18kg rear facing seat

[Cheesybiscuits01]

Ive got an Axkid minikid for my 5 year old and 1 year old still in infant seat. Thinking ill get the baby an 18kg seat to do until the 5 year old is out of the axkid in the next 1-2 years. What do I want? I drive a vauxhall insignia so don't think there are too many issues with fit. Been looking at the joie seats but lots of options with varying price points. Will I notice a big difference in quality? Should I just go for a second minikid?

Sorry I'm probably way too late with this, but I'd skip the Joie ones unless you are really pushed for front to back space in the car.

I'd personally look at Britax Dualfix, Besafe izi Turn and Recaro Salia (there is a good offer on this at Uber kids)

It is nice to have the spin and variable recline although if you're used to the Minikid, you might actually find a spin seat a bit of a pain.

Can you visit a shop and try them out? That's always worth a go.

I feel like Bertie is v knowledgeable so prob ignore me but we are in a similar boat - axkidmini for 4 year old and have the 18 month old in a joie ispin 360. I personally like the spin, it seems comfy.

It's OK. I have a 360 Spin GT and I'm happy with it, but having worked in a shop and compared the other models, the Joie is definitely lower in quality compared to the others. Also a lot of people find the inserts confusing/frustrating and the pads on the straps are very bulky and way too grippy onto clothing, which can also be really annoying when trying to use the seat. Also there is very little leg room - most people struggle after about 2 years old. If you're committed enough to rear facing to have a minikid, then this is probably a total non issue :)

Joie are good on price but I feel once you get into i-spin prices the balance isn't quite so clearly tipped, that's all really.

We actually still haven't done anything about it. Using the infant seat at the moment. There isn't anywhere near us knowledgeable about rear facing. We are in Scotland.

@BertieBotts why do you say avoid joie? Britax aren't on the fit list for our car so ill need to avoid that. Not too fussed about the spin option. I'll have a look at the others you mentioned. At a certain price point I almost feel I'd be as well buying another minikid. We have been really happy with it so far.

@HarrietM87 my parents has the joie spin for my son before he outgrew it. It was OK but quite expensive by which point I think I'd be as well buying a second minikid.

I explained above a bit about the downsides of the Joie spin seats. I wouldn't say avoid as such, it's just I wouldn't jump to them as the first option which tends to be the way people go because they are very well known and popular.

If you're not bothered about spin then another minikid isn't a bad idea at all. The main benefit of getting an 18kg seat is the Isofix, variable recline and spin. But especially if you can't get to try out seats in person, it makes sense to go with something that you already know you like and get on with.

Oh sorry, when you said Joie seats originally you're also including the belt fitted ones. These ones are definitely worth trying before you buy as they are so very different to a minikid you'll either love it or hate it.

Because of the way they fit, the seatbelt has to come around the back like an infant carrier and that also means the seat has to be quite reclined. It's either something you go fair enough, worth it for the cost saving, or you utterly hate it and curse the seat daily.

They're also nowhere near as stable as a tethered seat in the car.

Apologies as I assumed for some reason you were looking at all the different spin options.

But they are sold in places like Halfords, Smyth's so you can try out even if you don't have an ERF specialist.

@BertieBotts yeah I was thinking along the lines of the joie stages and using it until DS outgrows the minikid which I'm anticipating will be in the next 18 months. However I recently tried to belt the infant seat and it was nowhere near as stable as isofix or a tethered seat.

I may just bite the bullet and get a second minikid.