You mention the RideSafer Delight when discussing the size of the vest as an option for smaller children. Your safety worries will melt away when your child is in the RideSafer! In very cold climates I recommend having kiddo wear a fleece and then another jacket, and take the outer shell off in the car. Thanks for stopping by! Fewer headaches, safer kids, more smiles! As you can see from my impressions above, there is room for small changes or additional features; however, our impression is overwhelmingly positive. Dont over-tighten the lap belt or it may start to bunch in the guide on the side away from the buckle. Open the Velcro shoulder pad on the side where the should belt crosses and feed the shoulder belt through that metal guide, then pull snug and close the shoulder pad. Adjust the vest until the bottom flap on the front is resting on top of his thighs (since it will hold the lap portion of the seatbelt in the proper position), then refasten the Velcro straps on his back. Just throw it in the included backpack and let your kid carry it around! I have a situation where on 2 days of the week I have 2 different nannies doing pick ups and drop offs making the car seat situation difficult. It remedies the biggest issue with size small for smaller kids, which is that the shoulder straps can easily slide off of slim shoulders. Lightweight and compact, the RideSafer Travel Vest easily stows away in your luggage or even on your childs backpack. Hello, Thanks for this review. Plus, its. A small gap isnt a problem, and using the top tether definitely helps to keep your child properly positioned even with a bigger gap. For an infant, use an infant carrier car seat that goes into a stroller (you are likely using anyway) and install the carrier in the taxi rear facing without the base. While the crotch strap is technically optional, its important for preventing younger riders from submarining (sliding down and out of the vest). But its an important first line of defense! The final (optional) step is to the thread the Y-shaped crotch strap through the two slots on the back of the vest on the bottom (one on each side), then pull between the legs and fasten snugly through the slot at the bottom of the front. We are Americans living in the EU, car-free so we only need car seat for taxis and rental cars. Remember, its still safer for kids this age to be rear facing in a convertible car seat. I also now have a new Ride Safer extra small vest, which Ill discuss later in this article. It is still considered a booster seat, allowing much more mobility than a harnessed seat. As I mentioned in the introduction, were fortunate to have used two generations of Ride Safer travel vest small sizes over the course of many years and many rides. Im not sure if you know this, but theres no evidence that a highback booster is safer than a backless booster. According to the manufacturer specifications, the Ride Safer Travel Vest Gen 5 will fit the following ages and sizes: Ok, but what ages and sizes should use the Ride Safer Travel Vest? Merritt Manufacturing Churchill restraint. Use coupon VOYAGE to save $11 on your order. Key stats:-Weight 2lbs-Size small: minimum age 3, fits best for 30+ lbs and 35-47-Size large: minimum age 4, fits best for 50+ lbs and 45-57, Pros: Rolls up to the size of a 2L soda bottle Perfect for taxi rides Lowers seat belt to provide an appropriate fit for young children Keeps kids properly seated better than a traditional booster seat even when sleeping Easy to fit 3-across since its only as wide as the child 10 year expiration, Cons: No side impact protection like a highback booster seat Takes practice to get belt fit right NOT permitted for use on planes Fits most kids better when theyre close to 3.5-4. We know that it is a *safe* choice. He also falls asleep in the car and tips over so I am not anywhere close to a booster for him. With the RideSafer Travel Vest, you caneasily, comfortably and SAFELY fit up to three children in one rowin your vehicle even if one or two are in traditional car seats! Just ease of use and comfort for every day use*. At least they will have something but the lap part of the seat belt may cause abdominal injuries if is is a severe enough crash for them to slide under and out the bottom of the seat belt. We have now used two different generations of the Ride Safer Travel Vest, the Ride Safer Delight travel vest and the Ride Safer Travel Vest Gen 5. Fortunately, many of those deaths and injuries are preventable and it starts withbuckling up. Not a good outcome for the child. Yes, it passes Federal crash testing both with and without the top tether. In this Ride Safer travel vest review, youll get my complete, honest opinions as a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) and a mom. The easiest ways to tell the difference are: -Gen 5 has fabric