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2009 Booster Seats compared – Britax Parkway SG
We’re doing a roundup of car seats unveiled at the 2009 ABC Kids show, the major annual convention for baby and kids products.
This year, the biggest story on car seats in general was in side impact head protection. While car seats have made major advances, this is still an area where more technology can save young lives. There were also at least 2 new seats developed to evolve with a child from 20 pounds to 100.
In this series, we will look at the following seats:
1. Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 (previously reviewed)
2. Britax Parkway SG
3. Safety 1st Complete Air car seat with Air Protect
4. Evenflo Symphony 65
5. Clek Oobr
We’ve had the classic plaid Britax booster for years and have found it to be a simple and versatile booster seat. Face it, like the proverbial best camera, the best booster is one that gets used. If kids hate the booster or it doesn’t fit the car or can’t move from car to car, it has less value. That said, new improvements in car seat technology, including boosters makes it worth it to consider upgrading your seat since experts would love to see kids up to 100 lbs. sitting in boosters to prevent “submarining” (sliding under the seatbelt in a collision) as well as to improve side head protection.
The newParkway SG is a good choice for a moderately priced booster that can grow with your child.
Some basics:
Good for kids 40 -120 lbs
“True Side Impact Protection” to shield the head, as well as sides in a collision, as well as EPS (energy protective foam liner)
Retractable cup holders
Adjustable head restraint
Pros:
1. Simple to use. Throw it in the back seat and it’s ready for the child to belt over.
2. Slide guard is an improvement over old designs that is easy to use and prevents “submarining” sliding under the belt in an severe accident
3. Product details promise easy use for three across seating (we did not test this since we only had one seat).
Cons:
1. Back and booster harder to separate than previous models. Must be lined up and slid together. This might become frustrating if you have to do it a lot for two different kids.
2. Seat not tethered when kids not in seat. Seat can become a projectile if not belted down when not in use.
GreatDad.com Review Policy: The featured product for this review was provided to us, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. We do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. We only review products that we have personally tested and used in our own homes, and all opinions expressed are our own.
Popularity: 2%
Easiest system to make sure baby seat is secure
Even with the anchor system mandated in 2002, it’s not always easy to make sure your baby seat is as secure as it needs to be. Seats need to be tightened down which often doesn’t happen especially when seats are frequently moving from car to car.
Surelatch from Evenflo is an invention introduced last year and expanding to Evenflo infant seats.
This small feature makes it very hard to install the baby seat incorrectly.
Popularity: 1%
Maxi Cosi Mico car seat Review
The
Mico Cosi Mico car seat is a seat you can easily use everywhere. Thanks to rigorous European and US standards testing, the sleek and brightly colored Maxi Cosi Mico car seat is known for its safety, surpassing US safety standards. Most people choose it for its safety features, including the padded harness and side impact protection, but also enjoy it’s ergonomic design and distinctive colors. The snugly padded seat also makes your baby feel safe and comfortable.
Off its base, the seat is light and easy to carry around with its retractable carrier handle (4 different positions!). It also fits nicely into the Quinny Zapp stroller, which we use a lot. Snapping in the seat to the base in the car can be a bit tricky, but you get used to it. The Mico will carry your baby from five to up to 22 lbs and the shoulder harness, buckle and infant head cushion are all adjustable as your baby grows from infant to toddler. We also use the sun shade a lot where we live but it could ideally be a bit longer. The nice thing is the shade tucks away behind the seat when you don’t need it. When you’re on the go, the Maxi Cosi Mico is overall just an easy car seat to reckon with.
$169.99 MSRP and 144.95 on Amazon.
Pros:
- Moves in and out of car easily.
- The seat is light and easy to carry around with its retractable carrier handle (4 different positions!)
- Compatible with the Quinny Zapp and Quinny Buzz strollers
- Retractable sunshade tucks away easily behind the seat when you don’t need it.
- Features side impact protection.
Cons
- Snapping the seat to the base in the car can be a bit tricky, but you get used to it.
- The sun shade is good-sized, but could ideally be a bit longer.
Popularity: 2%
Rodi XR booster car seat
The Rodi XR booster seat is one of a number of fashion forward booster seats on the market. It comes in several bright color combinations that are likely to please young kids. As opposed to cheaper, more traditional seats like the classic Graco, this seat is meant to be enjoyed by a child as “his” seat, as opposed to just “the place where he sits.”This seat is built for kids 40 to 100 pounds and the back comes off for older kids. Like almost all seats of this type, the seat attaches using the regular three-point seat belt that goes over the seat and child, holding both in together. It weighs 13.8 pounds, which is about standard for this category.
MSRP $159.99 and on Amazon.
- Energy-absorbing EPP padding around head and shoulder
- Additional cup holder
- Unique reclining position for small and large kids
- Easy to use
- Difficult to carry easily. No real grip and cuts into hands in natural carrying spot. Easy to grab seat by catch that releases headrest, which results in seat falling to the ground.
- Seat only held in by seat belt. Must be strapped in when child is not in the car or could become a flying safety hazard.
Popularity: 1%
