This booster is easy for children to use by themselves with retainers that keep the belt properly positioned and a design that makes buckling themselves in easier. This is lower than the average weight for the group and only two high-backed booster seats in this review weigh less.

combined with one hand adjustable headrest system so that your growing child is comfortable sitting on this car seat. The Monterey 5iST doesn’t have a recline that you’re able to set, but it does have a few degrees of recline built in to help it match the vehicle seat back.Yes, it is streamlined and modern-looking – it certainly stands out from other high-back booster seats. The headrest height adjustment (above right) is also done from the back and will need to be done before you install the seat. If the vehicle head restraint pushes the booster forward, the Monterey is incompatible with that particular vehicle. It’s primary purpose is to avoid the empty booster seat becoming a projectile but you won’t be leaving it in the car when you’re done.

Diono Monterey 4DXT comes with 3 layers of protection system : EPP on inside for shock absorption, molded rigid shell casing and EPS Energy absorption foam to absorb excessive energy of collision. This model’s light weight ensures it’s easy to move from one car to another, so households with multiple vehicles won’t necessarily need to purchase extra car seats. Engineered with our most side impact protection - our rigid shell is reinforced with 8 layers of high-impact aluminum and EPS energy absorbing foam, to protect the head, shoulders, and torso. Diono Monterey XT comes with dual retractable dual cup holder and snacks that provide your child easy access to their drinks and snacks during their time on this car seat. Whether or not that makes a difference for your situation really depends on how long you intend to use a high back booster seat.I found that if I put the bottom seat portion flat on the ground right side up, then lined up the backrest hooks and connected them to the seat, it was easy to raise the seat back portion and the seat was assembled. It has backpack straps tucked into a compartment on the back but I don’t find them especially comfortable.

com, or via mail to Diono, Attn: Services Questions, at Diono LLC, 14810 Puyallup Street East, Suite 200, Sumner, WA 98390. Parents of bigger littles will understand the frustration in finding a booster seat that works for their kid. The high is 48, so the Diono is both below the max and much lower than the high for those boosters we tested. The LATCH anchors on the Diono are tightened from the front of the booster which makes it easier to install than a traditional car seat. This seat can go backless for a lightweight travel companion, and it is significantly cheaper than the Diono.On the small end, we found that our younger child didn’t get a good fit in her other Diono booster seat until she was around 43″ since she’s more legs than torso. The shoulder strap retainer that you use when the back is off can be somewhat difficult to push into the retainer (above left) but once it is on the belt it works well and stays on the belt (above right). Two built-in retractable 2-in-1 cup holder and snack tray - keeps your big kid's drink close at hand and stows away their essentials. Her two children are at the top of the height and weight charts, and she was frustrated with their current boosters being snug.