Best booster for younger riders?

tracee877

Active member

• Aug 12, 2012

• #1

I am looking for a booster for DS2. It will only be used for church outings and other rare times I need to pop a seat in quick for him. He will remain harnessed primarily for a long time still. He is 4yo, 35 lbs and 40". Which boosters fit little ones best? It's been a long time since I've dealt with boosters so I'm feeling out of the loop. TIA!

 

crunchierthanthou

New member

• Aug 12, 2012

• #2

The HBTB fits small kids well. Like, amazingly well.

 

gsdguenter

Well-known member

• Aug 12, 2012

• #3

I second the TB.

Also, if you want to spend more money, the Vivo fits littles well.

 

rachelandtyke

Well-known member

• Aug 12, 2012

• #4

Yep, I agree. I was going to say HBTB or Vivo.

The Vivo has deeper sides, so in some ways it "feels" more like a harnessed seat and helped DD stay in position when she was booster training.

 

KaysKidz

Senior Community Member

• Aug 12, 2012

• #5

The ProBooster has worked great with my boys...one is 40lbs and the other is 31lbs (both 5) and it fits them wonderfully. Biggest issue is the tippiness of the seat.

 

aeormsby

New member

• Aug 13, 2012

• #6

I've also heard the Turbo works great for littler kids. We don't have one, but DS has tried out DD's Vivo and he fits in it wonderfully (at about 35lb and 40").

 

Kat_Momof3

New member

• Aug 13, 2012

• #7

the turbobooster, the recaro vivo, the combi kobuk (but that can be tricky to buckle), the recaro probooster, and the Maxi Cosi Rodi (but that requires vehicle seat/headrest behind the headrest at all times) all fit small booster riders well.

 

cryswilkins

New member

• Aug 13, 2012

• #8

Cybex too. The only thing about the Probooster is that its terrible in some cars, mine included, so I don't know that I would use it as a spare since you don't know what car it will go in.

 

A

arly1983

New member

• Aug 13, 2012

• #9

Another vote for HBTB or Vivo!

 

EmmaCPST

CPST Instructor

• Aug 13, 2012

• #10

My son is the same size as yours, the Turbo fits him great:

He's short in the torso though, this is the Vivo on the bottom headrest position, not a great fit:

 

tracee877

Active member

• Aug 13, 2012

• #11

Oh wow the Vivo is big! I like the looks of how the TB fits.

Question - so I have been looking around at boosters. Why do some have a min weight of 40 lbs? I really like the new Graco booster with safety surround and the Britax Parkway SGL with the guard feature but they both start at 40 lbs. Is this a strict rule or is it a parental decision type thing?

 

Carrie_R

Ambassador - CPS Technician

• Aug 13, 2012

• #12

I would consider it a strict rule. Kids under 40lbs are at a higher risk of submarining, plus it's possible those boosters haven't passed testing with smaller dummies.

If I were going to booster a child that age/size, I would use a Turbobooster, hands down.

 

gsdguenter

Well-known member

• Aug 13, 2012

• #13

tracee877 said:

Oh wow the Vivo is big! I like the looks of how the TB fits.

Question - so I have been looking around at boosters. Why do some have a min weight of 40 lbs? I really like the new Graco booster with safety surround and the Britax Parkway SGL with the guard feature but they both start at 40 lbs. Is this a strict rule or is it a parental decision type thing?

Click to expand...

If the booster says 40lb minimum then you have to follow that rule, no exception.

The reason some start at 40lbs is that at that weight kids are less likely to submarine. It's kind of funny that the SG/L has the secure guard to prevent submarining, but it starts at 40lbs so the group of kids who need it most (under 40lbs) can't even benefit from it.

 

tracee877

Active member

• Aug 13, 2012

• #14

Ok, I guess I will keep my eye out for a cheap TB then until he gains more weight. I remember my older kids using them and was always pleased with them.