Headquartered in Chertsey, UK, Britax is one of the island’s most well-known manufacturers of childcare products. Their high chairs, strollers, and car seats are held in high regard by the parents all over the world due to their quality, efficiency, and ease of operation.
One of their most popular car seats, the Parkway SGL, has received a new update – G1.1. Although this update doesn’t bring any significant changes, we still think that the model deserves a new, in-depth review. If you’re curious about the advantages of this popular booster seat, read on!
Specifications:
- Car Seat Type – Booster Car Seat
- Weight – 16 pounds
- Weight Recommendation – 40-120 pounds
- Dimensions – 15″ x 18″ x 28″
- Maximum Height Limit – 50″
- Expiration – 6 years
Features of Britax Parkway SGL G1.1
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The Design
The design of this booster car seat is a pretty straightforward one, with no noticeable flaws or bad design decisions – it’s simply a classic look that everybody knows and likes. Just like the other booster seats on the market, this one can also be purchased in several different color variants.
We had the “Spade” version on the testing, which is almost entirely black with just a few red elements. The seat fits very well with the interior of the vehicle, but it’s nice to know that the Britax offers it in other colors.
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The Comfort
One of the first things to notice about this model is how comfortable it looks. We’re quite happy to say that it actually is comfortable, with enough padding to provide your little one with an enjoyable riding experience. Both the back and the seating area have a very soft feel and are covered with quality, textured fabric that’s among the best ones we’ve seen so far.
Finding the perfect fit is quite easy with this model since it sports an adaptable headrest that you can adjust as your child grows. Overall, we have no major complaints about the Parkway’s level of comfort.
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The Safety
The safety is a field in which this booster car seat excels. The torso wings and the headrest of this model are lined with EPS foam, which is well-known for its capability to absorb large amounts of energy in case of a collision. There’s also the so-called SafeCell technology, developed internally by Britax and being yet another feature that makes this model so safe and secure.
But the thing that caught our attention the most is the presence of the SecureGuard clip which can be attached to the model’s seat pan. Its function is to help you find the correct position for the belt’s lap portion and to prevent submarining under the belt in case of a traffic accident. Submarining is not a typical occurrence, but it’s nice to know that you’re protected from it if it takes place.
We also liked the premium LA (Lower Anchor) connectors that keep the seat a lot more stable in the car. They can also keep it secure when it’s unoccupied, preventing it from becoming a projectile in an accident.
The Britax Parkway SGL G1.1 can be used in two different modes – as a high-back booster and as a backless booster. To find out more on the installation of this seat, read the next part of the review.
Ease of Installation
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High-Back Mode
Setting up this booster is pretty straightforward – you just have to place it on your vehicle’s back seat and adjust the model’s headrest by using the dedicated one-hand adjuster. Once you make sure that the shoulder belt is lying on the middle portion of your kid’s shoulder, you can safely buckle the belt over him or her. Don’t forget to adjust the headrest in a way that allows the shoulder belt guide to fall just a little bit above your little one’s shoulder.
The SecureGuard clip, a unique feature that we’ve already mentioned, is something that will help you quickly find the correct fit for your child. It goes between the kid’s legs and can be attached to the lap section of the vehicle’s seat belt. To use it, you’ll have to slide the lap section of the belt into it before you buckle the belt, and then you can tighten it as you usually would. Its length can be adjusted by de-attaching it from the seat and adjusting its strap.
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Backless Mode
As it has an adjustable backrest which allows up to almost 22 inches of torso height, this model is among the tallest boosters on the market. This will allow your child to use the high-back mode for a lot longer than some other models, and once he or she outgrows it, you can simply convert it to the backless style. This style is intended for the kids who are up to 50 inches tall and are no heavier than 120 pounds. Installing the model by this method is even easier than it is in the high-back mode – you’ll figure it out instantly.
Conclusion
While this seat certainly isn’t the best one we’ve tested so far, it possesses qualities that allow it to stand out from the competition. We liked its functional design, the ease of installation in both methods, as well the amount of safety that it provides the child with. As far as we’re concerned, it’s worth the money.