Need a New Second Seat and confused. lol

[MamieCole]

Hi all...would love a little input for out situation.

DS1 is 6.5 years old, 45lbs and 46". He rides harnessed in a Britax Frontier 85 in my car. 

DS2 is almost 3.5 years old, 40lbs and 40" and also rides harnessed in a Britax Frontier 85 in my car. I just turned him FF when he outgrew the RF weight  limit of the Complete Air last month.

In DH's car, we have a Boulevard that is about to expire in just a couple of months and the Complete Air that has lots of FF life left.

Since the Blvd is expiring, we need to buy a seat to replace it with.

The boys only ride in DH's car rarely...maybe once per month and never for long trips. He drives a Prius. 

My original plan was to buy another Frontier 85.

However, both boys and I are flying to visit my mom next month and I will need to bring two carseats with me. I was thinking it might be a good idea to buy the new seat and just have it shipped directly to her, that way I would only need to schlep one seat through the airport and on the plane on the way there (But still two on the way back, obviously.) 

And that got me thinking of trying to find a seat that is more lightweight and perhaps narrower than the Frontier 85 to make the travel portion a bit less cumbersome for me.

So I am wondering if DS1 is old enough/big enough to safely ride in a high back booster in DH's car or if harnessing is still best for him?

Or are there any other harness to booster seats that are more lightweight then the Frontier 85? 

Budget isn't really a factor, just want the right seat for my boys. 

I had all this car seat stuff figured out 3 years ago, but so much has changed and am confused all over again. Thanks for any advice! 

[DahliaRW]

If your oldest can sit properly in a booster (most kids that age can), then that is a perfectly safe choice for him.  There are lots of options, the turbobooster is nice and lightweight, but the back does come off easily which can be a pain if you're hauling it through the airport.  Most people just pack the back in their suitcase and then carry the bottom part on to put in the overhead bin.  My oldest can carry his own booster bottom through the airport, which makes it easier, I would bet yours could too.  As far as boosters, most of the dedicated high back boosters are going to work for most kids.  I would go to a store, check them out, and see if you can take them out to your car to check belt fit.  Then pick the one you like best and order it and ship it if that si what you want.  For your other child I would bring the complete air on your trip.  It's lightweight and a whole lot easier to haul through the airport then the frontier would be.

[MamieCole]

Originally Posted by DahliaRW 

If your oldest can sit properly in a booster (most kids that age can), then that is a perfectly safe choice for him.  There are lots of options, the turbobooster is nice and lightweight, but the back does come off easily which can be a pain if you're hauling it through the airport.  Most people just pack the back in their suitcase and then carry the bottom part on to put in the overhead bin.  My oldest can carry his own booster bottom through the airport, which makes it easier, I would bet yours could too.  As far as boosters, most of the dedicated high back boosters are going to work for most kids.  I would go to a store, check them out, and see if you can take them out to your car to check belt fit.  Then pick the one you like best and order it and ship it if that si what you want.  For your other child I would bring the complete air on your trip.  It's lightweight and a whole lot easier to haul through the airport then the frontier would be.

Thanks so much!

DS1 is pretty mature for his age and follows directions well, so I don't think he will have issues sitting properly. And you are totally right about the complete air for the trip...I have hauled Frontiers and BLVDs down airplane aisles one too many times. lol 

I did some research on carseat.org last night and think that I want to go for a HBB with LATCH. Since it will be in DH's car empty most of the time, having it secure without him having to worry about the seat belt is a bonus. Headed to BRU today to see if the Graco Affix fits DH's car and will go from there. 

Thanks again!