My 17 year-old son just got a kayak and he intends to go fishing with it down in Galveston (I don't have all the details but it's on the Bay side and it's in the more shallow areas). As a mom, I would really, really like to make sure that he wears a life jacket while he's out there and any of you recommend an unobtrusive, but effective life vets that he can wear to keep him safe while he has fun?

Thanks!

Lots of kayak specific vests now a days.

One of those. They'll sit higher on the chest (not be down to his waist).

I'd say stay away from the inflatable collars as he'll get wet.

Ascend has some good ones "made" for paddling kayaks.

Thank you for the recommendation. Am glad you mentioned not getting one of the inflatable ones because I thought that might actually be the best for him. But yeah, I guess being in a kayak he's likely to end up in the water at some point.

Especially if he'll be going out in the surf, will just be a matter of time.

Second Ascend. I like very open armpit area for reduced friction. It's exponentially more important in sal****er. That is salt water. Nice banned word.

Onyx is another option.

I know it works because it accidentally discharged while I was landing a big red and scared the crap out of me.

Lots of folks wear these here in the Ozark rivers while Kayaking.
Expensive but arguably the best in the business. It's the best of both worlds because it's got an auxiliary flotation feature if conditions warrant more flotation.
https://mustangsurvival.com/products/khimera-dual-flotation-pfd-md7183

This one for the very high end.

This one is more on a budget.

Something like the one in the link is the way to go.

https://www.academy.com/p/magellan-outdoors-adults-kayak-fishing-life-jacket?sku=one-size-grey-orange-01

I have several NRS. Spend once, cry once.

A PFD isn't something I want to skimp on, both for safety and comfort reasons. If it's uncomfortable, I'm unlikely to properly or consistently wear it.

I use a white water rescue vest. Comfortable and works well paddling and fishing.

I have the NRS Zen. It looks like the newer versions the Vector or Ninja are similar.