The current versions of the vests are not FAA approved for use on airplanes. FAA says it doesn’t fit into their categories so they have to rewrite some policies before the RideSafer can be approved. We have no idea how long that may take. The manufacturer may request an exemption in the meantime but even that could take some time. We do know it is high on his list of priorities to keeping pushing for airline use and he has a team of engineers working on it.
Since using the vest on an airplane would require something for upper body support in addition to the lap-only seat belt, the manufacturer developed an accessory that will be once the vest has FAA approval. Please check back for updates on our website for availability and if there will be retrofitting capabilities for the older versions.
If you decide to let your children sit in the airline seat without a car seat, the RideSafer is wonderful for keeping in your carryon and having available as soon as you reach your destination. Since our kids were 4 and 5 and started using the RideSafer, they attached it to their backpack and stuffed it under the airline seat.
You can find a size chart on our RideSafer product page right below the size drop down menu.
If your child seems like he would be in between sizes and you don’t know which to go with, we look more closely at height for proper fit.
We typically start recommending a large when the child is 45″ tall. With the understanding it will seem loose at first and may have a gap at the shoulders when sitting in the car. This is OK as long as the seat belt is being properly positioned mid-chest/mid-shoulder and across his lap/hips.
If your child has special needs and/or likes to wiggle out of restraints, we recommend a tighter fit and may recommend a small until the child would fit better in a large.
We’ve learned some personal browser settings don’t allow the size chart to show up for some people. So here is the size chart:
Here is a photo of a correct lap & shoulder belt fit:
If the fit doesn’t seem quite right, review this video and follow the tips on the page.
Yes. It is acceptable to have a gap between the shoulders and the top of the vest as long as the shoulder portion of the seat belt is:
You want keep the lap belt free of twists and as flat as possible across the thighs. It is OK if the lap belt bunches some and it is not a safety issue but we do want it to stay in the clips so if it is coming out, here are a couple things that you can try:
If you are still having problems with the belt coming out of the clips, let us know if the clip feels springy. There was a short period where the manufacturer was using a clip on the old models that had a little wider opening. If we see that these are the clips you have, we can send a couple replacements ASAP.
Technically the RideSafer is rated starting at 3 years old and 30 pounds. The specifications adopted by the manufacturer are strictly based on the 3-year-old test dummy which is based on a 50% child. If your child is big for his/her age they would most likely fit the vest. However, using the vest for a younger child would be outside the manufacturer’s specifications, removing any liability from the manufacturer/reseller.
That being said, as a mom, I have to admit that I did use a RideSafer for our 2 1/2 year old on vacation as I was traveling on my own with 3 kids. He did fit the size specifications (barely) just not age and I made sure to use a RideSafer with tether so I could use the tether strap as well as the lap-shoulder belt for additional upper body support and restraint. This also helped keep him in proper position.
Really it comes down to a choice we make as parents.
The truth is that whether forward facing in a 5 point harness or forward facing in the RideSafer vest, in a frontal crash (the most common type), the end mechanism is the same. We are restraining the body with the harness or vest/seat belt and the head is being thrust forward, dependent upon the neck to hold back the child’s disproportionally large head. The potential for injury is virtually the same.
The safest option for an 2-year-old is to use a rear-facing car seat. We realize while traveling this can be very inconvenient. If this is the option you choose, there are very inexpensive lightweight convertible seats that make travel easier. This is what we did when our children required rear-facing while traveling. We bought an inexpensive lightweight seat for travel and left our nice one in our car at home ready for our return.
If you are taking taxis (or have other such circumstance) and the choice comes down to using a RideSafer for a 2-year-old versus having your child buckled in with you (definitely not a safe option) or even buckling them in with no positioning device; we would prefer a parent to use a RideSafer (again a RideSafer with tether).
Some states legally require caregivers to use a child restraint according to manufacturer’s specifications.
The vest is a seat belt positioning device which means that the fit of the vest on the child is less important than the positioning of the seat belt on the child. The seat belt is doing the restraining (when using the lap/shoulder belt) not the vest.
The RideSafer manufacturer has the Delighter Booster which has been crash tested with the current and previous model RideSafer vests.
