Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle
We’re big fans of Peg Perego’s booster seats — the Primo Viaggio HBB 120 and the Viaggio Flex 120. Both of those boosters are high back boosters; the Primo Viaggio HBB 120 converts to a backless booster where the Viaggio Flex does not.
The Viaggio Shuttle backless booster rounds out the Peg Perego line of booster seats with a backless option.
CSFTL Quick Stats:
- Backless booster weight range: 40-120 pounds
- Backless booster height range: 39-63 inches tall
- Expiration: 12 years
Measurements
Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle 120 measurements
- Width at widest point: 16.5 inches
- Seat pan depth: 15 inches
- Internal width at narrowest point: 11 inches
- Weight: 5 pounds
Features
- Rigid lower anchor connectors
- Removable cupholder
- Machine washable cover
Carpooling Essentials
- Easy to set up without (very much or any) adult assistance. Setting up the rigid lower anchor connectors requires a little extra assistance but carpoolers who just set the booster on the vehicle seat had few issues.
- Easy to carry
- Consistent belt fit
Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle
We were lucky enough to take our Viaggio Shuttle home from the JPMA Show so it started working for us right away! My daughter had joined us for the final show day, which was open to the public.
The Viaggio Shuttle has a built-in carry handle that made getting the seat to our gate pretty painless. Once on board our airplane the Viaggo Shuttle enjoyed a ride under the seat in front of us. The manual fits into the bottom of the seat — the opening points down when the seat is being carried. Unfortunately for us, the manual slipped out somewhere along the way.
Small Footprint, Big Seat Pan
The armrests are fairly narrow. This leaves extra room inside the seat itself. Since the seat is rated to 120 pounds, this means that larger kids who don’t pass the Five Step Test have a comfortable option in the Viaggio Shuttle! My model has plenty of room in this seat — in other booster seats, she’s starting to feel a bit constrained, but not here.
Comfort
The Viaggio Shuttle’s padding is quite robust. This is one area that sets the seat apart — so many backless boosters have fairly thin padding, where this seat has two layers of padding. The first layer is EPS (Expanded Polystyrene), which helps absorb deceleration in the event of a collision. The second layer is Expanded Polyurethane, which is softer and ergonomically shaped to offer maximum comfort, even during the longest journeys.
My model has always been picky about the amount and placement of the padding on her booster seats. She reports that the Viaggio Shuttle is quite comfortable.
Taller Kids
Some backless boosters have a maximum height of 57 inches. For kiddos who don’t quite pass the Five Step Test and still need a booster seat, this limit can present a challenge in finding a comfortable seat that fits. The Viaggio Shuttle’s low profile, high 63 inch top height limit, and wide seat pan make it an excellent long-term option for older kids.
Heavier Kids
The Viaggio Shuttle has a maximum weight of 120 pounds — a rarity in the backless booster market. This high weight limit plus the wide seating area make this booster an excellent option for heavier kids as well.
Installation
Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle 120 lower anchor release
The Viaggio Shuttle 120 has rigid lower anchor connectors to connect it to the vehicle. When the Viaggio Shuttle is secured with this anchors, it’s not necessary to buckle it in if the child isn’t riding in the seat.
To extend the anchors, reach into the slit in the seat cover and squeeze the yellow handle.
Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle 120 lower anchor release
The anchors will extend out the back of the seat. They click into the vehicle’s lower anchors. Once the anchors are attached to the vehicle, push the Viaggio Shuttle back into the vehicle seat and it’s ready to go!
Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle 120 lower anchor release
Removing the lower anchors is basically reversing that same process. The only tricky part is releasing the anchors — squeeze the little button on the side of the booster to release the connection between the lower anchor and the vehicle, then pull the booster away from the back of the vehicle seat. Squeeze the yellow handle under the cover to retract the lower anchors for storage.
Shoulder Belt Guide
Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle 120 shoulder belt adjuster
The shoulder belt adjuster tucks neatly into the bottom of the seat. It’s permanently attached to the booster, which means that even I can’t lose it! I did have a hard time getting it all tucked back into the little compartment, though.
Price
At $119, the Viaggio Shuttle is at the top end of the backless booster seat price range. Viaggio Shuttle’s high height and weight limits, plus the wide seating area do make it a long lasting option, however.
Fit to Child
7 Years Old
Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle 120: 7 years old
This model is only a year into her booster riding life so she’s not ready for a backless booster full time just yet. She loves being able to try them out when I’m writing reviews, though!
She’s 7 years old, weighs 63 pounds, and is 50 inches tall. She’s got plenty of room to grow in this seat and she’s able to buckle herself in without issue.
8 Years Old
Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle 120 8 years old
Here we see an 8 year old model. She’s 54 inches tall and weighs 78 pounds. She’s got plenty of room to grow in this seat and she finds it quite comfortable.
11 Years Old
Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle 120: 11 years old
My primary model recently celebrated her 11th birthday. She’s starting to pass the Five Step Test in more and more vehicles. It is with great sadness that I realize this review is likely her last.
Anyhoo, she’s 11 years old, 59 inches tall, and wears size 12 clothes. The Viaggio Shuttle fit her well, she was able to reach the vehicle seat belt buckle with ease, and she could carry the seat around herself.
We love the Viaggio Shuttle for kids who are at the end of their booster seat days — it’s low enough that they still get a good belt fit and wide enough that the kiddo is comfortable.
Important Information: Where to Find
Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle FAA label
FAA Approval: Like all booster seats, the Viaggio Shuttle is not approved for use on airplanes. The FAA label prohibiting aircraft use is on the side of the seat.
Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle underneath the airplane seat
However, it did fit nicely underneath the seat in front of us when we took it on a trip! We also put it in the overhead bin and it fit well there as well.
Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle 120 date of manufacture label
Expiration: The Viaggio Shuttle expires 12 years after the date of manufacture.
Overall Thoughts
The booster market is woefully short on long-lasting, low-profile options for older kids. The Viaggio Shuttle 120 hits just about every key point out of the park. While the price tag is a bit high, families who intend to use it for more than one child can get the full value out of this seat.
The Viaggio Shuttle is available at Amazon. Our friends at Peg Perego are offering a Viaggio Shuttle 120 to one of our lucky readers! Enter below for your chance to win, read our terms and conditions before you enter!
