t consumers found most appealing

What consumers found most appealing was the range of sizes availableInfant, Child, and Youth. We also included our Best Budget Life Jacket, with kids sizing and price as considerations. 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. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. We only want the same thing as youthe best gear at the best price. All Rights Reserved. Photo courtesy Aaron Henry. Amazon reviewers found that kids felt comfortable and were impressed by the quality. It's designed for kids in the 30-50 pound range. Our winners met all of our basic criteria. This life jacket has many features that will suit both a newborn and a toddler. Buckle, zip, or pull on your PFD. If a smaller size doesnt cut it, you may need to look for a different PFD altogether. Photo by Jude Beck on Unsplash. You decide. NRS, a popular PFD brand, released a blog post, Gear Reviews, stay at home, Camping, Water Sports, Travel & Lifestyle, Hiking, tents, camping tents, camping, water sports, backpacking, bicycle touring, water sports-related, stay at home, nicole snell, Gear Reviews, Fitness & Nutrition, Climbing, beginner climbing harness, climbing harness, petzl corax, singing rock onyx, petzl serena, rock climbing, popular, fitness, urban, climbing, exercise, grace anderson, The Best Baby and Toddler Hiking Carriers. We also think it is a good choice for kids just getting into watersports, and great for families with lots of kiddos to suit up. 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. Heres our comprehensive guide on cleaning your PFD. Inflatable flotation devices like that shown in this photo are not Coast Guard Approved Life Jackets or Personal Flotation Devices. Amazon users found that compared to other kids life jackets, they tend to fit tall/skinny kids better, where other kids life jackets can ride up. The Stohlquist Youth Escape earned these ratings: Amazon (4.5/5) and REI (5/5). 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. You know what kind of water you want to be on, your activity level, and your size range. The four winners were popular and well-reviewed across different platforms, from third parties such as Seakayaker Magazine, Paddling Magazine, and Bestmomproducts (See Sources). Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means we may receive a small percentage of any purchase you make. We have a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after receiving your item to request a return. The strap just below the waist keeps it in place. We chose the Stearns Youth Classic as our Best Budget Life Jacket because of the price and construction. But the question of comfort and mobility comes into play when youre choosing a safety device for your child. 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. This guide is a recommendation based on what we have observed and researched. The pros outweighed the cons on this one. 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. A large chest pocket allows for easy storage on the water, too. Should they ever have to rescue their infant, this grab strap gives them an easy way to pull them out of the water. 6 oz. Photo courtesy Seamus Daniels. There is a large set of features to consider when it comes to a piece of gear designed to save kids livesor, at the very least, to keep you afloat. While motorized boats have a different set of rules, for this guide we focused on the human-powered water sports. We kept seeing the Stohlquist Nemo show up on Best Of lists but couldnt find it in stores. A smaller, raised collar fits close to the back of the head, giving an infant the extra support their neck may need, if theyre not fully able to hold themselves up. 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. 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. It also has safety precaution features such as a heavy-duty handle to pull your child up, bright colors for easy spotting, and a crotch strap to keep your child from slipping out the bottom of their life vest. To get a proper fit, take into account the weight ranges suggested by the manufacturer, but take chest measurements to confirm accurate sizing. Youth size is designed for children 50-90lbs. When purchasing a PFD, you want to make sure you have some extra length left on the straps for layering on colder days. For a vacation-only water-lover, a budget pick might just be the ticket. 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. Lastly, federal and state regulations may require children under 18 to wear life jackets. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission without costing you an extra cent. From the best self-inflating to the best for couples, see our top picks. You may want to invest in Neoprene, which is more expensive but a useful comfort upgrade for most folks. 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. 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? The one drawback of the Youth Classic is that it is bulky and not designed for particularly active sports. Your kids safety is your responsibility. 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. (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. We narrowed our selection criteria down to these 7 most important. 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. Related: The Best Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards. The Stohlquist Infant Life Jacket is designed for infants from 8-30 lbs and has a flotation weight of 7 lbs 6 oz. Related: The Gear we Love for Backyard Campouts. While still Coast Approved as a type iii jacket, a Puddle Jumper has more mobility than some life jackets. We are proud to be independent. 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). We chose the Stohlquist Infant Life Jacket as our Best Life Jacket for Infants because of the double-collar construction, flotation design, and adjustability. 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. 