Question about "pinch test"

[Sarabela]

I have seen reference in several threads about pinching the harness and if you can pinch it the harness isn't tight enough. I get the harnesses to what I think is as tight as possible (My DH thinks I get them too tight because they pull our boy's shoulders down when I buckle them in, they are RF so the height of the harness is just below shoulder level). I can, however pinch the strap at their shoulders no matter how tight I get them. Is the shoulders where you are supposed to try to pinch it and does this apply to both FF and RF? I have some trouble tighening the harness after they are completely buckled in, I don't feel I can get it tight enough that way so I buckle the chest clip then pull the adjuster to tighten it and attempt to buckle, if it is easy I tighen again with the adjuster until I have a hard time getting the buckle in.

 

[crunchierthanthou]

Is it a horizontal fold that you can pinch (your fingers move vertically)? This applies to both rf and ff. It shouldn't be so tight that it's causing them to slouch. I'm not sure what's going on that there's still enough slack that you can pinch it.

Do you have the HUGS on? They are optional for rf and I find it's easier to get a good fit without them.

The BLVD has a ratcheting harness adjuster. Are you doing tug-release-tug-release as you tighten?

Sometimes it's helpful to lift up on the chest clip or pull down on the harness from the back of the shell as you tighten.

 

[joolsplus3]

It's like this http://www.carseatsite.com/pinchtest.jpg

If you can do that, it's too loose.

 

[Sarabela]

Ahhh thanks you guys, I was thinking the pinch was vertical. Thanks for clarifying that. I do use the hugs and I don't think they cause a problem. I feel pretty confident that I get them in tight enough. Maybe I just need to raise the height of the harness so they are even with their shoulders rather than just below them so it doesn't cause slouch.

 

[crunchierthanthou]

Yes, the BLVD can (and should) be right at their shoulders. At is ideal, the below for rf or above for ff is more for seats without infinite adjusters.