Britax first class plus, or joie stages?

6 replies

owainsmum · 13/02/2015 11:36

My DD is 9 months and just over 7kg so not outgrown baby seat yet, but I'm looking at the next stage for her. I like the Britax first class plus, we also have a Britax HBB for DS and are very happy with it, and the first class plus looks good with the erf and will last until DD is 4. But the Joie stages also looks good and will last longer. Another possible is Britax evolva 123 but is only forward facing. All are around the £150 mark so nothing to choose between them there. Can anyone recommend one of these? We have a Ford Focus (notorious for short seat belts) and Toyota Yaris, it would need to fit in both. Thanks!

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AliceMum09 · 13/02/2015 23:25

I'd discount the Evolva, just because it's forward facing. And I don't think it's great as a high backed booster, I had one for my son (he's 9 now, this was before I knew about rear facing being safer for under 4's) and the seatbelt never ran freely though the red shoulder belt guide. DS would lean out of the seat then when he sat back the seatbelt didn't retract and was left slack across his body. This would not have happened when the headrest got higher up, but I worked out he'd have to be at least 7 before the headrest got up that high.

Anyway, the Britax First Class is not a true extended rear facing seat as its limit for rear facing is only 13kgs. That said, my DD2 is a few weeks off her third birthday and only weighs 11.5kgs so if you have a tiny child it's fine!

I would for for the Joie Stages, but you'd need to try it in the Focus as I have heard of it not fitting because of the seatbelt length (although I think it varies slightly from car to car, even if they are all exactly the same Focus, so it's worth a try). If it looks like it's not fitting you could try placing the lap belt over the seat but not clicking the buckle in, then stretch the belt round the back of the seat and finally then click the seatbelt in last of all.

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owainsmum · 14/02/2015 12:45

Thanks for the reply. I looked on the Britax website and the first class fits in a focus but the seat belt is only just long enough when rear facing. I think I'll take a drive to Mothercare and see if we can try them out. Hopefully one of them will fit!

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owainsmum · 15/02/2015 21:09

A quick update- went to Mothercare and tried the joie stages and Britax first class. The joie only just went in rear facing, the seat belt fastened just about with a lot of pushing and pulling. The Britax was fine, and also half price at the moment, so I'm going for that one

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RhiannonElward · 04/04/2015 10:08

Can I ask how you're finding the First Class Plus? I'm considering getting one for DC3. Any advice would be very appreciated.

Molichite · 07/04/2015 00:25

Rhiannon I'd absolutely recommend the first class. We had those and maxi cosi tobis, and DH and I thought the first class was in a different league despite being so much cheaper. The straps were secure but moved easily when we wanted, the recline function just worked, there's a slot in the back to keep the instruction manual so it's always to hand in a pinch. Lots of space for DC and they slept well in it. No heads lolling forward like they did in the tobi.

It is a bit of a pain to fit rear facing but really easy FF.

RhiannonElward · 07/04/2015 19:19

Thanks for the advice Molichite, it sounds perfect for me. I'll get myself to Mothercare then :)

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