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. 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. (see. to practice. However, it is recently also available atAmazonin select sizes. It's important for parents to note that a swim vest is NOT a life jacket or 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. And, once again, look for an adjustable PFD; kids grow fast, and they might be a different size pre-season than they are post-season. Learn more. Cons: Type III, which is more of an aid than a life preserver, runs small, neck is small and can become uncomfortable over time. Most reviews mentioned older kids (closer to the 30lb mark), but those with younger and smaller children were still very satisfied with the Stohlquist Infant Life Jackets performance. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information. To start a return, you can contact us at info@bay15.com. Adjustability allows for life-saving, close-fitting PFDs, which are the only useful and functional kinds of PFDs. We chose the Stohlquist Youth Escape because of its low-profile design, size range, and price point. See the Best Life Jackets and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs). The Stohlquist Child Life Jacket is designed for toddlers from 30-50 lbs, and has a flotation weight of 8 lbs 6 oz. All rights reserved. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Aqualung International. Small noteon younger children, the top of the zipper tends to chafe under the child's chin. 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). We researched PFDs with hardy materialsread: kid-proofto make sure that what we chose could stand the test of time (and tumbles!). I make it a point of pride to teach every single one how to put on their life jacket properly. We made sure to find PFDs that were comfortable both on and off the water for even the pickiest of kids. Put your children in a life jacket and watch them near the water. Originally known as the Nemo Life Jacket, Stohlquist renamed their designs to the Infant Life Jacket and the Toddler Life Jacket. Also, before each season (and for kids, before each use! While we think that a life-saving device for your child is not an area to skimp, we weighed the expense versus the durability of each PFDs feature to select the best options. The hardy nylon exterior is easy to clean, and the 1 webbing straps are study, withstanding years of rough wear and tear from kids (and adults, alike). Related: The Best Rugged & Waterproof Cameras. Individual states also have their own regulations on life jackets, too. 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"! 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! A swim vest has less buoyancy. 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. We chose the Stohlquist Child Life Jacket as our Best Toddler Life Jacket because of the double-collar construction, design, comfort, and adjustability. Check your local jurisdiction. 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). BestMomProducts found it cooling, soft and comfortable, and liked that it was available in 3 sizes. 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. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission, without costing you an extra cent. Amazon customers called out the small sizing, but many were able to adjust to make it work. 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. An older kid that is skinny and tall child may use a toddler-sized PFD longer than his top-heavy, younger friend. Number of Straps: 3 (2 on side, 1 crotch). Type III PFDs are NOT designed to turn a child face-up in the water. 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. 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!). Choosing a boat for your Life Jacket? (And kids need more insulation than we do!). You may want the full precaution of a Type I or II, or may want the mobility of a Type III. 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"! Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns on sale items or gift cards. Fully adjustable straps and easy entry front zipper with security buckle ensure best fit. 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. This jacket was designed to keep your 30-50 lb child safe and comfortable. Its noted for its affordable price, doing just what it says it will. The Hyperlite Kids and Infant Life Jacket is an affordable option for many families. And a rescue grab strap, attached to the top of the collar, is a great peace-of-mind for parents. From these latter sites, we verified reviews against FakeSpot, a site which flags falsified or tampered reviews, to verify authenticity. For smaller kids, this PFD may be uncomfortably bulky. 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. 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. Bestmomproducts gives it a B- saying (seeSources): Pros: its affordable, has a closed-side design, and is made of hardy PE flotation foam and nylon. A PFD that wears out quickly isnt worth much. At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. A smaller, raised collar is raised towards the back of the head (but not as close as the Infants), giving a child extra support if theyre not fully able to hold themselves up. stohlquist In this story, we review the safest ways to get kids into the water. The most lauded feature of the Stohlquist is the double-collar. We found that the same features that people loved about the Nemo are still in the Infant and Child Stohlquist jackets. 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. 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. 