covered loops on the tops of the shoulders rather than metal on the Delight -Gen 5 has a buckle that slides closed from the top rather than hooking across on the Delight. So how does the vest do when you put an actual child in the car? and the XL-size vest is certified to 110lbs. (A parent can dream, right?). Have child sit in the car and fasten seatbelt as normal. Hawaii Car Seat Laws You Need To Know (2022), Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Car Seat Deals (2022), How to Keep Your Kids Cool in the Car Seat, Need a Travel Car Seat in Canada, Eh? Your review is so very helpful. I LOVE the idea of no more bulky boosters etc to deal withjust wondering if this is easy for kids to get in and out of on their own and if theyre more comfortable or as comfortable as boosters? Restraints certified in the USA are usually not certified in other countries and visa versa as there are slightly different standards every where. Here are some great travel car seats for 3 year olds and 4 year olds to consider instead. What are your thoughts, in terms of convenience and comfort, of using this INSTEAD of a booster? Tug the vest down, fasten the Velcro so that its snug but not uncomfortable and then fasten the metal buckle, adjusting the strap length as necessary theres no way that vest is coming undone on its own! He juuuuust fit into the XS (right) and the crotch strap was very helpful for keeping the vest low with the lap panel on the tops of his thighs. There were times when our daughter slumped more than we would have liked when sleeping, and early in the trip the shoulder straps seemed a hair too long for her; however, a little gap at the shoulders isnt necessarily a concern. Here are the basic steps to use the Ridesafer vest: If youll be using the Ride Safe travel vest in your own car or a rental car, you can leave it attached to the car when you get out! For many parents, the vest is a god-send that finally keeps their child restrained properly. You, of course, want to keep your child properly secured because taxis get into crashes too and you dont want to take your chances without a car seat. It also help to keep younger riders from reaching for a toy or slumping when asleep in this kids seat belt vest. 844.421.SAFE (7233). . Gone are the days of needing multiple car seats for multiple cars. While the Ride Safer vest is a little pricey for an item most families will use only occasionally, if your family travels often with older preschoolers or young school age children I cant recommend it enough. RideSafer positions a vehicles seat belt on your child so it moves with him, The vest safely holds the shoulder belt in place, and away from the neck, improving upper body restraint and ensuring your, By keeping your childs center of gravity low in the vehicle seat, RideSafer changes crash dynamics, and reduces head and knee injuries. We are sure the logic is something like, they are safer in the seat belt with me than being without a seat belt at all and the seat belt doesnt even come close to fitting them right when they use it by them self.. The XS Ride Safer Vest is marketed for 2 and 3 year olds, but thats precisely the age at which kids beginning pushing boundaries and asserting their independence. The great news is that you can fit it to your child before you need to use it in the car. Its an important question. Ive also polled vest owners in our Facebook group for their feedback. Finally, if you have no alternative but to use the vest and you think your child will try to wiggle too much you do have the option of locking the seatbelt at the retractor like you would when installing a car seat. In these photos he was probably around 39 and 35lbs nearing the top end of the size range for XS. We stopped using the crotch strap around 4.5-5 years old. If we had just brought a booster seat, our daughter would have been in an unsafe position. Some cities now have the option of requesting a car with a car seat. If your child is younger or smaller, take a look at the WAYB Pico, which is an excellent folding car seat with a 5-point harness. And do you feel like your 5yo is mature enough to ride in a booster seat on those trips? If you travel infrequently and will just be taking a single flight and then renting a car, one of these travel car seats might be a good fit for your needs. Find out more about me here. Typically traveling parents are allowed to bring their usual child restraint. Kids this age are prone to wiggling and the strap ensures that the lap belt stays nice and low on the thighs. Without the top tether, she ended up slumped dangerously to the side when she fell asleep because there was a large gap in the shoulder straps. Save $11 off the Ride Safer Travel Vest with coupon VOYAGE. To get the length right, turn your child around and open the Velcro on the crossing straps on his back. 
