Inexpensive and safe booster seat

[Jacie]

I am searching for booster seats and I have focused in on the Graco line of to purchase for our 4.5-year-old twin boys. They are in the 38-40# range and 40-42 inches tall.

We need a booster that is extremely comfortable, as several times a year we drive to visit family, meaning an 8-hour drive (the short one) or a 24-hour drive (ugh). We need booster seats that are comfortable and have neck support for naps (we have driven through the night in the past also).

Any experience out there with the Graco TurboBooster vs. the AirBooster? There aren't many reviews out there yet for the latter... Any other suggestions for brands or models?

Thanks in advance!
Jacie

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law. Ready to buy a Booster Seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Graco car seats Graco is one of the world's best known and most trusted juvenile products companies. They started the entire juvenile products industry with an invention called the Graco Swyngomatic. Since then they have invented products that have changed the way that parents travel with their children such as the travel system, which has made it so parents can lock an infant car seat into a stroller easily, without waking their sleeping baby. Their Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat is pretty much synonymous with the term “infant car seat” because of its safety and design features coupled with its affordability. Today Graco continues designing and developing top-quality products that inspire parents and keeps children safe. Check out the new Infant Safe Seat Step 1 and Toddler Safe Seat Step 2 for proof of Graco’s continued commitment to child safety. Ready to buy a Graco car seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Graco Turbo Booster - Click for more info The Graco TurboBooster Safe Seat (Step 3) is a sporty and detailed booster seat. The headrest is made of EPS foam for support and side-impact protection, which is now the standard for booster seats. The head support is height adjustable, and the seat can be converted into a backless booster for older kids. The adjustable armrests are a nice touch that add comfort and support for your growing child. We were a little surprised by how thin the padding was on the "Lazy Daisy" version of this seat (the Fairfax TurboBooster has padded armrests and additional GracoPedic memory foam in the seat). Ready to buy a Graco TurboBooster? Please support our sponsor!

[MnMadhouse]

The Airbooster (IMO) is easier on the bottom than the turbobooster. IT is made of a mesh netting--think of a lawnchair. Between the 2, I like the airbooster b/c of that feature.

I really love the Sunshine Kids Monterey. GREAT side impact protection, very plush and a VERY tall booster!

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law. Ready to buy a Booster Seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Sunshine Kids car seats Makers of a number of accessories geared towards making parents lives easier, Sunshine Kids has recently embarked in a new direction. In 2005 they unveiled their first car seat, the Radian. Their years of experience working in children's products focusued on child comfort and parent convenience shine through in this unique convertible car seat. The Radian is packed with safety features and is the first ever folding convertible car seat appealing to parents who car pool or travel often. Ready to buy a Sunshine Kids car seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Graco Turbo Booster - Click for more info The Graco TurboBooster Safe Seat (Step 3) is a sporty and detailed booster seat. The headrest is made of EPS foam for support and side-impact protection, which is now the standard for booster seats. The head support is height adjustable, and the seat can be converted into a backless booster for older kids. The adjustable armrests are a nice touch that add comfort and support for your growing child. We were a little surprised by how thin the padding was on the "Lazy Daisy" version of this seat (the Fairfax TurboBooster has padded armrests and additional GracoPedic memory foam in the seat). Ready to buy a Graco TurboBooster? Please support our sponsor!

[Papooses]

Are they calm boys who will be able to sit properly positioned like a crash test dummy for the entire length of every trip, even while sleeping? If not, then I strongly urge you to consider high weight harness options, such as the Graco Nautilus.

Boosters merely lift the child up so the seatbelt fits. This means the child has all the responsibility of using the booster/seatbelt correctly. Leaning forward, sideways, pulling the shoulder belt towards the elbow or under the arm or behind the back greatly increases risk of injury. It also increases the driver's distraction, which is the leading cause of crashing. Plus, the harness spreads crash forces out over a broader area of the body (5 points vs. 3 points) & reduces head excursion (or the risk of the head impacting the vehicle interior).

Otherwise, I agree with MnMadhouse's booster options. If your vehicle has Switchable Locking Retractors then you could manually engage the shoulder belt such that the kids would be more restrained from leaning, etc. If the vehicle has locking latchplates instead & you are adamantly against harnessing, then I suggest the Recaro Start booster with built in shoulder belt lock off.

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law. Ready to buy a Booster Seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Graco car seats Graco is one of the world's best known and most trusted juvenile products companies. They started the entire juvenile products industry with an invention called the Graco Swyngomatic. Since then they have invented products that have changed the way that parents travel with their children such as the travel system, which has made it so parents can lock an infant car seat into a stroller easily, without waking their sleeping baby. Their Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat is pretty much synonymous with the term “infant car seat” because of its safety and design features coupled with its affordability. Today Graco continues designing and developing top-quality products that inspire parents and keeps children safe. Check out the new Infant Safe Seat Step 1 and Toddler Safe Seat Step 2 for proof of Graco’s continued commitment to child safety. Ready to buy a Graco car seat? Please support our sponsor!

	RECARO With over 100 years of company history and long standing experience in vehicle seat construction RECARO knows how to make long journeys a pleasure for the whole family. Materials, design and technical highlights ensure a pleasant journey for adults and children alike. RECARO uses its strength as the premier mobile seat manufacturer to engineer an innovative line of products for your children. No other manufacturer can apply experience from production vehicles, commercial vehicles, and race cars to design toward the comfort and safety of children. For more info, visit RecaroChildSeat.com