Best erf seat for 3yo?

[Misty9]

We've got the britax maxway and dd, just turned 3, is looking a bit squished in it now. I don't think she's too bothered about the leg room but her body doesn't have much room and she gets quite hot. We've also never been convinced about the installing of it and the belt seems slack again not long after retightening.

So, what's the best option for an average sized 3 year old in a skoda octavia estate? We tried the joie stages as it can convert to a hbb, but she was way too reclined and the belt got in the way of even putting her in it. Ds went into a harnessed hbb at nearly 4 and we'd like to keep dd rear facing for as long as poss too. I wondered about the twe as that always seems to get rave reviews?

[NapQueen]

I was just about to recommend the twe. Tall shell, easy to fit. We have two, one for each dc, however dd has just outgrown hers. Shes 5 and a half, and still within the weight limit, but is about 4ft tall already so we have had to grudgingly swap to a hbb.

Ds is 2.5 and Im hoping to get another 2 years out of his.

[Firenight]

Two way elite definitely worth a look. It lasted my eldest until 5.

[GingerAndTheBiscuits]

We have 2 way elite with a 2.5 year old and there seems to be plenty of growing room left.

[Misty9]

I've emailed the in car safety centre about the twe. Dh thinks we should stick the max way for another year and then ff in a hbb...but he doesn't like spending money other than on electronic gadgets! I have just watched a video and realised we've installed it slightly incorrectly re the belt feed...
I suppose the main issue is that dd wants to ff like her brother... no way we're doing that yet though.

[Daytona79]

Axkid rekid is largest of all extended RF seats , it's up to 25kg and is longest in height so will accommodate a 99 centile child till there about 5.5 years old smaller kids up to about 7

[AirandMungBeans]

TWE definitely. I currently have my nearly 5 year old and 3 year olds in them. Fantastic seat!

[NinkyNonky]

I've been looking at the besafe izi plus but it's quite expensive. It's passed the Swedish plus test though. Not sure if the TWE has? I think I might have to investigate as it's £140 cheaper!

[Daytona79]

The axkids have passed Swedish tests

[AliceMum09]

The Two Way Elite can't be entered for the Swedish Plus Test because that test is only for rear facing seats. The Two Way Elite can be installed forward facing.

But it did pass the predecessor of the Swedish Plus test, so if you don't plan on using it forward facing that's as good as it passing the Plus test!

[Misty9]

Well I've (cleaned and) reinstalled the maxway and managed to create a bit of a gap between the seat and the back of the seat (iyswim) so hopefully she'll be more comfortable. We'll see. Might try to go via the mk shop to try the twe when we do a big trip at half term but dh not keen... it does feel a lot more sturdy now though!

[HarryOHay]

I have the Axkid mini kid and love it. It will last an average sized child to 6+.

If you are interested in the TWE, it's on sale on a Finnish website for £170 inc UK delivery. Lots of people on a FB car seat group I'm in have ordered from there are are very happy with the service.

[Tiggywunkle]

I have seen a video done at TRL of three year old dummies of different weights being crash tested in an ERF seat. As the child gets heavier, their head extrudes above the seat in the event of an impact. They appeared to not be recommending ERF beyond the age of 3.

The message from them was to ensure the FF seat is correctly and tightly fitted, and that the child is also tightly fitted, to ensure that the seat nor the child will move more than they should in the event of an impact. The videos made me think twice about where you should stop ERF-ing.

[AliceMum09]

But older rear facing children should be more upright, not reclined, therefore they won't slide 'up' the seat in the event of a collision, they'll just be pushed back into their seat.

Obviously you need to read the manual for each specific seat, my ERF seats are Britax and both allow rear facing to 25kgs or the point where the top of the child's ears/their eyeline become level with the top of the seat (so their head would be sticking out a bit).

I'll stick with rear facing for my 5 year old, she's very petite anyway and about the same height and weight as her cousin who is almost 3.