Kiddy are well known for their innovative lie-flat infant carrier, but did you know they also offer a range of high backed boosters? This time we're testing the Kiddy Cruiserfix 3.
Quick Summary: With this next version of the Cruiserfix, Kiddy have added some great features that make it an easy to use, comfortable and safe seat. The small things that really help a parent out functionally have been fully explored and it shows when you are actually using the seat!
Whats good?
- Eye Level Indicator to enable a perfect fit
- Can be fitted with ISOFIX or just the seat belt
- Easy to adjust height and width
- Leg rest is adjustable
Whats not so good?
- Wide when headrest is fully extended
- Higher end of price bracket
Things we love…
When it comes to fitting your child in their car seat, making sure that it is all set for their age, height and weight is imperative for their safety. This sometimes isn’t the simplest of tasks, but we love a small detail that Kiddy have added to the Cruiserfix 3 that makes this easier. On the fabric of the headrest is an Eye Level Indicator. If you line this marker up with your child’s eyes, you know that the headrest is set at the correct height. It’s a great visual reminder for whoever is putting the child in the seat.
Because of the shape of the Cruiserfix 3, older children are able to have a little bit more independence and can reach to fasten themselves in. It’s also a really easy car seat to fit to the car. The vehicle’s seat belt is kept in the correct position with a red lever under the headrest and the colour coding continues to show you exactly where the belt should be routed. You can use the ISOFIX connectors to keep the seat secure, or swivel them round under the seat if you’re not using them. The K-Fix+ connectors are unique in that they move side to side, which helps if the car is hit from a side position, but also functionally – making it easier to reach the seat belt buckle.
As this is a car seat that should last your child from around 3 to 12 years old, it needs to have a good scale of adjustment. The side wings adjust in internal width from 30-40 cm as the headrest height is increased. It’s a simple one hand adjustment, done with the handle at the back of the seat.
The side impact protection in these wings uses Honey Comb 2 technology around both the head and shoulder areas. Should your child be in a situation where this protection is needed, there are silver reflective sections on the material on the headrest. If an accident happened at night, the seat is clearly visible through the window in the dark!
For children at the higher end of the seat suitability, the leg rest is adjustable to make it deeper. There are three stages to choose from, keeping their legs well supported as they get older, making a big difference to their level of comfort.
Things to look out for…
There’s not much we can add to this section! The only thing that may prevent the Cruiserfix 3 being used in your car is if you need to have three car seats along the back seat. As the side wings open up quite wide on the highest headrest setting, it makes the overall seat width 64cm.
It’s also a high backed booster at the top end of the budget, but you get lots of great safety features and a seat that could last nine years!
Our verdict…
With this next version of the Cruiserfix, Kiddy have added some great features that make it an easy to use, comfortable and safe seat. The small things that really help a parent out functionally have been fully explored and it shows when you are actually using the seat!
We love the new fabrics used, which are soft and padded, and even better, they can all be removed and popped in a 30° wash.
You’ve also got top level safety technology to help protect your child in the event of a collision, which of course is the most important factor of any car seat.
