*This seat has been discontinued* Looking for an inexpensive or lightweight booster that also has LATCH? The Graco Connext may be for you!
CSFTL Quick Stats
- Backless booster weight range: 40-100 lbs.
- Backless booster height range: 40-57″
- Expiration: 10 years
- Hook on lower anchor connectors
- 2013 IIHS Best Bet
9, 60#, 49″
Backless boosters are best reserved for full-time use in the 7+ crowd as it does take more skill to stay upright if the child does fall asleep in it. For short-term use, I’d give it a 6+ age rating. This seat is fairly wide and works well for bigger kids who still need a booster. It’s one of my 10 year old’s top choices here. Not the best choice for tight spaces though or trying to do a three across. It does require head support behind it at all times. This seat does come with a seat belt adjuster as well to help obtain proper fit.
Lower anchor connectors
The Connext does have lower anchor attachments that are able to be tightened so it stays stable while the child is buckling themselves in. It keeps it from becoming a projectile in a crash as well. Unlike harnessed seats, there is no weight limit on boosters using lower anchors because the seat belt is holding the weight of the child, not the lower anchors.
The most important part of using a booster seat is that the child is mature enough to sit properly for the entire ride, and that the seat belt fits properly. A good booster fit positions the shoulder belt even across the torso – not sliding off the shoulder or cutting into the face; the lap belt should be lying low on the hips, touching the tops of the thighs. Read more HERE about correct seat belt positioning with a booster. The Connext was awarded a Best Bet rating from the IIHS for 2013.
Neither Graco nor Amazon sponsored this review; as always, the opinions expressed are all mine! Originally written by Jennifer Penick. Edits maintained by CSFTL.