Choosing a lifejacket according to weight
Choosing a lifejacket according to size and weight helps meet an essential need: ensuring your safety at sea. For both adults and children, lifejackets are marketed in sizes ranging from XXS to XXXL, each adapted to a specific weight and size scale.
Lifejackets: weight rather than size ?
It is compulsory not to wear, but to have a lifejacket for each person on board a boat. Failure to do so can result in severe penalties in the event of an inspection. Lifejackets come in a range of sizes, depending on the weight of the people on board. So make sure everyone is properly equipped. Beware, however, of the so-called "universal" vests available on the market, which do not take weight into account. Buying an unsuitable vest can compromise the wearer's safety. To choose the right vest, you need to focus on both weight and size, as comfort and safety are closely linked.
Weight for children's vests
The size of a child's lifejacket is categorized according to your child's weight and is subject to evaluation, particularly in terms of buoyancy, to ensure that it meets the standards for the wearer for whom it is intended. To answer the question of , we remind you that a minimum 100 newton lifejacket is compulsory for a child under 30kg, whatever the sailing area.
Some children's lifejackets are only available in one size, such as the . Sold in one size, this model is ideal for a baby weighing between 5kg and 15kg. It's not an inflatable vest, contrary to what you might think on the surface. It's a foam vest certified to EN ISO 12402-4, i.e. it's approved for a 100 newton vest. This model is therefore not only effective but also comfortable to wear, which is why it is also available in other sizes characterized by weight. This vest is available for children weighing between 10kg and 25kg, and for juniors from 20-35kg.
Adult vests: which size to choose for your weight ?
For adults, as weights tend to be more heterogeneous, a number of sizes are available according to weight. For example, comes in sizes XS to XXL. Each size is designed according to the wearer's chest size and weight. The main advantage of these products is their price. A model in the same category will be offered at the same price regardless of the size chosen, even for an xxl lifejacket.
Please note that not all adult lifejackets are sold according to your build. When it comes to inflatable lifejackets, the consumer's choice tends to focus on the release system, as they are not bulky and inflate around your head to keep you afloat. Standard buoyancy is around 165 newtons.
So for these, you'll be able to choose between the Hammar or UML system, or even with or without a harness, but no size strictly speaking, since they can be easily adjusted by straps. 275N versions are available for larger sizes or for professionals with heavy clothing. These are designed for people weighing over 43 kg. These vests could therefore be referred to as universal vests, but this trade name is reserved for vests made of foam.
Universal foam lifejackets on Nautisports
Universal foam lifejackets are not very common on the water sports market. However, if you'd like to be able to lend it to your friend or family member when they get on your kayak or jetski, there's just one model on the market that's recognized as universal. It's a unisex size, so at no point does the wearer's weight come into play.
We recommend the . This is a lightweight, nylon-covered EPE foam vest. It is certified to the Iso EN ISO 12405-5 50Newtons standard, which means that it is only a buoyancy aid, useful only for nautical activities in calm waters and sheltered or supervised areas. This lifejacket is available for all body sizes, in 3 colors. Resold on the JOBE manufacturer's website, on Amazon, but above all on Nautisports, the nautical equipment specialist, this buoyancy aid is in stock on our site, with rapid 48-hour delivery for a price of no more than thirty euros.
