Kat_Momof3
New member
Okay... so many have wondered... which is better once you go backless... the Monterey, or the Olli... and I also wanted to try the Nautilus as a backless booster.
So... when I took the kids to the aquarium Sunday, I decided to ask Jeffrey which booster he'd like to ride in (he still uses the back on the Monterey, but I've wanted to get him in photos with both backless to do this comparison) and he said the Olli. He's only got 1-2 clicks left in the Monterey anyway, and his sister is now fast approaching the limits of her harness in the Nautilus, so it's time for the comparison shots. (I'll have another thread in the coffee break about her grow room lessening)
So... here's round one - the Olli
Jeffrey said he picked it because he likes the squishy foam under his but... that thing is super cushy... and because it is easier to buckle... he's right... with the Olli, I don't have to check that he tightened the belt enough... the armrests have a larger cut out area that lets the belt snug up super easy.
Though the seat doesn't look deep, when it's installed using latch, there is a little space between the seat bight and the olli... which adds a little depth as the child is more centered on the booster.
Jeffrey certainly was comfy and, as he's not leggy, it was a little easier for him to make sure he was seated all the way back in his seat.
For leggier kids, the angle of the seating area, going up at the knee area and being lower at the back will provide better thigh support and make it a comfy ride.
so here's a shot, showing him in the seat and showing the fit of the belt.
the shoulderbelt fit was perfect... full contact across the chest and totally dead center of the shoulder, though an adjustable shoulderbelt probably helps.
the lapbelt (if you can see it... his shirt is baggy and covering a good bit of it) is over his hips and lying nice and flat, touching his thighs... his pants are baggy.
A shadow hit across the top, but you can still see that, with the headrest on only the middle setting, he's got tons of room to grow.
One thing he and I both love about this booster is that it uses latch... he loves that it doesn't move a millimeter when he's getting in or out, on top of the super easy install that he can do all by himself. He can also remove it himself, but if he has trouble on bucket seats that require a little more lifting of the booster while tugging the strap, I help him.
It is this feature that makes me now wondering if I will even bother to get him a new spare booster when he passes down his Monterey to his sister... we may just utilize the carry strap and keep it hanging in the front closet so he can just grab it at every trip... it's that easy to put in and out and during the school year, he's just not in the vehicles as much.
That's part 1.
When he gets home, I'm going to do Part 2... the Monterey backless!
So... when I took the kids to the aquarium Sunday, I decided to ask Jeffrey which booster he'd like to ride in (he still uses the back on the Monterey, but I've wanted to get him in photos with both backless to do this comparison) and he said the Olli. He's only got 1-2 clicks left in the Monterey anyway, and his sister is now fast approaching the limits of her harness in the Nautilus, so it's time for the comparison shots. (I'll have another thread in the coffee break about her grow room lessening)
So... here's round one - the Olli
Jeffrey said he picked it because he likes the squishy foam under his but... that thing is super cushy... and because it is easier to buckle... he's right... with the Olli, I don't have to check that he tightened the belt enough... the armrests have a larger cut out area that lets the belt snug up super easy.
Though the seat doesn't look deep, when it's installed using latch, there is a little space between the seat bight and the olli... which adds a little depth as the child is more centered on the booster.
Jeffrey certainly was comfy and, as he's not leggy, it was a little easier for him to make sure he was seated all the way back in his seat.
For leggier kids, the angle of the seating area, going up at the knee area and being lower at the back will provide better thigh support and make it a comfy ride.
so here's a shot, showing him in the seat and showing the fit of the belt.
the shoulderbelt fit was perfect... full contact across the chest and totally dead center of the shoulder, though an adjustable shoulderbelt probably helps.
the lapbelt (if you can see it... his shirt is baggy and covering a good bit of it) is over his hips and lying nice and flat, touching his thighs... his pants are baggy.
A shadow hit across the top, but you can still see that, with the headrest on only the middle setting, he's got tons of room to grow.
One thing he and I both love about this booster is that it uses latch... he loves that it doesn't move a millimeter when he's getting in or out, on top of the super easy install that he can do all by himself. He can also remove it himself, but if he has trouble on bucket seats that require a little more lifting of the booster while tugging the strap, I help him.
It is this feature that makes me now wondering if I will even bother to get him a new spare booster when he passes down his Monterey to his sister... we may just utilize the carry strap and keep it hanging in the front closet so he can just grab it at every trip... it's that easy to put in and out and during the school year, he's just not in the vehicles as much.
That's part 1.
When he gets home, I'm going to do Part 2... the Monterey backless!