Britax Frontier 85
Britax has had its share of troubles with product recalls, but this time it dodges the bullet with the Frontier 85 Combination booster seat. This convertible seat has a five-point safety harness capacity to restrain children in the forward-facing mode up from 25 to 85 pounds. In the booster mode, it accommodates kids 42 to 65 inches tall and weighing 40 to 120 pounds. To increase the safety factor it has a staged-release tether webbing to anchor the top of the seat at two points, to cut down on forward movement in a crash. The harness has 10 height positions to safely restrain taller as well as shorter children, plus three buckle positions so the fit can be adjusted as the child grows.
The Frontier 85 is designed for kids no younger than age 2, so if you have a little one younger than that, choose another seat until they’re old enough to sit in this one. The manufacturer advertises an optional SecureGuard clip to hold the lap portion of the safety belt in place, to keep the child from sliding down in the seat and “submarining,” which can cause abdominal injury. Not all booster seats are the same size, and this one fits best in mid-sized cars, minivans and SUVs. The price ranges from as low as $199.99 to as much as $329.99 so shop around.
Quick Specs
- Dimensions: 27 by 19.5 by 23 inches
- Weight: 19.6 pounds
- Seat Type: High back booster
- Features: Five-point harness, adjustable head support, cup holder, front adjusters, latch, washable fabric
- Side Impact Protection: Yes
- NHTSA Ease of Use Rating: Not Rated
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Strengths
The Frontier 85 comes with a limited one-year warranty. The seat has an extra high back which rises above the child’s head, and wide padded side wings, to provide extra protection in a collision. The base of the seat is designed to absorb energy and diffuse the force of a collision in a crash. The SecureGuard clip keeps the child from sliding around in the seat. Weaknesses Compared to backless booster seats, this one is fairly heavy at almost 20 pounds. The price is high, putting it out of the budget for some families. There’s no JPMA or ASTM certification information. |
Prices
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| Valerie Baldowski is passionate about writing about everything from childrens safety and juvenile products to gardening tools. She is the mother of a high energy 8 year old child so she is accustomed to researching childrens products and services. Her writing and researching began at an early age… See more about Valerie |
