For this guide, I collected a dozen toddler life jackets for testing. Then I asked myself, how many children under 30 pounds are actually going to be paddling while wearing these? The answer: almost zero. Testing mostly involved swimming, playing and running, with a little bit of playing on kids kayaks and kids paddleboards. What I wanted to know was, which of these life jackets would toddlers find so comfortable they forgot they were even wearing them? Because the safest life jacket is the one that is worn.
As a parent, I really like to find things that will last my children as long as possible, and, when considering the under 30-pound weight range will be for children approximately between 0 to 3 years old, I see the temptation in going up a size when you buy. However, you don’t want to sacrifice fit to buy something that they will “grow into” when it comes to safety gear.
A snug-fitting PFD is essential in order for it to function effectively—we don’t want our children slipping out on the water. So, since I know life jackets for fast-growing toddlers and infants will only last a season or two, I like to choose something I could pass on to a sibling, a cousin or a friend. There’s nothing better than gifting something that will result in endless amounts of fun on the water. If you’re at the point you’re looking for buying advice for bigger kids and adults, visit Paddling Mag’s overall guide to the best life jackets.
After extensive swimming, splashing and beach time, here are my top picks for little ones.
Dress For Immersion, Not Air Temperature
- Your body loses heat much faster when immersed in cold water than it does when dry.
- Avoid cotton clothing like t-shirts and jeans; they retain water and accelerate cooling when wet. Synthetic fabrics, or wool, are generally a better choice. If the water is very cold (60° fahrenheit or less), you should wear a wetsuit or drysuit.
Best life jackets for toddlers: Top picks
- Best overall: Level Six Puffer
- Most comfortable: Stohlquist Infant
- Most float: Mustang Lil’Legends Infant
- Best style: Salus Nimbus Infant
- Most affordable: Level Six Stingray
Best overall for under 20 pounds
Level Six Puffer
Level Six Puffer Specs
Weight range: Less than 21 lbs
License: N/A
Material: 80% neoprene, 20% polyester shell
Price: $65 USD
Buy from:
Why I love it
The Level Six Puffer is one of my favorite life jackets for a true infant. As a paddler I wanted to get my children on the water as soon as possible but it is hard to find something that fits well on children under 20 pounds since they are all head and no neck. With the float on the chest and back of the head it does a great job of floating infants face up. The back of the life jacket is a few straps that keep the floats in place and help adjust sizing. One of the features on this jacket that I am most excited about is the extra buckle at the crotch that allows you to change a diaper without taking off the whole life jacket. This PFD is not Transport Canada approved since there is currently no testing standard to certify PFD’s for children under nine kilograms.
Reasons to buy
- Diaper access clip
- Great design for mobility
- Floats face up
Cons
- Typically only one season of use because kids grow quickly
Best for comfort and longevity
Stolhquist Infant
Stolhquist Infant Specs
Weight range: Under 30 lbs
License: Dual approved
Material: Nylon
Price: $69.99 USD
Buy from:
Why I love it
The Stohlquist Infant life jacket is one that pleasantly surprised me. I have not had much experience with the brand in the past other than knowing it is a top-quality one. All I knew is that I wanted to make sure one of their toddler life jackets was in the mix. It has a different design than the Bijoux and the Puffer but still equally as well thought out for infants especially in the under 20 pounds category. There is minimal flotation on the back with simple straps to adjust to the infant’s size. The front is a zip up making it easy to get on and off, which is a plus since the others previously mentioned you need the infant to step into with a fixed waist belt. It also covers a wider range of weights and sizes which is nice for longevity.
Although the design in my opinion is a bit superior for fit and ease of use, I would also say that this life vest is better suited for confident water babies because it does not re-right quickly and floats infants a bit lower in the water. So if your child is nervous or cautious around water, I would lean towards the other two for children under 20 pounds.
