Does anyone else out there have a teenager who has strong opinions? I’d imagine most of you reading this scoffed at that rhetorical question because we all know that the majority of teenagers feel strongly about things. In my experience, this is particularly true when it comes to style, fashion, and what they wear.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to be critical in saying this because I love teens and I can relate to them in many ways. All I’m saying is that teens know what they like.
For these reasons, it is worth your time to look for the perfect life vest that your teen won’t resist wearing. I highly recommend soliciting their input as you look around.
When shopping for a teen life vest, you’ll want to pick out a quality one so they won’t mind wearing it around their friends. And of course, it’s crucial to find one that is specifically designed for teenagers; the children’s sizes will be too small but the adult sizes may be too big (unless they come with adjustable straps). But don’t worry because we’ve got you covered. Below you’ll find plenty of life vests perfectly suited to teens sizes and preferences.
What To Look For
Before we get started on our list of teen life vests, we want to make sure you know exactly what to look for as you browse products. Here are the most essential features you’ll want in a life vest for your teen:
Adjustable straps
This is a big one that I’ve already mentioned, but it’s worth repeating. Some teens are in the middle of a growth spurt and need to be able to customize the fit of their life vests as they grow. Other teens are too big for kid’s sized life vests but find adult sized life vests too big. All of this can be fixed with adjustable straps, which ensure a perfect fit!
U.S. Coast Guard Approved
It is equally as important that you get your teen a life vest that’s approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. This will give you peace of mind that they’ll be safe in the water, which of course is our number one priority as parents. Although your teen may be a strong swimmer with lots of experience on the water, you never know if they’ll find themselves in a situation where a life vest could safe their life.
Look and feel
You’ll want to make sure to get a life vest with a design that matches your teens personality and style. I’m sure they won’t want one that looks childish or in poor taste. And the truth is that the best life jacket is one your teen will actually wear. However, you do need to make sure it is visible enough to make sure they’re seen on the water. You’ll see there are plenty of life vests that are both stylish and safe!
With that said, we’re ready to explore the best teen life vests. Note that these are all excellent options and are not sorted in any particular order.
Top Teen Life Jackets
| Product | Features |
|---|---|
Hardcore Water Sports | |
Stohlquist Youth Fit | |
Airhead WICKED | |
Airhead Trend | |
O'Brien Teen | |
Airhead GNAR | |
Hyperlite Indy | |
O'Neill Teen Reactor | |
Stohlquist Youthescape | |
Airhead Element | |
Onyx | |
Airhead Value Series | |
Stearns Classic |
Hardcore Water Sports
You are sure to find what you’re looking for with Hardcore Water Sports! For starters, their life jackets come in a feminine pink, classic blue, bright red, or athletic yellow. They offer a youth sized life jacket if your teen is 50-90lbs or an adult sized life jacket if they are over 90 lbs with a chest size 30-52″. To make it fit snugly, simply tighten the straps until it conforms to their body.
This is a great option for boating!
Why This is A Good Choice:
- They offer both youth and adult sizes
- There are several color options to choose from
Stohlquist Youth Fit
Here’s the thing about the Stohlquist Youth Fit: they don’t come more comfortable than this one! The sculpted foam will perfectly conform to your body and the back is thin so it won’t get in the way when the user is seated. In other words, teens can comfortably wear this for hours at the lake! Then at the end of the day it can be conveniently hung to dry with the loop attached to the back, which makes storage a breeze.
Why This is a Good Choice:
- It is ultra comfortable
- It dries out quickly
Airhead WICKED
This is an excellent life jacket because of how well it’s constructed and how cute it is! It’s made with Kwik-Dry NeoLite as well as UV and stain resistant polyester. Your teen won’t complain about pinched or irritated skin in this life jacket. Plus it has a fun, stylish design with pink, black, and white stripes. Just keep in mind that it runs small so while it’s ideal for small framed teens, it will be too tight for anyone over 90 lbs.
Why This is a Good Choice:
- Made of high-quality materials
- Cute look
Airhead Trend
You’ll see we’ve listed several Airhead life jackets on this list, and that’s for a good reason. Airhead is known for the top-notch, highly rated life jackets they produce and you really can’t go wrong with any of their products. Like their other life jackets, the Trend is made with premier materials and is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Those who appreciate a good deal will recognize what an amazing value this teen life jacket is at under $40!
If your teen likes fishing, this is a great choice.
Why This is a Good Choice:
- A brand you can trust
- Reasonable price
O’Brien Teen
The O’Brien Teen will be a hit with your teen because it won’t get in the way of their adventures. Since it is made of neoprene, your teen will love how soft and lightweight it feels. This also makes it dry quickly so they won’t get too cold. And with extra wide armholes teens will be able to move around freely without being slowed down by a bulky life jacket. Note that it’s for teens 90 lbs and up with a chest size 28-32″.
