Car seats for older children are just as important, so we love to review new high back boosters that help protect them in the car. We are looking at the new 2-in-1 seat from Britax!
Quick Summary: The Britax KIDFIX² is a high back booster that comes with those extra little design additions that help to keep a child comfortable for longer, as well as those all important safety features to keep them protected in the event of a collision. The third point of contact in the form of the SecureGuard being a great idea!
Whats good?
- Adjustable SICT built in to the sides of the seat
- SecureGuard
- V-shape backrest for older children
- Comfortable
Whats not so good?
- Back rest may be removed too soon
Car seats for older children are just as important, so we love to review new high back boosters that help protect them in the car. We are looking at the new 2-in-1 seat from Britax!
Things we love…
The KIDFIX² S is a high back booster that is designed, developed and manufactured in Germany by Britax, allowing them to carry out numerous tests at their in-house test facility. It is suitable for use from 15-36kg, as long as the child is able to sit comfortably and safely in a seat using the vehicle’s seat belt.
The thing that sets this car seat apart from its competitors is its ability to convert from a high back booster to a backless booster, by removing the backrest. This can only be done once the child reaches 135cm, and it can then be used for a longer period of time, up until 150cm. We would still definitely recommend that a high back booster is used for as long as possible, as this offers the most protection for the child. The car seat comes with a belt clip to use with the booster seat, ensuring that the diagonal seat belt is still kept in the correct position for the child, just over their shoulder.
As the seat can potentially be used from around 3.5 years upto 12 years old, it needs to offer space for them as they grow. The backrest is designed in a V-shape to give that bit more room for older children’s wider back and shoulders. To suit more vehicles, the backrest also has some movement, which allows it to fit the angle of the vehicle seat.
Britax are always looking at ways to increase the safety in their car seats, and the KIDFIX² features adjustable SICT. The large rotating circles on either side can easily be twisted, which moves them closer to the car door and reduces the impact force.
The seat features SecureGuard, which is an extra point for the lap part of the seat belt to pass through. It means that the seat belt is positioned optimally over the pelvic bones of the child, rather than causing injuries to their vulnerable abdominal area. Our tester didn’t find it difficult to pull the belt through SecureGuard either, so they were still able to fasten themselves into the car.
Things to look out for…
Our only concern with the KIDFIX² S is that parents may be tempted to remove the backrest and use the booster seat before it is safe for the child – Britax advise after 135cm. You do need to open the seat up though to expose 4 screws that need removing before you can separate the booster seat and backrest, so it’s not something that can be done before really thinking about it.
Our verdict…
The Britax KIDFIX² is a high back booster that comes with those extra little design additions that help to keep a child comfortable for longer, as well as those all important safety features to keep them protected in the event of a collision. The third point of contact in the form of the SecureGuard being a great idea!
It’s really quick and simple to install in the car, whether you attach with the ISOFIX arms or not. This just helps to keep it secure in the car when your child isn’t travelling with you. The seat belt clip is a good way of preventing the seat belt from coming away from the headrest or twisted when fastening. We love the deep side wings that will not only keep a child sheltered and protected, but very comfy too.
We didn’t really find that being able to remove the backrest is a big plus for the seat, as it will keep a child comfortable and safe with it attached. Hopefully parents don’t take it off too early for their child’s height. It does mean that you can use it for longer as a backless booster up to 150cm though.
