Free Shipping on All Orders over $99!

Eliminate indecision with Return Shipping Insurance

Safe Traffic Systems Ride Safer Vest

$124.99 - $129.99

Free Shipping on this item!

Options / Availability

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
Add to Cart

We Also Highly Recommend...

  •  
  • Snack Trap
  •  
  • Casey and His Friends
  •  
  • JJ Cole Essentials Blanket

Additional Options

Our Review of the Safe Traffic Systems Ride Safer Vest

The law in many states requires that children up to 8 years old ride with some type of restraint system, but booster seats can be a bit of a pain to use - they're often bulky, heavy, and awkward. Plus, some kids hate having to ride in them, considering any such seat a "baby seat" that they're far too old and sophisticated to ride in.

Recognizing that some type of safe restraint is needed for older kids, and that boosters can be less than ideal for both parents and kids, Safe Travel Systems Inc (STS) decided to find an alternative. The result of their research was the RideSafer Travel Vest - easy to install, simple to carry, handle, and store - and kids think it's cool!

Essentially, the RideSafer Travel Vest System is a "wearable booster seat," which works by safely repositioning the car's adult seat belt on your child. In the event of an accident, the vest distributes crash forces over a wide area, while safely holding your child in place. The vest is simple to buckle on, and putting it into the car is as simple as buckling your child with the car's seat belt, and then slipping the lap and shoulder belts into the guides. The RideSafer can be used in the left, right, or center rear seats, moves easily from vehicle to vehicle on your children, and best of all, it meets or exceeds all standards of the FMVSS 213 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard).

The RideSafer Travel vest does not carry an expiraton like most car seats. Most car seats have plastic components that break down and so must be discarded after a certain period of time. The Ride Safer Travel vest does not have load-bearing plastic components, and so can be used for years to come.

All in all, I'd say that STS is not exaggerating when they call the RideSafer Travel Vest a "Revolutionary Child Restraint System."

*Note: The RideSafer Travel Vest includes a headrest that can be velcroed onto the vest for added support. This is for comfort while the child sleeps, NOT safety. If your toddler's seat in your vehicle has no headrest, then you need a high-back booster seat. Placing them in a seat without a headrest is unsafe, and the RideSafer Travel Vest's head support is NOT a viable substitute. 

**Available in two sizes: Small: 35 - 60 lbs  /  Large: 50 - 80 lbs

Brad's RideSafer Vest Review:

When this product first came to me, I admit I was pretty skeptical. My kid's going to enjoy walking around in this thing? The models in the photos on the box were a bit too happy. But like all products we get, I put it to the test with my now 4 year old son Huck.

From the get go, he loved it. He was running around in it. Good start. We got on a road trip for the weekend in my Saab convertible, and brought my regular booster in the trunk - just in case. His buddy was next to him in a car seat, and since he was sitting much higher than Huck, I thought for sure he wouldn't like the vest after long.

But I was wrong. He was proud of the RideSafer Vest. He actually felt older, because he didn't have a "car seat." He also slept well - I propped a pillow next to him and he was able to lean into it with his seatbelt on, much like an adult would sleep wearing in a seat belt. I never had to pull out the regular booster once during the 12 hours of road tripping over the weekend. Overall, I'm very impressed, and would certainly travel with it.

The main downside to it is that it's not super easy to get it hooked into the car quickly. To lean into the back seat of a small 2 seater car and put this on is a bit difficult. You have to make sure the belt gets in place properly, which takes a little effort. I wouldn't say its hard to do, but it's just not quite as simple as a traditional booster seat.

 

  • Safe Traffic Systems RideSafe Vest
    RideSafer Vest on Child
  • Safe Traffic Systems RideSafe Vest
    RideSafer Vest in Car
  • Blue
    Blue
  • Without headrest
    Without headrest
  • Side view
    Side view
  • Side view without headrest
    Side view without headrest
  • Pink
    Pink
Pink
Click here to download instruction manual. (Adobe Reader required)

Car seat specs

Min child weight
35 lbs.
Max child weight
80 lbs.
Min child weight - Forward Facing mode
35 lbs.
Max child weight - Forward facing mode
80 lbs.
Minimum weight for booster mode
35 lbs.
Min child height
38"
Max child height
57"
Min child height - Forward facing mode
38"
Min height for booster use
38"

Car seat dimensions

Product weight
4.8 lbs.
Seat Base / Foot Width
n/a
Seat height
n/a
Interior seat width
n/a
Interior seat back height
n/a
Bottom to lowest harness slot
n/a
Bottom to highest harness slot
n/a
 
  • Includes Travel Vest, removable headrest, tether assembly, and crotch belt
  • Safe in any back seat - left, right, or middle.
  • Lap belt guides keep lap belt in proper position, away from vital abdominal organs
  • Removable, height-adjustable head pillow
  • Soft foam padding for comfort and force distribution in event of accident
  • Energy-absorbing tether rings and shoulder belt positioners
  • Reflective safety trim
  • Vest weighs only 2.5 lbs
  • Easy 1-2-3 step installation

    Pros:
  • Easy to travel with, fits in a suitcase much easier than any seat.
  • Nice head rest
  • Child sits lower, making it safer in a convertible.
  • Works with older cars with lap belt only seats, (with a tether)
  • Allows for room with other kids

    Cons:
  • A bit of a hassle for quick in and outs, as it takes a minute or 2 to put it on.
  • Child sits low, and can't see out as much.

