O'Neill Child Reactor USCG Life Vest, Pet/Col/UV, 30-50 lbs

I ordered the child's size vest for my daughter that is nearly 5 years old; 35 pounds and 42 inches tall with an average torso length. It fits her perfectly, but without room to grow. The zipper is snug, but there is still a lot of slack in all of the buckles. Being neoprene, it molds to your body and is definitely more comfortable than the cheap nylon and stiff foam vests, but I can't see this fitting a child that wears a size larger than 5/6 top.That being said, we love the vest. It is attractive, very comfortable, and well made but definitely isn't for every body type and won't fit up to 50 pounds unless the child is very thin with an abnormally short torso unless they are used to compression garments and are wearing it in the water (as opposed to dry on the boat or running around near the water)

Looks great, well-made, and fits snug when properly adjusted. The vest chaffed under my daughter's arms after first day and wearing a rash guard underneath solved the problem.

Too heavy! I returned right away. My friend bought the same for her daughter a few days later and her daughter had blisters under her arms for using it.

So far it is working well. The leg strap is not comfortable but I am not sure there is a way around that with a life vest. I have the vests on my children as tight as i can with them still breathing but the vests do still ride up with out the strap on and still a little WITH it on. I have a 6 year old 47 pound ave/ thin child child this fits well and a 4 year old that is 44 pounds 42 inches which has a thick middle. if your child us bigger around the waist than the chest, it will ride up more around their neck. I don't really see any way around that issue :-(. The feel and look of the vest appears high quality the difference is in the children's builds.Another note, one child can hold themselves upright with this vest and the other is floating up by their bottom just about face planting it! Again, this is a difference in individual builds and muscle strength. Same vest different child. For my 6 year old with less baby fat, this has given her the support to "swim" happily above water. For my 4 year old (has more baby fat still) it is still very difficult to control her body in water and still needs lots of help but is getting used to it.I think its a good investment and helps me take both kids in the pool at the same time for swimming practice. Of course they both should be within a safe reach and not ignored but its better than two children clinging to one adult when the adult intended to help them learn how to swim! I feel these will last at least another year for the 6 year old and another 2 for the 4 year old with typical child growth.These are meant for and approved for boating as well. With the issue on some children floating forward on their face, definitely try out in a pool or calm water and get used to before that first boat trip!

I purchased the O'Neill vest for my 2 year old daughter after already having one for my 6 year old son. I am very happy with the neoprene vest and like that it is softer against their skin and doesn't irritate it. For my 2 year old, it is a bit "big" at 30 pounds but still fits well and is safe. I like that we can get a few years of use out it. With the zipper, clips and strap between the legs, they is a secure life vest. We have use when boating, fishing and even swimming at the beach. This is a brand I trust and even ordered an adult O'Neill life vest for myself after seeing the superior quality of this life vest.

Great quality! Very sleek. Looks exactly as pictured. My 5 year old is petite (wears XS size 4 bikinis from target to give you a size) and this is semi snug on her. Life jackets are supposed to be tight though to work properly so I am happy it fits great. There is room for her to grow though! Overall, it's awesome!

We love this item for my 3 1/2 year old. She is great little swimmer and for going to the oceanic has boosted her confidence!The only problem is the strap that sits between the legs to normally prevent the vest from riding up at he shoulders. Well if you put iSight enough it somewhat prevents riding up but is very uncomfortable between the legs (it even created a rash). It should be padded or have two straps - going on the side of the inner thigh vs one only one in the middle. We leave it somewhat loose for comfort but it then does not prevent riding up. It is a pity as the product is great and could benefit from a minor adjustment with big consequences.I am adding an additional review: over the past weeks as we cannot pull the strap in between the legs as tight as it is clearly uncomfortable, the vest rides up and the two parts in contact with the jaw irritate the skin. The irritation, even though minor, is uncomfortable and lasts 48h... Clearly improvements to be made. I would not question the actual life saving quality of the item but its wearability has still some ways to go. Hope the brand o'neill and manufacturer will consider this point.

This is immaculately constructed, just a little long for my daughter. She will of course grow into it, and we put it on my son and he absolutely loved it. We were not expecting the different feel of the jacket, but we enjoy it much more than traditional life jacket. We are going to purchase another one for my son.