Lifejackets in the test: How good are 15 models with 150 newtons of buoyancy?

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A lifejacket must work in an emergency, inflate automatically and then keep the head of the person who has fallen overboard above water. For the test, our tester always dropped into the water in the swimming pool in the same way. This ensured a repeatable test set-up. With the 150 models, we went into the water from the side with light oilskins. However: Standard EN Iso 12402, which determines the minimum buoyancy of a lifejacket in sea areas, does not stipulate that lifejackets with a buoyancy of 150 newtons should be worn with oilskins. Although oilskins are supposed to be impermeable, this property is a hindrance in MOB situations, as trapped air cannot escape quickly from the garments. However, these air pockets in the jacket and trousers change a person's buoyancy considerably and may therefore counteract the buoyancy of the lifejacket.

In concrete terms, this means that if you lie on your stomach in the water, you will not be turned reliably. You can only breathe freely when lying on your back. According to the standard, waistcoats in the 150 Newton class cannot turn anyone wearing oilskins into a supine position where they cannot pass out. This has also been confirmed by our practical tests. This is why the distinction between these buoyancy classes in the test is crucial. Contrary to the swimwear specified in the ISO standard for testing the 150 Newton waistcoats, we tested with oilskins and sailing shoes, as this mostly reflects reality.

15 lifejackets with at least 150 newtons of buoyancy tested:

170N Offshore Lifejacket Pro
180N Racer ISO Lifejacket
3D Ergo-Fit Pro 150N
Athena 165
Crewfit+ 180N Pro
Deckvest 6D 170N Elite
Deckvest LITE+ 170N
Deckvest LITE+ 170N Sail
Force 190N, Harness, SLA
Legend 165, Harness, SLA
LJ180N AIR Offshore
LJ900 150N
Poseidon
Seatec XD 220
Seatec X-Pro 180

Values in brackets: maximum number of points achievable in the legend, actual number of points achieved in the table

170N Offshore Lifejacket Pro

Provider: teamomarine.com
Manufacturer: TeamO
Price (15): 264 € (3)
Buoyancy: 170 N
Propellant cylinder/triggering: 38 g/water contact
Automatic machine: UML Pro Sensor Elite
Viewing window/control: Yes/tablet/cartridge
Lifebelt: Belt loop, soft, backtow
Belt concept adjustment: Chest strap adjustable with two metal buckles on the back
Belt fastener: Buckle, stainless steel
Crotch strap (4): Double (4)
Spraycap (4): Yes (4)
Signal light (4): Yes (4)
Closure cover: Zip fastener
Weight (10): 1.445 g (2)
Funct. & swimming position (20): 5
Freeboard (20): 11.4 cm (6)
Additional equipment (3): Backtow Harness (3)
Wearing comfort, belt adjustment (20): Good, easily self-adjustable and comfortable harness. Space in the neck (16)
Remark: Twisted buoyancy when opened, slides up to the forehead and has a large wave channel
YACHT rating: Satisfactory (47)

180N Racer ISO Lifejacket (YACHT price-performance tip)

Provider: marinepool.com
Manufacturer: Loading OÜ
Price (15): 110 € (12)
Buoyancy: 180 N3
Propellant cylinder/triggering: 8 g/water contact
Automatic machine: UML-5
Viewing window/control: No/tablet/cartridge
Lifebelt: D-ring, metal
Belt concept adjustment: Chest strap with plastic buckle
Belt fastener: Buckle, stainless steel
Crotch strap (4): Simple (4)
Spraycap (4): No (0)
Signal light (4): No (0)
Closure cover: Velcro
Weight (10): 1.037 g (7)
Funct. & swimming position (20): 16
Freeboard (20): 14.4 cm (20)
Additional equipment (3): Envelope is part of the buoyancy (2)
Wearing comfort, belt adjustment (20): Very simple harness, awkward. Somewhat cramped in the neck (11)
Remark: No wave channel, high freeboard, very easy to pack after release
YACHT rating: Good (72)

3D Ergo-Fit Pro 150N

Provider: Compass24.de
Manufacturer: Loading OÜ
Price (15): 130 € (11)
Buoyancy: 150 N
Propellant cylinder/triggering: 33 g/water contact
Automatic machine: UML Pro Sensor Elite
Viewing window/control: Yes/tablet/cartridge
Lifebelt: Belt loop, soft
Belt concept adjustment: Adjustable chest strap with plastic buckle on the back
Belt fastener: Buckle, stainless steel
Crotch strap (4): Simple (4)
Spraycap (4): No (0)
Signal light (4): No (0)
Closure cover: Zip fastener
Weight (10): 910 g (9)
Funct. & swimming position (20): 10
Freeboard (20): 9.6 cm (0)
Additional equipment (3):Fleece collar (2)
Wearing comfort, belt adjustment (20): Very simple and not very intuitive harness. Freedom of movement o. k. (13)
Remark: Asymmetrical buoyancy chamber, light wave channel
YACHT rating: Satisfactory (49)

