Ride Safer Travel Vest

tl01 · Feb 2, 2010

Okay.. I've asked about it before... but I'm really considering it now. Is this really a reasonable choice for a 4.25 year old who is 42 lbs (right now before he has turned 4)? I want a safe alternative for him for when traveling but don't want to compromise his safety. He will be in a seat that has a tether and shoulder belt always. I will try to sit him away from the doors whenever possible. What are we sacrificing by using this instead of a traditional seat?

Evolily · Feb 2, 2010

The only thing you are sacrificing is a shell (which is why many people don't like to use them outboard without side curtain airbags). It essentially functions as a forward facing 5 point harness.

ketchupqueen · Feb 2, 2010

You're also sacrificing a wee bit of convenience. Some people find it onerous to put in and out. Safety wise you're not losing much, and in some types of crashes may gain something.

tl01 · Feb 2, 2010

Is it hard each time it is used? Can you leave it partially installed when the child gets out? Can't imagine it would be too much for a week long trip and then trips to my parents home when I take the train... 5 days at a time. My parent's cars have side curtains but he'd be in the middle there. My rental for my possible summer trip I'm not sure about but I'd try to have him in the middle there too. We will rent either a minivan or premium level car so it will be a big car. So please reassure me that in the middle position this is better than a booster. I am willing to bring a seat if that is the better choice. Convenience is nice
but never my priority.

ketchupqueen · Feb 2, 2010

If you're using a lap belt you can leave it threaded through part way and hanging by the tether. If you're using lap/shoulder with tether same thing but it's more to do and undo each time.

It's absolutely safer in the middle than a booster for a kid who is not ready to sit still all the time in a booster. It's equal for a kid who is fully ready for a booster, except maybe in some kinds of crashes the lower profile makes it even safer as they don't travel as far.

tl01 · Feb 2, 2010

Thanks for the info. It's a hard choice
bc a booster wouldn't be the choice if he wasn't in the vest. He'd likely
be in a Radian instead.

Ride Safer Travel Vest

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