SwimWays Swim Sweater- Colors May Vary

We wanted something to allow our 18 month 23 lb toddler to swim in that wasn't as restrictive as a life vest. At first I was impressed. The tube was very sturdy and the shirt will made. He had no trouble toddling around and playing in it. However it doesn't keep him as upright as I'd like. In fact, I'm pretty sure if he accidentally fell in the water it would flip him under. I understand this isn't a life saving device and I do like that he can get into "swimming position" in it, but unless you balance it juuuust right it seems to flip him face first into the water. Perhaps a better option for toddlers who are older or better at balancing.

I was not happy to get a different color than what I ordered. I thought it would be blue like the picture and what arrived was pink and orange. I never saw the "colors may vary" messaging, so I wonder if it was even there when I bought it. I'm pretty observant. I would have sent it back if our trip to the caribbean wasn't around the corner. What I did like is that it worked better than other flotation devices I've used with my two year old I had tried different types of vests in the past and always felt the need to keep holding him or else his face would go in the water within seconds of letting go. With this, he was able to get used to it pretty quickly, and we didn't have to hold him constantly. We could be nearby with our eyes on him either in the pool or the ocean in very shallow water, and it was fine. I do recommend it for the function. Customer expectations are important though, so you all need to start getting the colors right. Colors may vary isn't a good option.

Poor durability. The rubber is susceptible to tear/leaks. Remember this is a toddler device and subject to toddler abuse. Didn't even get a full season out of it. Colors are not particularly boy (but he'll never know). This floatation device works much better than any of the others on our kiddies. They are stable in them and are able to kick/paddle with little difficulty. No issue not having the legs incorporated like the previous ones we had (fit like a one-piece suit). My only concern is if the kids jump into the pool head first. I'm not sure they would right themselves. So, adult supervision obviously required.

I bought this for my toddler to hang out in the ocean. Well, it was too cold and the waves were too rough to even attempt to use this at the beach, but we used this in the pool and it was great.Once it is inflated, you need to put it on by pulling it up rather than putting it on like a shirt.He is big for his age so he did get some pool water in his mouth and ears.It needs a strap to stay down. The shirt tends to kind of float up.It was such an extremely helpful product. I definitely recommend this. I can't speak to durability since I only used it on the one trip.You can get it inflated at a gas station air pump - don't freak over this (as I remember some reviewers did).

This was good, definitely allowed my two year old some independence in the pool BUT it has to be blown up like a bike tire, with a bike pump. The tube is made of a very thick material and isn't very easy to get on and off unless you completely deflate it before and after you use it. Would work good if you plan on using it for a few hours at a time but not worth a 20 minute dip in the pool.

This seems like a good concept but my son refused to wear it at 18 months again at 20 months so it went to waste for us. I think it might be too bulky and would restrict his play when he is outside of the pool. For those with kids that aren't too fussy, this may be worth a try. I unfortunately can't speak to whether it keeps a child afloat well but it seems sturdy enough where I think it would.

I looked for weeks trying to find something to help my 18 month old swim. We have an inground pool and I hated to not be able to enjoy the pool with him. He hated baby floats. Arm rings fell off his little arms, and he just really couldn't figure those out. Then I found this and I fell in love with it in a day.It took him an hour to figure out how to balance. At first, I was right there, holding on to him, but then he just took off kicking and swimming. It stays put, fits just right, and never comes off, which was my main worry since it doesn't have a strap on it.I've had one of these for almost 2 years now, and it hasn't gotten a hole or ripped or torn. It's very durable. My son is now almost 3 and he loves it.Oh, and there have been a few times when he has over compensated and flipped himself upside down; however, he immediately comes upright just as fast as he went under. He jumped into the pool from the edge, and flipped over, landing face down. This of course, freaked me out, but he was upright in less than a second.I recommend.

My 2 year old loves the swim sweater but it only took a few days (and we hadn't even used it in a pool) before it was deflated. We have to re-inflate prior to use.Update 8/11/12 Went swimming after infating the floaty and as I was putting the item on my daughter, the tube popped and now the item is useless. I would have used a bike tire repair kit to fix the area where I'm assuming the tube has a leak/blow-out but the swim sweater is sewn around the tube so there isn't a way to fix the tube without cutting the sweater component. I'm not too impressed with the quality at this point. Maybe I had a defective one? My return window ended last week so I can't return the item.