Like everything else in life, Inflatable PFD's have their good and bad points.
I have worn one 5 days a week, from April to Nov. or Dec., for two years (no choice at place of employment).
The type used by my employer are Mustang Survival Air Force manual inflatables.
They won't do you much good, though, if you happen to lose consciousness before pulling the tab.
We went with manual inflatables since there are still instances when an auto-inflate version will self-inflate when subjected to extensive rains or if stored while wet. $$$ may also have been a factor.
Inflatables do allow more freedom of movement and are cooler than normal PFD's. However, they do tend to feel heavy on the neck if worn for extended periods. They also don't provide the insulating value that normal life vests do on cold days.
The pouch-type version is approved for paddle sports only, so is of no use to most of us while angling. Some juresdictions mandate that, if you are wearing an inflatable, you must also have a regular PFD aboard.
I have not decided whether I am in favour of mandatory use of PFD's. Like many, the tendancy is to say we don't need any more laws governing our time on the water. But I think back to the three days I spent on Big Rideau Lake a number of years ago, aiding a police search for a drowned angler from the Ottawa area. His life jacket was found in his boat. They suspected he fell overboard while messing with his motor or something. I don't recall if they ever found his body...
CCB