Technically, using the RideSafer with another manufacturer’s booster seat would be using both products outside of their respective manufacturer’s specifications because they were not crash tested together.
That being said, the Delighter doesn’t have an inherently different design than most backless boosters on the market. Just know you would be taking on the liability of using both together if something should happen.
The RideSafer manufacturer definitely recommends against using the RideSafer with a BubbleBum or a miFold travel booster as they both have their own seat belt guides which may not work cohesively with the seat belt guides on the RideSafer.
A booster seat elevates the child to fit the adult seat belt. The Ride Safer Travel Vest brings the seat belt down to fit the child which also optimizes the existing vehicle seat belt system to protect the child by keeping a low center of gravity and allowing the vehicle seat belt and seat cushion to manage the crash forces. The vest’s belt guides place the seat belt into the correct pre-crash position and moves with the child.
That is correct. No more belt positioning booster seat necessary. The booster has long been the only known tool for helping the adult seat belt fit the kids. Where a booster is used to lift the child to try to make the adult seat belt fit better on the child, the RideSafer is used to bring the seat belt down to the child with 3 main benefits:
Some parents like that their child can see out the window and complained that their child couldn’t using just the RideSafer. The manufacturer has released the Delighter Booster that has been crash tested with the RideSafer and can be used with it for those younger children who wish to see out the window. Having a safe booster seat option that is crash tested with the RideSafer was a way for more flexibility and worldwide acceptance.
The RideSafer® is crash tested down to 3 years old and 30+ pounds, so the simple answer is “yes,” a 3-year-old can wear the vest. With that being said, if the child is primarily in a 5-point restraint that still fits them it can continue to be their primary restraint AND when they go on a play date, are riding in someone else’s car or you are traveling, the vest gives you flexibility and peace of mind that they are riding safely in an easy to install child restraint.
The manufacturer now permits the vest to be adjusted on the child’s waist as wide as the buckle webbing will allow. The manufacturer is designing an expansion panel for “husky”-size children.
The dual tether is for children who weigh more than 60 pounds and use a lap-only seat belt. The dual tether will attach to a RideSafer Delight at the shoulder clips and tether to two different tether anchor points. It is rated up to 80 pounds. When using the tether and the lap-shoulder belt, because the seat belt is doing the vast majority of the upper body restraining and not the tether, they can use the single tether all the way up to the 80 pounds. The dual tether is only required when the vest is doing all the restraining in a lap-only belt situation.
Including the carry bag and accessories, the small vest is 2 lb. 12 oz and the large vest is 2 lb. 15 oz.
The vest lays flat at about 15x12x2 and in the carry bag is about 12x9x4, roughly the size of a folded sweatshirt.
You can find information for your particular vest on the inside label:
Yes. The manufacturer offers a recycle program. All old products are disassembled and the components (metals, plastics & fabrics) are sent for re-purposing. All you need to do is ship it to:
Safe Traffic System, Inc.
Att: Recycle Program
10201 Pacific Avenue
Franklin Park, IL 60131
We also offer a trade-up program for those who have purchased a small from Safe Ride 4 Kids and would like to move into a large as their child grows. Read more about the trade-up program here.
The RideSafer Delight (or old model RideSafer 2) can be used with a lap-only belt in those middle rear seats or middle seat of a truck in older vehicles because it is designed to be used with the tether strap which attaches to both shoulders and the vehicle’s tether anchor point when used with a lap only belt.
If your vehicle does not offer a tether anchor in that seating position, then we do offer an accessory called the Energy Absorbing Tether Anchor Loop (EATAL) which depending on the vehicle may be used to create a tether anchor point. Learn more about that here.
It is highly dependent upon all the variables of your transport needs but we will do our best to guide you in making the decision.
We have had many parents tell us the RideSafer is just what they needed for their little “escape artist” but we can’t make any guarantees. We have a very generous trial period for you to try it out and see of it is going to work for you and your family. Read more about our return policy here.
You can spot clean for little messes. For big messes you can soak in a mild detergent and water then allow to air dry. Do not machine wash.