Why This is a Good Choice:
- Lightweight and breathable
- Easy to move around in
Airhead GNAR
As I’ve already said, you can expect to be impressed with just about any Airhead life jacket. What I love about the GNAR is the vibrant, colorful design. Not only is it bright and visible, but also fun and lively!
Best of all, I consider it gender neutral so boys or girls could use it (which is a big deal if you have a big family). And as with any worthwhile life jacket, this one received an approval from the U.S. Coast Guard so you can rest easy knowing your teen is safe.
Why This is a Good Choice:
- Visually attractive
- Approved by the U.S. Coast Guard
Hyperlite Indy
Is your teen into wakeboarding? If so, this life jacket from Hyperlite may be for them since it is specifically designed for wakeboarding. With a no-nonsense look and solid construction, it can withstand any water adventure your teen has in mind. With sizes all the way up to 3XL, it will even accommodate husky teens.
Why This is a Good Choice:
- Made for wakeboarding
- Well built
O’Neill Teen Reactor
Designed with a segmented foam core and anatomical flex points, this USCG-approved vest has a relaxed fit to allow for full mobility. It also has expansion panels for a more comfortable fit. It comes in two teen-friendly colors—blue and lime green. For safety, it has a zipper in the center with two safety buckles over the top, so you’ll never need to worry if your not-so-little-one is properly protected.
Why This is a Good Choice:
- Comfortable
- USCG-Approved
Stohlquist Youthescape
This vest is a “great for hard to fit kids,” and it’s all because of its eight different adjustment points. It also gets high points for comfort, with the buckle at the waist being encased in nylon to prevent the rough strap material from rubbing and irritating your child’s skin. Best of all, it has a handy zippered pocket to hold whatever items your teen thinks he or she just can’t live without.
Why This is a Good Choice:
- Highly adjustable
- Has a pocket
Airhead Element
If you’re looking for a safe, comfortable vest that doesn’t cost too much money, this is the one for you. It doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, but it has the necessities. Designed with open sides for maximum comfort, breathability, and adjustability, it has three buckled safety straps across the front to keep your child secure. It is made from neoprene and soft-woven 200 denier polyester, so it’s comfortable to wear for all-day adventures on the water.
Why This is a Good Choice:
- Reasonably priced
- USCG- and Transport Canada-approved
Onyx
If you’re looking for a life jacket that will get the job done but isn’t too expensive, you’ll love the Onyx general purpose vest. It gets the job done and is even approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Best of all, it’s made right here in the United States of America so your purchase supports an American company. However, it seems to run small so take that into consideration when you select a size.
Why This is a Good Choice:
- Affordable price
- Made in the USA
Airhead Value Series
Look no further for a life jacket that will fit your small teen! The Airhead Value Series was made with teens in mind. It features a fun kiwi color and three adjustable belts ensuring a perfect, snug fit. With closed sides, it feels extra secure and comfortable too.
Why This is a Good Choice:
- Perfect size for teens
- USCG approved
Stearns Classic
Stearns presents this classic life jacket as exceptionally durable, one that will last for many seasons of fun on the water. This seems like a well founded assertion since it is equipped with thick 1 inch adjustable straps and is covered in a nylon shell. Your teen won’t find any reason to be disappointed with this U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket. It is adult sized but comes with four adjustable buckles and an open side design.
Why This is a Good Choice:
- Durable
- Adjustable straps
FAQs
If teens can swim do they need a life vest?
Regardless of your teen’s swimming abilities, they need a life vest when they are in or near the water whether they’re boating, kayaking, swimming, or paddle boarding. In each of these activities your teen could find themselves in a dangerous situation where they are far from shore and fatigued, injured, or otherwise compromised. In short, even strong swimmers need the protection of a life vest.
What are important features in a life jacket for teens?
There are several important features to look for when selecting a life jacket for teens. Make sure it is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard so that you can rest assured it will provide adequate life saving flotation for your teen. Additionally, adjustable straps are imperative since they allow teens to customize the fit to their size. And select a life jacket with a style that your teen approves of so they’ll actually wear it.
Should teens use adult or children’s life vests?
In determining whether to use adult or children’s life vests for teens, consider their unique stature. Some slight teens could probably fit into children’s sized life vests comfortably. Other larger built teens may find a great fit in adult sized life vests. It all depends on their dimensions. You’ll just want to ensure that it fits snugly but isn’t too tight.
