approval. A comp vest is short for competition vest. Comp vests are lighter weight, more flexible than USCGA life jackets, and will help you float but may not keep your head out of the water. Comp vests are not USCG approved.

How do I fit a wakeboard vest?

One size wakeboard vest does not fit all. Wake vests and life jackets come in many sizes and may vary by the brand. Determine the best fit wake vest size by measuring around the thickest part of your chest and checking the brand and model specific vest sizing chart. Here is a great video to help: Life jackets are often adjustable which may provide some flexibility, however most wakeboard vests are form fitting so be sure that men, women and children each have their own vest.

What life jacket do I need for wakeboarding?

Keep in mind that federal regulations in the United States require that all passengers on a boat have a USCG approved life jacket, regardless of whether or not they're wakeboarding. If there is a human on your boat, there needs to be a PFD available for them, the vest must be in good serviceable condition, and must be the appropriate size for the intended user. Getting specific to wakeboarding, here's where your own preferences, skills, and abilities play into the decision. If you want more protection and flotation, if you're not a great swimmer, new to wakeboarding, or perhaps a bit accident prone, then you should chose a USCGA life jacket. If you want more flexibility, want some impact protection, and looking to stay warm then a comp vest may be right for you. But be sure to check local regulations in your state if comp vests are allowed on your waterways.

What are wakeboard vests made from?

No crunchy sponges here! Almost all wake vests and life jackets, USCG Approved or not, use some neoprene construction. Neoprene vests are form fitting, provide some impact protection, are soft, allow for mobility and stay warmer than traditional nylon style life jackets.