Travel Carseat

[sillygoosegirl]

My kid is 4 years old and 37 pounds. My parents will be flying with her and renting a car, and want to know what to do about a carseat. Seems like there are a ton of good options at 40 pounds (BubbleBum, Mifold, every other booster seat ever), but for smaller kids, there's pretty much just the RideSafer Vest, which is pretty expensive. Any other options I should know about?

[huskymom]

We use an Evenflo Tribute - very lightweight. Easy to install. My 4 year old is similarly sized and not tall. (41” maybe?)

[minionkevin]

Cosco Finale.
She needs to be harnessed, no matter her weight, due to maturity. Most kids aren’t ready for a booster until closer to 6, but 5 is an absolute minimum (even if your state law, law of the state you’re traveling to, etc. is a minimum of age 4)

[IndiaInk]

We just got the RideSafer Vest for my 4 year old who weighs 37.5 lbs She's very proud of that .5 lb. I haven't tried it out yet, but we do a fair bit of traveling and I don't want to have to tote 2 carseats all by myself through international airports when I'm traveling alone.

I am a bit of a car seat safety nut so I researched the heck out of this vest. It sounds totally safe and legal in the US for this age and weight and it's well-reviewed and recommended by all the reputable car seat safety blogs. I'm looking forward to trying it out on our trip next week.

[VillainV]

We used the RideSafer Vest last time, but borrowed it from my sister. Nephew is 4.5/38 pounds or so, C is 4.5/48 pounds. It was fine. I think an inexpensive harnessed booster (Cosco) or similar would be fine too.

[pooh8402]

We use an Evenflo Tribute for my 3.5 yo as his grandparent seat, and would use it as his travel seat if needed. He's 3.5 yo, 36 or 37 inches tall, 32 pounds, and has room to grow in the seat. It's a convertible but really lightweight and easy to install.

We have used a CARES harness on the plane for him.

[magneta]

I just bought a Cosco Finale for our upcoming trip . It was about $40 at Walmart and is super light. I originally was going to go for the Evenflo Maestro Sport because it's also super light (around $60-$80) but the Cosco had a higher height limit and I feel like we are only going to use it a few times for travel. Both are recommended on Car Seats for the Littles.

[ktstorm]

We have the RideSafer Vest and it works really well. We bought it for for DS1 after DS2 was born, and we did our first trip with two regular car seats. He loved it, and I liked that it could be easily packed into my carryon. We bought the small, when he was 4, and it still fits him at almost 7.

ETA: we bought it because we travel a decent amount, and sometimes I fly by myself with the kids, so we were looking to streamline the process. If you won't be travelling a lot and/or the adults always outnumber the kids, picking a light harnessed booster is probably the better and cheaper option. 

[jr009j]

We have an immi go which also isn’t the cheapest option, but we use it in DH’s car too because he can easily keep it in his trunk and install as needed.

[hbomdiggity]

I got the Costco finale when I realized my 3yo reached the max weight of the scenera.

[longtimenopost]

Yup. Cosco finale. Keep the box and check it in the original box (safest way to check a car seat to minimize damage). Throw some packing tape in with it. When you get to destination, flatten the box then build it back up to come home.

[lo]

We use the Immi Go but it’s not cheap. We use it every day in my Dad’s car and will take it traveling, though.

[minionkevin]

Jan 17, 2019 12:08:22 GMT -5 longtimenopost said:

Yup. Cosco finale. Keep the box and check it in the original box (safest way to check a car seat to minimize damage). Throw some packing tape in with it. When you get to destination, flatten the box then build it back up to come home.

It’s not safe for a kid under 40lb to go without a car seat on a plane as that is when the belt just starts to fit. So OP will not want to check a seat.

[steamboat185]

We have the ridersafe vest. We travel a decent bit and it’s definitely been a good purchase for us.

[clseale]

Jan 17, 2019 12:41:12 GMT -5 minionkevin said:

Jan 17, 2019 12:08:22 GMT -5 longtimenopost said:

Yup. Cosco finale. Keep the box and check it in the original box (safest way to check a car seat to minimize damage). Throw some packing tape in with it. When you get to destination, flatten the box then build it back up to come home.

