Backless boosters car seats are only suitable for certain vehicles. Parents looking for quality, safe seats can be confident in these best picks for older kids.
Backless belt positioning booster seats can be used in vehicles that have head rests or plenty of room from the top of the child's ears to the top of the back seat. These backless belt positioning booster seats were chosen based on performance, ease of use, and to accommodate different family budgets.
General Booster Seat Guidelines for the United States
Booster seats are best used once a child reaches a minimum of 40 pounds and can sit properly in a belt positioning booster seat. However, parents may want to consider keeping their child in their harnessing seat for as long as the child rides comfortably in and adhering to the manufacturer's height and weight limit. Parents can be far more confident that their child is restrained properly in a harnessing seat than a belt positioning booster seat.
There a several types of belt positioning boosters. In addition to backless boosters, there are high back boosters and boosters that can be both backless and highback. For recommendations for high back and converting boosters, refer to Top Belt Positioning Booster Seats. The following recommendations are only for backless belt positioning booster seats.
Clek Olli
The Clek Olli is designed for children from 40 to 100 pounds and from 40 to 57 inches tall. What sets this seat apart from all other backless boosters is that it is the only one that installs with rigid LATCH connectors. This anchors the seat to the car at all times, even when the child is not in the car. Not only does it keep the seat from slipping, it prevents the booster from becoming a projectile in the event of an accident.
The Olli is a comfortable seat that features added foam for cushioning and tall armrests for comfort. For convenience it has a storage pocket on side of seat. Additional "jackets" can be purchased to customize the look of the booster.
So what is wrong with the Clek Olli? Most parents would balk at the $90 price tag for a backless booster. However, some families with a larger budget might be better comforted by the advanced features. Parents may also be put off that the booster seat is only available at on-line specialty stores.
Combi Dakota
Bearing in mind the caution of moving out of a harnessing seat too soon, the Combi Dakota can be suitable for children from 33 to 100 pounds and between 33 and 57 inches tall. This wider seat fits larger children a bit more comfortably than other backless boosters.
For comfort, the machine washable mesh fabric that covers seat is very breathable and makes for a more pleasant ride. It also features a removable cup holder.
This seat is reasonably priced at $40 and is available at brick and mortar stores like Babies R Us.
These two backless belt positioning booster seats are top performing and should be very comfortable for older children. Additionally, the Britax Monarch and the Graco TurboBooster, detailed at the above link, are great boosters that convert from high back to backless boosters.
To view other articles on car seats, including specific recommendations and safety guidelines, refer to blog entry entitled Car Seat Article Index.
References:
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Car-safety.org
- National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration
