RideSafer Travel Vest

This seat only weighs 1.5 lbs and comes with a backpack to carry it in. This makes it the lightest option available for booster age kids. It works well in most vehicles and is easy to use after some practice.

This seat is much smaller than a traditional car seat or booster. You can easily pack it into your carry-on luggage so that you can have it ready upon arrival in your destination. It’s also easy to carry around if you’ll be mostly using public transportation instead of renting a vehicle.

You can’t get anything smaller than this vest. If you have a tight 3 across situation, it may work well to have your oldest child in the center seat with this vest. In most vehicles, this would allow you to have 2 narrow car seats in the outboard seating positions. For other 3 across car seat options, check out our post here.

Occasionally we see kids reaching 65 pounds before they are old enough or mature enough for a high back booster. In these circumstances, we find that the Ride Safer Travel Vest is a good option since there are no longer any conventional car seats that harness a child above 65 pounds. The vest has an optional top tether that can be used to keep the child sitting upright. You are also allowed to lock the seat belt if needed.

We don’t recommend using it below 5 years of age in most circumstances, but there are some exceptions. If your child has reached 65 pounds and they are below 5 years of age, this vest is a better choice than a booster since it does have the top tether anchor to help keep them in place. If you are using Ubers/Lyfts and will sit by the child at all times, the Ride Safer Travel Vest may work for a child younger than 5 as well. It would depend on the child and if they are able to sit properly with constant reminders or not. Wayb Pico may be a better option for younger children; you can see our review of that seat here.

The Ride Safer Travel Vest is not as easy to use as a traditional harness car seat or booster. With some practice, an older child should be able to get themselves in and out of the vest. BuHowever,randparents and other caregivers may find this vest challenging to use in comparison to other options.

This seat has many advantages over conventional seats like its ability to work in most 3 across situations, its lightweight design and its higher weight limit. However, placing a child in it can be a bit challenging initially than a harness seat is. Though with practice, it becomes more manageable over time.