Stearns Kids Puddle Jumper Basic Life Jacket

by Stearns

• For children 30-50 lbs.
• Durable nylon construction
• Superior stability and range of motion
• Fun design kids love!
• Coast Guard approved

Product Description

Kids like the fun design of the Stearns Puddle Jumper life jacket, and you'll appreciate the security and confidence of high-quality construction and safety. The Puddle Jumper fits children weighing 30-50 pounds. It's made of durable nylon and is Coast Guard approved. The Puddle Jumper fits comfortably over the child's chest, with arm pieces that offer excellent stability and free range of motion in the water.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B003648O7I
• Item model number: SKPJBLJ
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (223 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #1 in Sports & Outdoors > Boating & Water Sports > Boating > Safety & Flotation Devices > Life Jackets & Vests

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

99 of 100 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Swim Aid Floatation October 3, 2011

By BigBoy

I think I know bit about Swim Air Floats since I've tested out few of them. I'm a SCUBA diver, swimmer, former water polo player, sail, windsurf, and so on. My son doesn't have an option when it comes to swimming. I got family membership to YMCA so he will feel comfortable in the water age of 25month.

The 1st float I've bought was Swimways Baby Spring Float Activity Center with Canopy when my son was about a year old. We were invited to a pool party and wanted him to enjoy it. It is well built, it's lining that's not rubbery/plastic material and my son liked it. Floats well and after a year it has no holes and still can be useable. Unfortunately it doesn't really help with swimming and restricts movement and probably not allowed in YMCA or gym pools.

2nd Float suit-The Original Swimschool Learn to Swim - Floatation Suit for Girls Medium/Large in boys (Amazon did not have boy version This worked well since it kept my son's head above the water and gave enough buoyancy. Only problem is with this type of material, after about month of 2 in chlorinated pool, it deteriorated and became super stretchy to the point that the foams inside the suit were going over my son's mouth. We got rid of it but kep the foamy pads just in case.

3rd Float Suit-Speedo Begin To Swim Float Suit - (S/M Royal Blue) is level 2 in swimming which means it will not let your kid float all by itself. They'll need to kick in order to keep their nose and mouth above the water. Which maybe fine for older kid but my kid back then about 25 month cannot kick consistently and he drank some pool water and puked. I did stuff 2 foam pad from his 2nd suit in the front which gave him enough buoyancy that his head was above the water but after 2 month in chlorinated pool water, same thing happened as the 2nd suit. Became super stretch and foam was floating around his mouth.

4th Float Suit-Body Glove Childs 2mm Pro 2 Shorty I'm a diver and my 3mm gives me some buoyancy so I figured it was worth a try since I found it in craigslist used for $15. It does not give any buoyancy but it is a sturdy material and will keep my son away from UV rays and keep him warm.

5th is the Puddle Jumper. Only difference I can tell from this and the Deluxe Stearns Kids' Puddle Jumper Deluxe Life Jacket is this one is made with nylon and deluxe is made with polyester. I don't have the deluxe so I can't compare if that material is better but the regular one's durable nylon material is something similar to the orange lifevest you get when you rent a boat- something like thisAbsolute Outdoor Kent Adult Compliance PFD Type II Life Jacket. It's durable won't stretch and so far no schaffing. It is comfortable to wear and take off. It's just one strap and don't need to put the pants on then arm part like wet suit. In the water, my son was floating with his head way out of the water and right away started to swim in correct position. Maybe it's his comfort lever but with the The Original Swimschool Learn to Swim - Floatation Suit for Girls Medium/Large he was kicking his feet while floating vertical. Speedo Begin To Swim Float Suit - (S/M Royal Blue) he was swimming less about 30 degree to vertical even with extra foam pad but with the puddle jumper, he was swimming almost lying flat to the water and he was using his arms. When he was paddling with his arms as well, his mouth can be near the water but he knows to close his mouth. When he stops kicking he'll return to vertical position and is his head is well out of the water especially if he keeps his arms down. And life guards at my YMCA has prevent other kids from using blow up arm tubes but allowed my son to use this. It is coast guard approved.

I have a kids life vest but my son found it too cumberson.

I was leaning toward The Original Konfidence Jacket as my son's 5th float suit but it is expensive, the foams are inside the suit which can make it cumbersome, some reviewers said it didn't keep the kid's head above the water, and final deal breaker was when I found out that the foam pockets are made from same material as the suit 2 and 3...i knew it wouldn't last long in the chlorinated pool.

Conclusion - with the right material, easy to put on and take off, providing correct swim position, coat guard approved, keeps my son's head way above water, this is definite winner for now. If I find something better, I will update.

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars best $15 purchase ever...makes the water more fun for us both June 13, 2010

By Courtney A. Horner

i purchased this product for my 23-month-old daughter last week. she's a little under the weight requirement of 30 pounds (she weighs 22 pounds), and it still fits her nicely with the belt on its smallest setting. she loves swimming in the puddle jumper. she didn't ask to take it off once while we were at the pool for our first wear, and she had it on for two hours. it increased her confidence tremendously in the water and made the pool experience so much more relaxing for me. no more tired arms and wrists from holding her afloat.
she didn't ever drift face-first in the water wearing the puddle jumper. i was surprised at how well it held her upright. she even floats on her back with glee.
the puddle jumper also dried quickly and was so much less bulky than many swimming aids i've seen for her age group.
best $15 i have ever spent for summertime fun!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars best floaty ever May 17, 2010

By H. Glenn

This has totally given my son confidence in the water. He started using it around 18 months and now he's 22 months old and can swim all over the pool on his own with it. He even jumps in from the side of the pool, makes a big splash and floats back up. He loves it and is much more confident in the water now. And I don't have to lug a 35 lb toddler through the water. He's also learned to keep his head up, as this floaty keeps his chest and head afloat, unlike other arm floaties or suits I've seen.