My large 3-year-old (37 lbs, 39) is THIS close to outgrowing her Cosco Scenera NEXT so we are trying to find our next seat. Many countries (like Mexico) dont have that switchable retractor as a standard unfortunately but its mandatory in the US and Canada. It was actually pretty good for my little nephew! If your child is at least 50 pound (and can sit properly for the duration of the ride), the Graco RightGuide is the most minimalist option out there. They do this by requiring the manufactures to crash test their own products and measure the results. I suggest size large given his age and height (the length and width are adjustable). we would be using it for Uber/Lyft in the town we live. Do you think this will work? Were all about experiences over things, but sometimes things come along that makes the experiences a thousand times more enjoyable. Now having returned, I have no regrets about that choice. As I search for the Ride Safer Delight, I find options that say things like RideSafer Delight (Gen 5) and they look exactly like the Gen 5. She was about 36 (and leggy) here using the Ride Safer Gen 4 small. Check out our article about Ride Sharing with Kids to see what the map says about your state. But these cars and what types of car seats they offer are limited so its recommended to bring your own. Click here to learn how to travel with your car seat like a pro! They are not approved for use together. In their absence, curious fingers may be more inclined to play with the shoulder belt and potentially remove it from the guide. With that piece the Ride Safer Travel Vest passes the same testing thats required of a forward-facing harness. Denver, CO 80209
Proper restraint is important because these children often dont understand the danger of roaming around the vehicle. We looked at Wayb Pico but I dont think its technically approved in the EU like Ride Safer is, and we have never gotten good at the locking clip (we try to use LATCH/Isofix now). Once your kid is big enough for the Ride Safer travel vest, itll fit for years to come thanks to the adjustable straps. to learn how to use the Ride Safer travel vest, its pros and cons and how to decide if its right for your family. If your child is on the shorter side or youll be traveling to a country where top tethers arent standard, consider the WAYB Pico instead full review here. It is best practice to use a child restraint while riding in a taxi. It can be a great choice for older children and even teens who have outgrown the tallest harnessed car seat and still need more support than a traditional booster seat can offer. It meets or exceeds all crash test requirements and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for harness restraints, meaning the Ride Safer travel vest is legal throughout the US. Here is why: In a car crash the formula we use to estimate how much force is required to restrain the occupant is Speed X Weight = Restraining Force. Bottom-line upfront: we liked it enough to take it with us for a full year of travel. Once you get in the car, youd buckle the seatbelt as usual but then thread it through the seat belt guides that are included on the lap and shoulder portions of the vest. As you can see in this photo, using the top tether helped keep her properly positioned in the vest. Im confident that this little guy wouldnt mess with it once told, but only you know how your child will handle that situation. What if my vest was being worn during a crash? Second, the small has a metal buckle at the waist while the XS has a similar buckle attached at the chest pads and only velcro at the waist. It would really depend on how confident you are in the nannies abilities to get the fit right and their attention to detail. Thatll be the best way to determine the correct size. We used to have an EU version that came with a booster seat but the manufacturer came out with the new model and has not yet certified it. Carpooling? The RideSafer is the perfect companion for parents cabbing it across town with their children. Alternatively you can look at various car seat safe winter jackets. vest Hoping this will work. Yes, as long as its used in accordance with the directions the Ride Safer travel vest is legal in the United States. I have an 8yr old who had down syndrome. We do not know the timeframe for this. We stopped using the crotch strap around 4.5-5 years old. Im Melissa, a real-life mom of two, world traveler and Child Passenger Safety Technician (aka car seat tech). Not sure what car seat to bring for travel? Our son barely complained during any of our car rides, though hes generally pretty easygoing about car seat safety and is accustomed to riding in a forward-facing harness most of the time at home. When you open the Ridesafer travel vest backpack, youll see a few different parts and youll need to make some adjustments. The Ride Safer Travel Vest has fairly rigid support through the body, unlike a traditional booster seat that has no body support. If I had been choosing between Gen 5 XS and S for her, I would have chosen the XS. With RideSafer you get a win-win! Weve also found it indispensable for fitting 3-across in our small car when Grandma comes to visit. 
