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HEVY
07-14-2008, 07:54 PM
This is what it says.

HUGS™: Britax HUGS, Harness Ultra Guard System, are soft pads that gently cushion the child's neck and chest and work to reduce forward head movement in the event of impact.

So where exactly are they supposed to be worn?
On the chest?
Or partially on the chest and neck?
Are they in the wrong position in my siggy?
joolsplus3
07-14-2008, 07:57 PM
They can be anywhere on the harness as long as the chest clip is properly positioned (so they don't really have a lot of wiggle room, in reality...). I often wonder if the head excursion is so high that even though they start out on the chest, they still end up protecting the neck?
KristiD761
07-15-2008, 11:27 AM
My understanding is that they provide additional cushioning on impact across the ribcage area; I have been telling parents that the fabric pads sit atop the shoulder, making sure there is no ability to pinch the webbing. The HUGS then are on the front of the torso with the shest clip at armpit level. The HUGS are positioned where it is comfortable on the chest....that's my understanding anyway
joolsplus3
07-15-2008, 12:00 PM
My understanding is that they provide additional cushioning on impact across the ribcage area; I have been telling parents that the fabric pads sit atop the shoulder, making sure there is no ability to pinch the webbing. The HUGS then are on the front of the torso with the shest clip at armpit level. The HUGS are positioned where it is comfortable on the chest....that's my understanding anyway


She posted the FAQ though, they say it's for the neck...:confused:
BookMama
07-15-2008, 12:02 PM
She posted the FAQ though, they say it's for the neck...:confused:

And I certainly wouldn't consider them "soft pads," as the FAQ states.
joolsplus3
07-15-2008, 01:31 PM
Yeah, a little like Big Brother trying to brainwash us... (oh those? They aren't annoying rubber things that will make it harder to get your kid buckled up and muck with the chest clip, they are 'soft pads'... double plus good!)
KristiD761
07-15-2008, 01:50 PM
I am confused too...how do they protect a neck? And to clarify, the "soft pads" I was talking about were the strap covers that sit above the HUGS:D
joolsplus3
07-15-2008, 02:01 PM
Yeah...but Britax says the HUGS are soft pads....(soft compared to...um...a rock? lol)
danivdp
09-13-2009, 07:49 PM
Bumping this because I have this question on my FF regent. DS doesn't like the HUGS, so I push them as far down as I can. Is that ok?
snowbird25ca
09-13-2009, 08:19 PM
Bumping this because I have this question on my FF regent. DS doesn't like the HUGS, so I push them as far down as I can. Is that ok?

As long as the chest clip is being positioned in the proper position then it does not matter in my opinion. I usually positioned the chest clip near the top of the HUGS when my dd was in a MA.
HEVY
09-13-2009, 08:30 PM
Do you mean all the way down like this?
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f212/HEVYNN/Picture3002-1.jpg
2BunniesMommy
09-13-2009, 09:09 PM
Do you mean all the way down like this?

That is where I put them in DDs MA and FN. When I saw this I was going to say that the only hugs I see in your siggy is the kind that comes from an arm, but then saw the date and figured you must have had a different siggy at that time...Now with you posting a pic, I couldn't help but comment...because that is such a cute and happy pic! So unlike the "trying all the boosters" pics! Loving that smile!
danivdp
09-13-2009, 09:20 PM
Yes ma'am!!! Just like your little princess.
HEVY
09-13-2009, 09:21 PM
Thanks :) That was the first day of school, she was very happy. And yes she really hates to try out boosters and car seats, lol.
Shanora
09-13-2009, 09:44 PM
She adorable. And yes thats exactly where my DS#2 also has his hugs.
southpawboston
09-14-2009, 09:48 AM
okay, my understanding is that the HUGS are not meant as cushioning or anything at all warm and cozy like britax might want you to think (despite the cutesy name). HUGS are designed to reduce forward excursion in a frontal impact. nothing more, nothing less. the REASON they were introduced is because a long time ago one of the britax seats (forgot which one, hasn't been made in years) FAILED the FMVSS213 excursion test. yes, FAILED. by adding a bandaid-type fix to an otherwise poor performing seat, they were able to reduce the head excursion just enough to make the seat pass. the HUGS apparently succeed in reducing excursion by spreading the impact forces over a broader chest area. since the HUGS did their job so well, they decided to make them standard on all their seats. of course, their marketing department was genious for making the public think they are just another "innovation" that makes britax so much safer than the rest... :rolleyes:
joolsplus3
09-14-2009, 10:09 AM
Yes, there was a recall on one of the old-base Roundabouts, and HUGS (undoubtedly plucked from a European seat, where they are on almost all brands and models with fine success) were the 'fix'. Doesn't make them bad, just part of the big bag of tricks to keep head excursion and G-forces minimal without actually tying the kids' neck to the car, as Britax jokingly presented one year at a safety conference, they called it the "Newly Optimized Occupant System Enhancement"--N.O.O.S.E. for short ;)