Top 5 White Water Buoyancy Aids

Recently a big talking point in the whitewater kayaking community was a video posted by Pat Keller, which focused on the importance of wearing an appropriate flotation device.

So we've put together our top 5 buoyancy aids suited to taking on whitewater rivers.


Yak Hallertau

Yak has a top class range of PFD's and the Hallertau is right up there. This buoyancy aid certainly offers good value for your money. The Hallertau is both comfortable and practical with all the features you would need while tackling the whitewater environment.

RRP: £150.00
Our Price: £127.50

Peak UK River Guide Vest

Peak UK are well known in the industry for producing top quality products. The River Guide vest has been around for a while, but the 2018 colours are drawing plenty of attention.

The River Guide vest offers enough storage space for your snacks and safety gear, making this a great whitewater option.

RRP: £139.00
Our Price: £117.99

NRS Zen Rescue

My favourite feature of these buoyancy aids, hands down (excuse the pun), are the fleece lined hand warmers. On cold days, stick your hands in them and it's heaven! 

The Zen has a comfortable low profile design, to allow the ease of core rotation. The positioning of pockets are well thought out and are a good size. The overall look is fantastic, with choices of red and black this is definitely a good option to consider when choosing a new PFD.

RRP: £174.95
Our Price: £149.99

Palm Extrem

The Extrem has everything you would need within the whitewater environment. Palm has been making great buoyancy aids for many years and this one is no exception. 

Its front entry fit gives you the ability to throw it on and off with ease. The Cordura 500D fabric is hard wearing, and the pockets are more than enough to carry important safety equipment, plus you even get a place to put a hydration bladder for those long days. 

RRP: £174.95
Our Price: £148.99

Astral Green Jacket

Ask a lot of people in the industry, and they'll say this is the best buoyancy aid you can get if you are a guide, whether you are kayaking, canoeing or rafting. 

It is the most expensive out of our top, but for a valid reason. This is not just a life jacket, but a jacket for life, with 500D Cordura nylon and a YKK zip means that makes it tough. The wrap around fit with the front freestyle tectonic panel and added rear protection makes it a super comfortable PFD that you can trust to protect you from an impact. 

The front pocket is massive and easy to access and comes with extra pockets on the sides perfect for karabiners or a pulley. The Green Jacket is a firm favourite and has been tried and tested by many of the worlds best expedition kayakers.

RRP: £243.00
Our Price: £205.99

Top 5 Buoyancy Aids For The Recreational Paddler

Buoyancy Aids are an essential part of surface watersports.

Everyone ends up in the water eventually, it's just a matter of time, and this Spring/Summer we will see thousands of new kayakers take to the water both alone and with their families.

Here are our top 5 buoyancy aids that will keep novice paddlers safe on their first adventures, and won't break the bank!

PALM ROAM

The slim design of the Palm Roam makes it great for a range of watersports activities like kayaking, sailing, or SUP.

Shoulder adjustment straps help to fit the Palm Roam to your torso and help to prevent it slipping off when in the water.

RRP: £34.95
Our Price: £29.95

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Crewsaver MK3

The Crewsaver MK3 features a low profile with torso and shoulder adjustments, giving you fantastic freedom of movement and less to worry about.


The bold colour scheme will ensure that you are visible at all times, whether you're on your kayak or in the water.

RRP: £29.99
Our Price: £24.99

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Yak Blaze

The Yak Blaze is a simple yet cleanly efficient buoyancy aid that's a great choice if your just starting to get out on the water.

The Yak Blaze has an internal key pocket and zipped front entry for ease of entry.

RRP: £34.50
Our Price: £26.99

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Crewsaver Response

Ideal for new sailors and kayakers who want a buoyancy aid that keeps them safe on the water.


The Crewsaver Response guarantees a comfortable fit thanks to a contoured foam construction and padded shoulder straps. The buoyancy aid also features an adjustable waist, and a small pocket to hold a key.

RRP: £35.00
Our Price: £31.50

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Palm Quest Kids

This is one specifically for the kids.

There is plenty of adjustment on the Palm Quest Kids including adjustable waist and shoulder straps with added adjustable leg straps which means that if the worst should happen the buoyancy aid will not ride up over their face.

RRP: £36.95
Our Price: £31.99

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Off The Water Wishlist

We've put together 5 bits of kit that will instantly improve your paddling experience.

Gul Changing Poncho

A firm favourite in most outdoor watersports, making changing on the road side a lot more comfortable, with a lot less nudity!

