Graco Highback TurboBooster Car Seat - Messenger

Comments about Graco Highback TurboBooster Car Seat - Messenger:

I own several of these boosters and have used them for many years. Of all the booster-type seats, Graco's TurboBooster has one of the highest safety ratings out there. They are rated well because they position the seat belt perfectly over the child's shoulder & lap. For my children they are better than the other boosters I've tried. The height is VERY easy to adjust when they get taller, and they are easy to put together. They are comfortable and very light - (Sidenote: some parents knock this seat because it's lightweight, but booster seats, of any brand, don't use the LATCH system. If you are forced to stop suddenly, for example, the entire weight of the seat is added to your child's body weight pressing against the seatbelts - you don't want a heavier seat, in my opinion - it's light for a reason.)
That said, this color [Messenger] is not the most attractive TurboBooster I've come accross. It's a strange orange mesh that looks like a red that's been washed 25 times, and the sides are a faded looking grey - it's not as dark as the picture. I suggest going into a BabiesRUS and checking it out in person before ordering online. "Messenger" also has almost ZERO padding under the seat cover. This is ok for short rides, but not as good for a roadtrip or longer ride.
If you are wondering why the TurboBooster seats that look identical on the websites are different prices it's because they have different styles of padding. The expensive ones have a much thicker seat cushion, extra pillows on the sides of body & head, and the material of the seat cover itself is much higher end than the less expensive seats. I have owned both kinds, and there is nothing wrong with the cheaper ones, they work just fine. It all depends upon what you want to use them for, and how picky your child is about their carseats. 2 of my 6 children were just so uncomfortable in the cheaper seats they would howl like banshees if we were in the car for more than 15 minutes. The other 4 couldn't have cared less, but I didn't drive as far with them either. In my opinion the exensive ones are worth the extra money if you use them a lot. I hope this helps.

Comments about Graco Highback TurboBooster Car Seat - Messenger:

This is a great booster, its portable and safe according to consumer reports. I moved my son in to one when he was about to enter kindergarten. In NYS the guidelines require a car seat or booster until your child is 6 years old AND 60 pounds, which might be as old as 8 years old.

The only drawback is that it does not include a 5 point harness. If your child is under 45 pounds they will be safest in a 5 point harness because a normal seat belt can allow them to slide under the belt and be loose in the car during an impact, despite the booster. So if your 3-4 year old is too big for a convertible car seat, make sure you get the boosters that have a 5 pt harness, even though they are very expensive.

Comments about Graco Highback TurboBooster Car Seat - Messenger:

My daughter had already outgrown her car seat and we wanted something that provided extra protection while growing with her. I put this booster seat together in the Babies R Us parking lot in less than 10 minutes. (Luckily, I had a screwdriver in my truck.) The very first time my daughter used this booster seat, she fell asleep, and her head didn't slump forward like before. The big plus is she said she liked it.

Comments about Graco Highback TurboBooster Car Seat - Messenger:

Although my son recently turned 3 years old, he falls into the size category of 4-5 year olds. So this one works much better than his convertable carseat. The opening for the seatbelt is great. It ensures that the seatbelt stays in place across the chest right where it should be. Which was not the case with our previous carseat. The removable cover makes clean up a breeze.

Comments about Graco Highback TurboBooster Car Seat - Messenger:

This seat was very easy to put together and it gives My Son the head support he needs when he falls asleep.