The Best Infant Life Jackets, According to Sailing Instructors and Boating Parents

The Stearns infant life jacket by Coleman is a solid choice for baby and available at a price point that makes it one of the most affordable options on the market. The vest features closed sides to offer a tighter, more secure fit, even when your little one squirms or splashes around. But parents most appreciate the large, padded headrest, which can even be used for back-floating in a pool or calm body of water with touch supervision. (This means you're always within arm's reach of the child).  

While I’m a fan of the extra padding (it's buoyant enough to keep baby’s head up and dry), some little ones who aren't quite mobile yet may have trouble looking around and get frustrated as a result. Parents also noted that some older children were capable of figuring out how to pull the zipper down part way, so you may want to reserve it for younger children with less dexterity. Still, keep Nelson’s advice top of mind: “Zippered personal floatation devices can have a more secure fit and thus be safer.”

Many parents in the What to Expect community use the Stohlquist Infant Vestfor their child while boating or at the pool. What sets this one apart from the rest is the comfortable open double-neck collar. The two-part design has a smaller headrest against baby’s neck that cradles their head for comfort. This way, baby has greater mobility than what many of the other bulkier collars provide. Not to mention, the open design of the sides and back allows baby more freedom when moving their arms around. I started using this life vest with my second son and it’s been passed down to his two little sisters since. The open back is a big perk on hot summer days, allowing greater airflow to keep cool when out of the water. You can also choose between multiple shades, and all are relatively bright for visibility. 

Jamison Hermann, a former video producer with What to Expect, has used this vest for his toddler, Elena. “We've used it for beach and boat stuff — mostly canoes and rowboats — since she was about 18 months old and it's been great,” he says. “The vest feels very sturdy, and it's easy to make it fit snugly, which is best for safety. I like the bright color, too, as it's easy to spot her when she's on the move.”  

This O’Neill life vest is specially designed to be lightweight, weighing just under one pound. The style, which features wings around the shoulders, minimizes bulk and increases mobility for baby to help them feel more comfortable while wearing it. The polyester outer shell is durable, yet strong enough to stand up to plenty of use. Quick-release buckles make it easy to get baby in and out of this jacket, even if you’re doing it one-handed. 

This life jacket is seriously sturdy, too. I have a hand-me-down from my now-teenage niece that still looks great and serves as a backup life jacket in my family or for visitors and extra guests on the boat. Worth noting: Many parents say this tends to run small, making it a good fit (literally) for smaller babies. Just be aware that you’ll likely need to upgrade it as baby grows — Longmire points out that it can cause irritation around the neckline otherwise. 

The Airhead Treasure Life Vest features the most kid-friendly colors and patterns of the life jackets on this list, with your choice of a bright pink or bright blue headrest. The chest of each jacket has an adorable under the sea scene, with fish, turtles, sharks and even treasure chests. In addition to being colorful, the segmented headrest essentially cradles baby’s head while floating to keep them comfortable and safe. 

Many parents attest to how well it kept their child’s head out of the water. It comes with a closed-sided design to ensure the vest stays on even when your little one is moving around a lot. It also features a secure buckle across the middle to adjust for tightness and an easy-to-use zipper for speedy changes. And baby will feel even more comfortable with the ample space for moving her arms around. 

Babies and toddlers will inevitably try to pull off their life jacket; fiddling with the zipper and buckles in an attempt to break free. I like that the Speedo Infant Life Vest has a built-in lock to keep the fastener in place once it’s secured. (Just keep in mind that it may take a little practice for adults to get the zipper in and out seamlessly.) 

This life jacket has an ergonomic padded collar that baby can lean against without getting lost in it. The overall feel is also comfortable, creating a snug fit without being too tight. Longmire also has this life vest and points out that it’s stayed in great condition over time. The fun pineapple print is sure to be a hit with little ones, too.

West Marine is a legacy brand in boating and sailing, and it’s the preferred life jacket company for many sailing associations and marinas. I grew up using West Marine life jackets, so it felt natural to use them for my kids as well. (Longmire has also used West Marine life jackets for her son.) A big perk of the West Marine Deluxe Kids’ Rapid Dry Life Jacket(and the main reason it's worthy of its price tag) is the fact that it dries quickly thanks to special “rapid dry” technology. I’m confident you and your little one will appreciate that fact on cooler days! 

The vest comes with an adjustable front strap for a secure fit, plus side-release buckles and a zippered front for simple on-and-off access. There’s also a padded crotch strap to lower the risk of chafing. The closed-sided design stays snug on the child no matter how much they move around without feeling bulky. And, she’ll feel more comfortable in this vest with its large armholes for better mobility.

For an under-$30 infant life jacket, try Overton's Infant Vest that’s both super-comfortable and just as safe as any other pick on this list. It looks more like a floatable swaddle blanket than a classic life vest, with several features designed for baby’s comfort. In fact, many parents report that their baby felt so snug, they took a nap while wearing it. 

The elastic material at the crotch helps guarantee a more secure fit that won’t squeeze baby’s legs. And, of course, the oversized collar provides better head support, which might be more comfortable, especially when floating in the water. Given its unique design, however, you may need to upgrade your baby’s life jacket sooner than if you used a more classic style. But the $20 price tag makes the shorter lifespan well worth it.