Looking for the best place to buy a life jacket? Are you asking yourself, “where can I buy a life jacket near me?”. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Your likely want plenty of options and understand that a well-made, properly fitted personal floatation device (PFD) is an essential piece of gear for any watersport enthusiast or recreational boater.
A life jacket is an investment in your loved one’s safety on the water, and with so many places offering watersports equipment these days, it’s hard to know who to trust.
NOTE: While you can occasionally find a good deal on a used life jacket on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and other sites, we recommend buying new through a reputable merchant so you know exactly what you’re getting and it’s easy to return in case you buy the wrong size.
In this article, we’ve listed 19 of the best places online to buy a life jacket, so you can shop with confidence. Some retailers may be obvious while others may be a surprise.
Table of Contents
Places That Sell Life Jackets (Online and In-Store)
#1 – Amazon
Many of us count on Amazon for most of our online shopping needs, and it’s the best place to buy a life jacket online, too. Amazon offers a huge selection of life jackets in every style and size you can imagine for adults, children, and even pets.
Whether you’re looking for an inflatable life jacket, a USCG-approved nylon vest, or budget-friendly life vests in bulk to store on your boat, chances are good you’ll find it on Amazon. Since most life jackets have numerous reviews from unbiased customers, it’s a good place for those that like to do additional research before buying.
In fact, Amazon is a great place to find a variety of watersports-related gear, from inflatable river float tubes and towable tubes to kayaks and everything in between. Shipping is usually fast and free, especially if you’re a Prime member.
#2 – Dick’s Sporting Goods
A young fisherman named Dick Stack founded Dick’s Sporting Goods back in 1948 for just $300. The store started out as a bait and tackle shop, but today it carries a large assortment of watersports and outdoors-related gear and apparel online and in stores across the US.
Dick’s offers life jackets in a variety of styles for boating, fishing, kayaking, and more. A good selection of adult and children’s sizes are available in every price range.
Product reviews are shared directly on their website. Shipping charges are calculated by weight, and standard shipping time is typically 2-5 business days.
#3 – Mustang Survival
As one of the most popular manufacturers of high quality personal flotation devices for adults and kids, Mustang Survival has been around for over 50 years offering their products to watersports enthusiasts as well as rescue professionals, military elites, and commercial mariners. While others are copying, Mustang Survival is innovating.
Whether choosing an inflatable PFD for adults, one of their top-selling kids’ life jackets, or other products for water activities, Mustang Survival will have what you need. Get free shipping on all purchases over $50.
#4 – Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops has been around since 1972 and the company has an excellent reputation for offering high-quality outdoor gear, both in-store and online. You’ll find a great selection of angler life vests for fishermen, as well as life jackets for other watersports.
Product reviews and ratings are shared directly on their website so you can shop with confidence. If you’re shopping on their website, Bass Pro Shops offers free shipping on orders over $50.
#5 – Cabela’s
Cabela’s offers a vast assortment of outdoor gear for hunting, fishing, camping, and boating. In addition to kayaks, canoes, and various boating accessories, you’ll find an excellent selection of life jackets for adults and kids on their website and in stores.
Cabela’s carries everything from paddling vests for kayaking and inflatable vests for snorkeling to water ski life jackets and more. Reviews are shared on the website and shipping is free on orders over $50.
#6 – West Marine
West Marine is a well-respected company offering boating gear and accessories of all types. You’ll find top-quality life jackets and PFDs for men, women, and children on their website.
In addition to recreational life jackets for boaters, West Marine carries life jackets for paddle sports, fishing, and day sailing, as well as USCG-approved life jackets in bulk to keep on your boat.
Product reviews are shared directly in each listing and shipping is free on orders over $99.
#7 – Walmart
If you’re in the market for a life jacket on a budget, it’s hard to beat Walmart. With thousands of stores across the globe and easy online shopping, Walmart is a go-to supplier of all sorts of outdoors and watersports gear, from kayaks and fishing poles to boating accessories.
You’ll find a great selection of life jackets at Walmart, with a great variety of sizes and styles for adults and children at affordable prices. Shipping is free on orders over $35 and product reviews are posted online for easy research before you purchase.
#8 – eBay
eBay is a worldwide marketplace for almost anything you can imagine, and that includes a huge variety of watersports gear. From paddleboards to fishing poles, you can find some great deals on eBay. There’s a huge selection of PFDs available in all sizes and styles for men, women, and kids, both new and used.
Be sure to read product listings and seller reviews on ebay listing pages carefully to ensure that the seller you’re considering purchasing from has a good reputation. Shipping charges vary by seller.
