Life jacket styles and sizes that keep older kids protected on the water

Older boater kids that are in their "tweens" or teens are sometimes not interested in wearing a life jacket. They think that if they can swim they don't need it. But the reality is that even adults need to wear life jackets on smaller boats, sailboats or doing watersports to keep safe.

There are plenty of U.S. Coast Guard Approved life jackets that are both appropriate to fit older kids and stylish enough for them to want to wear it and be safe on the water.

Choosing the Right Size for Older Kids

Be sure to choose life jackets based on weight. Also, choosing life jackets with buckles that can adjust for growing kids will ensure a more snug fit. Older boater kids may be able to wear life jackets labeled "youth over 90 lbs" or "Adult". Adult sizes often have a range available too (like small, medium or large).

We have three categories of life jackets for older kids: Basic Jackets  | Watersports Vests | Inflatable Jackets

These multipurpose life jackets are great for general use or as extra life jackets to keep on board for visiting older kids.

These snug fitting life jackets are designed for maximum movement during watersports activities like paddling, tubing or wakeboarding.

Most watersports life vests are made of Neoprene and are meant to fit fairly snugly when dry. It's important that they do fit snug because when neoprene gets wet it expands... so the in order for the vest to fit properly it needs to be a snug fit.

Inflatable Life Jackets are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for kids at least 16 years old and over 80 lbs.