My kid’s been using a generic rec pfd, but after a month of canoe camp last summer she wants to upgrade. I failed to find anything her size at the local tiny paddle store, Dick’s, or bass pro. Everything adult sized is too long in the torso and didn’t tighten enough to effectively stay on her in the water.
She’s 5’3", probably not going to get taller but not done bulking out, about 120lbs of solid athlete. We canoe, so it doesn’t need to fit in a kayak. She would like pockets, and mesh or good ventilation.
If an adult XS/S is too big, have you considered finding a youth pfd? There are fishing pfds online that have a bunch of pockets. Make sure you’re accurate as far as her measurements and order accordingly.