Inflatable life jackets

For over 35 years, Marinepool has been developing life jackets for a wide range of watersports applications. Experience gained from international regattas, offshore passages, and professional offshore races continuously contributes to the development of new safety concepts. The focus is not only on maximum safety, but also on comfort, freedom of movement, and reliability.

Choosing the right life jacket depends on several factors. In addition to body weight and the intended area of use, the clothing worn, weather conditions, and the duration of the voyage all play an important role. While 150N or 180N life jackets are often sufficient for coastal waters, models with higher buoyancy are generally recommended for offshore and ocean sailing.

Modern life jackets also offer a wide range of additional safety features. These include lifebelt attachment points, crotch straps, lifting becket straps, spray hoods, and integrated safety lights. These features significantly enhance safety, especially during night sailing, in harsh weather, or on long-distance passages.

For maximum safety, it is recommended to combine your life jacket with additional safety equipment such as lifebelts, safety tethers, and high-quality foul weather gear. Sailing jackets and sailing trousers ensure that the life jacket fits correctly and performs reliably even in demanding conditions. Complemented by waterproof bags or emergency equipment, they create a comprehensive safety system for every type of sailing trip.

To help you choose the right Marinepool automatic life jacket or safety solution for your sailing area, we distinguish between the 150N, 180N, and 300N buoyancy classes, as well as integrated safety systems such as the 220N Integrale Jacket. The following overview highlights the key differences and recommended areas of use.

The buoyancy of a life jacket is measured in Newtons (N) and indicates the force with which the jacket keeps a person afloat. The higher the buoyancy rating, the greater the safety reserve, especially when wearing heavy clothing or sailing in challenging conditions at sea.

The appropriate buoyancy class depends not only on body weight but also on the clothing worn, the sailing area, and the weather conditions. The more clothing and equipment you wear, the higher the required buoyancy should be.

The terms life jacket and buoyancy aid are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different types of personal flotation devices.

A life jacket is specifically designed for emergency situations. It provides sufficient buoyancy to help turn a person into a stable face-up position and keep the airways above the water. This is particularly important if a person becomes unconscious or is impaired by cold or exhaustion.

Automatic life jackets inflate automatically upon contact with water, providing a high level of safety at sea.

A buoyancy aid provides additional flotation in the water but is not designed to automatically turn an unconscious person into a face-up position. It is primarily intended for active watersports such as stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, or dinghy sailing, where freedom of movement is a priority.

For offshore passages, coastal sailing, or demanding weather conditions, a life jacket is generally recommended.

Automatic and semi-automatic life jackets differ primarily in the way they are activated.

For anglers who regularly fish on larger bodies of water or require additional buoyancy, the 180N Racer ISO Lifejacket WB UML and 180N Racer ISO Lifejacket WB HR Alpha are also highly recommended. With 180 Newtons of buoyancy, they provide increased safety reserves while remaining lightweight and comfortable to wear. This makes them particularly suitable for offshore fishing, fishing in demanding weather conditions, or extended trips on open waters.

Whether you enjoy spin fishing, trolling, offshore fishing, or relaxed fishing trips on the lake, a high-quality life jacket for fishing ensures you stay well protected on the water at all times. Combined with our weatherproof apparel and non-slip footwear, you will be fully equipped even in changing conditions.

Since 1991, Marinepool has stood for high-quality sailing apparel and watersports equipment—developed by sailors, for sailors. More than 35 years of experience on the water, international regattas, and close collaboration with professional athletes have shaped the development of our products. This expertise is built into every sailing jacket, sailing trouser, and life jacket.

For many years, Marinepool has worked closely with international sailing teams, professional sailors, and sailing organizations. These include a long-standing partnership with the Austrian Sailing Federation. At the same time, experience gained from international regattas, offshore passages, and professional offshore races flows directly into product development. Sailors test the equipment under real conditions on the water, providing valuable feedback for the continuous improvement of materials, fit, and functionality.

