Onyx vs Stearns Life Jackets (2026)

Onyx and Stearns both make the plain foam vests that fill most boat lockers, and both make kids' sizes. They differ in the details that show on the label: approval marks, weight bands and strap layout. And on Amazon, only one of them sells an inflatable through a trusted seller.

How we chose: we did not test these jackets. We compared what Onyx's own store and each Amazon listing state, and linked only jackets sold by Amazon.com and in stock on September 30, 2026.

Onyx vs Stearns, label by label

Prices are Amazon's, as of the time shown, and subject to change. Details

The Onyx figures come from its adult General Purpose and child General Purpose pages. Stearns sells through retailers rather than its own store; its recreation page lists Amazon and Walmart under "Where to Buy," so the Stearns figures come from the Amazon listings.

Who makes them

Stearns' history page says that in 2008 "The Coleman Company, Inc. added to its family of brands" Stearns. The same page says federal rule changes in 1971 let makers design a Type III vest that "didn't have to be a bulky orange block." Onyx's store does not state a parent company on the pages we read, so we don't name one.

The adult vests: close on paper

Both are foam vests for adults of 90 lb and up, with nylon shells and open sides. The Stearns Classic closes with three adjustable buckles and comes in standard and oversized fits, per its listing. Onyx's General Purpose uses adjustable belts plus a chest strap "to keep vest from riding up," and Onyx lists Universal and Oversize.

The one hard difference is the approval mark. Onyx states "U.S. Coast Guard approved and Transport Canada approved." The Stearns Classic listing states Coast Guard approval only. If you run into Canadian water, check the label on whichever jacket you buy.

Either vest covers the Coast Guard's one-wearable-per-person rule. The Coast Guard's How to Choose the Right Life Jacket brochure adds that each must be the proper size for the wearer, in good and serviceable condition, and readily accessible. Our USCG equipment checklist covers the rest of the list.

The kids' vests: different weight bands

This is where the labels part. Onyx's child vest "fits children 33-55 lbs," and its youth vest fits 55 to 88 lb, per Onyx. Those match the categories on the Coast Guard's life jacket wear page: child over 33 up to 55 lb, youth over 55 up to 88 lb.

The Stearns kids' vests on Amazon still list the older bands: 30 to 50 lb for the child vest and 50 to 90 lb for the youth vest. A 52 lb child fits the Onyx child vest but is over the Stearns child range. Buy the vest whose label includes your child's weight today; our kids' life jackets guide covers leg straps, head support and the fit test.

Both child vests have a leg strap. Neither has the head float of Stearns' separate Heads-Up child vest, which the kids' guide covers.

Inflatables: only Onyx on Amazon

We found no Stearns inflatable sold by Amazon.com or a Stearns store when we checked. Onyx's A/M-24 is: it inflates on immersion or by pulling the handle, and the listing says it is approved for users 16 or older over 80 lb, with 22.5 lb of buoyancy.

Onyx's FAQ says its inflatables are made to be worn over clothing, never under it. The Coast Guard brochure marks every inflatable style "not for children under 16 or non-swimmers." Our inflatable vs foam guide covers rearm kits and the belt pack.

Who each one suits

Choose Onyx if:

• you boat in U.S. and Canadian water and want both approval marks on the label;
• your child sits in the 50 to 55 lb gap between the older bands;
• you want the family's vests and an adult inflatable from one maker.

Choose Stearns if:

• you want three-buckle vests for a boat that takes guests;
• your child is 30 to 33 lb, below the Onyx child vest's range;
• you may later want Stearns' Heads-Up child vest, with a neck float, for a toddler.

Either works if you need a basic Coast Guard approved foam vest for every adult aboard.

Recalls

Our marine recall list, built from CPSC recall notices since January 2023, has no entries for Onyx or Stearns. You can search either brand in the CPSC database yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Onyx and Stearns the same company?

Stearns says on its own history page that it joined The Coleman Company in 2008. We found no statement of Onyx's ownership on Onyx's store, so we can't confirm a link between the two.

Does a Transport Canada approval matter on a U.S. boat?

Not for the U.S. rule: 33 CFR 175.15 asks for a wearable PFD approved by the Coast Guard for each person aboard. Canada approves jackets through Transport Canada, which is why Onyx prints both marks on its General Purpose vests.

Why do some kids' life jackets say 33 to 55 lb and others 30 to 50 lb?

The Coast Guard's wear page defines the child category as over 33 up to 55 lb, and Onyx labels its child vest that way. Older labels used 30 to 50 lb, which is what the Stearns kids' listing still shows.

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SaltProofLab is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Specs are Onyx's and Stearns' own, from Onyx's store and the Amazon listings.