Britax Max-way

[nocake]

We took a trip to Ann's Pram in Petersfield today to try some ERF seats and I thought I tell you how we got on.

We have Seat Leon (2004) and were fairly sure the Besafe Izi Kid Isofix would fit. Sue at Ann's Prams got it fitted in the car with no problems and our LO looked very comfortable but the front seat had to be so far forward that it would have been uncomfortable and unsafe to travel in it. So we tried the Britax Max-way instead. It fitted perfectly with enough space for a front passenger. I suspect we would have problems if someone tall needed a lift but we're both short.

If you're thinking of buying an ERF seat can I encourage you to try it in your car first. We might have ended up with a seat we couldn't use if we hadn't taken the time to try it. I was also sure we should have an isofix seat but the max-way meets the same rigorous standards as the Besafe Kid even though it's held in with the seatbelt.

We looked at a Max Way today to replace an expiring Nordic Secura for 2.5y DD3 (86cm & 12.8kg). It is very nice looking and looked very comfy but I really didn't like the head rest and the way if would force you to stop using the seat well before the tips of the ears were level with the seat back (when erfing seats are out grown) as the child's shoulders would hit the head rest (I have tall skinny children on the whole so need a seat with a tall back).

We went with a Hi-Way II (which was £100 cheaper than a Max Way at £200!) and tried 4.4y DD2 in the seat - she is 110cm and 17kg (she rides ffing in a TWE) - she had about 2-3cm of torso growth before she would have the tips of her ears level with the seat back which would mean a child of ~115cm could still ride safely in it. She had leg room too!

It was pretty compact too and had a reasonable recline though it was fairly upright in the car so we got a recline block at the same time which made the recline much better. DD3 slept the whole way home! I loved the lock offs too as our old car had ratcheting seat belts which made installing car seats so easy but the new one doesn't so the lock offs perform much the same job.

We have a VW Caddy Maxi Life and the middle row is fairly close to the front seats (I am 5'8" and have just enough leg room (i.e. knees touch DH's seat if I sit next to DD3 who's in the middle of the middle row) DH is 6'2" so he has his seat way back!

So if anyone is on a bit more of a budget and wants a long lasting erf seat (but doesn't need it to ff) I think the Hi-Way II is a very good option.

Glad you found a seat that fitted in your car - that and it fitting your child are the most important bits of buying a car seat - it can be the best, safest, all singing and dancing seat but it it has a rubbish install, it's not worth it.

Can you tell me where you got the recline block? Is it one that goes under the front recline bar?

Yes, a grey polystyrene block with a channel cut in it for the recline bar to rest (manufactured that way not someone in the back room hacking packing up to fit!).

We went to the Milton Keynes In Car Safety Centre (they were FAB!) and it was £10.