O'Neill Women's Reactor USCG Life Vest

Bought this for my girlfriend to kayak in. She likes the kayaking style with all the floatation around the midsection but I think they look a little dumpy on women. So after reading 100’s of reviews I went with this one. It’s a little snug around the breast but there is some room to adjust. She said even snug it’s very comfortable and doesn’t seem to ride up. She has good movement in the arms and shoulders but best of all she looks hot in it.

After so many mixed reviews on sizes and women’s life vests, I was certain I would have to return this vest before I would find one that fit perfectly. I was pleasantly surprised with the way it fit. It is also very well made, packaged, and presented. I wasn’t surprised, as O’Neill makes great products. I am 5’4”and weigh 130 pounds with a chest size of 40 inches. I ordered a large according to the recommendations and it fits perfectly. I probably could have fit into a medium, but I would’ve extended the straps further and it might not have fit as well. Some folks say it’s a little bulky, and they would get an ultralight. I am not convinced that an ultralight would save my life as well as this fest, I feel, would do. It has good padding, but isn’t that what we need to keep us all afloat?! Very, very pleased.

The style, fit and durability of this life jacket is on point. The recommended sizing is correct and its very comfortable.

Surf

The sizing is a little funky but I went off of my pant size and it fit just like I expected it to. This jacket also has a Velcro strip over the zipper and neoprene sleeves over the buckles that keep them protected. Also the coloring is a little different in person, the body looks navy but is a little more of a purple color. Still very pretty though!

I liked this vest and it fit as expected, but the Connelly U-Hinge Neoprene vest won out because it has more range of flex and felt less bulky at the top front, and I liked the decorative pattern of the Connelly better. But this O'Neil vest was my second choice and it wasn't an easy decision. The O'Neil vest has some details that shows it's quality - such as a small velcro flap that covers the zipper when zipped. And straps long enough that they tuck into the sides without need of a keeper. This O'Neil vest is a bit bulkier at the top front area with larger foam pieces, as compared to the smaller foam pieces in the Connelly vest. Although the O'Neil vest does flex, it doesn't flex as much for me as the Connelly, and I felt the Connelly fit me better with the greater degree of flex at the split panels. I had gotten the O'Neil Size 8 based on the size chart and it fit well. I am 5'6", 145#, 38 inch bust. If I hadn't also tried the Connelly I would have kept the O'Neil.

Great fit fast shipping

Actually, I am extremely impressed with the quality of the vest, especially for the cost. This is very similar to one of my more expensive Jet Pilot Shaun Murray. It is more like a traditional vest where it is shorter than the Jet Pilot but for my wife this is more than she would ever need. My daughter bought one also and it just makes me feel so much better to know that they have safe life vest on that are buoyant and going to keep their head above water. I would have no problem recommending this to anyone who is Looking for a safe life jacket.