Athena 165

Provider: Element-2.de
Manufacturer: Baltic
Price (15): 230 € (5)
Buoyancy: 165 N
Propellant cylinder/triggering: 33 g/water contact
Automatic machine: UML Pro Sensor Elite
Viewing window/control: Yes/tablet/cartridge
Lifebelt: Belt loop, soft
Belt concept adjustment: Chest strap adjustable at the front left, self-stowing strap. Optimised for women
Belt fastener: Buckle, stainless steel
Crotch strap (4): Simple (4)
Spraycap (4): No (0)
Signal light (4): No (0)
Closure cover: Zip fastener
Weight (10): 1.090 g (7)
Funct. & swimming position (20): 18
Freeboard (20): 13.5 cm (16)
Additional equipment (3): Padded back and neck (3)
Wearing comfort, belt adjustment (20): Harness is simple but good. Very nicely shaped back section. Plenty of room in the neck (18)
Remark: Waistcoat specially optimised for the female anatomy. Fits very well even when inflated
YACHT rating: Good (71)

Crewfit+ 180N Pro (YACHT test winner)

Provider: nordwest-funk.eu
Manufacturer: Crewsaver
Price (15): 209 € (6)
Buoyancy: 180 N
Propellant cylinder/triggering: 38 g/water contact
Automatic machine: UML Pro Sensor Elite
Viewing window/control: No/tablet/cartridge
Lifebelt: Belt loop, hard
Belt concept adjustment: Chest strap adjustable on both sides using metal buckles with opening aid
Belt fastener: Buckle, stainless steel
Crotch strap (4): Simple (4)
Spraycap (4): Yes (4)
Signal light (4): Yes (4)
Closure cover: Zip fastener
Weight (10): 1.215 g (5)
Funct. & swimming position (20): 17
Freeboard (20): 13.2 cm (15)
Additional equipment (3): Separate zip for cartridge (2)
Wearing comfort, belt adjustment (20): Comfortable fit, plenty of room, especially in the neck. Well adjustable harness (17)
Remark: Buoyancy chamber does not allow water to reach the mouth, spray cap fits well, good visibility
YACHT rating: Good (74)

Deckvest 6D 170N Elite

Provider: frisch.de
Manufacturer: Spinlock
Price (15): 359 € (0)
Buoyancy: 170 N
Propellant cylinder/triggering: 33 g/water contact
Automatic machine: UML Pro Sensor Elite
Viewing window/control: Yes/tablet/cartridge
Lifebelt: Belt loop, hard
Belt concept adjustment: Chest strap with two metal buckles on the side at the front, self-stowing strap
Belt fastener: Plastic gag
Crotch strap (4): Simple, wide (4)
Spraycap (4): Yes (4)
Signal light (4): Yes (4)
Closure cover: Zip fastener
Weight (10): 1.257 g (5)
Funct. & swimming position (20): 7
Freeboard (20): 12.6 cm (12)
Additional equipment (3): Mesh bag for storage (2)
Wearing comfort, belt adjustment (20): Comfortable at the neck and shoulders, very easy to adjust. Intuitive fastening (18)
Remark: Large wave channel, sealed by spraycap, but not powerless. Sits very high up
YACHT rating: Satisfactory (56)

Deckvest LITE+ 170N

Provider: frisch.de
Manufacturer: Spinlock
Price (15): 229 € (5)
Buoyancy: 170 N 33 g/water contact
Propellant cylinder/triggering:
Automatic machine: UML-5
Viewing window/control: No/tablet/trigger
Lifebelt: Belt loop, hard
Belt concept adjustment: Chest strap adjustable at the front right with buckle, self-stowing strap
Belt fastener: Buckle, anodised aluminium
Crotch strap (4): Simple (4)
Spraycap (4): No (0)
Signal light (4): No (0)
Closure cover: Zip fastener
Weight (10): 890 g (10)
Funct. & swimming position (20): 9
Freeboard (20): 12.0 cm (9)
Additional equipment (3): Mesh bag for storage (2)
Wearing comfort, belt adjustment (20): Adjustment a little awkward. Very light waistcoat, but a little tight around the neck (14)
Remark: Buoyancy leaves a large wave channel, but sits comfortably. Rather simple (inshore)
YACHT rating: Satisfactory (53)

