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It's crazy to think that not so long ago, women's specific PFDs didn't really exist. Thankfully, in 2024 the selection of women's buoyancy aids is growing! So we now have an increasing number of options to choose from! We’ve put together this handy guide of some of the best women’s kayak, canoe and SUP buoyancy aids on the market in 2024. Some of these are specifically designed for women, and some we think fit quite well anyway.
Finding a well fitting women's buoyancy aid or personal flotation device (PFD) is something well worth getting right. Your buoyancy aid is an essential part of your kayaking kit, and something you’ll likely wear every time you get out on the water, so there’s a few key criteria to pay attention to:
- Features: The main aim of a buoyancy aid will always be to float you, but beyond this, it’s worth considering what features you’re going to want from your buoyancy aid; pockets, a rescue belt, hydration systems, etc.
- Fit: If you’re wearing it every time you’re out on the water, you don’t want to have to constantly readjust straps or have to pull it back down after it rides up. A great indicator for if something fits well is comfort - a bonus to getting a well fitting buoyancy aid!
- Entry style: Whether it’s a central zip, over the head, or side entry buckles, there’s plenty of options to pick from, and most people tend to have a preference.
Low profile whitewater PFDs
Low profile buoyancy aids are always a firm favourite with many paddlers - lightweight, sleek, and comfortable. These buoyancy aids are great for anyone who doesn’t need to carry much with them.
A unisex offering from Peak PS with over the head entry style, the Racer Pro is a great very low profile option, with clean lines, and not much else. This makes a great women's SUP buoyancy aid or great for whitewater paddling without any extra kit.
- Classic & simple low profile design
- Large pocket and rear H2O bladder pocket in the Marathon Racer design
- Budget friendly
- Overhead entry
- No additional padding on straps
Popular amongst freestyle kayakers, the Sandiline Pro Buoyancy Aid is another very simple design. The neoprene shoulder strap design means the buoyancy aid is suited to a range of body types without the need for flapping adjustable rigid shoulder straps. The three strap waist adjustment system provides a secure fit, preventing the buoyancy aid from riding up, even during aggressive freestyle movements.
- Secure fit waist adjustments which prevent riding up
- Neoprene shoulder straps for universal fit
- Over the head entry
NRS Ninja PFD
The new, redesigned NRS Ninja PFD is a low profile buoyancy aid, but with a pocket! Not a specific women's buoyancy aid, however the flotation on the NRS Ninja PFD is concentrated in a small area. The new NRS Orbit Fit system hugs the around the body, making it a comfortable fit for women and those with a short torso. The Ninja allows freedom of movement, and standard features include easy side entry buckles and adjustable straps on each side. As is often the case with NRS kit, there are some good hidden touches too: one of our favourites is the fleece lined hand warming pocket on the Ninja PFD, ideal for cold days.
- Main pocket and fleece lined hand warmer pocket
- Floating front panel for freedom of movement
- Not the ‘lowest’ low profile buoyancy aid available but very comfortable and un-restricting to wear!
Rescue PFDs
We’ve included only two options in rescue PFDs, however, we think both options are winners! So much so that we struggled to find anything to complain about. It’s also worth considering that, while we rate both highly, they are two different styles of rescue BA, so if one isn’t right for you it would be worth trying on the other!
Hiko Sport Guardian 3D
The Hiko Sport Guardian 3D is a unisex design rather than a women's kayak buoyancy aid. However it's a favourite amongst several of the shop staff at Flow Kayaks. It features easy side entry and several adjustable straps. The Hiko Guardian also features elasticated low profile side panels which offer additional flotation and impact protection in vulnerable areas. These are designed to slot away inside the main body panels so there is no uncomfortable overlap. Even for smaller paddlers!
- Large, easy access front pocket with organised elastic and mesh inner pockets
- Comfortable added side protection
- Easy side entry
Peak PS River Wrap, Women’s cut
The Peak PS River Wrap - along with the Ocean Wrap - has been around for a while now, and looks as though they’re here to stay. It’s easy to see why, the wrap-around design makes easy entry, and optimised floatation distribution.
- Several separate pockets for rescue kit and other essentials
- Easy and secure front entry
SUP / Touring BAs
Peak PS Marathon Racer PFD
Another unisex PFD offering from Peak PS is the Marathon Racer. Very similar to the Racer Pro with over the head entry style and clean lines. The Marathon Racer PFD takes this base model and adds only the elements you’ll need for a longer stint on the water. A large front pocket and rear H2O bladder pocket, making it a great choice for anyone taking on some endurance paddling. Whilst not a women's specific SUP or kayak buoyancy aid, it's low profile design sits comfortably and is one of our best selling PFDs for women.
- Classic & simple low profile design
- Large pocket and rear H2O bladder pocket
- Budget friendly
- Overhead Entry
Baltic SUP Pro
Designed specifically for SUP, this buoyancy aid has the flotation distributed over a taller area. When compared to several others in this list, it is an extremely low profile and a flattering fit. It’s a simple design with clean lines and side zip entry. There's an additional adjustable waist clip with one small pocket on the front. This is big enough for a phone and small snack.
- Extremely low profile and clean lines
- Comfortable fit, and adjustable
- Not as much pocket space as other models
NRS Women's Siren
The NRS Women's Siren buoyancy aid is designed for use for multiple paddlesports, but we’ve included it here as we think it’s ideal for SUP. As you would expect from NRS, it’s obvious comfort has been a key priority in the design of this buoyancy aid. There's ventilating material on the inside and the buoyancy is distributed in six panels around the body, allowing it to conform to your shape.
- Easy side entry and adjustable straps
- Ventilation and foam distribution planned for comfort
- Slightly heavier than some of the other options out there
The Palm Meander Women's buoyancy aid is a great option for anyone looking for a simple, front entry zip PFD. Featuring a flat zip pocket on one side, the Meander is another classic design done in style.
- Low profile zip pocket
- Women’s specific cut
- Sits higher on the torso than some other options
That's our list, for now, of our top women's buoyancy aids for kayaking, canoeing and SUP in 2024. Keep your eyes peeled on our Facebook and Instagram pages though, there's some new models coming in the spring. They may just make their way onto this page!
If you have any questions regarding the models above or any of the products in our shop, please Contact Us and we'll be happy to help!
Article by Tamsyn McConchie, 2024
