# TLDR Review: ONYX A/M-24 Life Jacket

*Published: 2025-03-20 | Updated: 2025-03-20 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/onyx-am-24-life-jacket*

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## Product: ONYX A/M-24 Life Jacket
**Brand:** Onyx

## Pros
- Extremely comfortable and lightweight, making it suitable for long workdays and outdoor activities.
- Easily converts between automatic and manual inflation modes, adding versatility.
- TSA-compliant CO2 cylinder allows for air travel convenience.
- Straw feature enables easy adjustment of buoyancy by adding or releasing air.
- US Coast Guard compliant, providing peace of mind when properly inspected and operated.
- Recommended for kayaking, canoeing, and snorkeling with a design that doesn't hinder movement.
- Quick inflation upon water contact, ideal for emergency situations.
- Durable construction, reported as reliable over extended periods of light use.
- Slim and low-profile design prevents overheating and offers wearability in warm weather.

## Cons
- Auto-inflate mechanism is sensitive, potentially activating unintentionally.
- Difficult and costly reloading process, with rearming kits priced over $20.
- Inflation design can compress the neck, which may require adjustment for comfort.
- Reports of unexpected inflation, causing reliability and safety concerns.
- Lacking clear written instructions, assuming prior knowledge of similar vests.

## Bottom Line

The ONYX A/M-24 Automatic/Manual Inflatable Life Jacket offers versatility and comfort, making it a popular choice for activities like kayaking and snorkeling. However, be careful with the auto-inflate feature and the costly, challenging reloading process. If you’re looking for a more dependable option with ease of rearmament, consider exploring other alternatives. Nonetheless, it remains TSA and USCG compliant, which may outweigh some concerns for certain users.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| Extremely comfortable and lightweight, making it suitable for long workdays and outdoor activities. | Auto-inflate mechanism is sensitive, potentially activating unintentionally. |
| Easily converts between automatic and manual inflation modes, adding versatility. | Difficult and costly reloading process, with rearming kits priced over $20. |
| TSA-compliant CO2 cylinder allows for air travel convenience. | Inflation design can compress the neck, which may require adjustment for comfort. |
| Straw feature enables easy adjustment of buoyancy by adding or releasing air. | Reports of unexpected inflation, causing reliability and safety concerns. |
| US Coast Guard compliant, providing peace of mind when properly inspected and operated. | Lacking clear written instructions, assuming prior knowledge of similar vests. |
| Recommended for kayaking, canoeing, and snorkeling with a design that doesn't hinder movement. |  |
| Quick inflation upon water contact, ideal for emergency situations. |  |
| Durable construction, reported as reliable over extended periods of light use. |  |
| Slim and low-profile design prevents overheating and offers wearability in warm weather. |  |

## Current Prices

| Retailer | Price | Availability |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| Anything Boating | $91.99  | Check |
| backwaterwarehouse.com | $92.95  | Check |
| GritrOutdoors | $94.20  | Check |
| iPC Store | $97.00  | Check |
| Ultimate Passage | $97.41  | Check |
| Vance Outdoors | $97.49  | Check |
| L&M Fleet Supply | $99.99  | Check |
| Seaman Marine | $101.99  | Check |
| Sportsman's Warehouse | $103.99  | Check |
| www.mddcprint.com | $105.99  | Check |
| Stock4Less.com | $107.79  | Check |
| Sherper's | $109.99  | Check |
| fish307.com | $110.99  | Check |
| UnbeatableSale | $111.33  | Check |
| Great Life Outdoors | $112.95  | Check |
| CE Showroom | $113.20  | Check |
| Opentip.com | $115.89  | Check |
| Boaters Planet | $118.99  | Check |
| Guild Marine | $118.99  | Check |
| Fishing Online | $119.99  | Check |

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*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*