Question Is there a difference between front-facing convertible and harness booster?

baj

New member
I have a big (80th percentile height and weight) 25 month old girl. She's currently rear facing in a Boulevard 70 that I'm replacing due to a minor accident. This is mostly a curiosity question because I'm planning to keep her rear facing as long as possible (and she doesn't seem to mind at all yet), but:

Is there any safety/fit/convenience difference between a 5-point harness booster (like a Frontier 85) and a front-facing convertible seat for a 30-something pound, 30-something inch kid?
 
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Phineasmama

New member
No safety difference between forward facing in a convertible or forward facing in a harnessed combo seat.

I think the main convenience factor is that the combo seats usually sit lower down and they are easier for FFing kids to climb into- at least that's been my experience.
 

LISmama810

Admin - CPS Technician
Not really.

In terms of safety, they all meet the same standards, so it's not that one type is safer than the other.

In terms of convenience, again, they tend to be pretty similar.

Combination seats (ones that harness forward-facing and turn into a booster) tend to be more upright. Front-facing convertibles often have a little more recline to them. (Not that you install them with the rear-facing recline mechanism engaged, but they often sit a little more reclined even in their most upright position.) It really varies by seat, though, and the preference will vary by kid.
 

jess71903

Ambassador
:yeahthat: and the combo seats (harness to booster) that we generally recommend here have taller top slots than most convertibles, so will allow one to harness longer, if necessary for the particular kid.
 

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