This isn’t a full review, but I wanted to share our experience with the original Britax Frontier model in booster mode. In short, we love it :). This is Karsten last summer, he was almost 12, about 90 pounds, and about 60 inches tall. That’s the top listed height limit for the original Frontier model. He’s a fairly average sized tween, and actually had just started to fit safely in the adult seatbelt in the captain’s chairs (Passing the 5-step test: Bum all the way back in the seat, knees bent comfortably at the edge of the seat, lapbelt low on the hips, shoulderbelt in the middle of the shoulder, and sitting that way the entire time. I also add my own requirement, that kids’ feet be flat on the floor, so that way they don’t feel the need to scootch forward and rest their feet, causing the belt to fit higher on the abdomen. Maybe some kids can sit perfectly the entire ride with their feet dangling, but not mine!).
Both the original Frontier and the new Frontier 85 model can be fully LATCHed into place in booster mode (Lower anchors plus top tether is allowed, though not required) to hold it in place when it’s not occupied. It it has ample depth for leg support, is wide and tall for kids with wider shoulders, and this model has flip out cupholders (the new 
Frontier 85 has integrated cupholders). But the number one reason he loves sitting in it is that it has head support. If you’ve ever wished for a way to comfortably relax in the car and lean your tired head to the side for a snooze, you know exactly what I mean. Maybe one day, cars will have adjustable-wing headrests, like some airplane seats have had for years now. Until then, I’m glad Britax offers such a tall booster with so much comfort for very tall kids.
Oh, and yes, he has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. If anyone really wants to rough him up for sitting in a baby seat, they’d better watch out 😉
I am 4’10”, and at age 72 I don’t think I’m going to grow any more – quite the opposite! I’ve tried looking up Adult Booster Seats, but they seem to be for adults looking for children’s seats. I’m probably going to have to go to Sporty’s Pilot Shop and get an aviation seat cushion. I’ve been using one in my Kia for years, and it works great, but I’d like another for when I ride in my husband’s Mustang.
@kraven, I disagree, though I’m the one who also put my 11 yr old back in a booster a couple of months ago (https://carseatblog.com/10115/crazy-woman-puts-her-kid-back-in-a-booster/). I have no illusions about how big he is or that he’s growing up, but it really *is* about belt fit. If the seatbelt doesn’t fit well over the hips, he will be injured in a crash. That’s an easy $60,000 for transport to a trauma center here, plus that amount each day thereafter if he’s admitted. Forget surgical costs. Many people use this same argument to justify taking their 5 yr olds out of booster seats. It’s simply illogical to say that because kids are old enough to sit without a seat means that they should.
This seems really extreme to me and bordering on ridiculous. A 12 year old in a booster seat, driving up to middle school? And he isn’t a tiny 12 year old either. He is well past the 4’9″ 80 pound maximum requirement. Why not just wrap bubble wrap all around him and duct tape him to the seat? Or better yet never let him get in a car at all. Set that poor kid free before you ruin him socially. I don’t care that he is a black belt, developmentally, you are stunting him and treating him like a baby.
Exactly what I was thinking! If I was back in middle school and I saw a kid roll up to school on a high backed booster seat he would be the laughing stock of 6th grade! Then you’d have a lot more issues as s patent to handle than car safety. I’m only keeping my kids in a booster UNTILL age 7 at the very latest
Hi PS126- That is a valid question that we hear frequently. There is a good answer, believe it or not. Booster age kids are generally not to the age of reason and don’t always grasp the importance of personal safety issues in general. So, if they are uncomfortable in a seatbelt designed for an average adult, they will simply slouch or put the shoulder belt behind their arm or back. The intent of a booster is not only to position the belts correctly, but to make it more comfortable and reduce the need to slouch so that the child can bend their knees. As an adult, hopefully we are all able to realize that even if we are a little uncomfortable because the seatbelt doesn’t quite fit right, we should still keep wearing it. Obviously, for very short adults, it’s possible a booster could help, but even if they opt not to use one, they can still use the seatbelt even if it rides on their neck a little bit. Plus, even for a small adult, the hips are generally bigger and stronger than a child’s, making a slightly loose lap belt a little less dangerous.
I’m a 5’1″ adult. I feel a bit nervous about the steadily increasing weight/height recommendations for booster seats. Am I going to fall into the booster seat category soon? Or will car manufacturers get it that many *adults* riding in and driving the cars they build are about the size of many 12-year-olds? Sorry if I sound a bit flippant. I do care about safety for kids and I would never let mine ride without an appropriate restraint but these seemingly ever-expanding booster recommendations blow me away.
Thank you for this article! DS is only 4 and I was wondering how he would fit into it long term. Especially when I was debating getting the FR85, but I think his leg room would be cut off by the cup holders. Another great article!
He’s so leggy! But seriously, I don’t get why age is even related to it, when we have crash tests and all that showing how necessary a booster is. Jeffrey has had to be reminded only because his brother outgrew boosters so early… but every time I remind him, he gets it and he appreciates that I want that seatbelt fitting him properly.
I only wish I could have afforded the Frontier for one or both of my kids… but long-term, I’d like to see them make it sold less expensively without the features that let it use the harness.
I was surprised to find that *I* fit in it as a booster when I pulled it out a month ago for my ds to use after a medical procedure required him to go under anesthesia and I wanted him to have a place to rest his head on the way home in case he was woozy. I’m 5’6″! My ds is probably around 4’10” now and has quite the torso. The Frontier has some great height to it. Unfortunately, my ds quit karate at his gold with orange stripe belt, so Julie, your ds could probably flick him across the room, lol.
:ROTFLMAO: on the black belt and baby seat!
As if I didn’t already have enough Frontier envy (just can’t justify the $ for a couple of 8 year olds) – any chance there’ll be a dedicated-booster version of the Frontier (preferably with a blue cover) by October 2011 when DD2’s beloved Sapphire Parkway expires?
Yup, I love our Frontier. We just switched DD 1 (6 years-50lbs) to booster mode in it and she has tons of growing room. It’s amazing how tall that thing goes! It’s cool to see a big kid sitting comfortably in it too. Nice.
That would be cool to have head wings for adults too. There have been many long road trips that it would have come in handy.