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Finding the perfect life vest can be a challenge. If you’ve never purchased one before, how do you know which is best? In the event of an emergency, this piece of gear will quite possibly save your life, so it’s crucial to invest in the perfect one.
Today we’re going to give you an Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Life Vest review so you can make an informed decision on whether this is the best kayak life vest for you.
Although the MoveVent Dynamic life jacket is labeled as a kayak life vest or jacket, you can also use it for other water activities such as stand up paddle boarding.
Before we begin, we just want to reiterate how important life vests are when you’re heading out on the water regardless of the conditions. Life jackets can quite literally be the difference between life or death.
Even if you’re a fantastic swimmer, you can’t predict what will happen on your paddle, so it’s better to be safe than sorry and always wear a life vest.
Onyx released their MoveVent Dynamic Life Vest in four different colors. The life jacket variations are gray with a pop of color in the shoulder straps and reflective tape. With only small sections of the life jacket being colored, it won’t heavily clash with your other paddling gear or clothing.
Size-wise, the MoveVent Dynamic life vests come in X-Small/Small, Medium/Large, or X-Large/2X-Large. To create a perfect fit for your particular body, Onyx included adjustable shoulder and waist straps so you can tighten or loosen the vest for ultimate comfort.
To further aid in comfort, they created the vest with lightweight foam, neoprene comfort pads, and a lower mesh back which enhances ventilation. The kayak life jacket also features SOLAS grade reflective material to improve your visibility while out on the water.
Whether you’re a SUP or kayaking fisherman, or just paddling for the fun of it, having a pocket in your life jacket is useful to store essentials like house keys, tackle, or a phone. That’s why Onyx included an expandable zipper front pocket with mesh draining so you can have peace of mind that your essentials are with you at all times.
Extra features on their U.S. Coast Guard Approved MoveVent Dynamic kayak life vests include an attached whistle in case of emergencies and a lash tab so you can strap even more gear to the front of your vest.
We briefly mentioned before that Onyx included adjustable straps on the vest's shoulders and sides. As many life jackets are designed with universal sizing, having these adjustable straps allows you to alter it to your desired fit. There is nothing worse than having a jacket too tight that restricts your paddling movements.
For those who enjoy heading out on long paddles, the neoprene comfort pads will sit pleasantly on your shoulders, making you feel like you aren’t even wearing a life jacket in the first place.
The best life jackets have innovative vented channels to keep the user cool while paddling, so Onyx designed their jacket with an entire mesh panel along the lower back. The mesh is a godsend when it comes to breathability, and it also accommodates most canoe and kayak seats.
Unlike other life vests on the market, the Onyx MoveVent Dynamic life jacket has complete cut-out sides for enhanced mobility. This freedom to move your arms is extremely important while paddling.
If you purchase a life jacket with tight armholes, you won’t be able to move your paddle through the water properly. With cut-out sides like the MoveVent Dynamic, you’ll have free range to get as much out of each stroke as possible.
This mobility also makes them one of the best life jacket fishing vests as anglers can cast their lines without any limitations.
The MoveVent Dynamic is a fairly compact size which makes it a versatile piece of gear to have in your collection.
Whether you’re using it for recreational purposes or for SUP/kayak fishing, racing, or touring, the vest won’t prevent any movements, decrease your paddling abilities, or weigh you down.
If you’re paddling in winter, the adjustable straps will allow you to resize the vest to fit over your added layers and vice versa come summertime.
As with all things in life, you want them to last, so that’s why Onyx created the MoveVent Dynamic with 200 denier nylon ripstop and nylon oxford materials. These materials are heavy-duty which makes them an ideal fabric to use in life vests.
Onyx also included a heavy-duty zipper for the closure of the vest to ensure no rips or tears while fastening the jacket up.
Prices of the life vest vary depending on its size and color, but you can expect to pay around $45 - $65. In our opinion, this is a fair price for a life jacket of this quality.
Like most things, if you take adequate care of the jacket, it will serve you for years to come. For information on how to take care of your gear, check out our article How to Care For Your Stand Up Paddle Board Gear.
In our opinion, the Onyx MoveVent Dynamic vest paddle vests are a great investment if you’re looking to purchase a new life jacket.
The design of the jackets, along with their durability, comfort, and price point, makes it one of the best life vests currently on the market.
If you’re looking for the most versatile and best life vest out there, then the Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Life Vest could be the one for you.
Although it is labeled as a kayak life jacket, it also performs well for paddle boarders. The sides of the jacket are open, giving the paddler enhanced mobility while gliding their paddle through the water.
When buying a life jacket, there are a few things to look out for. The first and most important thing is that the jacket should be US Coast Guard Approved. There are five different types of jackets, all designed for different activities, so make sure you’re purchasing a jacket that suits you and your specific water-based activity.
Next, you need to look at mobility. If you’re out on the water paddling, you’ll need a vest that gives you room to move your arms. Purchasing a vest with small arm holes will result in you not being able to paddle sufficiently.
Another important factor is durability. You don’t want to spend a sum of money on an item that breaks after a few uses, so look out for a jacket that is designed with high-quality fabrics, zippers, and buckles.
Comfort should also be on your mind when purchasing a life jacket. As you’ll most likely be wearing it for extended periods of time, you’ll want a jacket that sits comfortably on your body and almost makes you feel like you aren’t even wearing a jacket in the first place.
If you’re on the hunt for a good paddle boarding life jacket, check out The 10 Best Life Jackets for Paddle Boarding.
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