Problem with Graco Airbooster for smaller kids?

[sirrahn]

I asked about boosters for my 7 & 9.5 yr olds a few days ago and a couple of people recommended trying the Airbooster. We made a trek to BRU today and although my older DS liked it and it did seem to fit him well, I was really concerned with how it fit my 7 yr old. He's not an overly big kid (50lbs and 48"), but certainly well above the minimum size to use it.

When he had his bottom all the way back in the seat, his feet stuck straight out like they would if he were trying to sit in the car w/o a booster. He had to slump way forward to sit comfortably. The seatbelt on the test bench was screwed up and I really didn't want to head out to the parking lot with 4 kids in 95 degree heat so I can't be certain of how the seatbelt would fit, but common sense seems to tell me that armrests or no, that could be a bad thing. As far as I could tell, it's not adjustable at all.

Anyone have a comment?

Oh and BTW I stuck my girls in the Triumph Advance while we were there.....it's *really* nice! My 4 yr old looked like she could have headroom to rearface heightwise, and she's over the top of her MA. She's probably right at 35lbs though.

 

[Victorious4]

IME, so long as the vehicle has either Lightweight locking latchplates or Switchable locking retractors (all vehicles since 1996 have a version of one or the other) then kiddo will be able to stay flush with the back of the booster -- just engage the locking mechanism & he shouldn't be able to scoot forward.... My parents have severe arthritis + nerve damage so my kiddo has been using a booster with them as soon as she met the minimum size requirement (We did a lot of practicing proper use in the living room 1st)

IME, kids are also thankful for that extra leg support as they grow!

 

[sirrahn]

IME, so long as the vehicle has either Lightweight locking latchplates or Switchable locking retractors (all vehicles since 1996 have a version of one or the other) then kiddo will be able to stay flush with the back of the booster -- just engage the locking mechanism & he shouldn't be able to scoot forward.... My parents have severe arthritis + nerve damage so my kiddo has been using a booster with them as soon as she met the minimum size requirement (We did a lot of practicing proper use in the living room 1st)

IME, kids are also thankful for that extra leg support as they grow!

I see what you're saying, but I can't expect him to ride with his feet sticking out either though can I?

 

[Victorious4]

Heh -- sorry, that visual was amusing

What other boosters did you try? Parkway, Monarch, Compass B510 & Confidence are my other favorites....

 

[sirrahn]

Heh -- sorry, that visual was amusing

What other boosters did you try? Parkway, Monarch, Compass B510 & Confidence are my other favorites....

Yeah, he did look pretty funny The only ones of your list we haven't tried are the Compass and the Monarch. I think Target has the 505, but I know it's different and this BRU didn't have the Monarch. Really he's still ok in his SR/C as far as fit goes. I just figured if I was replacing his brother's I'd get him a new one too.

I really like how the Confidence fits both of them, but honestly I'm having a little trouble getting over the thought of an Evenflo seat as a primary seat Looking at the Advance too though I do see that they're really making some strides. I was also really disappointed to see the thin plastic on the torso part of the Airbooster. The Confidence wraps around a little more and has thick EPS there too.

Still debating......

 

[joolsplus3]

I agree Nat, it's crazy! I wish they'd pop a 4-8 age label on the Turbo, and a 7-12 age label on the Air...

I think so far only a couple 'big' kids we know are in this booster, but I'm betting it's going to be a problem when the general public starts sticking their three year olds in this thing

 

[wondering1]

Does he like to cross his legs while riding in the car? That's what a lot of kids do in their bigger harnessed seats.

The Air Booster is definitely a big kid booster.

 

[wondering1]

Is the Compass B510 available locally yet?

 

[sirrahn]

Does he like to cross his legs while riding in the car? That's what a lot of kids do in their bigger harnessed seats.

The Air Booster is definitely a big kid booster. Is the Compass B510 available locally yet?

Hmmmm....I don't know that he could with the armrests and definitely wouldn't stay like that all the time. I haven't done much looking for the 510 yet....I was going to check w/USA Baby, but it's a drive for me, and we're busy the rest of this week. I guess I could just order it from Target.com.

 

[sirrahn]

I'm betting it's going to be a problem when the general public starts sticking their three year olds in this thing

That was my *exact* thought! Of course the sales guy at BRU who kept coming over and reiterating that it was *definitely* going to be the best seat for them sure didn't help that fear. He was very eager to show me the brochure and everything.

I finally just told him I'd been a tech and knew exactly what I was looking for so he could go away (well, I didn't exactly say that LOL!) thank you very much.

Thanks for your :twocents:

 

[twokidstwodogs]

Is the Compass B510 available locally yet?

Around where I live, only high-end specialty stores carry the B510 in the store. It's a *lot* nicer than the 500/505 I've seen at Target.

 

[cheerbop]

We have the Airbooster and we love it!:thumbsup: But, I definitely would say it is more of a big kids booster.

My DS is almost 52" and 53lbs (skinny thing....) and it fits him great. He is pushing 10 but he is more of the size of an 7/8 yr old I would say.

I wanted to like the Compass but it was not deep enough in the seat.

 

[maidencomfort]

My 7yo has had to ride in the air booster a couple of times, and while his knees weren't at the edge like his older sisters, it wasn't uncomfortable to him, and he stays where he's supposed to (well, the bottom part of him - which is why he's primarily still harnessed!). I think because of how much give the seat has, the edge won't put a lot of pressure on smaller kids' legs, which would make it very uncomfortable - kwim?