2023 Chicco MyFit Car Seat Review – Tall & Skinny Is a Good Combination

2023 Chicco MyFit & MyFit Zip Air Harness + Booster Review

Chicco carseats are consistently awesome and so it should come as no surprise that the MyFit series of forward-facing “combination” seats (aka, Harness + Booster seats) are worthy contenders in their class.

The MyFit is NOT a rear-facing car seat so it’s intentionally designed for bigger, older kids. Best of all, it’s tall and narrow, which means it can accommodate those bigger kids longer and can also fit in tight spaces.

However, every seat has tradeoffs and what’s perfect for one parent might be less-than-ideal for the next. We’ll cover it all in this hands-on review.

Let’s start with the differences between the MyFit, MyFit Zip & MyFit Zip Air models:

Chicco MyFit is the base model. MSRP $219.99

2023 MyFit Fashions: Fathom, Gardenia, Atmosphere, Indigo

MyFit Zip adds a zip-off overlay for easier cleaning.

2023 MyFit Zip Fashions: Granite & Nightfall. MSPR $269.99

MyFit Zip Air is the premium version that features the zip-off overlay, a breathable AirMesh backrest, plus Chicco’s patented SuperCinch Latch force-multiplying system.

2023 MyFit Zip Air fashions: Q Collection MSRP $319.99

Chicco MyFit Specs:

• With 5-point Harness: forward-facing only 25-65 lbs., 54″ tall or less, child at least 2 years old
• Belt-Positioning Booster: 40-100 lbs., 38-57″ tall, child at least 4 years old

MyFit Features:

• No-rethread harness with 9-position headrest
• 4 recline positions for customizable child positioning (in both harness & booster mode)
• Bubble level indicators for both harness mode and booster mode
• Lockoffs for secure installation with seatbelt
• Premium push-on LATCH connectors (LATCH weight limit 40 lbs.)
• SuperCinch force-multiplying system on LATCH strap (Zip Air models only)
• Integrated LATCH storage compartment
• Deep head and torso wings plus EPS foam for enhanced side-impact protection
• Steel-reinforced frame
• Energy-absorbing base
• Dual-density foam seat cushion with ergonomically contoured seat
• Deep seat pan to comfortably support older children with longer legs
• Chest clip comfort pads surround chest clip-on harness (usage mandatory)
• Optional harness strap covers and buckle cover
• Dual dishwasher-safe foldable cup holders (aka “cup-folders”)
• Can use LATCH in booster mode
• Integrated harness storage compartment (for booster mode)
• FAA approved for use on airplanes (harness mode only)
• IIHS Best Bet Booster rating
• Made in China
• 8-year lifespan before expiration

 Measurements:

• Maximum harness height: 19.5″
• Maximum booster seated height: 20.25″ (measured to bottom of shoulder belt guide)
• Width at widest points: 17.5″ (armrests & torso wings)
• Shoulder width: 13.5″
• Hip width: 10.5″
• Crotch strap depth: 5.5″, 7″
• Seat depth: 15″
• Weight: 24.5 lbs.

Each MyFit model comes with harness strap covers and a buckle cover (both are optional), and chest clip comfort pads which are required. The Zip Air models have additional “comfort flex” pads which attach to the hip straps. The buckle pad is tethered to the buckle in a way that it stays put so it won’t come off all the time and be easily lost. As a mom, it’s always the little things like that that I really appreciate! 

Here is a video overview of MyFit features. For a detailed explanation of the features plus information on how it works in vehicles and with kids, keep reading.

Fit-to-Vehicle:

Unlike many other forward-facing seats, the MyFit has to be installed within an acceptable recline range, as indicated by a bubble level on the side of the seat. This should be easy to do, though. The MyFit has four recline positions that are all (potentially) usable in harnessed or booster mode. Keep in mind the allowed range is greater in harnessed mode than in booster mode.