In offshore sailing in particular, Marinepool benefits from its collaboration with renowned offshore sailors such as Vendée Globe skipper Fabrice Amedeo. During his solo passages across the world's largest oceans, he relies on Marinepool offshore apparel, including the Gotland Ocean Jacket. The experience gained from one of the world's toughest solo sailing races provides valuable insights for developing sailing jackets and foul weather gear that deliver reliable protection even in extreme weather conditions.

This expertise also plays a key role in the development of modern life jackets. The requirements of professional sailors, offshore crews, and long-distance cruising sailors help continuously improve Marinepool's safety products and adapt them to the challenges of life at sea.

Marinepool combines maritime heritage with modern technology. Premium materials, innovative membranes, and functional features provide reliable protection and outstanding comfort in all weather conditions. Whether for coastal sailing, offshore adventures, or leisure on the water, Marinepool has stood for quality, performance, and a passion for watersports for over three decades. As one of the world's leading manufacturers of life jackets, Marinepool also develops innovative safety solutions trusted by sailors and water sports enthusiasts around the globe. Close collaboration with professional sailors, international sailing teams, and watersports organizations ensures that every collection is tested under real-world conditions and continuously refined.

As a company with deep roots in water sports, protecting the waters on which we sail is an integral part of our product development. That’s why Marinepool relies on PFC-free water-repellent treatments for many of its products and is increasingly phasing out materials containing PVC.

For sailors, this means high-quality clothing and gear that meets the demands of life on the water while also supporting a more responsible use of marine resources. In this way, Marinepool combines technical performance, quality, and a commitment to the waters that define our sport.

Unintentional inflation is rare. Modern automatic life jackets are only activated when the integrated activation mechanism comes into contact with water. Under normal circumstances, spray or rain is not sufficient to trigger the life jacket.

After activation, the life jacket must be serviced. This includes replacing the CO₂ cylinder and the activation mechanism with the appropriate rearming kit. Marinepool offers a professional servicing service for this purpose. If you are unsure which rearming kit is suitable for your life jacket, please contact us at info@marinestore.de.

Yes. Automatic life jackets can generally be transported. However, because they contain a CO₂ cylinder, special regulations apply when travelling by air, depending on the airline. Be sure to check your airline's current requirements before your journey.

Ja. Eine passend ausgewählte Automatik-Rettungsweste bietet auch Nichtschwimmern deutlich mehr Sicherheit als eine Schwimmweste. Sie soll den Träger im Wasser in eine möglichst sichere Rückenlage bringen und die Atemwege über Wasser halten. Dennoch ersetzt sie keine Aufsicht oder weitere Sicherheitsmaßnahmen.

The appropriate buoyancy class of an automatic life jacket depends, among other factors, on the clothing you wear on the water. The heavier and bulkier your clothing, the more buoyancy is required to safely turn your body into a stable face-up position and keep your airways above the water.

If you mainly sail on inland waters or in summer conditions while wearing lightweight sailing apparel, a 150N automatic life jacket is often sufficient. However, if you wear multiple layers of clothing, heavy foul weather gear, or regularly sail offshore or in demanding weather conditions, a 180N or 300N life jacket is recommended. These provide additional buoyancy to ensure a high level of safety even when wearing heavy protective clothing. When choosing the right buoyancy class, always consider both your typical sailing environment and the clothing you usually wear on board.

Legal requirements vary depending on the country and sailing area. Regardless of legal regulations, wearing a life jacket is strongly recommended for all sailing trips and is considered an essential part of your safety equipment, especially during offshore passages and night sailing.

Marinepool automatic life jackets provide reliable safety for recreational sailors, cruising sailors, and professional offshore crews. With buoyancy classes ranging from 150N to 300N, they can be optimally matched to your sailing area, weather conditions, and clothing. Automatic activation systems ensure that the life jacket inflates automatically in an emergency, providing the necessary buoyancy when it matters most. Combined with advanced safety features, outstanding comfort, and decades of experience in developing watersports equipment, Marinepool life jackets are designed for a wide range of applications—from coastal waters and offshore passages to demanding ocean crossings. Together with lifebelts, foul weather gear, and additional safety equipment, they form an essential part of any responsible onboard safety system.

Last updated: July 2026