We chose the Stearns Youth Classic as our Best Budget Life Jacket because of the price and construction. In general, the more flotation weight, the better. The Stohlquist Youth Escape earned these ratings: Amazon (4.5/5) and REI (5/5). Whether youre kayaking, canoeing, swimming, packrafting, or more, theres a life jacket or PFD for what your kids are doing. Let them have fun, but stay safe became my professional motto. Rated as a Type II, the Stohlquist Infant Life jacket has almost the same design as the Stohlquist Child Life Jacket, with more flotation around the head and neck. To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. Exceptions / non-returnable items Certain types of items cannot be returned, like perishable goods (such as food, flowers, or plants), custom products (such as special orders or personalized items), and personal care goods (such as beauty products). Should they ever have to rescue their infant, this grab strap gives them an easy way to pull them out of the water. What consumers found most appealing was the range of sizes availableInfant, Child, and Youth. It's designed for kids in the 30-50 pound range. At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. To see what to check for, read our Adult Life Jackets and PFDs story. Photo courtesy Seamus Daniels. The Stohlquist Child Life Jacket is designed for toddlers from 30-50 lbs, and has a flotation weight of 8 lbs 6 oz. I make it a point of pride to teach every single one how to put on their life jacket properly. 6 oz. Buckle, zip, or pull on your PFD. From the plethora of Kids PFDs on the market, it was a challenge to whittle our selections down to these five winners. Its hard to beat a life-saving flotation device that costs less than a trip to Chuck E. Cheese, and weighs less than a pound! For smaller kids, this PFD may be uncomfortably bulky. Theyre still the same design (they were simply two different designs under one name before), but now theyve been renamed and separated into two differently designed life vests. Infants certainly arent going to be swimming on their own, but if the worst should happen, its crucial to find a design that will keep an infant on their back, rather than pushing them forward onto their face. Kids PFDs are designed to fit within weight ranges--not ages. Related: The Gear we Love for Backyard Campouts. The accidents involving children were the hardest to swallow, but thats what motivated my conservatism in guiding. Child size is designed for children 30-50 lbs. Stearns Puddle Jumper is also known for kid-friendly designs, a plus (for a premium price) vs. the more affordable Stearns Youth Life Jacket we recommend as our budget pick. Whether youre kayaking, canoeing, fishing, swimming, packrafting, or whitewater rafting with your young one, the one thing that all parenting boaters can agree on (gear-wise, at least) is that personal safety for their children is paramount. You can always contact us for any return question at info@bay15.com. Overall, I give this life jacket high marks and think that the added expense for the safety of your child is well worth it.". I have maintained a Swiftwater Rescue Level IV certification throughout my river-guiding career, building haul systems to rescue boats, and plucking swimmers out of numerous rapids. Choosing whether you should get a life preserver or a PFD comes down to knowing your child, knowing your activity, and knowing your involvement with your child in the water. Then, work from the bottom uptighten your lowest strap first, and work your way up to your shoulders. You may want to invest in Neoprene, which is more expensive but a useful comfort upgrade for most folks. Bestmomproducts (A), Amazon (4.5/5), and REI (4/5). For example, for the Best Youth PFD, it needed to meet the weight ranges of a larger child, without sacrificing adjustability and smaller-body features by moving directly into an adults PFD. It has a very low-profile design that offers a more contoured and comfortable fit.. The pros outweighed the cons on this one. Whether your life vests or PFDs are for big people or little people, care for them the same way. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information. The Coast Guard classifications are the same for adults and kids. That was enough of a safety concern we decided to eliminate it from our recommended life jacket list. The exterior of the Stohlquist is made of 200-denier nylon for abrasion-resistance and hardiness, while the inside is made out of a softer 200-denier Oxford liner. There are too many stories of injury, tragedy, and catastrophe around water sports and participants not wearing PFDsespecially kids. We were looking for PFDs that could address the challenge of growing youngsters, while still providing the utmost in water safety and protection, without breaking the bank. The overall reaction towards this life vest placed it at the best value for a flotation device, especially for those who are just beginning to play with water sports, or who are looking for a little added security during lower-risk water activities (i.e., canoeing across a calm lake). It's important for parents to note that a swim vest is NOT a life jacket or PFD. Other purchasers applauded the comfort, range of mobility, and sizingskinny and husky kids alike used and loved this PFD. We researched the best kids life jackets and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) available by reading hundreds of consumer and professional reviews, and narrowed the dozens of options for the unique gear requirements of different water sportsspecifically for kids. Also, before each season (and for kids, before each use! Fully adjustable straps and easy entry front zipper with security buckle ensure best fit. Heres the process we use: Check the manufacturers sizing charts and/or recommendations. The Stohlquist Youth Escape features a front-zip entrance, with an adjustable belt-line quick release buckle to ensure that the PFD wont ride up their torso. If approved, youll be automatically refunded on your original payment method. They provide good support to children with some swimming skills. Related: The Best Baby and Toddler Hiking Carriers. This allows us to create reader-supported objective gear reviews. Photo courtesy Aaron Henry. US Coast Guard Child Safety Guide (downloadable). The Stearns Youth Classic was lauded as a great Personal Flotation Device for canoeing, flatwater kayaking, tubing, and fishing for those who want to stay under budget. Wide shoulder straps add comfort with impeding mobility for paddling or rowing kids, and they also feature an adjustable strap on each shoulder pad. They provide good support to children with some swimming skills. Adjustability allows for life-saving, close-fitting PFDs, which are the only useful and functional kinds of PFDs. While life jackets are designed to keep a child's head above water and bodies afloat, a Type II life preserver may hinder an older childs abilities in the water. Convenient grab handle designed to stay open in water to make rescue a breeze, Full arm mobility so they can play and swim, Double collard to cradle child's head but allow for full movement, Open back for breathability and seat comfort. For the Best Infant PFD, we looked for water safety and flotation features necessary for a young child unable to swim or save themselves. For the avid weekend warrior, a $100 PFD may be the perfect intersection of price point and performance. Small noteon younger children, the top of the zipper tends to chafe under the child's chin. A front-zip entry and quick release buckle over the zipper make for easy put-on/take-off flexibility. This guide is a recommendation based on what we have observed and researched. Regulations require every person in a boat to wear (if a child) or have access to (if an adult) a flotation device. As most kids PFDs that we reviewed came in only one specific weight range, 3 size options for one PFD was a welcome respite for one raft-guide mama from searching for different PFDs for 4 different kids: I bought one of each size for my kids, and have been able to let them all grow up through the sizes., Related: The Best Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUPs), Coast Guard regulations require every child in a boat to have access to a flotation device. We researched PFDs that provide a wide array of available sizes to accommodate all of our little water enthusiasts, no matter what age or size. The second, larger collar (or head pillow) is designed to keep their heads floating above water in case of emergency. As a volunteer with local fire departments in both Alaska and Maine, Ive trained and participated in swiftwater and lake-based rescues. Amazon customers called out the small sizing, but many were able to adjust to make it work. Three sizes, adjustability, comfort, and color options were key, and our pick ticked all four of these necessities. Stohlquist took that key safety concept and built a toddler life jacket around it. At the end of the day, only you can pick the life vest or Personal Flotation Device (PFD) that works for you and your kid. (They may simply need a smaller size, or a more streamlined fitwe recommend a favorite from our Contenders list, the ONeills Superlite Youth Life Jacket. The Stohlquist Infant Life Jacket is designed for infants from 8-30 lbs and has a flotation weight of 7 lbs 6 oz. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted. No piece of equipment is more important to your childs safety on the water than a PFD. Youll also need the receipt or proof of purchase. