To get a group 2/3 carseat for my almost 2 year old

[Whatismynameanyway]

DS is a very large almost 2 year old, he weighs about 20kg and is very tall. He has always been big, was 10lb9 at birth and has just continued to be massive 😂 he isn't overweight, just large.

We have the joie everystage fx carseat currently which I love but is very heavy and I usually leave it in his dads car (we are separated) as I don't drive so only need a carseat occasionally if going out with friends etc.

The straps for the everystage say maximum weight limit is 18kg, which would be fine if DS wasn't so big for his age. We have switched to the seatbelt as I am worried that the straps won't hold up in a crash if he exceeds the weight limit. I don't like this but feel it may be the safest option?

Now I'm looking to get a carseat to keep at mine, for when I have unexpected trips out etc but can only find group 2/3 high back boosters that cater to his weight/height. I know the general advice is rear facing etc until 4 but how can I do this when I can't find a carseat that will work safely with my son?

Would i be unreasonable to use a high back booster? If it is a bad idea could anyone suggest a carseat that will work for a 20kg almost 2 year old?

Thanks

All while wanting to somehow justify their decisions to take the easiest / cheapest option even if they do finally acknowledge it's not the safest.

There you go again Firecracker, insinuating people somehow choose FF for older toddlers because it's easier.

And yes, price does matter. Sorry, but it does. Some people simply can't afford to spend £300 to reduce an already small risk.

Firecracker can I suggest you just drop it?

Your choice is right for you. Others can make their own choices.

Love island, I know the people I am speaking about and know they could afford an ERF seat easily. They just chose not to because they don't want the faff, don't want people asking why their kids still face the rear, think that because they've never had an accident they never will....
That's not to say others genuinely can't afford tjem6 but options have been suggested here and not all ERF seats ate expensive and not all children need a seat that goes to 25kg. The 18kg options are easily available and cheaper and will work for many kids.

I do drive carefully by the way, and get my eyes tested regularly, service my car annually and yes my eldest is a very competent swimmer - doing lifesaving qualifications at age 8. My 3 year old can't swim more than 5m unaided yet but we make sure they don't go in water unattended.

I do want is in my control to maximise safety because I can't control what others do including how they drive.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland I wish I still had my Honda jazz because I could give you that photo! My 7yo niece in the two way elite group n the extended leg room position with 6ft DH comfortably in the front! And my average size 4yo in the two way elite in extended leg room position in the driver side with 5ft 7 (height in my legs) driver me.

Ok BertieBotts

But this is not bigger than "every" rear facing seat, or in fact any rear facing seat. Rear facing seats typically take up around 70cm of front-to-back space, even on the most compact installation. I have no idea where this idea has come from, that forward facing seats take up more space - they don't. Of course no you shouldn't have the front seat right up close to the child, but unless you have been into a car with a tape measure and seen how far 55cm is in comparison to any rear facing seat I don't understand why people keep repeating this as though it is fact. It doesn't pay to simply blindly repeat what you have been told in a facebook group.

A two way elite takes up less space rear facing than a correctly installed forward facing Joie every stage or joie stages. This is definitely true as I have those 3 seats and I measured it.

The Joie every stage rear facing takes up MUCH more space than the two way elite.

I wouldn't put a 2 year old in a high back booster. My chunky 3 year old is still rear facing in a diono radian 5. They're really sturdy and Toby finds it comfy. Should last him a long time still.

There are a selection of seats that harness to 25 kilo now... at 2 yo need to look in to one of these, at 2 yo he can't be in a hbb with belt