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. Photo by Cynthia Andres on Unsplash. A total of 3 adjustable straps on each side (including the belt-line buckle) make for easy adjustability, no matter the size. Stay up to date on new product releases and special updates from Stohlquist Waterwear. Of course, toddlers will have more control of their body than an infant, but you still dont want them face-down in the water! From the plethora of Kids PFDs on the market, it was a challenge to whittle our selections down to these five winners. To be considered for each of these categories, we measured each PFD against standardized criteria. For $60, you can find a hardy PFD for your child that wont break the bank, and they (hopefully) wont grow out of overnight. The key difference between the Infant version and Child version is that toddlers most likely wont be swimming on their own. Photo courtesy Aaron Henry. Photo courtesy Seamus Daniels. Please get in touch if you have questions or concerns about your specific item. The wider neck on this life jacket means that the childs head wont be squeezed. Knowing how to get a proper fit on your PFD makes it more likely that youll find a new favorite. 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. Our recommendations cover kids from 8 to 30 pounds, 30 to 50 pounds, 50 to 90 pounds, and 90 to 110 pounds. 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. Wide shoulder straps add comfort with impeding mobility for paddling or rowing kids, and they also feature an adjustable strap on each shoulder pad. A PFD has saved my life more than once, and Ive seen clients go into the water who may not have come back out if they hadnt been wearing a PFD. This life jacket comes highly recommended by those who used it across a wide gamut of sportsfrom motorized water activities to calmer paddlesports. dbx uscg pfd 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. Type III PFDs are NOT designed to turn a child face-up in the water. 355 Garfield Street SCambridge, MN 550081.800.290.9640info@bay15.com. The most lauded feature on the Child Life Jacket of these life jackets was the double-collar. Simply get the same model in multiple sizes. The only thing that has changed is the names. I cannot stress this enoughput your children in a life jacket or life vest, and watch them like a hawk. PFDs are sized by chest circumference, with most difference in sizes lying only with the lengths of straps. One reviewer was thrilled that shes gotten two summers worth of use, and still going strong. 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. ), wed recommend checking your PFD to make sure it is free of holes, tears, rips, etc. After you buy your PFD, test it at home before getting the water. Treeline Review and its authors, editors, or staff are not liable for any results. Whether youre kayaking, canoeing, swimming, packrafting, or more, theres a life jacket or PFD for what your kids are doing. 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. Every life jacket, life vest, or PFD for a child should be Coast Guard Approved. Child size is designed for children 30-50 lbs. (Many children arent huge fans of life jackets, and this one takes away the irritation and restriction that many others can cause.). Individual states also have their own regulations on life jackets, too. Best Women's Trail Running Shorts of 2022, The Best Women's Mountain Bike Shorts of 2022, TripSavvy said, "Receives excellent reviews for its comfortable, safe design." If it slides up, tighten the torso straps again. The accidents involving children were the hardest to swallow, but thats what motivated my conservatism in guiding. 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. Are you a flatwater kayaker looking to get your kids into whitewater? The second, larger collar (or head pillow) is designed to keep their heads floating above water in case of emergency. 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). Overall, I give this life jacket high marks and think that the added expense for the safety of your child is well worth it.". 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. sitter qualified parents If approved, youll be automatically refunded on your original payment method. Growing up in a whitewater boating town, I am well aware of how important it is to keep your kids in life jackets and PFDs. 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. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The second, larger collar (or head pillow) is designed to keep their heads floating above water in case of emergency. A note on Coast Guard approval. What are the 5 types of Coast Guard approved life jackets and PFDs? 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. An infant or child wearing a life jacket or PFD still requires adult supervision. For the avid weekend warrior, a $100 PFD may be the perfect intersection of price point and performance. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! Bestmomproducts (A), Amazon (4.5/5), and REI (4/5). Stohlquist took that key safety concept and built a toddler life jacket around it. This way, a toddler has fewer chances of slipping through the life jacket (thanks to the adjustable crotch strap), and parents can make sure that its got a comfortable snug fit. They provide good support to children with some swimming skills. It's a swim aid. This PFD tends to run small, so make sure to measure your childs chest size before committing. Coast Guard regulations state a minimum inherent buoyancy for different classifications of flotation devices. We looked for PFDs with multiple adjustable straps and other features to allow for a greater range of consumer fits. 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. After two years, I managed our hiking and rafting program based out of Skagway, Alaska, and guided the rivers surrounding Southeast Alaska, British Columbia, and the Yukon. Fully adjustable straps and easy entry front zipper with security buckle ensure best fit. (If your toddler isnt a huge fan of life jackets, this one takes away the irritation and restriction that many other, more constricting life jackets can cause.). There are too many stories of injury, tragedy, and catastrophe around water sports and participants not wearing PFDsespecially kids.

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