#9 – REI
REI has been around since 1938. They are known for providing top-quality gear and apparel and expert advice for all things related to outdoor recreation.
Whether you’re shopping in-store or online, you’ll find a large assortment of life jackets for boating and paddling, as well as inflatable belts and vests.
REI carries sizes and styles for men, women, and children, including infants and toddlers with customer reviews in most listings so you can do your research while you shop. Shipping is free on orders over $50.
#10 – Target
Target carries a nice assortment of boating and water sports gear on their website, from inflatable kayaks and water shoes to waterproof bags and towable tubes. They also have a good selection of life vests, PFDs, and wetsuits for adults and children at reasonable prices.
Target has a good reputation with customer reviews right on their website. Two-day shipping is free on every order and same-day delivery is also available in select areas.
#11 – NRS
NRS carries all the gear you need for kayaking, rafting, fishing, stand-up paddle boarding, and more. The company was established in 1972 and is now 100% employee-owned with an excellent reputation. With a primary focus on watersports of all types, NRS offers a fantastic selection of life jackets for men, women, and children.
Whether you need a USCG-approved PFD for boating or an inflatable PFD for paddling, NRS has you covered. Customer reviews are provided in every listing for easy research and shipping is free on every order.
#12 – Wholesale Marine
Wholesale Marine is a well-known supplier of all things related to boating and water sports. This Ohio-based company has been in business since 1979 and prides itself on providing quality products at the lowest prices.
Wholesale Marine offers a fantastic selection of PFDs for boating and waterskiing in men’s, women’s, and children’s sizes with reviews to help you choose the perfect life vest for your needs. Same-day shipping is free on orders over $99.
#13 – Summit Sports
Summit Sports has been in the sporting goods industry since 1990, offering both retail stores and a user-friendly website. They strive to be the most helpful sporting goods supplier on the internet, and it shows in their informative product listings, extensive customer reviews, and easy purchasing process.
You’ll find an excellent selection of boating, paddling, and angler life vests on Summit Sports’ website, with free shipping on orders over $49.
#14 – Leisure Pro
Leisure Pro specializes in dive gear for snorkeling and scuba diving, including wetsuits and drysuits. They also carry a variety of gear for other watersports, including canoeing and kayaking. The Leisure Pro website offers a nice selection of buoyancy regulators for diving, as well as inflatable PFDs and USCG-approved life vests for men, women, children, babies, and even dogs.
Reviews on their website are limited and shipping charges will be applied to your order based on the shipping method you choose.
#15 – Home Depot
Home Depot is a well-known, big-box home improvement store with a good reputation. Surprisingly, they carry a pretty good selection of life jackets for boating and paddling, including bulk packs of USCGA life vests at budget-friendly pricing.
Customer reviews are included in each Home Depot product listing, and shipping is free on most orders to either your home or a nearby store.
#16 – Academy Sports + Outdoors
Academy Sports + Outdoors is a Texas-based company offering a large selection of sporting goods and outdoor gear in retail stores across the country as well as online. They offer quality gear for hunting, fishing, camping, sports, and leisure.
You’ll find an assortment of gear for boating, paddling, and fishing on the Academy Sports + Outdoors website, including a nice selection of USCG-approved life vests and inflatable PFDs. Reviews are included in every product listing and shipping is free on orders over $25.
#17 – Lowe’s
Lowe’s has been a household name in the home improvement and outdoor living space since they opened their first store in 1921. Their reputation is excellent, and their customer service can’t be beat, whether you’re shopping in-store or online.
Lowe’s carries a variety of aquatic sports and fitness equipment, including stand-up paddleboards and kayaks. They also carry a good selection of inflatable PFDs and USCGA life vests for boating and paddle sports for men, women, and children.
Life jacket reviews are readily available on their website and shipping is free on orders over $45.
#18 – Tractor Supply Co.
Tractor Supply Company is a well-known rural lifestyle retailer for farmers, ranchers, and pet owners, but don’t let the name fool you! Tractor Supply Co. also offers a variety of top-of-the-line watersports equipment for boating, fishing, and kayaking.
Their life jacket selection is limited, but you’ll find some great options in men’s, women’s, and youth sizes at fair prices. Customer reviews are included in many product listings and shipping is free on most orders.
#19 – Costco
Costco is a warehouse supply store with an excellent reputation for fair prices and a user-friendly shopping experience. Online, they carry a limited selection of life vests for boating in men’s, women’s, and children’s sizes at a very reasonable price point. The in-store selection is often better but inventory goes quick during the busy season.
Customer reviews are available in all product listings for easy research and shipping is free on most orders. Costco members get a better deal than non-members, but the shopping on the website is open to everyone.
