Is Your Child’s Life Jacket the Right Size and Fit?

In between life jacket sizes? Follow these tips to ensure you are getting the right kid's life jacket size for your growing child

Many parents end up on this site looking for some guidance on what type or size of life jacket they should buy their kids. When it comes to youth life jackets style is nice, but size matters most.

Your growing kid will go through about 3 different youth life jacket sizes before he or she reaches the adult sizes:

• Infant / baby life jackets - under 30 lbs
• Toddler life jackets - 30-50 lbs
• Youth life jackets - 50-90 lbs

When they pass 90 lbs and you need older kid life jackets they will actually go into adult sizes.

Finding a life jacket that fits "just right"

Each child life jacket size range has its own set of challenges. Sometimes they feel too small, sometimes they feel too big. Like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, you want to find one that fits "just right". But because the size ranges are pretty wide it may feel like an impossible task to find a really good fit when they are at the top or the bottom of a size range.

Each age comes with it's on set of challenges for a good life jacket fit.

If you ask the experts, the most important characteristic for life jacket size is buoyancy based on the current weight.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, youth life jackets should have these characteristics when it comes to size & fit:

• Be the appropriate size range based on current weight (buoyancy matters most)
• Be snug fitting so they stay on while in the water
• Keep a baby's head up (for baby & infants)

BABY / INFANT JACKETS

Babies and infants should be wearing life jackets labeled 0-30 lbs - even newborn babies. The most distinctive feature of the infant life jacket is the heads up pillow, as well as a crotch strap. Neoprene type material can also help a baby feel snug and secure. An of course being able to easier get a baby in and out of a jacket is something to look for in baby life jackets.

Here are our TOP 5 PICKS for baby life jackets under 30 LBS:

See all our picks for infant & baby life jackets

TODDLER LIFE JACKETS

For toddlers and young kids, the size problem gets tricky. Most toddlers will wear a life jacket for 30-50 lbs that includes a crotch strap. However, depending on their weight a toddler could be wearing a 30-50 lb size jacket or step up to the 50-90 lb size range life jackets that are typically labeled as youth.

Here are our TOP 5 PICKS for toddler life jackets 30-50 lbs:

Toddler can also opt for a USCG approved swim vest that gives them flexibility, comfort & safety while swimming at a pool, lake or boat. We like these swim vest options from Line + Cleat that are super cute & US Coast Guard Approved vests.

YOUTH LIFE JACKETS

When your toddler outgrows the 30-50 lb size they'll need to step up to youth jackets labeled 50-90 lbs. The biggest difference in this size range is that there is no longer a crotch strap. Most kids at this age will be fine without it and will likely be wearing a neoprene watersports style that fits snug.

Here are our TOP 5 PICKS for Youth Life Jackets 50-90 lbs:

See all our picks for youth life jackets.

Solutions for a Better Kids Life Jacket Fit

As mentioned, let the actual weight of your child be the guiding factor when buying a life jacket. If they are still under 50 lbs then buy one within the 50 lb range. If they are just over 50 lbs, then its time to step up to the 50-90 lbs life jacket - even if it feels just a bit too big.

Here are some of my suggestions for helping a slightly large size feel like it fits a bit better:

• Use a crotch strap to keep the jacket from riding up while in the water.
• Select a neoprene or "sculpted foam" style jacket that is usually a snugger fit.
• Choose a jacket with a zipper up the front as well as chest buckles to help with a tighter fit

When you child is hitting a growth spurt and about to reach an upper limit in size range, you might want to consider purchasing the next size jacket so you are always equipped with the right life jacket size during your boating season.

OLDER KIDS JACKETS

Before you know it your little boat kid will be a big boat kid. Luckily, there are also some good options for older kids or teens that are almost ready for adult sizes. Kids in this weight range can also wear inflatable life jackets or belt packs (for paddleboarding type activities) that fit much more comfortably.

Here are our TOP 4 PICKS for life jacket for older kids over 90 lbs: