High Back Boosters (2024) - home and travel

[AmusedHedgehog]

Hi

My LO is 4 and in an Axkid One so I'm not looking urgently yet, but starting to look at HBB particularly for holidaying in Europe (i.e. taking through the airport and popping in a hire car)

Previously we've taken a Joie Stages for him but my youngest would now use that. As my eldest is currently about 104cm (though only around 16kg) I'm thinking getting a HBB is the way to go and potentially also use that in the grandparents car.

I've been looking at the Jovikids Rober which folds but can't find anything about it's safety ratings (or even the brand in general) and wondering if it might have forward anchorage issues like folding HBBs I've seen talked about previously. It does have isofix though obviously can't bank on a hire car also having it.

I'm also looking to when we eventually need one at home and wondering if anyone has a particular recommendation for a HBB which is best for a kid that frequently sleeps on long journeys. Even in his Axkid one 2 reclined all the way back his head sometimes flops.

We have a Citroen Grand Picasso if relevant. But I might be getting a small car too...

Many thanks all

I'd prefer Maxi Cosi Tanza i-size, Becool Foldy, or Recaro Monza CFX over Jovikids, as folding seats.

Jovikids seems to be an import brand only sold through Amazon and their products in general don't fill me with confidence. Ignore the positive reviews because they are mostly bots, look at the negative reviews.

Although that said - specifically looking at their folding booster, it seems to be an exact copy of the one marketed by both Urban Kanga and MyBabiie. So it possibly is an OK design. But still I'd go for the Maxi Cosi, which is on a similar offer price anyway.

Forward anchorage isn't usually a problem with HBBs because the seatbelt goes over the child as well, which usually means there is enough forward placement for it to fit well. It's belt fitted portable harness/FF seats like Maxi Cosi Nomad or Urban Kanga (original not HBB) which tend to have this issue.

At 104cm and 16kg, he could still be RF in the Stages, so it might be worth hanging onto that for him this year if you wanted to, though of course that may create an issue for your younger child unless they still fit into an infant carrier?

Thank you!

That's really useful to know it's a bit different on HBBs. I guess previously I've been looking for a folding harnessed seat (gave up on that one given cost Vs how infrequently we holiday!). Maxi Cosi seems like it will be the way to go, really appreciate your advice (I've seen your name all over when I've been looking for other car seat advice, you are a star thank you for the time you put into this for us all)

He was only just fitting the Joie when we needed to use it for a few days recently, so think baby (9m) will go in that by the time we look to holiday in the Spring. But thank you for flagging anyway.

I'm not looking at getting a HBB at home for some time yet. I've generally been inclined to keep my holiday seat entirely separate from the regular seat for the fact it inevitably gets rough treatment. Given that, would you have any particular recommendations (eventually) for a HBB for a kid that frequently falls asleep on long journeys? As I said he even flops in the Axkid so I'd love to have some decent support for him, the though of just being in a belt asleep makes me quite nervous

Hmm I am not that up to date TBH - Cybex have what they call a reclining headrest feature, where you can sort of tilt the head support in the middle so hopefully their heads fall back. Britax used to do a V-shaped headrest so they could rest their head on it, but their newer seats look more straight to me. I would avoid any HBB which has a recline with the possible exception of if it has the extra strap between the legs - I just feel like the recline is going to potentially compromise good lap belt fit and lead to higher risk of slipping under the belt.

Maybe just one where it's best to find a good store like an independent car seat specialist or just a large store where they'll have lots of brands, and try them out in the car, to see which is most comfortable and supportive.

Is it definitely Joie Stages you have? I would be surprised to hear he is not fitting well in it at 104cm because it's one of the larger ones harness height wise. Or is it more that his legs are all over the place? For example this is a photo of a 114cm tall child in the Stages:

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=360270500783472&set=a.283120978498425

Hmmm. He was complaining about his legs, but did think the headrest was very close to top of head. Will double check seeing that pic though, thanks!

Cheers for the ideas and info. Again much appreciated!

I realised that we completely forgot the stages becomes a FF seat so we'll definitely be looking into the settings a bit more!

Thanks again for all your help

It does, but only as a HBB - and I think it's too heavy and bulky to bother using as this TBH.

It's OK for their head to be over the top as long as eye line is level with the top - look at the shoulder straps, those need to be level or slightly below shoulders for RF.