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Palm Changing Mat

Another favourite for those changing on cold surfaces. The changing mat makes feet happy, simple.

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HF Turtle Back

Turning your kayak into a backpack makes carrying the thing so much easier. Strain on your shoulders is shared and balanced out, creating a more pleasant experience overall.

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Madness Neoprene Seat Cover

It's not all about you, you know. Give your paddle wagon the attention it deserves by protecting the seats from sand and dirt with a neoprene cover.

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Yak Styrian Paddle Bag

Fits up to 4 paddles at a time, protecting them with a soft foam inner layer. Ideal for storing your paddles both during transport and at home.

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Five Things I Wouldn't Be Without On The Water

Five things I wouldn't be without on the water. In no particular order here are just a few items I always carry, don't take up much space, and could possibly keep you and your buddies safe on the water and make sure you have the best possible day out! 

Overboard Multi-purpose Waterproof Case

Before I have even considered getting kitted up, I always check I've got a waterproof case that I can keep on me and not in my boat. Definitely important to make sure your vehicle keys and phone are dry and secure, in case you lose your boat for any reason. 

Throw Line

Right now there are some great choices when it comes to throw lines. The days of having some old climbing rope stuffed under your inflatable PFD have long gone.
My personal favourite at the moment is the Palm Lightning throw bag. I really like the weight, size and length. Anything longer than 18m and I just haven't got the accuracy I need.

Often people will carry a larger bag with longer rope, ideal for setting up more technical pulling systems, as well as something they can throw to a swimmer more accurately.

Watershed Ocoee Dry Bag

I've owned a Watershed Ocoee bag for quite a few years now. Having a bag I can trust makes me less stressed about carrying my kit, and allows me to concentrate more on the job at hand. Speak to working professionals in the paddlesport industry and they will tell you the same as me, that there isn't a better dry bag on the market.

Spending the money is totally worth it. I leave my DSLR camera in mine constantly, that's how much I trust this bag!

First Aid Kit

When the worst happens, and in the great outdoors that's not out of the question, you want to be prepared.
One piece of advice, don't carry too much in your first aid kit. Keep it personal to you and suited to the environment you are entering. Keep it simple and effective, it's called first aid for a reason. You don't need to be carrying a 2kg bag of cough medicine and headache tablets...

Rescue Tape & Karabiner

Okay so this one is 2 items, but they really do go hand in hand. Why have one and not the other? Having a safety tape and karabiner can be a cheap and valuable tool when rescuing, towing or even carrying your lunch up the hill.

The possibilities and uses are pretty much endless, and a crucial part of your kayaking kit.

Keep on top form for your up and coming trip!

Knowing you have a paddling trip planned is pretty exciting.

Maybe you are heading out this weekend, this Christmas, or even during the school holidays in Spring. Counting down the days and weeks, waiting until you can hit the water again adds to the "I can't wait" factor.

This said, making sure you have all the right kit to take with you on the trip (and trying not to forget anything), as well as organising and sticking to an itinerary can be stressful.

For me the most important thing to remember is to look after number 1 (That's you!). And by this I don't mean keep out of danger and portage everything, and there is also such a thing as taking too much kit...

Follow these simple steps and you will have a great time!

Take A Break
We all want to paddle well when we are on a trip, whether we are cruising something simple in the sun or up against a real challenge. A huge factor to consider is fatigue, and the moment you start to get tired is when your technique will slip and mistakes begin to creep in. Pretty obvious I know, but making sure you sleep well and rest when you need to is important.

Keep Your Kit Dry
From experience there is nothing worse than pulling up to your camp spot, usually close to dark, and finding out your dry bag does not do what it says on the tin. Often this can be down to user error, so always check you have sealed your bags, hatches and barrels.

If you have leaky dry storage you WILL be miserable at some point!

Look After Your Body
Keep clean, dry and keep warm. If you are paddling in a cold place you will want to make sure you have dry thermals and plenty of them, which will be your back up layers that can be swapped in when required.
Allowing yourself to get damp or cold will run you down super quickly. If you are in a hot place, wear sun cream and drink plenty of water to keep you hydrated. Doing the simple things like keeping your feet dry will prevent major injuries like foot rot.

Its easy to forget to do the basics!

Plan Your Meals

Plan your meals so that you eat healthy foods and enjoy a balanced diet. Easier said than done sometimes, especially on the road, but worth it. We burn a lot of energy kayaking and canoeing so make sure you stock pile those calories. Keep energy levels high and enthusiasm even higher!

Take The Right Stuff

There is no such thing as poor weather, just poor clothing. Be prepared!