Question about Child PFD brands and choices

[Schooner Chandlery]

We're thinking of Christmas gifts for a couple friends of ours with kids (2, 5, 9). They're just getting ready for their first cruising so they're gearing up now. I saw the combo of the old orange May West and lake-style kiddy lifevests they have and thought that new ones suitable to ocean sailing would be a great gift.

Our own lifevests are Mustangs and we like them. I went in search of ones for kids and found this one on Backcountry: Mustang Survival Lil' Legends 100 Personal Flotation Device - Kids' | Backcountry.com

I wondered what other brands compared and if there were better choices for children in particular. There's a whole page of different ones on just that same site alone (child pfd - Search Results | Backcountry.com) and I though--forget it, I'll ask parents what they're using for their kids and why.

Thanks! for your help.

[Schooner Chandlery]

Did I post this in the wrong forum?

[Snore]

Just saw your post. I have purchased several PFDs as the oldest grand has grown and used the hand me downs for the new members.

Generally I looked for a crotch strap for the little ones and at the size of the armhole for the eldest. The mustang is what I just got for the 9 year old.

[Schooner Chandlery]

Is the Mustang as comfortable as any others would be for the kid? That was one of my concerns that it be comfy to wear. The adult ones are, but the kid ones look a little "much" for lack of a better word.

[barnakiel]

Baltic makes kids stuff too.

b.

[Snore]

Originally Posted by redbopeep

Is the Mustang as comfortable as any others would be for the kid? That was one of my concerns that it be comfy to wear. The adult ones are, but the kid ones look a little "much" for lack of a better word.

Call me "old school" but the role of the pfd is to save their lives if I screw up. Last thing I want is a loss of life. The PFDs are reasonably comfortable. And if Pop-Pop wears one too, it becomes the uniform of the day.

Just a different perspective.


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[Schooner Chandlery]

We all perform a little better if we're comfortable. Discomfort is fatiguing. And kids are no exception. They may not be performing as crew, but they will be happier and more able to cope with things if their clothing fits and the accessories are as comfy as can be reasonable.

[JRM]

We started with a super cheapie "spider man" themed one with no crotch strap. Think waterski/lake type. The toddler in him liked the spiderman and it was easy to get him to wear it.

When he got a bit older, and we got more serious, we went with the Mustang with the crotch strap. Comfort varied depending on the clothing he wore. There were times when he'd stay down below so he didn't have to wear it. The flap that keeps their head above water bothered him.

Now he's ten, and a burgeoning dinghy sailor. He wears a West Marine brand "Medalist" kayak and sailing vest. No crotch strap, but he's waterman enough to handle it. We've kept the older PFDs for friends and visitors.

We also tend to lead by example and wear our harness/inflatable PFD combos regularly. I'd love to get him in one, as I think he could handle it, but the Coast Guard says "no" for minors.

JRM

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