It’s not safe for a kid under 40lb to go without a car seat on a plane as that is when the belt just starts to fit. So OP will not want to check a seat.

Can she not use a CARES harness? They say 1yr
+ and 22-44lbs. (I was just looking at them for when we take dd to Switzerland.)

[minionkevin]

Jan 17, 2019 13:38:14 GMT -5 clseale said:

Jan 17, 2019 12:41:12 GMT -5 minionkevin said:

It’s not safe for a kid under 40lb to go without a car seat on a plane as that is when the belt just starts to fit. So OP will not want to check a seat.

Can she not use a CARES harness? They say 1 yr and 22lbs+

It doesn’t solve the issue of a seat for a rental car.
csftl.org/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-the-csftl-guide-to-safe-air-travel-with-children/#caresharness
Also the RSTV isn’t compatible with airplane use per the FAA.

“Caregivers often ask about the safety of the CARES airplane harness. The problem with the CARES is that it really only fits children on the larger end of its 44 lb weight limit. It does nothing to reposition the lap belt, and smaller toddlers can easily slip right under it. However, its 40 inch height limit means that only a very small number of children will be at a height and weight where it works. It is a viable option for this small subset of children, but only if you will not need to bring a car seat to your destination.”

[clseale]

Jan 17, 2019 13:40:05 GMT -5 minionkevin said:

Jan 17, 2019 13:38:14 GMT -5 clseale said:

Can she not use a CARES harness? They say 1 yr and 22lbs+

It doesn’t solve the issue of a seat for a rental car.
csftl.org/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-the-csftl-guide-to-safe-air-travel-with-children/#caresharness
Also the RSTV isn’t compatible with airplane use per the FAA.

“Caregivers often ask about the safety of the CARES airplane harness. The problem with the CARES is that it really only fits children on the larger end of its 44 lb weight limit. It does nothing to reposition the lap belt, and smaller toddlers can easily slip right under it. However, its 40 inch height limit means that only a very small number of children will be at a height and weight where it works. It is a viable option for this small subset of children, but only if you will not need to bring a car seat to your destination.”

Yeah, I just know some people (if it’s safe) would rather use a harness on a plane and check the car seats. This was actually helpful for me, though! We won’t need a car seat, and dd will fit in the sweet spot of weight and height for the harness. Good to know!

[longtimenopost]

Jan 17, 2019 12:41:12 GMT -5 minionkevin said:

Jan 17, 2019 12:08:22 GMT -5 longtimenopost said:

Yup. Cosco finale. Keep the box and check it in the original box (safest way to check a car seat to minimize damage). Throw some packing tape in with it. When you get to destination, flatten the box then build it back up to come home.

It’s not safe for a kid under 40lb to go without a car seat on a plane as that is when the belt just starts to fit. So OP will not want to check a seat.

Sure, that would be safest. But we travel regularly and I've never seen any kids other than babies in car seats on airplanes (besides our kids at 2 after which we stopped bringing them on planes). I just didn't imagine OPs parents lugging a car seat through the airport. It's still a risk, but less risky than not using one in a car!

[pooh8402]

Jan 17, 2019 12:41:12 GMT -5 minionkevin said:

Jan 17, 2019 12:08:22 GMT -5 longtimenopost said:

Yup. Cosco finale. Keep the box and check it in the original box (safest way to check a car seat to minimize damage). Throw some packing tape in with it. When you get to destination, flatten the box then build it back up to come home.

It’s not safe for a kid under 40lb to go without a car seat on a plane as that is when the belt just starts to fit. So OP will not want to check a seat.

It is safe to use an FAA approved harness like CARES. One can check the seat safely.

Is it BEST practice? Nah. But it's more realistic for many families. I'm all about teaching best practices but also allowing families to make the best decision for them. I personally am a CPST who checks the seat and uses CARES.

