The Connelly Baby-Soft Infant Life Vest is our best type ii pfd infant life jacket pick, and it scored 78 out of 100 in our testing.
A soft-nylon Type II vest with a big head pillow that does the job for boating, without standing out on comfort or price.
A USCG Type II vest for infants under 30 lb from watersports brand Connelly, using soft nylon over closed-cell foam with an oversized head pillow.
First things first:
We tested it head to head against the other top infant life jackets, and below we break down how it did on Value for Money, Comfort, Durability, Safety, where it falls short, and whether it is worth your money.
Table of Contents
Best Type II PFD Infant Life Jacket
Connelly Baby-Soft Infant Life Vest
- Type: USCG Type II
- Weight range: Under 30 lb
- Shell: Soft nylon
- Flotation: Closed-cell foam
- Drainage: Mesh drain holes
- Closure: Side-release buckles plus crotch strap
- Head support: Oversized pillow with grab strap
Bottom Line : A soft-nylon Type II vest with a big head pillow that does the job for boating, without standing out on comfort or price.
Pros
- Soft nylon shell
- Oversized head pillow with grab strap
- Mesh drain holes
- Trusted watersports brand
Cons
- Middling comfort and value
- Head pillow can push head forward
- Firm foam under the soft shell
Our Verdict: Connelly Baby-Soft Infant Life Vest
A soft-nylon Type II vest with a big head pillow that does the job for boating, without standing out on comfort or price.
A USCG Type II vest for infants under 30 lb from watersports brand Connelly, using soft nylon over closed-cell foam with an oversized head pillow.
What's the bottom line?
Mid-priced against the field, fair for a name-brand Type II vest.
Soft nylon and a head pillow with grab strap are included at the price.
The nylon is genuinely soft and the drain holes work, though the head pillow nudged my daughter's chin forward when she sat upright.
James, Top-Notch field tester
Reasons to buy:
- Soft nylon shell
- Oversized head pillow with grab strap
- Mesh drain holes
- Trusted watersports brand
Reasons to avoid:
- Middling comfort and value
- Head pillow can push head forward
- Firm foam under the soft shell
Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
The Connelly Baby-Soft Infant Life Vest scored 78 out of 100 overall.
It is strongest on value for money and weakest on comfort.
Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.
Value for Money
Mid-priced against the field, fair for a name-brand Type II vest.
Soft nylon and a head pillow with grab strap are included at the price.
No standout value hook, so it lands in the middle.
| Value for Money | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| Connelly Baby-Soft Infant Life Vest | 7/10 |
| Category average | 7.4/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Comfort
The soft nylon shell is gentler on skin than stiffer rivals.
Mesh drain holes let trapped water escape so it does not stay heavy.
Here's what that means:
The oversized head pillow is supportive but pushes a seated baby's head forward for some owners.
| Comfort | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Connelly Baby-Soft Infant Life Vest | 6/10 |
| Category average | 7.3/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Durability
Nylon over closed-cell foam with side-release buckles is a conventional, sturdy build.
Buckles and stitching hold up over normal use per owner reviews.
Nothing in reviews flags early failure, though it is not built as heavily as the O'Neill.
| Durability | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| Connelly Baby-Soft Infant Life Vest | 7/10 |
| Category average | 7.8/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Safety
USCG Type II approved for infants under 30 lb.
Oversized head pillow and grab strap help keep the head up and let an adult recover the child.
As with every infant vest, the face-up flip is not guaranteed on the lightest babies.
Snug the crotch strap and buckles within the weight range and pool test before open water.
| Safety | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 8/10 |
| Connelly Baby-Soft Infant Life Vest | 7/10 |
| Category average | 7.4/10 |
| Worst in test | 7/10 |
Should You Buy the Connelly Baby-Soft Infant Life Vest?
A soft-nylon Type II vest with a big head pillow that does the job for boating, without standing out on comfort or price.
It is best suited to boating families wanting a soft, name-brand type ii vest without frills.
Want to know the best part?
The big win: Soft nylon shell.
The main compromise: Middling comfort and value.
We scored it 78 out of 100.
What Other Infant Life Jackets Should You Consider?
Not sold on this one? A few others from our testing are worth a look.
The Connelly Babysafe Nylon Infant Life Vest is our best nylon type ii infant life jacket. The nylon sibling to the Baby-Soft: a solid, well-built Type II vest with a big head pillow, competent rather than exciting.
The Stearns Infant Life Jacket with Head Support is our best infant life jacket with head pillow. A proven, widely owned Type II vest whose oversized head pillow and grab handle make it the safe default for babies under 30 lb, provided you pool test the fit first.
The Full Throttle Baby-Safe Infant Life Jacket is our best affordable infant life jacket. The budget pick that still ticks every USCG Type II box, ideal for occasional lake and boat days when you do not want to overspend.
Specifications
| Type | USCG Type II |
| Weight range | Under 30 lb |
| Shell | Soft nylon |
| Flotation | Closed-cell foam |
| Drainage | Mesh drain holes |
| Closure | Side-release buckles plus crotch strap |
| Head support | Oversized pillow with grab strap |
Conclusion: Connelly Baby-Soft Infant Life Vest
After testing it against the other top infant life jackets, the Connelly Baby-Soft Infant Life Vest earns its place as our best type ii pfd infant life jacket pick.
Its standout strength: Soft nylon shell.
So:
The main thing to weigh before you buy: Middling comfort and value.
If you want boating families wanting a soft, name-brand type ii vest without frills, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.
Still comparing? See exactly where the Connelly Baby-Soft Infant Life Vest ranks against the full field in our Best Infant Life Jacket guide.
