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:
The manufacturer has released the Delighter Booster that has been crash tested with generation 3 and Delight models of the RideSafer and can be used with it for those younger children who wish to see out the window.
Some parents like that their child can see out the window and complained that their child couldn’t using just the RideSafer. Plus Europe and a very few states require children be “elevated”. So having a safe booster seat option that is crash tested with the RideSafer was a way for more flexibility and worldwide acceptance.
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.
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/
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 current model, RideSafer Delight, vest combines the tetherablity of the old model RideSafer 2 and the adjustability of the old model RideSafer 3 in one vest.
The old model did have two versions. The main differences between the two was the allowed mode of use:
Version 2:
Version 3:
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.
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.
On the younger side, we would recommend being at least 3 for developmental and behavioral reasons. 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.
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 his body with the harness or vest/seat belt and his head is being thrust forward, dependent upon his neck to hold back his disproportionally large head. The potential for injury is virtually the same.
However, using the vest for a younger child would be outside the manufacturers specifications. Some states legally require caregivers to use a child restraint according to manufacturer’s specifications. Of course, if the issue is using the vest or nothing at all, we certainly would rather have him in the vest for safety.
For children older than 8 but still less than 80 pounds, on this side the age is more of an average than a recommendation. The bigger size kids can wear the vest to the upper weight limit just like other child restraints.
The 8-year-old limit is based on lap-only with tether strap usage.
We used the vest with our oldest child until he passed the 5-step test at 9.5 years old.
Even though this would technically be outside manufacturer specs, if the parent understands the design limits, continuing to use the vest would be a parental choice. If you are using a lap-shoulder belt and your child is over 80 pounds and the vest still fits your child, meaning the lower flaps are horizontal on the child’s lap and the shoulder clip is holding the seat belt mid-chest/mid-shoulder, the lap-shoulder seat belt will restrain the child until the child can pass the 5-step seat belt test.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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 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 50-80 pounds is the largest available at this time. The Large (50-80 pounds) covers many children in the 6-10 year old or older range. Many children start to fit in the vehicles seat belt when they reach 4 foot 9 inches.
The manufacturer is looking into what their sales volume would be and if we could make an Extra Large size available at a reasonable cost. However, it may take a year or two in development.
We believe the RideSafer® is a fabulous option when traveling with children who are within the age and size limits of the 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.”
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.
Restraints certified in the U.S. are usually not certified in other countries and visa versa as there are slightly different standards every where. Typically when traveling parents are allowed to bring their usual child restraint. In our combined 25+ years as car seat technicians, we have not heard of anyone being ticketed for using a car seat from a different country while they were traveling.
Transport Canada does not address vests in their Safety Standards. Since the vest is to be used without a booster seat, it requires a prescription for legal use in Canada, specifically for children with special needs. It is our understanding that the child’s physician may issue the prescription. (Information provided by Transport Canada and seen on their website under the “Special Needs” heading of the Safety Standards.)
The “laws of physics” don’t change at the border. There are many families who currently own the vest in Canada. Some but not all owners in Canada have gone the prescription route and some have just purchased it. We do not need the prescription, it would be for you to present should the legality ever be questioned during a traffic stop.
With the release of the Delighter Booster, the RideSafer manufacturer, may go through the measures of getting the Delighter and RideSafer certified as a combo in Canada. We will keep this updated if/when that happens.
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.
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.
Unfortunately, the RideSafer Travel Vest is not currently approved for use in Australia or New Zealand.