Narrow and safe high back booster seat

[fakeflower]

Hello, can anyone recommend a safe (ADAC tested or one of the better brands) and narrow high back booster seat please?

i have the joie i traver ready to use and I don’t think we’re going to fit two children plus an adult in the back. It’s really wide.

I can see a cheap Halfords one that is so narrow. But I’m guessing they don’t do extra testing like joie and Britax etc

You can remove the side impact blocks, if that helps. They are only needed if there is space for one between the seat and the door anyway. That already takes it down to about 47cm wide vs the 55/56cm it is with the two blocks on it.

If you're putting the HBB in the middle, then arguably it doesn't matter how well it's tested because the testing doesn't really tell you very much except for the side impact protection, and that's fairly irrelevant if the seat is in the centre between another seat and a passenger. You do want to check it has good belt routing for the child on their hips. Some cheap boosters are poorly designed here.

TBH looking at the widths online also doesn't tell you anything much at all. Go into the shop with the car, with the child seat that you can't easily change and put the Traver in the boot temporarily and take as many seats as they will let you test out to the car park and try putting them in place in either the centre or other side seat, firstly to check whether you can actually do the seatbelt up on it because if the base of the booster sits on top of the buckle, it's no good, and also to check how comfortable it is for an adult to sit between or beside. The shape of the seat and the shape of the seat next to it is much more relevant than the dimensions. Ideally, you'll find one which tesselates perfectly. Maxi Cosi often fit well next to other seats, but it depends what seat you've got and the exact width of your car and the position of the seatbelts. So trying in person is the most helpful thing. You might want to phone them and see if you can make an appointment or arrange to come at a less-busy time. Try a few different shops as well (Halfords staff training is a bit lax, Smyths wouldn't let me test the seat in the car but may be a branch policy).

Other things to consider - is this a permanent arrangement or one off for a trip? How old and tall is the child in the booster, would a backless booster be an option/any help (possibly not, as they may not be any narrower). Could the other child seat be changed? How old is that child and what kind of seat are they in? Could a child be moved to the front? Belt fitted RF seat with deactivated airbag is safe, if you can see your mirror. FF seat with the front seat as far back as it can go and check car manual to see airbag recommendation may be an option, although less safe for the child. If other child is also in a high back booster, can you detach the isofix and shift the seat slightly sideways?

This is really helpful. Thank you! I could test out the traver in the middle seat without side impact protection and without isofix. It’s only for occasional journeys so I’d be happy with this. If it’s only 47cm wide then it’s only 3cm less than the Britax one I’ve been looking at.

i just measured and the traver is actually less than 44cm without the side impact blocks. That’s saved me some cash as no other booster is less than this (except the graco assure, but not by much)

Yeah I think the measurements on the websites are always a bit estimated - another reason not to go by them The most relevant thing really is the shape and you can't tell that without looking at them in person and physically trying out whatever combo you need.