Weve spent many years with our vests and used them for two different kids during that time, so Ive had plenty of time to get acquainted with the vests! Of the children ages 12 years and younger who died in a crash in 2013, 38% were not buckled up. What size does the small Ride Safer Gen 5 fit? One downside is that shorter kids may not be able to see out the window in some cars. The Ride Safer travel vest is a wearable booster seat alternative for young children. Please see more information on Europe, Australia and Costa Rica for additional guidance if youre traveling to those places. If youve never had one of these vests in your hands, the velcro is incredibly strong so dont be concerned that kids are going to mess with it, nor that it would open in a crash. Whether the city is your travel destination or you live there, getting from place to place by taxi or ride share cars may be your mode of transportation. The Ride Safer is a wonderful solution in that situation as long as he wont unbuckle the seatbelt. We feel confident that the Ride Safer offers a safe alternative to either lugging a huge car seat around a city or relying on an unfamiliar car/driver to maybe offer car seats. thanks! It is simple to pull out and use SAFELY once you arrive at your destination! ridesafer travel vest manufacturers association What are your thoughts on this for a tall 7 year old who is complaining that cat seats are getting uncomfortable, but has ADHD and needs something to help him stay in his belt? Just be sure to use the top tether for extra support. When we used it during our gap year trip, it was perfect for taxi rides in the cities because I could just roll it up and put it in our day bag. Only the Gen 5 is available. Less in this case is great! The best answer for this is, it depends. As CPS techs we would find out more about your situation and recommend the best solution for keeping your child safe which may or may not include the RideSafer vest. If hes truly 3, its possible that you may not get a great fit even with the size small vest. My 8 year old can still (just) fit in the size small Gen 5. Ive used the top tether and the crotch strap to limit the wiggles. For instance, NHTSA standards allow a childs head to move 32 forward during a crash. Technically the RideSafer has not been certified for use in Europe. Remember that statistic about how many car seats are used incorrectly? Theres just isnt a ton of room on the back of the XS for the velcro torso length adjustment, so it has a much narrower range than the small. As you become more experienced with the vest, its a real time saver. And BONUS! Many children with special needs exhibit disruptive behaviors, such as unbuckling themselves, as part of their disability. The fit wasnt all that great until she was closer to 4 years old, but shes on the small side. any thoughts on whether he needs to be in small or large? With the RideSafer Travel Vest,catching your flight just got a whole lot easier! Hes right near the top of the size chart for the XS vest, and because hes 3 he had no tolerance for trying the small in the car. If your kiddo is already 4, scroll down to the next section. As to the jacket, its very important that he (and you!) Id say you could start using it for a tall 4 year old with the top tether. The large-size vest is certified to 80lbs. The components included in the box are the vest, a sometimes-optional crotch strap, the optional-but-highly-recommended top tether, the truly optional neck pillow and a convenient carry backpack. And everytime you move the car seat from one car to another an opportunity arises for an incorrect installation. We believe the RideSafer is a fabulous option when traveling with children who are within the age and size limits of the vest. Yes, its that much of a game-changer. You can leave the tether attached at the shoulders and even leave the seatbelt threaded through the shoulder and the other side of the lap! Putting the vest on is pretty intuitive: open the buckle and the very sturdy Velcro panel in the front, then have your child slip his arms in. Some of the details will also depend on which country you live in, whether youre there on US government orders, etc. We started using the Delight when our daughter was near the bottom of the size range out of necessity since we were traveling full time. The RideSafer travel vest is also sometimes prescribed for children with special needs, especially now that theres a size Extra Large available. In the United States an annual average of640children ages 12 years and younger dieas occupants in motor vehicle crashesand more than137,000areinjured. New for 2022, you can also consider the Ride Safer Travel Vest XS more on that below in its own section. It will probably be easier for a teacher to buckle him properly in a combination car seat. I suspect that many European parents in your situation might choose to use nothing other than the adult seatbelt, which of course is not a safe choice, or a booster seat (also not a safe choice). DEAL ALERT! With RideSafer you wont need to haul that heavy car seat through airport security or while youre rushing through the terminal to make it to your gate on time. Genius. You can see this graphic RideSafer exceeds federal standards, in some cases by close to half. Its, top tether to the shoulder straps using the two metal hooks (above the pads), then attach the other end to the cars top tether point and pull the tail to remove slack, Save $11 off the Ride Safer Travel Vest with coupon , Ride Safer Delight Vest fitting (https://youtu.be/mcDpgEVBuME), Ride Safer Delight Installation (https://youtu.be/Go1oRyd-Dns), Pennsylvania Car Seat Laws You Need To Know (2022), Airline Approved Car Seats: Whats In and Whats Out in 2021. Not ready for the Ride Safer yet? 