Reasons to buy
- Accommodates a huge range of sizes
- Easy to don and doff
- Very comfortable
- Easy to grab handle
- Diaper access (if needed)
- Face up floating design
Cons
- Not as buoyant as the rest and slow to right some children. Recommended for water lovers, not cautious beginners.
Best for most float
Mustang Lil’Legends Infant
Mustang Lil’Legends Infant Specs
Weight range: Under 30 lbs
License: Dual approved
Material: 100% nylon, polyethylene foam
Price: $99 CAD
Buy from:
Why I love it
The Lil’Legends infant jacket was by far the floatiest of all the toddler life jackets tested in this guide. When the children were in this life jacket they were one step below hovering above the water. I would recommend this life jacket to any parent that has a nervous swimmer because it has lots of safety features like reflective accents and a good grab loop as well as its high float ability.
Reasons to buy
- Re-rights children quickly
- Very buoyant
- Bright color options
Cons
- A bit bulky for kids to enjoy for longer durations
Best color options
Salus Nimbus Infant
Salus Nimbus Infant Specs
Weight range: 20-30 lbs
License: Transport Canada approved
Price: $109 CAD
Buy from:
Why I love it
The Salus Nimbus Infant life jacket offers a great design and amazing color and print options for personalization. There is a double pillow behind the child’s head for added comfort while floating on their backs and it doesn’t seem to get in the way comfort wise while the infant is playing. The foam is contoured to the shape of the child’s core making for added comfort as well.
Reasons to buy
- Fits a wide range of body types
- Easy to grab handle for safety
- Amazing color options
Cons
- Not yet recognized by the USCG
Check The Weather
- Plan for changing weather conditions. Prepare for the worst case.
- Don’t forget to check tide, currents, or river levels.
Most affordable
Level Six Stingray
Level Six Stingray Infant Specs
Weight range: 20-30 lbs
License: Transport Canada approved
Material: 100% nylon
Price: $50 USD
Buy from:
Why I love it
The Stingray Infant life jacket is a great life jacket especially when it comes to its value. All of the children found it comfortable to wear and from a parents perspective, it fit well for every child. The elastic cinch piece at the back makes the fit a bit more snug on smaller children as well. The main differences with this life jacket compared to the Swordtail is the bright colors for visibility and the nylon outer fabric. The nylon is nice in that it does dry faster but if your child is donning and doffing their jackets often, it’s a bit cool to the touch when putting it back on wet.
Reasons to buy
- Great value
- Bright colors
Cons
- Not yet recognized by the USCG
Runner up
Level Six Swordtail Infant
Level Six Swordtail Infant Specs
Weight: 20-30 lbs
License: Transport Canada Approved
Material: 100% neoprene
Price: $65 USD
Buy from:
Why we love it
The Swordtail Infant from Level Six is a life jacket that is easy for kids to put on with little help from their guardian. It is also seemingly one of the most comfortable judging by the kids who were using it. The neoprene fabric is warm to touch so when it’s wet, children are still happy to put it on. The fabric also has stretch, making for a better all around fit even on the chunkier babies.
The zipper, waist buckle and crotch strap create a snug fit on many body types. One thing I really enjoyed on this life jacket is the grab handle that always sticks out for an easy rescue point. It doesn’t take much for kids to venture too far at this age and it’s nice to have a handle where you can quickly reel them back in! This life jacket is well thought out with infants and their safety in mind.
Reasons to buy
- Very comfortable
- Fits a wide range of body types
- Easy access grab handle
Cons
- Not yet recognized by the USCG
Runner up
Salus Bijoux
Salus Bijoux Specs
Weight range: 9-25 lbs
License: N/A
Price: $99 CAD
Buy from:
Why I love it
Salus understood babies and that they would mostly be sitting or laying down. The low profile mesh back allows for just that with all of the flotation in the front and behind the head. This life jacket was tested by a two-month-old who was happy wearing it for short periods of time and other children who were over a year old who were happy to never take it off. One of our testers was very happy about the mesh pocket at the front to collect her treasures. These life jackets have lots of great color options and an easy to grab handle for minding your child’s safety. This PFD is not Transport Canada approved since there is currently no testing standard to certify PFD’s for children under nine kilograms.