We like ‘sealing in an airtight bag such as a Vacuum Sealed bag or tightly tied trash bag for 14 days’ the best. (We realized this is not always prudent as parents need to use the car seats.) Then vacuum out the top and bottom layers of all fabric to assure that as many of the eggs are gone as possible.
According to the NPA, vacuuming is the safest way to remove lice and fallen hairs with attached nits from upholstered furniture, rugs, stuffed animals, or car seats — wherever someone with head lice may have rested their head.
For items that cannot be soaked in hot water such as headsets or helmets or the RideSafer, it is recommended to place them in a tightly sealed plastic bag and put them in a freezer for 10-12 hours to kill the lice and eggs.
The RideSafer cannot be washed in hot water. It will damage the flame retardant properties and may shrink some of the fabric pieces. IMMI prohibits machine washing and using dryers for the buckles on the older models because of the agitation and spin cycles.
The manual for the RideSafer vests is stored in the pocket on the right inside of the vest. If you need a new manual, you can download a PDF version from here: http://ridesafertravelvest.com/manuals/
No, you can leave the vest partially installed. You’ll leave the shoulder belt in the shoulder clip and the lap belt in one lap guide. We show you what that looks like in the video about using the RideSafer with a seat belt at about 3:15 into the video.
The manufacturer of the RideSafer® Travel Vest, Safe Traffic System Inc., does permit the use of Inflatable Seat Belts with the Ride Safer Travel Vests. The RideSafer comes with a flexible shoulder guide that should allow for the increased size of the seat belt. If you have a previous model of RidSafer (generation 2), please contact us for a replacement shoulder belt guide that will allow for correct fit with the inflatable seat belt. Version 1 vests cannot be retrofitted with the ISB Seat Belt Guide. Read more about inflatable seat belts.
Yes, it is. All air bags (frontal or side) are supplemental safety devices and are intended to work best in combination with safety belts. Therefore, NHTSA recommends that:
NHTSA continues to closely monitor the real world performance of side airbags involving children and adults. You can read additional information about side airbags on SaferCar.gov.
There are 2 types of Emergency Locking Retractors on seat belts.
Many vehicle manufacturers place the Belt Sensitive system in front seats and the Vehicle Sensitive systems in the back seat for passenger comfort. If you are more confident in the vehicle system functionality, there is no harm in engaging the ALR when using the RideSafer® by slowly pulling the seat belt all the way out. But in most cases we do not recommend it simply because when engaging the ALR mode on the retractor the seat belt tends to get tighter and tighter with each bump and corner, which could become uncomfortable for the child after a while.
No. The manufacturer says the RideSafer is not to be used in a rear facing vehicle seat in passenger class vehicles as the recent models have not been crash tested this way. The manufacturer does permit use in rear facing seats in Class 4+ vehicles with the understanding that there is no way they can test this.
Before we go into detail I would like to mention that the primary audience for the RideSafer is a “booster age” child. There are benefits to the RideSafer, especially when you consider a backless booster which does not offer any of the side/padding protections. Some things to consider:
The proposed side-impact testing for child restraint systems is for restraints for children under 40 pounds and excludes “Harness Restraints”, such as the RideSafer, from the testing requirement. Part of the reason is that harnesses and vests have no structural components to offer side impact protection while they do fill a much needed niche in the car seat world. NHTSA realizes that children over 40 pounds who are riding in appropriate child restraints are positioned in such way that they are better able to benefit from the side impact occupant technology mandated by FMVSS 214, which regulates how vehicles are built for side-impact protection. NHTSA estimates the side impact testing requirement will save 5 lives and prevent 64 injuries of children annually. Read more here.
Although it is often thought that leg injuries are extremely common, the truth is only 9% of injuries forward-facing are to the legs — and another 9% to the arms. And it’s not because the legs fly up; it’s because there is limited space between the front and back seats. So by using a high back booster or child restraint with harness we are pushing the child further forward. A benefit of the Ride Safer is that we are optimizing the seat belt, vehicle seat cushions and vehicles internal geometry to keep children low and farther back. We have NO reports of leg injuries from users that have been involved in crashes with the RideSafer®.
