Coast Guard Approved Life Jackets for Children-Which One Did You Choose?

We love the Texas Rec coast guard approved vests... the same one used at Disneyland :)

http://www.amazon.com/Recreation-Medium-Safety-medium-Aqu...

That link I think is to the child medium size... which is what we have for our 8year old. We keep the xxs, xs, & smalls he's outgrown on hand for when friends and cousins come over.

What we love best about them is that they are SMOOTH... so the kids can swim without chafing. 2nd best is that when fitted correctly (aka tightly, there should be about an inch or more of space when the front closes), they also keep the kids warm.

I've being searching for a PFD for my two kids, an infant and a toddler. I found out that the best reviews, that are not many, are for "Stohlquist Nemo PFD - Kids' ". I frequently check for reviews Amazon and in this particular case, REI and had the same results. This is the best option for kids of your son's age, my is almost 3, too. I plan to buy one of each for my children. The price is not as affordable as other PFD, but in this regard, I do plan to spend as much as the two PDF cost. On a side note, I found interesting reviews and very favorable on a floaties that is on Amazon, too. The name is: Stearns Puddle Jumpers. Check this one out, as well.

hi, we found that the bottom line is that you must try them out, in the water. it depends how top heavy your kid is, how long his legs are, etc, but a lot of them actually flip the kids over onto their face and hold them there, its horrifying. at 3, he is probably on the verge of outgrowing this, but you need to buy a bunch of good ones that you can return, leave the tags on, and go to the pool and try them out. let him bob around in it, then give him a little push to tilt him forward or sideways and see what happens. good luck and be careful.

I have the Sterns Puddle Jumper. BY FAR the most wonderful summer purchase I have ever made. I highly recommend it! My 3 year old love it! It is comfortable in it and it fits perfectly. It also puts them in the correct 'swimming' position so he is actually learning how to swim. I hate the life jackets becasue the kids can easily flip over in them and it throws the back. Mine son took it off today in a pool where he could touch and his swimming was greatly improved. I love it and recommend it to everyone!
It is Coast Guard Approved as well.