Couldn't find a post on this subject.

What brand inflatable life vests do you like? I saw where SOSpenders are made in US. BP shops brand and Mustang appear to be imported- not that it necessarily makes a quality difference.

Buy U.S. when you can. SOS will be great. Just get the extra activation kit to keep in the boat. I have had the Coast Guard guys ask to see it. There are also some rule changes coming down about wearing it. Check those out.

My BPS one says components from U.S., China, and Japan. Assembled in U.S.A.

SE Kansas grass grower

If affordable, upgrade to a hydrostatic triggered inflatable vest. Mustang calls it H.I.T.

If won't go off until it is submerged under a few inches of water. And it won't go off unexpectedly in a rain shower. The newer hydrostatic models 'HIT' that are USCG type II certified only have to be carried in the boat if you happen to have someone aboard who is stubborn and prefers to not wear it at all times.

Thanks guys.

I have both Sospenders and Mustang HIT on my boat. I usually wear the Mustang

I have a H.I.T. and wardens say you have to have it on or have another jacket on board. Screwed up deal.

I just got off the phone with TPWD and there is no inflatable life jacket made that counts as life jacket unless you have it on.

They aren't going by their own regulations then:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_br_l2000_0001.pdf

The one in the picture is a Type II on a Non-Commercial Vessel. Therefore it doesn't have to be worn. Also no special must be worn requirements on the lable. Not the first time they interpret the law the way they want to. I just keep a regular vest on onboard to prevent the hassle.

Fishspanker has the specific regulation and has it correct.

If a game warden or someone "on the phone support line at TPWD" does not permit the Mustang type II vest to count as any other type II certified PFD, it is because he or she just doesn't yet know that there exist USCG fully certified II inflatables now. For a long time, all inflatables (not type II) did state on the label that they had to be worn to count, so the misinformation still persists at least in some areas.

There are no laws or regs anywhere at least in Texas saying "all" inflatables have to be worn. This is always a debate on forums and so far, no one can ever show a actual regulation against Type II inflatables as having to be worn to count. Increasingly game wardens are coming up to speed ... Here locally they count the inflatables if type II, whether worn or not.

Great item, comfortable, easy to put on and take off BUT, expensive.....sigh....