Bombora

About Bombora Gear

For anyone who lives for time on the water, safety gear has long been an afterthought — bulky foam life jackets that stay in the boat locker rather than on your body. Bombora Gear was founded on a straightforward mission: safety shouldn't keep you from enjoying the water. By rethinking what a personal flotation device can look and feel like, Bombora has created a line of inflatable PFDs that people actually want to wear.

Innovative Belt-Pack PFD Design

Bombora's signature products wear like a fanny pack and inflate into a protective life vest only when you need them. Using a simple strap, pull, and float system, their inflatable belt packs sit comfortably around your waist — completely out of the way until the moment it counts. The ultra-slim profile takes up far less space than a conventional foam jacket, making it ideal for kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and boating where freedom of movement matters most.

Bombora offers two core inflatable configurations: a 16-gram option that inflates into a supportive flotation bag, and a 24-gram option that expands into a full life jacket for greater security. Both are U.S. Coast Guard Approved — the 16-gram as a Type V PFD and the 24-gram as a Type III PFD — so you can head out on the water with genuine confidence. Each PFD also includes a CO2 rearming kit, allowing the device to be reused and maintained across many seasons of adventure.

Safety for the Whole Family

Bombora doesn't stop at adult gear. Their lineup extends to USCG-approved Type III youth and child life vests designed for young ones weighing 30 lbs and up, built with lightweight EPE layered foam for all-day comfort and bright, easy-to-spot colors. For four-legged crew members, Bombora also produces dog vests featuring reinforced grab handles, under-belly protection, adjustable collars, and side pockets — all crafted from durable polyester fabric. Whether you're heading out with kids, dogs, or a full crew, Bombora has flotation options to keep everyone covered.

Style Meets Water Safety

Beyond function, Bombora leans into vibrant, expressive design. Their "Fade Out" Collection features eye-catching colorways that reflect the brand's adventurous spirit, proving that safety equipment doesn't have to be an eyesore. The brand's ethos — that exploration and preparedness go hand in hand — has earned them features in national media and a loyal community of paddlers, boaters, and outdoor enthusiasts who refuse to compromise between safety and style.

Backed by Maritime Heritage

Bombora Gear is distributed through Ritchie Navigation, a family-owned business with over 175 years in the marine industry and the largest compass manufacturer in the United States. That partnership grounds Bombora in a deep tradition of on-water expertise, giving customers confidence that these products are built to real maritime standards — not just marketed to look the part.