How to shop for a life vest for your child
Putting a personal floatation device on your little one can give you peace of mind when spending time in the water.
4.7-star average from 5,554 reviews on Amazon
This infant life vest has a float collar to keep a baby’s head up in the water, a grab handle and a leg strap to help ensure a proper fit. The nylon shell is durable and treated with an antimicrobial coating to help the life vest resist odor, mildew and fungi, according to the brand.
U.S. Coast Guard Approved: Yes | Size: Infant | Type: Type III
4.7-star average from 1,321 reviews on Amazon
I have a two-year-old, and when we bring her to our family’s lake house, getting her to put on a life vest can be a struggle. I’ve found that when a vest has a fun character or design, she’s more likely to slip it on willingly. This child-sized option comes in a dinosaur, lady bug, princess or turtle print. The vest comes equipped with a zippered front, two buckles across the chest and waist and a leg strap to prevent it from riding up when in the water.
U.S. Coast Guard Approved: Yes | Size: Child | Type: Type III
4.5-star average from 1,051 reviews on Amazon
Sized for kids between 50 and 90 pounds, this life vest from O’Neill is designed to fit snugly for safety, according to the brand. Because this life vest is intended for older children, it doesn’t not come with a leg strap. It also has strategically placed drain holes so it doesn’t retain water and make the vest heavier, says O’Neill.
U.S. Coast Guard Approved: Yes | Size: Youth | Type: Type III
4.6-star average from 6,175 reviews on Amazon
This life vest comes in sizes that will accommodate the whole family. It has an open side design — the area directly under the armpit does not have any padding — which makes this vest more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time, according to the brand. The infant and child size come with a leg strap for a snug fit. The nylon material used is also quick drying, according to Oceans 7.
U.S. Coast Guard Approved: Yes | Size: Infant, child, youth, adult | Type: Type II (infant), Type III (child, youth, adult)
4.6-star average from 4,898 reviews on Amazon
This life vest has low-cut arm holes to let you move more freely and a thinner back panel so you can sit more comfortably in high back seats on a boat, according to the brand. The three buckles are all secured to the life vest using box-stitched webbings, which Stohlquist says is the most durable type of stitch that can be used. This vest also features a grab handle, which our experts recommend to help adults pull kids out of the water if necessary.
U.S. Coast Guard Approved: Yes | Size: Youth | Type: Type III
4.6-star average from 3,072 reviews on Amazon
If you have a teenager who is a capable swimmer, they may not want to wear a life vest every time they are around water. But if they are engaging in watersports or going on a boat, experts still recommend they wear a life vest, even if they know how to swim. This vest should fit anyone who wears an adult small, medium or large shirt size, says Hardcore Sports. The completely open sides on this vest provide a more breathable fit and allow for more mobility when engaging in water sports, according to the brand.
U.S. Coast Guard Approved: Yes | Size: Child, Youth, Adult | Type: Type III
For a life vest to work properly, it must fit. And while all of the life vests on our list come with size guidelines, you shouldn’t only rely on what the tag says. You need to try the life vest on your child to really make sure it fits, says Phillips.
But how exactly should a life vest fit? “It should be snug, but not too tight,” says Rachel Griffiths, communication director for the Aquatic Safety Research Group. “And it’s important that the life vest can zip and that all the buckles can be closed.” If your child is in an infant or child-size life vest, their vest will come with a leg strap that runs from the back of the vest, between their legs and buckles at the front of the vest. Don’t skip this buckle. “It is especially important if a child is floating, as the buoyancy of the life jacket may lift it up — that strap will help keep the life jacket where it is supposed to be,” says Phillips.
To make sure that life vest fits properly, Phillips suggests the following test: Tighten all buckles and straps, then place your fingers under the shoulder straps and gently pull up. If the life vest can easily be pulled above the ears, it is too loose.
For the most part, the decision to put your child in a life vest is up to a parent or guardian's discretion. Factors like proximity to water, type of water, age and swimming ability can influence the decision. There is one exception to this rule: The U.S. Coast Guard mandates that all children under the age of 12 must wear a life vest while on a boat or any other type of vessel that is on the water. For anyone over that age, they do not have to wear the life vest, but there must be one for them on board.
Children who either cannot swim or are new to swimming should be outfitted with a life vest anytime they are in a pool, says Griffiths. Swimming in open water — like the ocean, a lake or river — can be challenging for even more experienced swimmers due to things like waves, tides and currents. Because of this, Phillips suggests that all children wear a life vest when swimming in open water. “And if a small child is on a dock, it is smart to put a life jacket on them,” says Phillips, who notes that it will protect them if they fall in the water or if you take your eyes off them for a minute ,and they decide to jump in.
Inflatable arm floaties are popular, but they should not replace a life jacket. Floaties “are not a substitute for approved life jackets and can give children and parents a false sense of security,” says guidelines from American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). It is not uncommon for them to slip off a child, and you cannot count on them as an effective layer of protection, says Griffiths.
At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed two experts to gather their guidance on what to look for when shopping for life vests for kids.
Catch up on Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
