We already covered Diono’s new line of convertibles in a previous blog. Now for info on their new boosters.
Diono is adding two new boosters to its lineup to join the existing Monterey and Santa Fe. These new boosters will have a slightly lower price-point and are made of blow-molded plastic. Diono has included strategic air pockets and interior ribbing to make the blow-molded seats stronger and more reinforced in a crash, improving their performance.
The Cambria is the new high-back booster, and will be rated for 40-120 lbs. It has lower LATCH attachments and swivel-out cupholders/snack trays on both sides. It has six height positions (versus the Monterey’s 11), and will retail for about $99.99.
The new backless booster is called the Solana. It also features LATCH attachments and swivel-out cupholders/snack trays, and it will also have a 40-lb minimum. Retail price is about $39.99.
Diono expects the boosters to be available in the US and Canada around the end of this year.
The other news in Diono boosters is that the company has purchased a license to brand booster seats under the Little Tikes name. Although Little Tikes is often considered a company for infants and toddlers, they are beginning to focus on products for the 5+ age group, so the boosters will be geared in that direction.
The line will include backless and high-back boosters in bright primary colors. The seats are unique from Diono’s existing line of booster seats and will retail for $19.99-$59.99. Little Tikes boosters are expected in 2014 and will also be marketed in Canada.
Am I the only one who finds the concept of a Little Tykes booster totally stupid? Kids can’t safely ride in a booster till age 5-7ish. At that point, they want to be “big kids,” not something associated with the “Little Tikes” brand.
@Jennifer – the last I heard, the new seats should be available by 2nd Qtr 2014. That could mean April, May or June but they should be coming soon. If we hear anything more specific I’ll let you know. You may also want to try contacting a local retailer who normally carries the Monterey and ask what they know about the current shortage of existing Monterey stock.
Any updates on when these seats will be available? I was planning to buy a Monterey for my son whose Recaro harness to booster is too narrow for him. But now, Montereys are not available anywhere.
Thanks for the pictures and info! You didn’t happen to get measurements of the Cambria, did you? Specifically the high back external width?
Thanks Kecia! I had seen 2 people post that it fit in their Volvos on car-seat.org. I googled to see if I could find a side profile from the show, but no luck so far.
@Robin Cooper – Hmmm… that’s a tough one. Does the Monterey really work with typical Volvo head restraints? I don’t have any experience with that personally, but if it does then the Cambria might work for you. But I don’t want to give you false hope either because I really have no idea. There was nothing about the Cambria that made me think “oh, that might work well with fixed, angled head restraints.” It just looked like a typical HBB.
I have been following your Expo posts closely looking for a dream booster. I am looking for a light weight, high back booster with latch that will work with the headrests in a Volvo (not removable and stick out a little) . Do you remember if the Cambria’s shape might work with it? It looks like it might have potential since the Monterey supposedly works in Volvos.
@MOTOMOMMANH – Not sure but I wouldn’t be surprised if they do.
@DANIELLE – No LATCH attachments on the Little Tikes models.
@WENDY BLAKLEY KENT – It’s hard to define the meaning of “made by Diono” because it’s not like these are Monterey boosters with cheaper soft goods and less features. I’m not sure if these boosters are even made in the same factory as the typical Diono CR. If we find out more specific info we’ll let you know.
@NATALIE – the new Diono boosters should be available sometime near the end of this year in both Canada and the US. I will clarify if that applies to the LT boosters also. I’m really not sure.
Those primary colors really do nothing to promote it as a “big kid seat,” particularly that blue, yellow, and red one!!
I’m disappointed with Diono. I was really hoping for a harness-to-booster seat from them. Instead we just got more Radian clones and cheap boosters 🙁 I’m a Diono girl – love my Radian – but I’m going to have to go Britax for our next seat (a harness-to-booster).
Oh wow, I haven’t seen a primary colored booster since the Bodyguard. Yay for Diono giving us some fun stuff again 🙂
When will the new Diono boosters and convertibles be available to purchase?? Our car was totaled and I need 4 new seats, and these are perfect for me! I’m wondering if I can get by with borrowed seats for a little while until these come out!
So…are the Little Tykes boosters going to be made by diono then? Forgive me, I’ve had about 2 hours of sleep in the last few days.
Does the Little Tykes booster have LATCH?
So the question is….will they require head support like other Diono boosters?
Yay! I am very excited about these boosters- colorful, tall, and affordable! I’ve got the little tykes booster on my list as the next booster to buy for next kid, needing one.
@Jessica – those were the only measurements I took, sorry. Our appt schedule is really tight at the show and we have limited time at each booth so we just try to remember to grab one or two important measurements. Sometimes we don’t even remember (or have time) to do that – as was the case with the Cambria. I promise we’ll have more info in the near future and we’ll share it as soon as we have it.
The Cambria looks great – so does the Little Tikes hbb and at a great price point! Excited for more info!
Did you happen to get a width on either booster at the base?