[minionkevin]

Jan 17, 2019 14:46:42 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

Jan 17, 2019 12:41:12 GMT -5 minionkevin said:

It’s not safe for a kid under 40lb to go without a car seat on a plane as that is when the belt just starts to fit. So OP will not want to check a seat.

It is safe to use an FAA approved harness like CARES. One can check the seat safely.

Is it BEST practice? Nah. But it's more realistic for many families. I'm all about teaching best practices but also allowing families to make the best decision for them. I personally am a CPST who checks the seat and uses CARES.

Except I quoted the part above how CARES has a limited window where it is actually safe to use vs. the stated sizes/ages that can use it. My 4yo never could have used it safely - too tall relative to weight. My larger 2.5 year old can/could right now but not for much longer. And, again, a CARES doesn’t solve the issue of needing a car seat at the destination.

[pooh8402]

Jan 17, 2019 15:36:01 GMT -5 minionkevin said:

Jan 17, 2019 14:46:42 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

It is safe to use an FAA approved harness like CARES. One can check the seat safely.

Is it BEST practice? Nah. But it's more realistic for many families. I'm all about teaching best practices but also allowing families to make the best decision for them. I personally am a CPST who checks the seat and uses CARES.

Except I quoted the part above how CARES has a limited window where it is actually safe to use vs. the stated sizes/ages that can use it. My 4yo never could have used it safely - too tall relative to weight. My larger 2.5 year old can/could right now but not for much longer. And, again, a CARES doesn’t solve the issue of needing a car seat at the destination.

Like I said one can check a car seat safely. So there is the issue of thr destination car seat solved.


This harness has been tested at its stated height and weight limits, and I trust it for my child. I love CSFTL, they're my favorite resource, but I don't take everything they say as written in stone.

[formerlyak]

We use the Immi Go in rental cars and Uber and it’s great.

[sillygoosegirl]

We decided to go ahead and get the RideSafer Vest even though it's expensive. I think it'll be handy in the future for the flexibility to carpool/Lyft. Don't know if that'll really happen, but I do like the idea of being able to carry the option with me. I'm super skeptical of the claim that kids aren't safe in booster seats at this age, but who knows how long it'll take my kid to get to 40 pounds anyway and we can afford it.

[kershnic]

My kids are almost 5. We’ve used bubble bums for short distances when an adult could sit in between them, but no way in hell could they sit still enough for any substantial ride to make them fully safe.

We have never bothered with car seats on planes. 🤷‍♀️

[VillainV]

Jan 20, 2019 15:12:07 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

We decided to go ahead and get the RideSafer Vest even though it's expensive. I think it'll be handy in the future for the flexibility to carpool/Lyft. Don't know if that'll really happen, but I do like the idea of being able to carry the option with me. I'm super skeptical of the claim that kids aren't safe in booster seats at this age, but who knows how long it'll take my kid to get to 40 pounds anyway and we can afford it.

You think kids ARE or AREN'T safe in booster seats at that age?   I can tell you that my 49 lb 4.5 year old is getting close to being able to ditch the harness and go to a high-back booster.  He sits up straight and doesn't fall asleep.  However, he's tall and has a long torso, so he'll probably exceed the top slot of the harness sometime this year.  We'll probably keep him in the harness for maybe 7 more months until he starts school, because it will make the school drop off/pickup line a lot easier if he can just buckle himself in with a seatbelt.  But maybe by then he'll be able to buckle the harness, in which case we'll keep him in the harness until he exceeds the top slot.  Some younger kids may be mature enough, but it seems like 5 is probably more realistic (and many people keep their kids in the harness for much longer).  

[minionkevin]

csftl.org/harness-or-booster/
Maybe it’s just me but traveling on unfamiliar roads - even if it is a destination your parents go to frequently, it is still not the same as roads at home you are on daily - or with drivers you don’t know, like in an uber/lyft situation, I would want my 4-5, maybe even 6 year old harnessed, not in a regular booster. I think the RSTV is a good compromise that helps in a bunch of situations, including this one.