Customer Reviews

The First Years: On-The-Go Booster Seat

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Just as advertised, this is lightweight, easy to fold up and carry, and really easy to use--I've even managed to set it up one-handed while holding my baby in my other hand. The only 'but' I have to give this, and it's a pretty big one, is that it's nearly impossible to clean. It's surface-wash only, and resists being cleaned with a sponge. This means it's gotten gradually grungier and grungier as we've used it, with little or no way to get the crusted or rubbed-in food off. That's a big problem for an otherwise fantastic product.

Both are very functional and well made, but here are the differences:

1)The munchkin one is made of sturdy hollow plastic, utilizing middle of chair base for additional storage like diapers or feeding items. It is bigger folded and weighs 3 LB. The first years is auto-inflated, therefore, smaller when folded and weights 2 LB. It has a small mesh pocket in the back, good for storing bibs and such(easy access) in a pinch.

2)The munchkin one has 3 straps (one on the back and 2 on the bottom of the chair). The first years has 2 straps(one on the back and one on the bottom).

3)The munchkin one is solid plastic and won't sag, where as the first years is air-inflated and may sag just a little with a heavy child. it also feels more bouncy on a not-so-flat chair. One upside is that you can control how high you want the booster depending on how much you inflate.

4)With regard to opening and closing, the first years requires additional steps because you have to 1)unzip to allow expansion 2)open the valve to inflate 3)close the valve after inflating. Also .4 additional steps with closing: 1)open the valve to deflate 2)apply pressure to deflate 3)close the valve after deflating 4)zip to keep untit together.

5)the munchkin one is slightly higher than the first years by approximately 3/4 inch.

I think both are excellent products, but at the end I choose the munchkin one(also available at local target) due to fewer steps in opening and closing and the additional strap to feel just a little more secure. The first years can be a good choice if you prefer to carry 2 lb instead of 3 lb and you want a more compact fold.

Hope this helps.

I don't understand the negative reviews for the On-the-go booster seat...it is a great product. First of all, it fits just fine on any chair that has a back, so pretty much anything but a bar stool works. Really, I've used these seats (I have one for each kid) on scores of chairs world-wide, and they work just fine. They are very light-weight and portable, I keep them in the car for when we are visiting, and can easily fit the two in my suitcase (along with all our clothes for a week) while travelling. They wash just fine. They say "surface wash", but I've thrown mine in the washing machine plenty of times, and they come out just great (just disassemble, and then air dry).

I used these for my singletons, but NEEDED it with the twins. Shopping at any grocery store where they only have regular carts. I put one child in the seat, and then I strap this into the basket part. I strap the other baby into this. Works great!!! My family would have starved without this!

I only used these after they outgrew their infant seats. Until then I put one in a snuggly or a backpack.

I bought this for when my friend's baby is here. Baby can sit right up to the our table with my "big kids" and she thinks she is too cool. I would consider her activity level to be normal for a 12-month-old, and she has remained safely sitting when I've used it. The seat easily wipes clean, is very light weight, and closes small enough to store almost anywhere. Another thing I like is that it can inflate so she's sitting higher, making it perfect for the dining table.
I recommend this booster and think you'll be happy with it.

We recently purchased this seat to take with us on a trip to Paris for our 16 month old daughter - and, I couldn't recommend it more highly. It is lightweight and compact when broken down - fit easily into the suitcase going over - without taking up too much room. And, it also fit well into the stroller basket when we were out and about in the city. It came in very handy as most restaurants did not have a high chair. This is a great product for travel with a toddler!

Don't waste your money on this chair. The back strap only works properly if the chair back is super wide. It does NOT fit most regular chairs. Even if it does fit, my squirmy 13-month old can wiggle the straps loose, posing a risk of him falling out of the chair. Don't waste your money. I bought this only 1 month ago but I will not be using it again. Not that I've used it very many times anyway because most of the chairs that I've tried to use it on, it hasn't been able to strap properly. Again, don't waste your money on this chair.

Buy the Fisher Price travel seat. I have that one and it's sturdier, safer and fits on most chairs that I've tried it on.

This is my first review and I had to say this because I feel strongly about this product...I have an 11 month old and not sure if this thing requires your children to be heavy, but my 20lb child can not stay safely in this chair. He squirms and because the chair does not stay planted on the chair, it looks like he is going to fall out of the chair or fall over. Keep in mind that he is strapped in underneath and behind the chair. I have only used it a couple of times and I will not be using it again.

We bought this booster seat before moving overseas with our 11 month-old - and it was AWESOME. If you're traveling anywhere that doesn't have highchairs in restaurants, this will let you go out to eat with your toddler. It's lightweight and folds down small to put in luggage. We brought it with us everywhere and used it all the time for two years. It got a little grungy, but it held up well.

this chair certainly serves its purpose.

i needed a travel chair for a trip to hawaii, something that would pack up small. this seat worked well for my trip, attached easily to the chair, and kept my 14 month old seated at the table for his meals. the baby was able to feed himself at the table using a plate with a suction bottom, and it allowed me to eat without holding him in my lap. i also use this seat for meals at family members homes.

well worth the money and well used.