Stearns Adult Life Vest, USCG Approved Type III Life Jacket, PFD for Boating, Swimming, Watersports, & More, Standard & Oversized Fits

Great life vest! We needed a life vest last minute to tube down a river and it did the job! We had no issues with the life jacket, and it seems like it will hold up for many years. A bonus, is that the life vest is very lightweight. Fit was good, straps were easily tightened.

Stearn's sells three very similar vests in their nylon covered foam "Classic" series, this one is both my favorite and cheapest of the three. 1) This "Boating" series, model. usually $25 but Amazon seems to be higher at the moment. 2) THe "Watersport" series", usually $35 Both these two are open sided, adult sizes come in "Universal" and "Oversize", The Classic Series has three buckles and comes in solid colors, the "Watersports Series" comes in two toned colors and has four buckles. The Classic series the front foam panels are thinner and wrap around your side more. 3) The "Infinity Series ", were around $50 but prices seem to be going down, closed sides and thus comes in Men's and Women's and a wider variety of sizes since adjustability is more limited. The youth model comes in a bright yellow that's easy to see, but the Men's models are a dark grey.. Stearns is a bit unclear as to the allowed and intended uses. For all of them waterskiing is neither prohibited nor listed. I think that this means that they are suitible for that purpose or they would be clearly listed as not (as my paddle vest does), but that Stearns really wants to encourage you to buy one of their higher end Neoprene "ski" vests for that purpose. The label on the Boating and Infinity Series both state "All purpose vest for boating, swimming, or tubing". The Watersporst series doesn't say anything, but has a picture of jet skiers on it with the note "developed for the freedom and comfort of the waterport adventurer." I think reasonable summary is that any of these vests are OK for any of the normal activities you do during a day at the lake- motorboating, canoeing, waterskiing, tubing, and swimming, even if there might be a better choice specific to one of these activities. Now as to why I like these particular vests: 1) They're the cheapest vs the Infinity series both because the cost of each vest is cheaper and because unlike the Inifinity model two sizes cover virtually all the adults, so you have to stock fewer sizes on your boat and at your cabin. 2) The thinner front panel design I find more comfortable than the "Watersport" model. 3) They're available in bright red, which along with orange and yellow is the best color to get since it makes swimmers and shaken-off tubers easily visible to you and other boaters. For non-swimmers, an orange Type II "horsecoller" life vest is probably better. But these are still enough to make non-swimmers like my timid 13-year-old niece to feel safe and secure on a boat or even jumping off the dock into the water.

I just got this life vest delivered and have not worn it in the water yet. I ordered the Universal size hoping that it would fit the adults in our house, but it if it didn't, we would let the teens use it. It fits the adults: heights 5'5" and 5"10. It does seem short for both of us, compared to other vests we've worn, but it fits. That's probably a good thing so that when we're sitting in a boat, it won't push up into our neck/chin. There was one thing I was really surprised about and a bit disappointed. The vest does not go fully around your waist. You cannot see that from the picture provided on Amazon. It basically fits like a kid's apron...you can put it over your head and it covers you in the front and back, but not the sides. The material is attached at the shoulders, but not at the waist. It is open on the sides, except for the straps that wrap around and hold the front to the back by snapping them together in front. So, that makes it really adjustable for people from 130lbs to 220lbs. If you weigh more or less than that, or if you are taller than 5'10", you may want to go for a different size vest. This vest is too big for a 110lb. slim 5'4" teenager since, even after tightening the straps as much as possible, it still lifts up above the ears (the test of a good fit). It is lightweight. The arm cutouts are EXTREMELY roomy which I would think is great for rowing. The front by the neck/chest (where the S logo is) is very narrow, so it's easy to move your arms too. You don't feel like a tin man. It seems to be made well and as long as straps are secured, it seems like it would hold up well and hold a person up well in the water. It is bulky, but not too bulky. (Not flattering from a profile view.) For a child or teen, I think I'd feel more secure with a vest that went completely around the waist.

This vest is perfect for my needs and compliments my kayaking adventures well. It is a snug fit without being uncomfortable, while also allowing for mobility in your arms. The vest is packed right up against the box so DO NOT OPEN WITH A BOX CUTTER! I was lucky and while I grazed the vest, I didn't cut it. The box has a no box cutter logo, but it's so second nature I didn't even see it.

Por esto sufre El goldo maravilla, universal size pero corre pequeño...es excelente producto y muy reconocido que garantiza, habra q probarlo.

Perfect for our lake trip. Decent looking and good price

Sterns is always a great product. These are well fitting and safe being Coast Guard approved. They are not terribly bulky making wearing them more desireable.

After 1 year of ownership and use from a Kayak, I felt compelled to write a review. What a wonderful PDF. Its made in America by the Coleman Company, the same people I trust to build my tents and my stoves and essential backpack gear. The jacket itself is soft, non abrasive, and highly adjustable. I often wear it for 8+ hrs at a time while in the kayak. I weigh 220lbs and am 6'1", I I comfortably took a floating nap in my pool for an hour, just to test its buoyancy. Overall, an amazing buy for any boater or kayaker, or anyone that wants to keep their loved ones safe on the water.

Funcionó de maravilla. Es de un tamaño adefuado y esta muy bonito, se ajustan muy bien laa correas el material es de muy buena calidad.

Nice, light and comfortable to wear. Easy to paddle when kayaking.

Good quality however only if you are not trying to paddle

El chaleco cumple y se ve de muy buena calidad. Peso 65Kg y sin problemas, se nota que soporta a personas de mayor talla. El volumen del chaleco es óptimo, lo recomiendo.

Purchased this life jacket for our trip to Hawaii. It works great, kept my head above water.