Car seat for a tall but light child

[voxnihili]

My DD is almost 2.5 and somewhere between 95 and 100 cm (she doesn’t stand still for long enough to be accurate!) but she’s only just hit 12kg. She is currently in a cybex sirona (rear facing) but barely has any head room left. I’ve started looking into new seats but the ones I’ve looked at that harness past still have the same height limit before you have to switch to the belt. They seem designed for an average height but heavy child. I’m really struggling to find something suitable for my DD. Does anyone have any suggestions - I want her harnessed as long as possible (I’m not keen on impact shields) but no other real requirements. Thanks

[BertieBotts]

I would defo go for the Multi-Tech over the Two Way Elite! Two Way Elite is very old now and doesn't have any of the features modern seats have to reduce forwards movement in a frontal crash. Multi-Tech in forward facing mode is identical to Britax Evolva, which is OK as 123 seats go, one of the better performing ones. It has a serpentine belt path which is very stable. TWE is OK in rear facing mode but I would not use it FF.

Yes OP I think this would be a great choice for you, as you have that flexibility and it probably is the height you will need. The only thing I'd point out is that it doesn't have a recline position, although the headrest is shaped like a V so it should catch your child's head as they sleep. It's also less of an issue for a 2yo than a 1yo.

I'll also say that it won't be that tall as a HBB, as only designed up to 25kg child (6/7yo) so you'll eventually need another HBB anyway, and I would strongly recommend buying a different HBB in the first place, to use as soon as she's out of the harnessed mode, in whichever direction, because the Multi-Tech is a massively heavy seat, and ideally you don't want a load of weight behind your child in the event of an accident - it would just push her into the seatbelt. Look at an isofix HBB or a lightweight one. But that's something you can look into later :)

[NameChange30]

I stand corrected

[voxnihili]

@NameChange30 - I have no intention of putting her in a HBB as I know she’s far too young and light even though she’ll soon be tall enough. She currently rear faces in her Sirona and I’d assumed that after that I’d just need to get one more seat (this is already our second) but it seems not. It’s been useful to have people’s opinions as there’s nowhere to go to look at the moment.

Thanks @BertieBotts for the comments about the multitech. If that’s the case about it being better to have a lighter HBB I may be better to just get a 25kg rear facing seat and then a HBB when I decide to turn her around. Just when I think I’ve decided ...

One of the things I love about the Sirona is how much leg space she has in the upright mode. She rarely has it reclined as she doesn’t like it and doesn’t usually nap in the car.

She’s in the car every day for a 20 mile round trip on the motorway to get to nursery (I’m a key worker and she attends nursery near where I work) so for now I think I’d definitely prefer to have her rear facing.

[BertieBotts]

The 25kg rear facing seats all have the option to install away from the seat back, so you do get decent legroom, unless you have a tiny car and need the space in the front.

I mean the Multi-Tech works well as a 25kg rear facing seat :) So there's nothing stopping you from choosing that.

You can generally find pictures of these on ERF blogs and such if you google things like "Britax Multi Tech review" and go on images. Britax Max Way Plus, Axkid Move / Minikid are the others I'd look at.

[voxnihili]

Thanks again for all the comments. I’ve actually just ordered a Max Way Plus - on offer for £215 at the In Car Safety Centre. I decided that I want to keep DD rear facing at least until she finishes nursery (just before her 4th birthday) while we’re on the motorways daily. We’ll actually barely use the car after that as we live next door to the school she’ll attend. It seems sensible to get a seat that suits us best now, then a better HBB when she gets a bit older.
Thanks again

[BertieBotts]

Great - and that's a really good price :)

[Princessbanana]

That’s a good seat! Oh the excitement of a new car seat! Or maybe I’m just weird! 😂Good luck with the new car seat, I’m sure she’ll love it!🙂