Although it’s generally preferable for children to ride in a conventional car seat whenever possible, the following adaptive child restraints are available to meet the transportation needs of children with certain conditions. All products listed meet FMVSS 213; click “Product Summary” to learn further details, including availability in Canada. The listing is organized by type, so some models that serve multiple functions are listed twice.
This product information has been provided to Safe Ride News Publications by the manufacturers and, as needed, will be updated as directed by them. In addition, you can click on “Manufacturer’s Website” to leave this website and visit the manufacturer’s page.
Car Beds
Car beds are crash-tested devices for children who may only ride when lying flat due to prematurity or other medical conditions. Children should transition to a rear-facing car seat as soon as a doctor says they can safely ride in a semi-reclined position.
Angel Ride
Merritt Manufacturing
Weight: birth–9 lbs. (4.1kg)
Height: up to 21.5 in. (54.6 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Hope Car Bed
Merritt Manufacturing
Weight: 4.5–35 lbs. (2.0–15.9 kg)
Height: 13–29 in. (33.0–73.7 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Dreamride Car Bed
Safety 1st (Dorel)
Weight: 5–20 lbs. (2.3–9 kg)
Height: up to 26 in. (66 cm)
Product Summary (including use limits in Canada, which differ)
Manufacturer’s Website
Child Restraints with a High Harness Weight Limit
(child weight > 65 lbs./29.48 kgs)
These products provide the upper-body support of a five-point harness for children who need this form of restraint beyond the weight limits of a conventional car seat. Some of seats models offer anti-escape accessories to prevent children from unbuckling during a ride. These products offer additional supportive and positioning accessories, as well.
Special Tomato MPS, Small
Bergeron
Weight: 20–80 lbs. (9–36 kg)
Height: 28–52 in. (71–132 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Spirit
Inspired by Drive
Weight: 25–130 lbs. (11.34-58.97 kg)
Height: up to 66 in. (167.6 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Roosevelt
Merritt Manufacturing
Weight: 35–115 lbs. (15.9–52.2 kg)
Height: 33.5–62 in. (85.1–157.5cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Special Tomato MPS, Large
Bergeron
Weight: 80–130 lbs. (9–59 kg)
Height: at least 45 in. (114 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Spirit Plus
Inspired by Drive
Weight: 25–130 lbs. (11.34–58.97 kg)
Height: up to 66 in. (167.6 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Child Restraints for Casted Children
The following products accommodate certain types of casts that are incompatible with a child’s everyday car seat (for instance, a hip spica cast, arm cast, or full-body cast). IMPORTANT: Use the child’s casted weight when considering weight limits.
Hope Car Bed
Merritt Manufacturing
Weight: 4.5–35 lbs. (2.0–15.9 kg)
Height: 13–29 in. (33.0–73.7 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Spirit Spica
Inspired by Drive
Weight: 25–130 lbs. (11.34–58.97 kg)
Height: up to 66 in. (167.6 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Laydown Vest (2 sizes)
EZ-On
Weight: 22–106 lbs. (10-48 kg)
Height: any height
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Wallenburg
Merritt Manufacturing
Weight: RF 5–40 lbs (2.3–18.1 kg); FF 27–80 lbs. (12.2–36.3 kg)
Height: up to 60 in. (152.4 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Boosters and Belt Positioners with Supplemental Upper-Body Support
These products add a positional/support harness for children who are large and mature enough to ride in a booster seat (in which the seat belt provides the restraint). Most products offer additional supportive and positioning accessories, as well. (Note: The child MUST also wear a lap-shoulder belt over the product’s harness; the harness provides positional support but is not load-bearing.)
Carrot 3 Child Restraint (booster)
Etac
Weight: 30–108 lbs. (13.6–48.98 kg)
Height: 37–60 in. (93.98–153.40 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Churchill w/ Positioning Vest and/or Harness
Merritt Manufacturing
Weight: 44–175 lbs. (20–79.4 kg)
Height: 44–72 in. (111.8-182.9 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Defender Reha (in booster mode)
Thomashilfen
Weight: 30–110 lbs. (13.6–50.0 kg)
Height: 34–57 in. (86.4–144.8 cm)
Product Summary (including use limits in Canada, which differ)
Manufacturer’s Website
Hercules Small
Thomashilfen
Weight: 40 lbs–110.2 lbs (18.1– 50 kg)
Height: 39.4–59 in. (100–150 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Carrot 3 Booster Seat
Etac
Weight: 79–165 lbs. (35.83–74.84 kg)
Height: 55–69 in. (139.7–175.26 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Recaro Monza Nova 2 Reha
Thomashilfen
Weight: 33–110 lbs. (15–50 kg)
Height: 37–59 in. (94–150 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Hercules Prime
Thomashilfen
Weight: 40 lbs–176.4 lbs (18.1– 80 kg)
Height: 51.1–70.9 in. (130–180 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Soft Touch Booster, Small
Bergeron
Weight: 51 lbs–90 lbs (23–40.8 kg)
Height: 40–56 in. (102–142 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Soft Touch Booster, Large
Bergeron
Weight: 81 lbs–130 lbs (37–59 kg)
Height: 50–65 in. (127–165 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Vests
Vests are webbing (and sometimes also fabric) systems that wrap around the child’s body, providing positional support. When using a vest, the child is seated on the vehicle seat (not a plastic shell) and the vest is attached to vehicle anchorage points. Vests typically allow use at higher weight limits than conventional car seats and some provide anti-escape features to prevent children from unbuckling during a ride. Order/use a crotch strap with a vest whenever possible to ensure the child does not slouch out of position. (Note: Vests used in passenger vehicles MUST also be used with a vehicle seat belt.)
MAXPV
EZ-ON
Weight: 31–168 lbs. (14.1-76.2 kg)
Height: any height
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
303Z Vest
EZ-ON
Weight: 31–168 lbs. (14.1-76.2 kg)
Height: any height
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Moore Support Vest
BESI
Weight: at least 65 lbs. (29.4 kg)
Height: any height
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Ride Safer Travel Vest—Gen 5, Large
Safe Traffic System
Weight: 50–80 lbs. (22.7–36.3 kg)
Height: 45–57 in. (114–144.8 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
403 PB Vest
EZ-On
Weight: 31–168 lbs. (14.1-76.2 kg)
Height: any height
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Ride Safer Travel Vest—Gen 5, Small
Safe Traffic System
Weight: 30–60 lbs. (15–25 kg)
Height: 34–50 in. (86.4–127 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Ride Safer Travel Vest—Gen 5, X-Large
Safe Traffic System
Weight: 80–110 lbs. (36–50 kg)
Height: 47–62 in. (119.4–157.5 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Other Child Restraints for Special Needs
These products meet specialized transportation needs for children with certain conditions, but cannot be categorized with the others listed.
Chamberlain
Merritt Manufacturing
Weight: 81–225 lbs. (36.3–102.1 kg)
Height: any height
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Jefferson
Merritt Manufacturing
Weight: 7.5–40 lbs. (3.4–18.1 kg)
Height: 19–37 in. (48.3–94.0 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website
Defender Reha (in harness mode)
Thomashilfen
Weight: 22–65 lbs. (10–29.5 kg)
Height: 27–57 in. (68.6–144.8 cm)
Product Summary
Manufacturer’s Website