I installed the MyFit in a 2010 Honda Odyssey, a 2014 Honda Civic, a 2019 Honda Odyssey, a 2019 Toyota Prius, a 2019 Hyundai Ioniq, and a 2019 Ford F150 (SuperCrew). I used various recline positions in both modes and had no problem achieving angles within the allowed ranges. In fact, I don’t recall having any of my choices fall outside of the allowed range.

The MyFit doesn’t allow gaps between the vehicle seat and the child restraint, so if you find the vehicle headrest pushes the seat forward and creates a gap, raise or remove the headrest if possible. If you can’t, try a different seating position that might have other headrest options.

When it comes to getting a tight installation, some people find it to be a breeze, and others find it more challenging. I suspect that the individual seating position makes a big difference.

In the F150 and Hyundai Ioniq, I was able to easily achieve a nice, tight installation with the seatbelt without issue. However, in both of the Odysseys, the Civic, and the Prius I was able to get an acceptable installation, but they all took more work than I would have expected.

Installation with LATCH: It’s important to note that I was installing the base model MyFit, which has nice push-on lower LATCH connectors but a lacks the SuperCinch tightening mechanism found on the Zip Air model.

I found it took a lot of effort and weight in the seat to get the MyFit installed with less than an inch of movement. Heather and Kecia tried the premium MyFit Zip Air model, which has the SuperCinch system for installing with LATCH, and they reported having a much easier time.

*Always attach the tether strap on the back of the MyFit to the tether anchor in your vehicle. The tether strap is stored in a compartment on the back of the car seat.

Installation with Seatbelt: Installing with the seatbelt was similar to installing with LATCH in that in some vehicles, I had to really work at it. With some installations, the best I could get was just under an inch of movement. (Any installation with less than an inch of movement is considered safe and secure, so that’s not a problem. I’m just used to being able to get seats tighter than that.) The built-in lockoff is a nice feature if someone doesn’t have locking belts, but it’s not quite as easy to use as the lockoff on the KeyFit, for example, and it was hard to get the seatbelt in without it bunching up.

*Always attach the tether strap on the back of the MyFit to the tether anchor in your vehicle, even when you are installing with seatbelt. The tether strap is stored in a compartment on the back of the car seat.

Pro Installation Tip: Place the MyFit in the most reclined position, then install with the seatbelt or lower anchors and get the seat as tight as possible. Then force the seat into a more upright position, which will likely increase the tightness of the installation. (Obviously don’t force the seat to move if you meet significant resistance, and make sure the bubble indicator is still in the acceptable range when you’re done.) I found that this trick did help with certain installations but I’d prefer if I didn’t need to rely on tricks to achieve a good installation.

LATCH Weight Limit: Please note that the child’s weight limit for using lower anchors is 40 lbs., so once a child is heavier than that, you’ll need to use the vehicle’s seatbelt to install the seat.

Center LATCH installations with Non-Standard Spacing:
Chicco does not allow borrowing LATCH anchors from the outboard positions for use in the center with the InRight LATCH connectors.

Inflatable Seat Belts:
Chicco has determined that the MyFit cannot be installed with inflatable seat belts found in some Ford Motor Company vehicles.

Fit-to-Child:

My two youngest kids tried out the MyFit. My 7-year-old is 50″, 50 lbs, and wears size 6/7 shirts. My 10-year-old is 53″, 56 lbs, and wears a size 8/10.

With 5-point Harness: My 7-year-old fit great in the harness and still had a couple inches left before he’d outgrow it. Even my 10-year-old still fit with some room to grow.

S is 5.5 years old, 39 lbs, and 44″ tall:

Booster: Both my kids fit well in booster mode, with the lap belt sitting on their hips and the shoulder belt crossing the middle of their shoulders. Seatbelt fit with a booster can be very dependent on what vehicle it’s installed in (and even which seating position is used in each vehicle), so be sure to check each time you install it in a new place. Below is my daughter in a 2019 Odyssey and my son in a 2014 Civic.

