Seat protector under car seat?

[dialacliche]

Just bought a new car and was thinking of getting one of those padded seat protectors that promise to keep your car's leather seats from getting dents from the carseat.

Just worried that these could slip or make the carseat less stable? Anyone know? And does anyone know if these really do keep your car looking nice?

Thanks in advance!

[brigala]

http://carseatblog.com/3275/

^That's a really good article on the subject and should be able to help you make up your mind.

Above all, follow your car seat's manual. If it prohibits seat protectors, or if it says to only use certain ones, it's important to follow those instructions. If it recommends seat protectors or doesn't say one way or the other, I would follow the advice in the above article when making a selection.

I really like the Diono Ultramat.

[Maedze]

I'm going to disagree with the above post.  That blog post is probably one of the worst things Car Seat Blog has ever turned out, makes no logical sense and misses the salient point.  

Mats are not needed.   They disguise poor installs.  They introduce slack into the attachment points.  These are all inarguable.   The Diono Ultramat is particularly bad.  

If you absolutely MUST put something under your seat, use a thin towel or receiving blanket.  You will not benefit from using a mat and you could quite possibly experience a horrible consequence.  Why risk it?

[brigala]

Obviously there is a wide range of opinions on this subject! In the end, only you can make the right decision for your family. 

I'm not sure what's so bad about the Ultramat compared to other protectors. Of course if you're against all seat protectors, then yeah, other than the fact that it's cut just right to fit a rear-facing Radian, it isn't somehow magically different from most of the others on the market. It's very thin and flexible, much like a towel actually, and it doesn't change my installation at all. The Prince Lionheart Stage 2 seat saver is evil, though. There are a few other brands with a similar design and it's nearly impossible to get a seat tight on them. I'm extremely suspicious of the new Britax seat protector, too, but I haven't seen it in person. It looks too similar in design to the other stiff pan-like protectors on the market that are so horrid. 

[dialacliche]

Thanks for the replies! I think I may err on the side of you-never-know, and forego the seat protector. Besides, with booster seats up next for who knows how many years, no one will even see the plain seat for years! I have an old receiving blanket on there now for at least some minimal protection.