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Aqualung International. As your young one begins to paddle and kick in the water, this PFDs design allows for freedom of movement so they can start a lifelong love for "play in the water"! Of course, toddlers will have more control of their body than an infant, but you still dont want them face-down in the water! Infant size is designed for children up to 30 lbs. ), wed recommend checking your PFD to make sure it is free of holes, tears, rips, etc. Our recommendations cover kids from 8 to 30 pounds, 30 to 50 pounds, 50 to 90 pounds, and 90 to 110 pounds. This PFD tends to run small, so make sure to measure your childs chest size before committing. They did find not all sizes come with the crotch strap and that sizing runs small. Convenient grab handle designed to stay open in water to make rescue a breeze, Full arm mobility so they can play and swim, Double collard to cradle child's head but allow for full movement, Open back for breathability and seat comfort. For example, if youre a flatwater kayaker who wants to get into running rivers with your children, look for a low-profile Type III PFD (depending on age). We also included our Best Budget Life Jacket, with kids sizing and price as considerations. Take into consideration the highest level of activity that you might participate in. The most lauded feature of the Stohlquist is the double-collar. The T-shaped leg strap goes around the back and through the legs, with adjustable tabs on both sides and by the crotch-strap buckle. I cannot stress this enoughput your children in a life jacket or life vest, and watch them like a hawk. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission, without costing you an extra cent. Type III PFDs are NOT designed to turn a child face-up in the water. The one drawback of the Youth Classic is that it is bulky and not designed for particularly active sports. We narrowed our selection criteria down to these 7 most important. TheFull Throttle Youth Life Jacketcame with good reviews (4.6/5 on Amazon), but didnt have the overwhelming praise and demand that theStohlquist Youth Escapehad. If youre going to be on the water more than a handful of times in a summer, it may be worth it to upgrade from a basic life vest. You may want the full precaution of a Type I or II, or may want the mobility of a Type III. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Related: Should You Buy a Folding Oru Kayak? If your child is an infant or a toddler, see how they do on their back with your child's head floating on a pillow. Will your child be active in the water, or hang out fishing in the back of the boat? If a smaller size doesnt cut it, you may need to look for a different PFD altogether. But the question of comfort and mobility comes into play when youre choosing a safety device for your child. Learn more. We recommend PFDs of different sizes to accommodate infants, toddlers, children, and youth. And a rescue grab strap, attached to the top of the collar, is a great peace-of-mind for parentsshould they ever have to rescue their child, this strap gives them an easy way to pull them out of the water. After review of outdoor media, real-life customer feedback, our own expertise, and comments from professional boaters who make their living on the water (and teaching it to their kids), we narrowed a list of 13 promising PFDs down to our top four winners. Originally known as the Nemo Life Jacket, Stohlquist renamed their designs to the Infant Life Jacket and the Toddler Life Jacket (as mentioned above in the Best Infant Life Jacket section). It's a swim aid. Every PFD we reviewed had to be Coast Guard approved. We also do not accept returns for hazardous materials, flammable liquids, or gases. See the Best Life Jackets and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs). An infant or child wearing a life jacket or PFD still requires adult supervision. We hope you will enjoy our products as much as we enjoy making them available to you. On that note, the smaller version, theFull Throttle Water Buddies for Infantshad such good ratings, it came almost neck-and-neck with theStohlquist Infant Life Jacketthat we recommend, except for multiple comments about the design forcing infants onto their faces. (Many children arent huge fans of life jackets, and this one takes away the irritation and restriction that many others can cause.). This way, an infant has fewer chances of slipping through the life vest (thanks to the crotch-strap), and parents can make sure that its got a comfortable snug fit. Outdoorplay.com (product no longer available) users say it bridges the the gap between kids under 90 pounds and over 90 pounds, meaning that itll get lots of use. You