What sort of vehicle will he be riding in? You may have seen parents in Facebook groups refer to it by a range of almost-correct names: safe rider vest, rider safe vest, ride safe vest, rider safe travel vest, rider safety vest Ive seen pretty much every combination. I will be sending him to and from school with this Amy suggestions on how to make sure the teacher is comfortable putting him in the vest for the ride home from school. Or longed for the day your child could actually feel comfortable without compromising his safety? With the RideSafer, the head moves about 16 so nearly half of what is allowed. The general consensus is that the Ride Safer Gen 5 runs quite a bit bigger than the Ride Safer Delight in the small and large sizes. In deciding whether or not your child is ready for the vest, you have to be honest about her behavior and developmental level. We offer a 15-day free return policy if you want to try out a vest with your child and see if it will work for your needs. Some kids, like my daughter photographed above at the same age, are total rule followers and will just sit where you place them and how you place them. Thats a great question. We also used it for some very long road trip stretches, and found it to be solid overall. Its a bit of a different product and there are a host of considerations that arent as important for kids old enough to use the small through XL sizes. In our long-term testing, she never complained about comfort despite some drives of 6 hours in a single day. This post contains affiliate links. RideSafer allows you to put the vest on while your hailing the cab and just buckle up once you get in. We have been told the manufacturer will be certifying the RideSafer, likely in combination with the Delighter Booster as Europe standards require a child be elevated. I was also curious as to how you would use it in the winter time with the heavy jacket. Our friends at Safe Ride 4 Kids sent me several Ride Safer travel vest for kids to review; all opinions are my own. Put the vest on the child, making sure that the lower panel is over the tops of the thighs. Amazon Prime Day Car Seat Deals You Wont Want To Miss! Want to know all my best secrets? Using the TravelSmarter Delight booster seat (thanks for pointing out the name change) isnt required, but the Ride Safer travel vest HAS NOT been crash tested with the Bubblebum.
My large 3-year-old (37 lbs, 39) is THIS close to outgrowing her Cosco Scenera NEXT so we are trying to find our next seat. Many countries (like Mexico) dont have that switchable retractor as a standard unfortunately but its mandatory in the US and Canada. It was actually pretty good for my little nephew! If your child is at least 50 pound (and can sit properly for the duration of the ride), the Graco RightGuide is the most minimalist option out there. They do this by requiring the manufactures to crash test their own products and measure the results. I suggest size large given his age and height (the length and width are adjustable). we would be using it for Uber/Lyft in the town we live. Do you think this will work? Were all about experiences over things, but sometimes things come along that makes the experiences a thousand times more enjoyable. Now having returned, I have no regrets about that choice. As I search for the Ride Safer Delight, I find options that say things like RideSafer Delight (Gen 5) and they look exactly like the Gen 5. She was about 36 (and leggy) here using the Ride Safer Gen 4 small. Check out our article about Ride Sharing with Kids to see what the map says about your state. But these cars and what types of car seats they offer are limited so its recommended to bring your own. Click here to learn how to travel with your car seat like a pro! They are not approved for use together. In their absence, curious fingers may be more inclined to play with the shoulder belt and potentially remove it from the guide. With that piece the Ride Safer Travel Vest passes the same testing thats required of a forward-facing harness. Denver, CO 80209
Proper restraint is important because these children often dont understand the danger of roaming around the vehicle. We looked at Wayb Pico but I dont think its technically approved in the EU like Ride Safer is, and we have never gotten good at the locking clip (we try to use LATCH/Isofix now). Once your kid is big enough for the Ride Safer travel vest, itll fit for years to come thanks to the adjustable straps. to learn how to use the Ride Safer travel vest, its pros and cons and how to decide if its right for your family. If your child is on the shorter side or youll be traveling to a country where top tethers arent standard, consider the WAYB Pico instead full review here. It is best practice to use a child restraint while riding in a taxi. It can be a great choice for older children and even teens who have outgrown the tallest harnessed car seat and still need more support than a traditional booster seat can offer. It meets or exceeds all crash test requirements and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for harness restraints, meaning the Ride Safer travel vest is legal throughout the US. Here is why: In a car crash the formula we use to estimate how much force is