Gifting has never been easier
Perfect if you're short on time or are unable to deliver your gift yourself. Enter your message and select when to send it.
Short answer: Our best-selling kids vest is the Jetpilot Cause, in boys and girls. It has a generous short, wide cut that suits most kids with room to grow. For a taller, leaner kid, our high-end pick is the Rip Curl Dawn Patrol in boys and girls. For toddlers, start with the Follow Corp Infant. For young teens caught between kids and adult sizes, the Follow Global Youth is light and flexible. On a budget, the Wing Orbit Jnr is great value. Fit by the weight rating first, then make sure it's snug.
Looking for adult vests? See our best life jackets for water ski, wakeboard and wakesurf. Riding a jet ski? See our best jet ski life jackets, including youth PWC vests.
Our picks at a glance
| Vest | Best for | Fit | Sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jetpilot Cause boys / girls | Our best seller, most kids | Short, wide, room to grow | 3–4, 4–6, 8–10, 12–14 |
| Rip Curl Dawn Patrol boys / girls | Our high-end pick, taller and leaner kids | Tapered pro cut | 4, 6, 10, 14 |
| Follow Corp Infant / Junior | Toddlers to juniors | Generous, short segments | Infant 1–3, 2–4 · Junior 4–6, 8–10 |
| Wing Orbit Jnr | Great value | Short segments, firmer fit | 3–4, 4–6, 8–10, 12–14 |
| Jetpilot Freeride boys / girls | Performance, older kids | Fitted, longer cut | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 |
| Follow Global Youth | Young teens | Light, flexible | Youth, Teen |
Every vest here is certified to Australian Standard AS 4758 Level 50S. The rules for kids on boats vary by state and by age, so check our state-by-state guide before you head out.
Our best seller
Jetpilot Cause boys and girls
The Cause is the kids vest we sell more of than any other. It has a generous short, wider cut that suits most kids, with room to grow. A crotch strap keeps it in place through every pull and fall, and it comes in a huge range of colours.
From the shop floor: Our best-selling kids vest. The generous short, wider cut suits most kids with room to grow.
Sizes: 3–4, 4–6, 8–10, 12–14 · Boys: Red, Green, Black/Blue · Girls: Purple, Purple/Teal, Multi
Our high-end pick
Rip Curl Dawn Patrol boys and girls
A proper performance vest for kids. The tapered pro cut suits a taller, leaner frame, and full segmentation lets it flex with every move so they can carve, jump and push harder without fighting the vest.
From the shop floor: Suits a taller, leaner frame with a tapered pro cut. A great performance vest, and our pick for a high-end jacket.
Sizes: 4, 6, 10, 14 · Boys: Black/Green, Black/Blue · Girls: Blue/Navy, Multi
Toddlers to juniors
Follow Corp Infant and Junior
The same vest in two size brackets, from toddler up to junior. It's generously sized with a shorter segment cut, and Follow's Kids Fit scales down properly instead of being a shrunk adult vest. Fully segmented foam moves with your child, so they'll actually want to wear it.
From the shop floor: A generously sized kids vest with a shorter segment cut. Same vest, two size brackets, from infant to junior.
Infant (1–3, 2–4): Black/Green, Purple, Yellow, Light Blue, Melon · Junior (4–6, 8–10): Black/Green, Yellow, Light Blue, Melon
Great value
Wing Orbit Jnr
A short, segmented cut gives a firmer fit. Independent flex chambers let the foam panels move separately as kids shift their weight, a comfort skirt stops it riding up, and the belt runs inside the vest so there's no strap to catch on the rope.
From the shop floor: Great value, with a short segmented cut for a firmer fit.
Sizes: 3–4, 4–6, 8–10, 12–14 · Colours (L50S): Blue, Green, Sky Blue, Purple · Also as a Level 50 in Orange
Older kids and young teens
Jetpilot Freeride boys and girls
A more fitted, longer cut for kids who are getting serious about their riding. The extended pro fit sits right without riding up, and thin Ecoprene keeps it light and out of the way. Jetpilot rates it for ages 8 to 16, and it comes in boys and girls.
From the shop floor: A more fitted, longer cut for performance.
Sizes: 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 · Boys: Black, Blue, Midnight Black · Girls: Teal, Purple, Pink
Follow Global Youth
Perfect for the young teen who wants a flexible, light vest. It's built the same way as Follow's adult vests but sized for youth frames, so it suits kids who sit between kids and adult sizing. The TrueFit liner keeps it in place.
From the shop floor: Perfect for the young teen looking for a flexible, light vest. Great for kids between kids and adult sizing.
Sizes: Youth, Teen · Colours: Black/Grey, Orange
Which vest for which age?
- Toddlers: Follow Corp Infant (1–3, 2–4), or the smallest Cause and Orbit Jnr (3–4).
- Young kids: Follow Corp Junior, Jetpilot Cause, Wing Orbit Jnr or Rip Curl Dawn Patrol.
- Older kids: the bigger sizes of the Cause, Dawn Patrol and Orbit Jnr, or the Jetpilot Freeride.
- Young teens: Follow Global Youth or the Freeride in 14 or 16.
Kids sizes are labelled by age, but kids aren't all the same size at the same age. Go by the weight rating on the label and the size chart on the product page.
Getting the fit right
Check the weight rating first, so the vest has enough buoyancy for your child. Then check it's snug around the waist and through the shoulders. Be careful with sizes bigger than they need, and never put a child in an adult vest. If the zip closes around the hips instead of the waist, there's too much room in the shoulders and it isn't safe.
Our life vest size guide and how to fit a life jacket go through it.
Common questions
What is the best life jacket for kids?
Our best seller is the Jetpilot Cause, in boys and girls. Its generous short, wider cut suits most kids and leaves room to grow. For a taller, leaner kid, the Rip Curl Dawn Patrol is our high-end pick.
What is the best life jacket for a toddler?
The Follow Corp Infant, in sizes 1 to 3 and 2 to 4. The Jetpilot Cause and Wing Orbit Jnr also start at size 3 to 4. Always check the weight rating on the label.
What life jacket suits a young teen?
The Follow Global Youth suits kids between kids and adult sizing, and the Jetpilot Freeride (boys and girls) goes up to size 16.
Should I buy a bigger life jacket for my child to grow into?
No. A vest that's too big won't hold them properly in the water. Fit by the weight rating, then make sure it's snug around the waist and shoulders. The Jetpilot Cause has a generous cut, but it still needs to fit snugly.
Can my child wear an adult life jacket?
No. Children must never be put in adult-sized vests. Use a kids vest with the right weight rating.
Related guides
- What life vest do I need? State-by-state guide
- Life vest size guide
- How to fit a life jacket
- The Breakdown: Life Vests
- Buyers Guide: Best Jet Ski Life Jackets, including youth PWC vests
- Buyers Guide: Best Combo Water Skis
- Buyers Guide: Best Kids Slalom Skis
- Buyers Guide: Best Kids Wakeboards
Or see all kids life jackets.
Waterskiers World. Australia's dedicated towed water sports retailer, family-run for over 20 years from our Brisbane store and online.