Yes for moderate to severe crashes based on NHTSA’s criteria for a minor crash. Here is the Crashed Vest Protocol:
As a certified child passenger restraint, the vest should be included in any insurance claim reimbursement. Contact us to determine your next step if you are in a crash while your RideSafer is being used. To view more about the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations policies on replacing any child restraint after a crash, click here.
One great thing about the vest is that it positions the seat belt to the child even when the child moves out of correct seating position in the vehicle. That being said, it would be safest if the child was sitting up correctly.
Yes. With many child restraints it is recommended that the child not wear a heavy coat under the harness straps as the bulk will compress during a crash and the straps would be loose (CPS technicians typically suggest nothing thicker than sweatshirt material under the harness strap). However, a child can wear a heavier coat underneath the Ride Safer® Travel Vest. See our video.
The RideSafer works for many children with special needs. Using the tether strap along with the lap-shoulder seat belt will help keep the child properly positioned in the car. We’ve talked with parents who have used the vest with children who have needs from autism to cerebral palsy.
But as with most things in life, especially when it comes to children with special needs, it depends. We do offer a 15-day return policy for trying the vest to see if it will work for you. Just save the packaging in case it doesn’t and you need to send it back.
We have had many parents tell us the RideSafer is just what they needed for their little “escape artist” but we can’t make any guarantees. We have a very generous trial period for you to try it out and see of it is going to work for you and your family. Read more about our return policy here.
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.
Depending on where you go, the age and type of vehicle in which you will be riding can be unpredictable.
If your taxi is so old it only offer lap belts in the rear seat, you might want to consider putting your child in the front seat with a lap-shoulder belt in the RideSafer®.
Unfortunately, in some places it is not uncommon for moms to strap themselves and their young children into the same seat belt when riding in taxis. 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 doesn’t even come close to fitting them right when they use it by them self.”
It depends. RVs present some unique challenges, design features and benefits. Lets start with the challenges:
A few things about about RVs and their design:
You are welcome to call us at 844-421-SAFE (7233) or chat with us online to discuss your specific vehicle.
For Canadian resident: Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) do not address vests and harnesses for children being transported in motor vehicles. Since there are no prescribed protocols for testing, there is no opportunity for the manufacturer to seek the National Safety Mark (NSM). CMVSS 213.3 (501-523) does however, address custom restraint systems for children with special needs. (Information provided by Transport Canada and seen on their website under the “Special Needs” heading of the Safety Standards.)
It is with due diligence that we are informing you that Transport Canada (TC) permits the sale of our vests to Canadians under the CMVSS 213.3 provisions. We are required to notify you that a child should possess a prescription from a physician that states the Ride Safer Travel Vest is a more suitable option for the child being transported in the motor vehicle.
We do not need the prescription for the purchase, it would be for you to present should the legality ever be questioned during a traffic stop. An additional letter and prescription form should accompany your shipment. If for some reason our warehouse missed your order, please download a copy here.
For those traveling to Canada: Please see”What if I’m just traveling internationally?”
For European residents: Technically the RideSafer Delight has not been certified for use in Europe.
We used to have an EU version that came with a booster seat but the manufacturer made came out with the new model, RideSafer Delight, and has not yet certified it. We have been told the manufacturer will be certifying the Delight, likely in combination with the Delighter Booster as Europe standards require a child be elevated. We do not know the timeframe for this.
For those traveling to Europe: Please see”What if I’m just traveling internationally?”
Fore residents of UK: Technically the RideSafer Delight has not been certified for use in Europe.
We used to have an EU version that came with a booster seat but the manufacturer made came out with the new model, RideSafer Delight, and has not yet certified it. We have been told the manufacturer will be certifying the Delight, likely in combination with the Delighter Booster as Europe standards require a child be elevated. We do not know the timeframe for this.
For those traveling to the UK: Please see”What if I’m just traveling internationally?”
For residents of Australia and New Zealand: Unfortunately, the RideSafer Travel Vest is not currently approved for use in Australia nor is it labled with the New Zealand “S” mark for use in New Zealand.
For those traveling to Australia or New Zealand: