*This seat has been replaced by the Parkway GG-L* The Britax Parkway has been on the booster seat scene for quite some time. In 2013, however, Britax gave the seat a makeover with some great upgrades.

Britax Parkway SG booster features

CSFTL Quick Stats

• High back booster weight range: 40-120 lbs
• High back booster height range: 38-63″
• Backless booster weight range: 40-120 lbs
• Backless booster height range: 38-63″
• Highest booster guide position: 21.5″
• Expiration: 6 years

Features:

• Lower anchors (SG-L model only)
• SecureGuard
• Comfort foam in the seating area
• EPS foam in the head and torso
• SafeCell Technology in the base
• Retractable cupholders

Britax Parkway SG high back booster

High Back Booster Mode

The Britax Parkway is straightforward to install; simply place on the vehicle seat, adjust the headrest using the one hand adjuster at the top of the seat, and buckle the seat belt over the child. The headrest should be adjusted so that the shoulder belt guide falls just above the child’s shoulder. The Parkway has a feature unique to booster seats: the SecureGuard. The SecureGuard is a clip that goes between the child’s legs and attaches to the lap belt, its purpose is to keep the lap belt in position and help keep the child from submarining under the lap belt in a crash. Use of the SecureGuard is optional, but recommended by Britax. The SecureGuard can be adjusted in length by removing it from the seat and adjusting the strap.

Britax Parkway SG- 6 years, 43 lbs., 45 inches

At 6 years old, 43 lbs and 45″,  the model had a great fit in the Parkway. It was a bit of a learning curve for him to get used to threading the belt into the SecureGuard, but after a few days he got the hang of it.

It is important to note that the Parkway has a lower weight threshold of 40 lbs, so it won’t be an option for older, lightweight kids under 40 lbs.

Britax Parkway SG backless booster

Backless Booster Mode

With an adjustable backrest that allows for up to a 21.5″ seated height, the Parkway is one of the tallest high back boosters on the market. This allows for kids to use the high back several years longer than many other seats. CSFTL recommends use of a high back booster as long as possible; as the structure of a high back helps children stay in position, especially when asleep, and offers the advantage of energy absorbing foam in the head and torso areas.

Britax Parkway SG- 6 years, 43 lbs., 45 inches

Once the backrest is outgrown, the Parkway can be converted to a backless booster up to 120 lbs and 63″ and the rider may continue using the SecureGuard. It does not come with a shoulder belt adjuster for backless mode, so it is important to make sure your booster rider has a safe belt fit before moving to backless mode, including a vehicle head restraint behind their head.

The seating width between the armrests is a narrow 10″, so it may not be comfortable for older children with wider hips.

Features

Britax Parkway SG EPS foam

The Britax Parkway features EPS foam in the headrest and the torso wings, part of their True Side Impact protection designed to absorb energy in the event of a crash. The base features Safe Cell technology, also  helping to absorb energy in a crash. All these features add up to the seat taking the brunt of the crash, rather than the child. There is also ample comfort foam in the seat of the booster, making for a nice comfortable ride.

The shoulder belt guide is open, allowing the seat belt to retract smoothly when buckling and unbuckling.

The 2013 Parkway is available in two models: SG and SG-L; the model shown here is the SG. The  SG-L has the addition of lower anchor connectors which can secure the seat to keep it from becoming a projectile in a crash, when not occupied by a child.

Britax did not supply the seat used in this review and neither Britax nor Amazon.com sponsored this review. Opinions, as always, are all our own.