Looking for a narrow, tall, high back booster? The Safety 1st Boost Air Protect may be for you! The Boost Air Protect functions as a high back and backless booster. This seat was given a Best Bet rating from the IIHS for 2013 when used in high back mode.
CSFTL Quick Stats:
- High back booster weight range: 30-100 lbs
- High back booster height range: 34-57″
- Backless booster weight range: 40-100 lbs.
- Backless booster height range: 43-57″
- Highest booster belt guide: 22.5″
- Arm rests flip-up for easier buckling
- Requires head support behind the booster at all times
- Expiration: 10 years (seats made prior to 1-1-2014 have a 6 year expiration)
- IIHS Best Bet when used in high back mode
Safety 1st Boost Air Protect head rest adjustments
The Boost Air adjusts in height a little differently than most other boosters. There are peg-like adjustments on the back of the seat. You pull the peg out to adjust, then put it back in the hole at the right height. There were some complaints that the headrest did not lock into place well, but it has not been the case for most.
The tallest belt guide is 22.5″. The seat easily converts to backless mode. It DOES require a vehicle headrest behind it at all times. This is the biggest con to this seat as high back boosters are generally the recommendation in the absence of adjustable headrests. If you do not have adjustable headrests, this is not the booster for you. One of the biggest pros to this seat is the massive side impact wings. Remember there are no standards for side impact protection, but if nothing else, they’re great for sleeping! It also does not come with an adjuster strap for use when in backless mode.
Graco Size 4 Me in the middle with Safety 1st Air Protect Boosters outboard
The Safety Boost Air Protect can work great in a three across with quite a few seats, but it did not work with the seatbelts in the Town and Country. Due to the odd seatbelt geometry in the third row of the Town and Country, if kiddo were to lean forward, the seat belt would not retract leaving it loose on the child instead of flat against them. It is recommend when space is an issue or three across is needed.
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 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 lay low on the hips, touching the tops of the thighs. A similar seat from Safety 1st is the Store ‘n Go and would be worth checking out, or the lesser priced Cosco Pronto.
The Boost Air is available on Amazon.com.