decide. The strap just below the waist keeps it in place. Sign up with your email address to be the first to know when we release new gear reviews! As a Type II PFD, the Lil Legends is designed for coastal and off-shore water activity (aka, in situations where rescue may or may not be imminent). CostcosHyperlite Child Life Vestalso scored good reviews (4.7/5 on the Costco website)especially calling out the affordability, comfort, and quality for the pricebut as you have to be a Costco member to purchase, it didnt make our list. Our winners met all of our basic criteria. With your childs arms raised, tug the shoulder straps up, as if you were pulling them up and out of the water. NRS, a popular PFD brand, released a blog post explaining how to get a proper fit on a childs PFD. A total of 3 adjustable straps on each side (including the belt-line buckle) make for easy adjustability, no matter the size. (see. Child: Type III PFD with sea level buoyancy of 8 lbs. Child: Type III PFD with sea level buoyancy of 8 lbs. After you buy your PFD, test it at home before getting the water. Are they a confident swimmer, or nervous on the water? This life jacket comes highly recommended by those who used it across a wide gamut of sportsfrom motorized water activities to calmer paddlesports. Choosing a boat for your Life Jacket? Just like the Infant Life Jacket, the Child Life Jacket has most of its flotation foam on the front and around the neck (but less bulk in the flotation cushion), leaving the back with a triangular foam piece and wide armholes for both adjustability and comfort. Swim vests are designed for calm water, like pools. As we researched, we narrowed our criteria to meet five main themes: all-around, budget, infant, toddler, and youth. You know what kind of water you want to be on, your activity level, and your size range. Since it's so affordable, it's worth checking to see if it's in stock. A swim vest has less buoyancy. But flotation devices with higher flotation weights tend to be bulkier, losing the mobility benefits of a slimmer PFD for certain activities, or for older, more active kids. Coast Guard regulations state a minimum inherent buoyancy for different classifications of flotation devices. Cons: Type III, which is more of an aid than a life preserver, runs small, neck is small and can become uncomfortable over time. Photo by Simon Hajducki on Unsplash. PFDs are sized by chest circumference, with most difference in sizes lying only with the lengths of straps. But fear not, we don't allow our judgment to be influenced by these arrangements! All rights reserved. Treeline Review and its authors, editors, or staff are not liable for any results. Number of Straps: 3 (2 on side, 1 crotch). While still Coast Approved as a type iii jacket, a Puddle Jumper has more mobility than some life jackets. Coast Guard approved life jackets are rated I to V. We did a hard dive into the buoyancy classes and classifications of PFDs in our section on How to Choose a Life Jacket and PFD. Obviously, we want our kids to be safe as possible. Then, we judged each PFD relative to its own specific criteria. There are a few things to notethis PFD does not come with crotch-straps, which parents should take into account if their child is not comfortable on the water, or is smaller and prone to swimming in most PFDs. Personally, Ive paddle-guided Class IV sections with clients who had never seen a rapid (much less boated through one) and rowed a raft of twelve cruise ship passengers alongside the historic Chilkoot Trail (including kiddos as young as 7!). We create reader-supported, objective gear reviews independently selected by our editors. They also said it was on the pricey side (if you agree, see our Best Budget Kids Life Jacket). It's designed for more open water or rough water than other options, though make sure to assess your kids' abilities before taking them into those conditions. We tested the most comfortable sleeping pads to find the best mattresses for camping. After all, kids do grow out of PFDs, so knowing you may need to buy a few, we think its reasonable to be price sensitive. This life jacket has many features that will suit both a newborn and a toddler. BestMomProducts found it cooling, soft and comfortable, and liked that it was available in 3 sizes. Loosen all of the straps on the PFD before putting it on. 6 oz. Individual states also have their own regulations on life jackets, too. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! Are you a canoe-r whos about to embark on a friends rafting trip down the Grand Canyon? Its all well and good to own a PFD, but its pointless to wear one if its not fitted properly. Please get in touch if you have questions or concerns about your specific item. Put your children in a life jacket and watch them near the water. Those who used it for paddling sports (especially kiddos trying to learn to kayak) complained that it could be cumbersome, but did not impede activity too greatly. Fully adjustable straps and easy entry front zipper with security buckle ensure best fit. Please remember it can take some time for your bank or credit card company to process and post the refund too. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! If you dont have room, you may need to size up. We found that the same features that people loved about the Nemo are still in the Infant and Child Stohlquist jackets. Is an adjustable crotch strap necessary, or not? This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. This Stearns is also the perfect, affordable back-up PFD; loan to friends, wear for swimming lessons in the lake, or pull from under your car seat when you left your primary PFD hanging on the drying line. REI.com users are thrilled to find an ergonomic and comfortable design for growing children. This way, you avoid strapping the PFD too high on your chest (which happens when you start from the neck, and work your way down). Photo courtesy Seamus Daniels. We paddled with Boy Scouts through high-walled canyons, and rowed through heavy headwinds through braided, silty channels. We test. Stay up to date on new product releases and special updates from Stohlquist Waterwear. All Rights Reserved. Mustang Survival Lil Legends Life Jacket. Related: The Best Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards. For $60, you can find a hardy PFD for your child that wont break the bank, and they (hopefully) wont grow out of overnight. Ive seen parents and grandparents at the takeout, waiting for rescuers to deliver unspeakable news. Originally known as the Nemo Life Jacket, Stohlquist renamed their designs to the Infant Life Jacket and the Toddler Life Jacket. Photo by Cynthia Andres on Unsplash. To test the fit, use the buddy system. Growing up in a whitewater boating town, I heard too many first-hand stories from my father (a member of the volunteer fire department who assists Search and Rescue on river emergencies) about victims who werent wearing life jackets when they flipped in a rapid, or werent cinched in properly and slipped out of their flotation devices once they hit the water. 355 Garfield Street SCambridge, MN 550081.800.290.9640info@bay15.com. We chose the Stohlquist Child Life Jacket as our Best Toddler Life Jacket because of the double-collar construction, design, comfort, and adjustability. This jacket was designed to keep your 30-50 lb child safe and comfortable. To ensure that we were reviewing only the best for our water-loving kiddos, we researched the most popular Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) and Life Jackets, and sorted the top contenders into our four groups (Best for All-Around, Best Budget Life Jacket, Best for Infants & Toddlers, and Best for Youths). Their customer service was quick to answer that the Nemo Life Jacket is the old name for the new Stohlquist Infant and Stohlquist Child Life Jackets. Youth size is designed for children 50-90lbs. to practice. If you're only going to be in a pool, a swim vest may be a better option (but we don't recommend taking a swim vest to a lake, river, or natural body of water). We ran in 25 top-rated shorts to find the best trail running shorts for womenwith compression, pockets, curvy fits from Patagonia, Nike, Lululemon, 2XU and more. A PFD that wears out quickly isnt worth much. Are you looking for something to wear on an inner tube down the lazy river, or swimming in the local pond? It is up to you to make sure your kid has the appropriate life jacket for their activity and for their body shape and size. Theyll have plenty of buoyancy to paddle the river or rough water, while maintaining enough mobility (and lack of bulk) to continue kayaking on flat water. PFDs are much like t-shirtsanyone can hand you a good t-shirt, but only you can find that favorite-everyday-tee. Rated as a Type III, the Stohlquist Child Life Jacket has the same general design as the Infant Life Jacket, just made for differently weighted children. (And kids need more insulation than we do!). The most lauded feature on the Child Life Jacket of these life jackets was the double-collar. We only want the same thing as youthe best gear at the best price. Exchanges The fastest way to ensure you get what you want is to return the item you have, and once the return is accepted, make a separate purchase for the new item. We contacted Stohlquist to get the real skinny on what happened to the Stohlquist Nemo, a highly rated and much-beloved children's life jacket. In this story, we review the safest ways to get kids into the water. To be considered for each of these categories, we measured each PFD against standardized criteria. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission without costing you an extra cent. Seakayaker Magazine (see Sources) praised the Youth Escape as the perfect introductory PFD for kids getting into watersports, who cant quite fit into an adult size. See our story Should I Buy an Oru Folding Kayak? We kept seeing the Stohlquist Nemo show up on Best Of lists but couldnt find it in stores. Move their arms, grab a paddle and pretend theyre taking on their next rapid. We researched PFDs with hardy materialsread: kid-proofto make sure that what we chose could stand the test of time (and tumbles!). Individual states also have their own regulations on life jackets, too. They have more mobility than a life jacket (great to practice swimming in a pool), but aren't the safest option for kids on lakes, rivers, or other bodies of water. Cons: pricey, zipper at the neck can chafe on small infants. It has enough buoyancy to take on flatwater, whitewater, and offshore boating adventuresbut, again, we stress that this does not have a head-pillow, and is a Personal Flotation Device, not a life jacket. Kids should be closely monitored while in the water. We dont want to leave out some additional great Life Jackets on the market that didnt quite make our cut. To read more about what Type I and Type II mean, see our stories on Life Jacket vs. PFDs and What are the 5 types of Coast Guard approved life jackets and PFDs? Your kids safety is your responsibility. In addition, each of these PFDs were thoroughly reviewed and highly recommended by everyday users on platforms such as REI, Backcountry.com, Outdoor Play, and Amazon. See the best bibs, baggies, padded chamois, and plus-size picks. We chose the Stohlquist Infant Life Jacket as our Best Life Jacket for Infants because of the double-collar construction, flotation design, and adjustability. Are often cold or headed to cool waters? To get a proper fit, take into account the weight ranges suggested by the manufacturer, but take chest measurements to confirm accurate sizing. We chose the Mustang Lil Legends as the Best All-Around out of its competitors based on the range of sizes for growing kids, the safety features, and bright color options, all of which are key to a jack-of-all-trades children's life jacket. Since the blistering-hot Colorado summer of 2014, Ive been obsessed with water. Related: The Best Rugged & Waterproof Cameras. Take your kids to a pool (or the bathtub, if theyre small enough!) The Stearns Youth Classic Vest earned these ratings: Amazon (4.5/5), Walmart (4/5). While every PFD, life vest, and life jacket we reviewed had to be Coast Guard approved, we also took the flotation weight (or the amount of buoyancy added) into account. Amazon reviewers found that kids felt comfortable and were impressed by the quality. Every life jacket, life vest, or PFD for a child should be Coast Guard Approved. We looked for PFDs with multiple adjustable straps and other features to allow for a greater range of consumer fits. Simply get the same model in multiple sizes. The only thing that has changed is the names. Type III PFDs are NOT designed to turn a child face-up in the water. Stohlquist took that key safety feature, and built a life jacket around it. The final testpretend youre on the water! The Best Life Jackets and PFDs (for adults), The Best Womens Winter Boots & The Best Mens Winter Boots, The Best Ski Gloves & The Best Winter Gloves, We liked life jackets and PFDs for kids that were available in multiple sizes. It's got water wing-like arm =floaties in addition to the vest/life jacket section over the chest back. If it continues to slide up, you may need to choose a different size. Learn more. With a front buckle system, this life vest is easy to put on/take off, with adjustable side straps to create a snug fit on most body types. Refunds We will notify you once weve received and inspected your return, and let you know if the refund was approved or not. We made sure to find PFDs that were comfortable both on and off the water for even the pickiest of kids. While not the cheapest option on the market, for the quality of construction and peace of mind that comes with it, $60 is a great investment for your childs safety. Theyre still the same design (they were simply two different designs under one name before), but now theyve been renamed and separated into two differently designed life jackets. Inflatable flotation devices like that shown in this photo are not Coast Guard Approved Life Jackets or Personal Flotation Devices. Walmart reviewers called it a Good deal for the price., Seakayaker Mag ranked it 9/10 (seeSources). To start a return, you can contact us at info@bay15.com.