Reasons to buy
- Face up flotation
- Very comfortable
- Easy grab handles
- Mesh pockets for toddler treasures
Cons
- No easy access buckle to quickly change a diaper without taking the whole life jacket off
What to consider when buying a life jacket for a toddler under 30 pounds
As a lifelong paddler, I wanted to compare toddler life jackets made by the top paddling brands to see which ones worked best for my children and their friends. Some of the things I look for in a quality life jacket for toddlers are:
-
- Comfort and Fit
- Number of adjustment straps to create a snug fit
- Head pillow to keep the face out of the water
- Crotch strap to ensure PFD doesn’t slip over the head
- Material—I prefer neoprene exterior for comfort and warmth but it doesn’t dry as fast
- Grab handles in case you need to grab them quickly
Overall fit and function
Fit is the most crucial factor when choosing a life jacket for a kid, just as it is the most important factor when choosing the best life jacket for adults. If it doesn’t fit properly, it will not do its job to float your child. And if it is not comfortable, your toddler will refuse to wear it.
Investing energy in making sure your kids paddle and play in comfort when they are toddlers means make it far more likely that they will carrying their own canoe packs, paddling with efficiency and be full partners in your outdoor pursuits in just a few years time. Get more advice on how to trip with kids.
It is a great idea to try on life jackets before you purchase them but if you don’t have that luxury, the reviews above will give you a pretty good idea of the comfort and fit of each one.
Caution for buying used
If you are buying used, make sure there are no holes or worn out fabric where the flotation can fall out. A life jacket should be retired after five years or if it has faded and deteriorated from sun damage.
Know The Local Hazards
- Check navigation charts before you launch.
- Check with those who have local knowledge of man-made and natural hazards, e.g. low-head dams; sweepers, strainers and undercuts; tides and currents; and rocks and shoals.
Life jackets and PFDs vs swim vests
Life jackets and PFDs (personal flotation devices) are essential safety gear for kids and adults when on the water. Certified by the U.S. Coast Guard and Transport Canada, these safety items are designed to keep paddlers of all ages afloat. Swim vests are totally different. Often sold as learn-to-swim aids, they lack the buoyancy and safety certifications of PFDs. The danger with swim vests is they give a false sense of security to unsuspecting parents. Swim vests may not keep a child’s head above water, can ride up or slip off, and are not a substitute for a proper, well-fitting life jacket.
Color
One reason to consider the color of your child’s life jacket is because when you are in a sea of little people running wild at the beach, you want to be able to quickly identify your little person! They are small but I still can’t believe how quickly they disappear when your back has been turned for only seconds. A quick heart palpitation is all that will happen before you notice a bright yellow or a uniquely colored life jacket.
The other reason color matters is that you may have a stubborn toddler who demands to have “the froggy patterned” life jacked “or else!” they won’t wear it. If that’s your child… well, it may not be an argument that you’re going to win and remember, we need them to wear it.
Price
This consideration speaks for itself. Just remember that there is likely a reason that the more affordable life jacket is priced that way. Anything under $40 is likely not as durable and you may only get one season out of it, which means no hand-me-downs.
Extra features
Accessible grab handles are great additions and peace of mind for parents. And pockets on your kids life jacket are great—so you don’t have to hold the rocks and shells your kids collect!
Best brands for toddler life jackets
How we tested
Recognizing toddlers do little more than lily dip when in kayaks and on paddle boards, we took to the shoreline to test these life jackets by swimming, splashing and playing in the water. I’m sure my choices for the best toddler life jackets will cause arguments—that’s because there are so many great options, and each paddler has his or her favorite. Each life jacket was selected for its fit, comfort, features and function. These picks reflect hands-on testing in the summer and fall of 2024 and spring of 2025.