    • Safe Traffic Systems Ride Safer Vest Reviews

    Safe Traffic Systems Ride Safer Travel Vest

    All Customer Reviews

    Average Rating:
    Star Rating
    Highest Rating:
    Star Rating
    Lowest Rating:
    Star Rating
    Number of Reviews:
    12
    Distribution of Ratings
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Distibution of Ratings
    Submit A Review
    Showing 1 to 9 of 12
    View All

    poor fit for a skinny kid

    3
    Reviewer: Anonymous , FBKS, alaska Date: March 03, 2010
    I bought a large for my 50 lb 50 inch 7 1/2 yo and it is hugely wide across the chest and in the shoulders to the point that I don't feel that it is safe to use. I was reluctant to buy a small because dd would be so close to the max height and weight limits but perhaps a small would have fit better. Also, I didn't feel that it positioned the lap belt on dd as shown in the photos. It does put it across her hips but just barely such that I'm not entirely sure that it's safe. Very nicely made though and would likely be OK for a plumper child.
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
    Was this review helpful? Yes No

    great for carpool and tight spaces

    4
    Reviewer: Thanksgiving Twins Mom , SF Bay Area, CA Date: December 07, 2009
    I bought this because the center of the back seat of my Honda Civic has a lap-only belt and I wanted to have a restraint that would allow me to safely transport a third booster-age child along with my 8YO twins. It works great for that purpose- fits between their Britax Parkway boosters and I just leave it buckled and tucked out of the way when it's not being used. I've been using the small vest the past year and a half and will be purchasing a large one soon because one of my girls is nearing the 60 lb. weight limit of the small vest. While I wouldn't choose this as a primary restraint (my girls find their high back boosters to be more comfortable, and they can also buckle and unbuckle the boosters themselves - they need a little help buckling and unbuckling the vest buckles), it does a great job of filling a "niche" for a portable, easy to transport booster seat alternative that fits in tight spaces and can be safely used with a lap belt and top tether anchor. It takes a bit more work to buckle than a belt-positioning booster but not as much work as installing a harnessed child seat.
    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
    Was this review helpful? Yes No

    Love the Vest

    5
    Reviewer: Anonymous , Oroville, Ca Date: April 03, 2009
    I bought this for my son he is very low tone and needs trunk support. He has a special needs car seat but needed something to ride in other cars. When we got it I placed it on him and went to the Highway Patrol office to make sure everything was OK. They said it was a great fit and safer than a regular booster seat. I bought the smaller one for my daughter and had it checked also for fit and safety. Both kids love their vests.
    6 of 6 people found this review helpful
    Was this review helpful? Yes No

    Great Travel Vest

    5
    Reviewer: Anonymous , Rochester, NY Date: March 10, 2009
    What a great buy these vests were. I bought 2 for my kids that we took on cruise vacation last week. I was able to fit them both in a backpack, which i carried on the plane and easily took on and off the ship in the different ports of call. How much nicer than toting around car or booster seats!
    3 of 3 people found this review helpful
    Was this review helpful? Yes No

    Didn't work for us

    1
    Reviewer: Anonymous , Monroe, WA Date: September 10, 2008
    We bought this to use on a trip where we would be flying and in several different vehicles. The directions where not as straight forward as directions for a carseat. For example, in some senarios it needs to be tethered, but not tethered in others. It never seemed very tight on our child, and her dresses were crumpled by the strap between her legs. Turns out we couldn't use it in any of the vehicles we rode in during our 2 week trip. We ended up buying a booster seat just for use while we were there. It was frustrating, to say the least. Part of the problem was that we were riding in vehicles without anchors to teether to, and our daughter was just barely tall enough to use the vest in the first place. I am sure it is usefull for some, but I prefer a foldable booster set.
    7 of 9 people found this review helpful
    Was this review helpful? Yes No

    Excellent and well designed product!

    4
    Reviewer: Kylie , New York, NY Date: May 07, 2007
    This is an excellent and well designed product. We constantly use taxis in New York (where we live) and travel frequently, and were not comfortable with our 4 year old using the adult seatbelt without a booster. We have used this vest numerous times and I am very happy with the ease of use and its apparent safety. We use the lap belt and the top tether in a taxi and my son seems very secure. He also likes wearing it. Regards Kylie
    17 of 17 people found this review helpful
    Was this review helpful? Yes No

    Great for travel and carpooling

    5
    Reviewer: Tracey , Woodland Hills, CA Date: November 01, 2005
    I bought this for my 4-yr-old daughter for a vacation and it is one of the best investments I've made. She loves to use it because she's not in a car seat plus it fits in our carry on bag for the plane and allows enough room for a third person in the car. We also use it for carpooling and between the grandparents' cars.
    17 of 18 people found this review helpful
    Was this review helpful? Yes No

    Fantastic System

    5
    Reviewer: Paul Sutters , Ohio Date: November 01, 2005
    I use the on my 8 yr old Son he loves it. Its his big boy car seat to keep him safe he says. Buy it you wont be dispionted...
    7 of 8 people found this review helpful
    Was this review helpful? Yes No

    Easy to use in and out of different vehicles.

    4
    Reviewer: Wendy A , Bono, AR Date: November 01, 2005
    I purchased this just before we flew to Michigan. It was such a breeze on the planes. My special needs child wore it through the plane terminals so I wasn't carrying a big diaper bag, a car seat and misc items while traveling out of state. I had no worries if this vest was going to work in my friend's car, my son's Jeep or their Durango. It takes up minimal space (the size of the child) so you can sit 3 on a bench seat which is nearly impossible to do with a traditional car seat. My ONLY complaint is that the shoulder clasp doesn't allow enough movement for easy placement of the car's shoulder restraint belt. A minor adjustment to that and it would be perfect. NOW if I could get my child to NOT help me buckle her in it would be awesome. I had no worries whether she could manipulate the clasps and get out of the vest, which was why I needed to switch from a traditional car seat.
    11 of 11 people found this review helpful
    Was this review helpful? Yes No
    View All

    Similar Products

    Homepage > Safe Traffic Systems Ride Safer Travel Vest