required to restrain the occupant is Speed X Weight = Restraining Force. Bottom-line upfront: we liked it enough to take it with us for a full year of travel. Once you get in the car, youd buckle the seatbelt as usual but then thread it through the seat belt guides that are included on the lap and shoulder portions of the vest. As you can see in this photo, using the top tether helped keep her properly positioned in the vest. Im confident that this little guy wouldnt mess with it once told, but only you know how your child will handle that situation. What if my vest was being worn during a crash? Second, the small has a metal buckle at the waist while the XS has a similar buckle attached at the chest pads and only velcro at the waist. It would really depend on how confident you are in the nannies abilities to get the fit right and their attention to detail. Thatll be the best way to determine the correct size. We used to have an EU version that came with a booster seat but the manufacturer came out with the new model and has not yet certified it. Carpooling? The RideSafer is the perfect companion for parents cabbing it across town with their children. Alternatively you can look at various car seat safe winter jackets. vest Hoping this will work. Yes, as long as its used in accordance with the directions the Ride Safer travel vest is legal in the United States. I have an 8yr old who had down syndrome. We do not know the timeframe for this. We stopped using the crotch strap around 4.5-5 years old. Im Melissa, a real-life mom of two, world traveler and Child Passenger Safety Technician (aka car seat tech). Not sure what car seat to bring for travel? Our son barely complained during any of our car rides, though hes generally pretty easygoing about car seat safety and is accustomed to riding in a forward-facing harness most of the time at home. When you open the Ridesafer travel vest backpack, youll see a few different parts and youll need to make some adjustments. The Ride Safer Travel Vest has fairly rigid support through the body, unlike a traditional booster seat that has no body support. If I had been choosing between Gen 5 XS and S for her, I would have chosen the XS. With RideSafer you get a win-win! Weve also found it indispensable for fitting 3-across in our small car when Grandma comes to visit. Weve spent many years with our vests and used them for two different kids during that time, so Ive had plenty of time to get acquainted with the vests! Of the children ages 12 years and younger who died in a crash in 2013, 38% were not buckled up. What size does the small Ride Safer Gen 5 fit? One downside is that shorter kids may not be able to see out the window in some cars. The Ride Safer travel vest is a wearable booster seat alternative for young children. Please see more information on Europe, Australia and Costa Rica for additional guidance if youre traveling to those places. If youve never had one of these vests in your hands, the velcro is incredibly strong so dont be concerned that kids are going to mess with it, nor that it would open in a crash. Whether the city is your travel destination or you live there, getting from place to place by taxi or ride share cars may be your mode of transportation. The Ride Safer is a wonderful solution in that situation as long as he wont unbuckle the seatbelt. We feel confident that the Ride Safer offers a safe alternative to either lugging a huge car seat around a city or relying on an unfamiliar car/driver to maybe offer car seats. thanks! It is simple to pull out and use SAFELY once you arrive at your destination! ridesafer travel vest manufacturers association What are your thoughts on this for a tall 7 year old who is complaining that cat seats are getting uncomfortable, but has ADHD and needs something to help him stay in his belt? Just be sure to use the top tether for extra support. When we used it during our gap year trip, it was perfect for taxi rides in the cities because I could just roll it up and put it in our day bag. Only the Gen 5 is available. Less in this case is great! The best answer for this is, it depends. As CPS techs we would find out more about your situation and recommend the best solution for keeping your child safe which may or may not include the RideSafer vest. If hes truly 3, its possible that you may not get a great fit even with the size small vest. My 8 year old can still (just) fit in the size small Gen 5. Ive used the top tether and the crotch strap to limit the wiggles. For instance, NHTSA standards allow a childs head to move 32 forward during a crash. Technically the RideSafer has not been certified for use in Europe. Remember that statistic about how many car seats are used incorrectly? Theres just isnt a ton of room on the back of the XS for the velcro torso length adjustment, so it has a much narrower range than the small. As you become more experienced with the vest, its a real time saver. And BONUS! Many children with special needs exhibit disruptive behaviors, such as unbuckling themselves, as part of their disability. The fit wasnt all that great until she was closer to 4 years old, but shes on the small side. any thoughts on whether he needs to be in small or large? With the RideSafer Travel Vest,catching your flight just got a whole lot easier! Hes right near the top of the size chart for the XS vest, and because hes 3 he had no tolerance for trying the small in the car. If your kiddo is already 4, scroll down to the next section. As to the jacket, its very important that he (and you!) Id say you could start using it for a tall 4 year old with the top tether. The large-size vest is certified to 80lbs. The components included in the box are the vest, a sometimes-optional crotch strap, the optional-but-highly-recommended top tether, the truly optional neck pillow and a convenient carry backpack. And everytime you move the car seat from one car to another an opportunity arises for an incorrect installation. We believe the RideSafer is a fabulous option when traveling with children who are within the age and size limits of the vest. Yes, its that much of a game-changer. You can leave the tether attached at the shoulders and even leave the seatbelt threaded through the shoulder and the other side of the lap! Putting the vest on is pretty intuitive: open the buckle and the very sturdy Velcro panel in the front, then have your child slip his arms in. Some of the details will also depend on which country you live in, whether youre there on US government orders, etc. We started using the Delight when our daughter was near the bottom of the size range out of necessity since we were traveling full time. The RideSafer travel vest is also sometimes prescribed for children with special needs, especially now that theres a size Extra Large available. In the United States an annual average of640children ages 12 years and younger dieas occupants in motor vehicle crashesand more than137,000areinjured. New for 2022, you can also consider the Ride Safer Travel Vest XS more on that below in its own section. It will probably be easier for a teacher to buckle him properly in a combination car seat. I suspect that many European parents in your situation might choose to use nothing other than the adult seatbelt, which of course is not a safe choice, or a booster seat (also not a safe choice). DEAL ALERT! With RideSafer you wont need to haul that heavy car seat through airport security or while youre rushing through the terminal to make it to your gate on time. Genius. You can see this graphic RideSafer exceeds federal standards, in some cases by close to half. Its, top tether to the shoulder straps using the two metal hooks (above the pads), then attach the other end to the cars top tether point and pull the tail to remove slack, Save $11 off the Ride Safer Travel Vest with coupon , Ride Safer Delight Vest fitting (https://youtu.be/mcDpgEVBuME), Ride Safer Delight Installation (https://youtu.be/Go1oRyd-Dns), Pennsylvania Car Seat Laws You Need To Know (2022), Airline Approved Car Seats: Whats In and Whats Out in 2021. Not ready for the Ride Safer yet? 
What sort of vehicle will he be riding in? You may have seen parents in Facebook groups refer to it by a range of almost-correct names: safe rider vest, rider safe vest, ride safe vest, rider safe travel vest, rider safety vest Ive seen pretty much every combination. I will be sending him to and from school with this Amy suggestions on how to make sure the teacher is comfortable putting him in the vest for the ride home from school. Or longed for the day your child could actually feel comfortable without compromising his safety? With the RideSafer, the head moves about 16 so nearly half of what is allowed. The general consensus is that the Ride Safer Gen 5 runs quite a bit bigger than the Ride Safer Delight in the small and large sizes. In deciding whether or not your child is ready for the vest, you have to be honest about her behavior and developmental level. We offer a 15-day free return policy if you want to try out a vest with your child and see if it will work for your needs. Some kids, like my daughter photographed above at the same age, are total rule followers and will just sit where you place them and how you place them. Thats a great question. We also used it for some very long road trip stretches, and found it to be solid overall. Its a bit of a different product and there are a host of considerations that arent as important for kids old enough to use the small through XL sizes. In our long-term testing, she never complained about comfort despite some drives of 6 hours in a single day. This post contains affiliate links. RideSafer allows you to put the vest on while your hailing the cab and just buckle up once you get in. We have been told the manufacturer will be certifying the RideSafer, likely in combination with the Delighter Booster as Europe standards require a child be elevated. I was also curious as to how you would use it in the winter time with the heavy jacket. Our friends at Safe Ride 4 Kids sent me several Ride Safer travel vest for kids to review; all opinions are my own. Put the vest on the child, making sure that the lower panel is over the tops of the thighs. Amazon Prime Day Car Seat Deals You Wont Want To Miss! Want to know all my best secrets? Using the TravelSmarter Delight booster seat (thanks for pointing out the name change) isnt required, but the Ride Safer travel vest HAS NOT been crash tested with the Bubblebum.