Deckvest LITE+ 170N Sail

Provider: fresh.com
Manufacturer: Spinlock
Price (15): 259 € (3)
Buoyancy: 170 N
Propellant cylinder/triggering: 33 g/water contact
Automatic machine: UML-5
Viewing window/control: No/tablet/trigger
Lifebelt: Belt loop, hard
Belt concept adjustment: Chest strap adjustable at the front right with buckle, self-stowing strap
Belt fastener: Buckle, anodised aluminium
Crotch strap (4): Simple (4)
Spraycap (4): Yes (4)
Signal light (4): Yes, LumeOn (4)
Closure cover: Zip fastener
Weight (10): 1.032 g (8)
Funct. & swimming position (20): 9
Freeboard (20): 12.0 cm (9)
Additional equipment (3): Mesh bag for storage (2)
Wearing comfort, belt adjustment (20): Adjustment a little awkward. Very light waistcoat, but a little tight around the neck (14)
Remark: Spraycap closes the wave channel, significant improvement
YACHT rating: Satisfactory (57)

Force 190N, Harness, SLA

Provider: element-2.de
Manufacturer: Baltic
Price (15): 330 € (0)
Buoyancy: 190 N
Propellant cylinder/triggering: 38 g/water contact
Automatic machine: UML Pro Sensor Elite
Viewing window/control: Yes/tablet/cartridge
Lifebelt: Belt double loop, medium
Belt concept adjustment: Chest strap adjustable on one side on the right with plastic buckle
Belt fastener: Belt buckle, zip fastener
Crotch strap (4): Simple (4)
Spraycap (4): Yes (4)
Signal light (4): Yes (4)
Closure cover: Zip fastener
Weight (10): 1.380 g (3)
Funct. & swimming position (20): 18
Freeboard (20): 12.6 cm (12)
Additional equipment (3): NFC tag, viewing window for PLB (3)
Wearing comfort, belt adjustment (20): Fits comfortably, good fastening. However, the adjustment is awkward (14)
Remark: Good flotation, no wave channel, buoyancy chamber protects against waves, good spraycap
YACHT rating: Good (62)

Legend 165, Harness, SLA

Provider: element-2.de
Manufacturer: Baltic
Price (15): 210 € (6)
Buoyancy: 165 N
Propellant cylinder/triggering: N 33 g/water contact
Automatic machine: UML Pro Sensor Elite
Viewing window/control: Yes/tablet/cartridge
Lifebelt: Belt loop, medium hard
Belt concept adjustment: Chest strap with plastic buckle, adjustable on the right side, self-stowing
Belt fastener: Buckle, stainless steel
Crotch strap (4): Simple (4)
Spraycap (4): Yes (4)
Signal light (4): Yes (4)
Closure cover: Zip fastener
Weight (10): 1.250 g (5)
Funct. & swimming position (20): 15
Freeboard (20): 12.2 cm (10)
Additional equipment (3): Nothing but cartridge fuse (1)
Wearing comfort, belt adjustment (20): Fits comfortably, good fastening. However, the adjustment is awkward. Leaves plenty of room in the neck (16)
Remark: Buoyancy chamber sits well, no wave channel
YACHT rating: Good (65)

LJ180N Air Offshore

Provider: decathlon.com
Manufacturer: Tribord
Price (15): 220 € (6)
Buoyancy: 180 N
Propellant cylinder/triggering: 38 g/water contact
Automatic machine: UML-5
Viewing window/control: No/tablet/trigger
Lifebelt: Belt loop, hard
Belt concept adjustment: Adjustable back and chest straps. Buoyancy chamber can be separated from the harness
Belt fastener: Buckle, stainless steel
Crotch strap (4): Double (4)
Spraycap (4): No (0)
Signal light (4): Yes (4)
Closure cover: Zip fastener
Weight (10): 1.577/704 g (5)
Funct. & swimming position (20): 20
Freeboard (20): 13.3 cm (15)
Additional equipment (3): Removable buoyancy, packing instructions printed on (3)
Wearing comfort, belt adjustment (20): Chest strap adjustment not entirely intuitive. Plenty of room in the neck. Buoyancy removable (18)
Remark: Very good swimming position, no wave channel, turns into unconscious position, comfortable
YACHT rating: Good (72)

