The Product: Hybrid Five Point Harness - Booster Seat

Parents are often reluctant to move their kids directly from a convertible car seat to a traditional booster seat at 40 lbs. because it’s safer to keep them in a five-point harness. But for those who don’t have room for the seats that go up to 65 lbs., this can mean purchasing an additional “in-between” car seat, which can get expensive. Manufacturers have rushed to fill this gap with what’s being called a “hybrid booster.” These products serve as front-facing convertible car seats and then morph into boosters when children get up near 60 lbs.

Sunshine Kids headed in this direction a few years ago with its excellent Radian 65 Car Seat, but the Radian is more of a convertible/big kid car seat hybrid; it does not turn into a booster. Britax tried to make a big splash earlier this year with its hybrid booster, the Britax Frontier, but I’m not a big fan— the seat was actually bigger than a traditional car seat and very difficult to install.

Car seat shopping is complicated by products that try to be all things to all people, which inherently involves sacrifices. Infant seats are in a class of their own, but what comes next is a rear-facing convertible, a front-facing convertible (with varying weight limits) and then a booster. Hybrids attempt to cross two of these three stages, which is about as much as they can do well.

Recommendation: SafeGuard Go Hybrid Booster

The SafeGuard Go Hybrid Booster provides unmatched versatility with the convenience of a backless booster and the safety of a five-point harness. My wife and I first saw the SafeGuard Go Hybrid Booster after it had been recommended to a friend by the folks at Magic Beans, whose advice we often follow. It’s now my favorite new product of 2008. The SafeGuard Go Hybrid has a brilliant design which uses the upper tether in the car to provide the support for the back of the seat and the leverage for the five-point harness so that the seat takes up very little width. This is essential when you start having two or three car seats in the back. The seat’s flexible back, which secures to the vehicle top tether and can be installed in less than one minute, folds easily—and the seat fits into its own lightweight travel bag, making it ideal for travel or for keeping as an extra seat in your car.

The SafeGuard can grow with your child as the five-point harness, which secures children from 22 lbs. up to 60 lbs. in “harness mode” can be converted to a latch-equipped seat belt booster in “booster mode” for children up to 100 lbs. The SafeGuard includes memory foam, an adjustable armrest and headrest with side impact protection, as well as a three-position crotch strap that adjusts for a great fit. Unlike many other boosters, the compactness of the SafeGuard Go Hybrid provides the passenger alongside with extra comfort and a spacious seat, making your middle seat usable again if you have one car seat on either side.

One of the reasons that I was disappointed with the Britax Frontier was its huge size. What I want in a booster or hybrid is something that is compact and easy to take in and out of the car without compromising on safety. The SafeGuard meets all of these needs extremely well. Also, in an age in which airlines are starting to charge for checked luggage, this is easily carried into the plane in the included travel bag by either a parent or the child. I love this seat and have recommended it to all my friends looking for a space-friendly option for their toddler. Overall, I have been really impressed by the design, quality and value of the SafeGuard Go Hybrid Booster.

Thanks again to the folks at Happy Mothers for sending us one to test!

Devil’s Advocate:

Unlike the Radian 65, the SafeGuard cannot be used in the rear-facing position; it is strictly for front-facing children who weigh at least 22 lbs. Also, it can only be used in cars with a built-in tether harness, which is virtually all models from 2002 until today. Although this seat works well for travel, due to the formless and flexible back, the seat cannot be used on an airplane.