I did notice that in the Civic and the Odyssey, when the belt guide was in a lower position, the seatbelt didn’t retract well. In the lower positions, the belt gets stuck between the seat and the guide, whereas in the higher positions, it’s able to slide more freely. Most kids short enough to use the belt guide in the lower positions would still be able to comfortably use the harness (with tons of room to grow), but it’s something to be aware of.

Comfort & Convenience:

My kids both loved the MyFit in terms of comfort. It’s a sturdy seat with good padding and support. My son loved “folding” and unfolding the cupholders, and I liked how easy the cupholders are to remove. (Have you ever found something gross in a cupholder? Yeah… it’s so nice to be able to pop them out for easy cleaning.)

I appreciate when manufacturers have useful, clearly marked storage for components of their seats. Chicco has done this on the MyFit, providing convenient storage for the lower anchors and the top tether.

Another nice touch is the design of the buckle cover. It has a little tab to help hold it in place against the buckle, meaning that it won’t go flying off and get lost. The pad also helps keep the buckle out of the way when kids are getting into the seat.

The “pull-tab” headrest adjustment isn’t quite as easy as some other seats with squeeze-handles, and sometimes it was hard to adjust the headrest while the seat was installed. Still, a harness you can adjust without needing to flip the seat over, unhook webbing, etc. is always a plus.

I love that the seat has built-in storage for the harness when the seat is used in booster mode. Unfortunately, you need to remove part of the cover in order to store the harness, which makes the process a little more complicated.

As for cover-removal, I would rank the MyFit a “moderate” in terms of how easy it is. The cover has several different portions, which can be nice if you just need to clean part of the seat. Some of the pieces are easier to remove than others. There are only a few elastic loops and no weird snaps or difficult tabs–most of the cover just slides into place. However, there were a few tricky parts, so I always recommend taking photos as you remove the cover to help you figure out how to put it back on. Surprisingly, I found the most difficult portions of the cover were the pads on the armrests. They’re held on by loops that aren’t elastic, so you really need to work to wriggle them off. If you suspect you’ll need to remove the cover often, you may want to consider the Zip or Zip Air versions of the seat.

The cover can be hand-washed or machine-washed on gentle cycle using mild soap. Hang to dry.

FAA Approval/Lifespan/Crash Guidelines:

• MyFit is approved for use on airplanes when using it in harness mode. No belt-positioning booster seats can be used on airplanes, and the MyFit is no different.
• MyFit has an 8-year lifespan. The sticker with the model, manufacture date, and the “do not use after” date can be found in the tether storage compartment.
• MyFit must be replaced after any crash.

Chicco MyFit Advantages:

The MyFit has one of the tallest harness heights available, so it should get most kids to a reasonable booster age. At 17.5″ across, it’s also among the narrowest combination seats, which is a huge benefit if you need to squeeze seats into tight spaces. The SuperCinch feature on the MyFit Zip Air models can help a lot with getting a good installation, although keep in mind that with a 40-lb. LATCH limit, that feature might not be usable to some (or at least not for long). The foldable and easily removable cupholders are handy, and it’s always nice to be able to store a harness, rather than remove it, for booster use.

Disadvantages:

Achieving a proper installation in some vehicles can take a bit of work, especially if you don’t have the SuperCinch LATCH feature (or if you do but your kid is over the LATCH weight limit so you can’t use it).

Conclusion:

The Chicco MyFit Harness + Booster is a very popular forward-facing only seat that converts to a booster when your child outgrows the 5-point harness. Achieving a tight installation might take some trial and error in certain vehicles or seating positions, but it’s usually possible. The MyFit has a very tall harness that will serve bigger kids well, and the narrow dimensions make it a good choice for fitting into tight spaces.

Thank you to Chicco USA for providing the samples for our review. CarseatBlog received no compensation and all opinions are our own.