LJ900 150N

Provider: decathlon.com
Manufacturer: Tribord
Price (15): 75 € (15) >> available here
Buoyancy: 150 N
Propellant cylinder/triggering: 33 g/water contact
Automatic machine: UML-5
Viewing window/control: No/tablet/trigger
Lifebelt: Belt loop, soft
Belt concept adjustment: Adjustable chest strap with buckle, self-stowing. Very basic
Belt fastener: Buckle, stainless steel
Crotch strap (4): Simple (4)
Spraycap (4): No (0)
Signal light (4): No (0)
Closure cover: Zip fastener
Weight (10): 981 g (8)
Funct. & swimming position (20): 10
Freeboard (20): 11.8 cm (8)
Additional equipment (3): Nothing but cartridge fuse (1)
Wearing comfort, belt adjustment (20): Yoke-shaped, somewhat awkward to put on at the collar. Strangles easily. Very simple harness (5)
Remark: Very simple, buoyancy chamber leaves no wave channel, but is so shallow that water still comes to the mouth
YACHT rating: Satisfactory (51)

Poseidon

Provider: element-2.de
Manufacturer: Baltic
Price (15): 230 € (5)
Buoyancy: 150 N
Propellant cylinder/triggering: 33 g/water contact
Automatic machine: UML Pro Sensor Elite
Viewing window/control: Yes/tablet/cartridge
Lifebelt: Belt loop, medium, small
Belt concept adjustment: Back and chest straps adjustable on the left side, self-stowing
Belt fastener: Buckle, Velcro
Crotch strap (4): Simple (4)
Spraycap (4): No (0)
Signal light (4): No (0)
Closure cover: Zip fastener
Weight (10): 1.006 g (8)
Funct. & swimming position (20): 15
Freeboard (20): 11.8 cm (8)
Additional equipment (3): Mesh in the collar (2)
Wearing comfort, belt adjustment (20): Adjustment somewhat awkward. Plenty of space at the neck and nape. Very light (14)
Remark: Buoyancy chamber closes well, no wave channel. Chokes a little on the neck
YACHT rating: Satisfactory (56)

Seatec XD 220

Provider: svb.de
Manufacturer: Loading OÜ
Price (15): 135 € (11)
Buoyancy: 220 N
Propellant cylinder/triggering: 33 g/water contact
Automatic machine: UML Pro Sensor Elite
Viewing window/control: Yes/tablet/cartridge
Lifebelt: Belt loop, soft
Belt concept adjustment: Adjustable chest strap with buckle, self-stowing
Belt fastener: Buckle, stainless steel
Crotch strap (4): Simple (4)
Spraycap (4): No (0)
Signal light (4): No (0)
Closure cover: Zip fastener
Weight (10): 1.029 g (8)
Funct. & swimming position (20): 17
Freeboard (20): 12.9 cm (13)
Additional equipment (3): Fleece in the collar (2)
Wearing comfort, belt adjustment (20): Simple harness, awkward adjustment. Somewhat cramped in the neck (11)
Remark: Buoyancy chamber has a lot of volume on the chest, no wave channel, sits comfortably
YACHT rating: Good (66)

Seatec X-Pro 180

Provider: svb.de
Manufacturer: Loading OÜ
Price (15): 120 € (12)
Buoyancy: 180 N
Propellant cylinder/triggering: 38 g/water contact
Automatic machine: UML Pro Sensor Elite
Viewing window/control: Yes/tablet/cartridge
Lifebelt: D-ring, stainless steel
Belt concept adjustment: Chest strap adjustable at the buckle of the fastener, self-stowing
Belt fastener: Buckle, stainless steel
Crotch strap (4): Simple (4)
Spraycap (4): No (0)
Signal light (4): No (0)
Closure cover: Zip fastener
Weight (10): 1.080 g (7)
Funct. & swimming position (20): 15
Freeboard (20): 9.9 cm (0)
Additional equipment (3): Velcro removable fleece collar (2)
Wearing comfort, belt adjustment (20): Chest strap adjustment not intuitive. Constricts the neck (8)
Remark: Comfortable on the neck, floating position is ok, no wave channel. Little freeboard
YACHT rating: Satisfactory (48)

Lifejackets in the test: How good are 15 models with 150 newtons of buoyancy?

All content in this security special:

Most read articles

15 lifejackets with at least 150 newtons of buoyancy tested:

170N Offshore Lifejacket Pro

180N Racer ISO Lifejacket (YACHT price-performance tip)

3D Ergo-Fit Pro 150N

Athena 165

Crewfit+ 180N Pro (YACHT test winner)

Deckvest 6D 170N Elite

Deckvest LITE+ 170N

Deckvest LITE+ 170N Sail

Force 190N, Harness, SLA

Legend 165, Harness, SLA

LJ180N Air Offshore

LJ900 150N

Poseidon

Seatec XD 220

Seatec X-Pro 180

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