https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:10:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/convertible-vs-combination-high-back-booster#post-2815268 Mon, 09 Apr 2018 15:24:08 +0000 bhbee 2815268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you’re going to forward face I would definitely get a harness to booster combo. Generally you can get a higher weight limit, and a harnessed combo is not any less safe than a convertible. Then you can decide when/if you are ready to do a booster without buying another seat (although just boosters come cheaper for sure). </p> <p>We have the frontier clicktight - lo1 started in it at 3.5 when lo2 needed her convertible. We briefly let lo1 booster it after 6 before moving her to a booster only, and giving the frontier to lo2 (harnessed again) since he was about to hit the latch weight limit (40lb) on his convertible. For us, the clicktight was worth the $ for a no-brainer seatbelt install (which you always have to do for bigger kids). Also it’s easy to switch back and forth from harness to booster, so you could even do some booster “trials” where you see how your kid behaves before committing to all booster all the time. </p> <p>Agree who knows what will be available later but we’ve been happy with the frontier clicktight. No complaints about padding etc (though I did get them when she switched to boosters only - much less to the seats!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/convertible-vs-combination-high-back-booster#post-2815264 Mon, 09 Apr 2018 15:06:12 +0000 Foodnerd81 2815264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think generally the combo seats have lower sides, making it easier for kids to climb in and out, compared to a ff convertible seat. And most have a higher height/ weight limit for harnessed big kids. And yes they convert to high back boosters- but I think high back boosters are pretty cheap anyway? I havent researched them at all. </p> <p>Since my 3.5 yo was already forward facing when it was time to move the baby to a convertible, I went for the combination seat. I got the Britax frontier because it’s so easy to install and adjust. But it’s heavy and wide. My average height 4.5 year old looks a lot more comfortable in that than a convertible but I don’t know if she is or not really. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/convertible-vs-combination-high-back-booster#post-2815263 Mon, 09 Apr 2018 15:06:03 +0000 catgirl 2815263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well to start, safety wise, a forward facing harness is a forward facing harness. So both convertibles and combination seats are great forward facing. </p> <p>The perk to a combination seat would be that it is (likely) the last seat you will need. Some combination seats can offer higher limits than convertibles - specifically a higher harness height. </p> <p>For some to look at right now - the harmony defender, britax pioneer, and the chicco MyFit would all be good for a tall LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/convertible-vs-combination-high-back-booster#post-2815262 Mon, 09 Apr 2018 14:55:25 +0000 DesertDreams88 2815262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: @catgirl: Yeah I definitely plan on keeping him harnessed as long as possible. As for weight, I think he is 35th percentile on average. Currently he is 3ft and 28lbs at 26 months. </p> <p>I know there might be / will be new seats but I just have a hard time waiting :) I'm not looking to pick a seat right now, but just trying to understand the pros and cons of convertibles vs. combos/high-back boosters, especially in a forward facing situation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/convertible-vs-combination-high-back-booster#post-2815260 Mon, 09 Apr 2018 14:49:44 +0000 catgirl 2815260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with the previous posters - it will really depend on if you want to forward face him and that new seats will likely come out before the end of the year. </p> <p>If you decide to forward face you will definitely need a combination seat. Kids should be harnessed to at least 5. </p> <p>Something to keep in mind with the extend2fit is that it has a weird forward facing install when the child is under 40 pounds. I know you mentioned your LO is tall but not sre about his weight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/convertible-vs-combination-high-back-booster#post-2815258 Mon, 09 Apr 2018 14:34:46 +0000 looch 2815258@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you have time to wait, I wouldn't waste a lot of time on the current seats that are out there, they'll change and you have to research all over again!</p> <p>I think the important thing to keep in mind is maturity of the kid sitting in the seat. Some kids do fine in a high backed booster using the seat belt, others (like my 7 year old) do not, so we decided to go with a combo seat that had a high weight and height limit for harnessing. Those types of seats might be more pricy, compared to ones with lower limits. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/convertible-vs-combination-high-back-booster#post-2815257 Mon, 09 Apr 2018 14:30:33 +0000 snowjewelz 2815257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess it depends if you want to keep rear facing or not.</p> <p>We chose to turn DD1 around when we passed down the convertible, so we got her a Graco Nautilus and we've been happy with it! It doesn't recline but she has been comfy in it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/convertible-vs-combination-high-back-booster#post-2815255 Mon, 09 Apr 2018 14:28:40 +0000 DesertDreams88 2815255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm thinking ahead here, so I have time to research and maybe buy on Black Friday. I am going to need to buy 3-4 seats in the next year or so. We have 3 cars that we use regularly. Anyway, I was planning that when LO2 outgrows her infant seat, we'll move her into the Graco extend-2-fit convertibles we have, rearfacing. Then we will have to buy LO1 new seats. He will be 3. He is tall for his age. There are 2 SUVs and 1 standard sedan in the mix.</p> <p>I could do either 3 more graco ,extend-2-fits and keep him rearfacing, or 3 high back boosters (maybe combo ones??) I am open to turning him around at that point. But honestly, high back boosters look uncomfy, with little incline or cushioning! What's the rough price estimate on them? The extend-2-fits are usually about $150 on sale, and I have time to wait.</p> <p>ETA: I'm trying to understand the pros and cons of convertibles vs. combos/high-back boosters, especially in a forward facing situation. I'm not sure if we will be forward facing him at that point but it is a definite possibility. </p>