Buoyancy aids come in all shapes and sizes. There's so many out there to choose from, does it really matter which shape you go for?
When it comes down to it, buoyancy aids (BA's) are shaped the way they are to be more comfortable in the activity you are performing. If you can, it is best to pick out a BA that is suited to your activity, or if you're looking for one to wear in multiple settings, there are some all rounder shapes too.
Let's start with the BA's we would recommend for paddleboarding.
These BA's will typically be low profile, meaning they don't have a load of bells and whistles added on. They would usually have minimal pockets to fit with the slim line design and it is made to be smooth against your board, preventing anything from catching, making it easier for you to pull yourself back on your board in case you should fall off.
Another concept that is popular with paddleboarders is the floatation belts. These are super low profile and act as back up floatation in case of an emergency. The reason these are so popular is because they are small and subtle and don't get in the way of what you're doing. As they require a bit more attention when activating them, we would only recommend using a belt in place of a BA if you are going out on to calm waters and you are more experienced in the sport.
Next we'll talk about the BA's we recommend for a kayaker.
These BA's usually have more features on them. They often have a few more pockets for you to hold more gear at an easy access point.
A popular shape amongst kayakers is the high back, which are designed to sit neatly above the top of your kayak seat/backrest meaning you don't have a bulk of BA sat between you and the seat, making for the ultimate comfort ride.
Manoeuvrability is still important for a kayaker so the best designs are usually those with low sides, giving you space to move your arms and paddle freely.
Need a BA for more than one hobby?
Sometimes you just need something that you know will work no matter which activity you're doing. It is difficult to find a BA that will be the perfect fit for every sport on the water, but you can definitely find one that will do the job in multiple scenarios. We would still recommend looking for a more low profile design as this will work in your favour in more cases than not, but it could mean you need to opt for one with a few more pockets and a few more features.
Check out this video on our social media for a more in depth look at some of the different shapes we have on offer.