Booster questions

Holly · Sep 6, 2007

Is a high back booster better than a no back booster? Does a kid have to be a certain age/size to be in a no back booster?
What are the best, most comfy etc boosters (both kinds)?
I know it's going to be a few years before I will need a booster for my dd, but I want to know about the different ones out there so I will know which is a good one to get, if I need to save up for one, etc. I know they might have new products out by the time we need one. Are there boosters that completely suck and to avoid at all costs?

wendytthomas · Sep 6, 2007

A high back booster offers better fit for the seatbelt normally, and offers some additional side impact protection. The no back simply lifts a child higher.

I don't know about which ones to avoid, as long as they have an open belt path most are ok. It'll depend what you need or want in three years. Do you need something that has a removable back? Something that folds? Something for a slim child? Something that lasts a long time, or just something that lasts a couple of years?

Wendy

CandCfam · Sep 6, 2007

Yes, a high back booster protects a child better, so as long as they fit within the limits of the hbb, it is better.

Here is some booster information, links to crash tests
Here is a really good, informative video from GMTv:
HERE

High Back Booster seat crash test

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia on booster seats

Why We Use Booster Seats (on pg 2, point #3 it gives age and weight guidelines of about age 4 & 40 lbs)

Here are the urls to some crash tests of booster seats:
Click on crash test #4, it is with a child dummy in a backless booster

Another backless booster crash test, side impact.

HBB crash test footage

another HBB with deep side wings at head, crash test footage

HBB with shallower side wings at head, crash test footage

THIS thread has a link to some pretty interesting crash test footage.

hth

skaterbabs · Sep 6, 2007

Just be careful, some boosters are very short (Evenflo Big Kid, the Compass boosters are short, but some models are taller than others.)

get the tallest booster you can find, except watch the Cosco (aka Safety First/Eddie Bauer) ones. A couple of them require the seatback be above the midpoibt of the child's head.

flipper68 · Sep 6, 2007

Around here, we recommend 4 & 40 for ANY booster use.

According to most mfg however, you "can" be 20 lbs. and up for a high back booster, but must be 40 + for a backless booster.

The vehicle needs to provide head/neck support when using a backless booster.

Most with armrests seem to allow the seat belt to fit closer to the body.

I like backless boosters for occasional use (there's one in my trunk) because they are small, lightweight, easily moved from place to place (the child can manage it easily) and there is little room for error/misuse.

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