Chicco KidFit Booster Review + coupon code

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Is your child ready for a booster?

Whenever I review a booster seat, the first thing I want to make sure everyone understands is that you do not need to rush your child into a booster. Children must be consistently 40 lb (18 kg) and at least 38″ (97 cm) tall to use the Chicco KidFit, but this doesn’t mean that your 40-lb 3-year-old should ride in this seat.

Once the size minimums are met, deciding if a child is booster-ready is primarily about their maturity. Most children are mature enough to ride safely in a booster seat between 5–7 years old.

I love the guidelines laid out by Chicco in the KidFit manual:

So if you know your child is impulsive and is going to unbuckle when they’re not supposed to, or reach across the backseat to whack their sibling, then it’s not yet time for a booster. The only thing restraining a child when they ride in a booster seat is the seat belt, just like for adults. The booster simply positions the child so that the seat belt can function properly in a collision. Unlike a five-point harness, the adult seat belt doesn’t do anything to hold the child in place if they don’t want to stay still!

Chicco KidFit Booster Seat Specs:

  • CAN $229.99
  • High-back booster & no-back booster
  • High-back mode: 40–100 lb (18 kg–45 kg), 38″–57″ (97–145 cm)
  • No-back mode: 40–110 lb (18 kg–50 kg), 38″-58″ (97–145 cm)
  • Highest shoulder-belt guide position is 19.5″ (50 cm)
  • Width at widest point (seat) is 17″ (43 cm) with cupholders folded in
  • Includes premium lower anchors to attach to vehicle’s LATCH system

Note that I am in Canada and therefore am using a Canadian KidFit. There are some slight differences between US and Canadian models, so if you are in the US, make sure you consult your manual!

High-back mode

Chicco KidFit Set Up

It’s nice and easy to set up the KidFit straight out of the box. Clip the backrest onto the seat, insert the foam padding under the backrest cover and stick in the cupholders—make sure you put them on the correct sides—and you’re good to go. The cupholders have soft silicone sides, so you can fold them in if you need to make the booster narrower to accommodate another passenger.

Vehicle Installation

While not required, the premium lower anchor connectors allow you to attach the KidFit to the lower anchor bars (LATCH) in your vehicle as you may already do with your harnessed car seats. This is only to immobilize the booster seat and stop it from becoming a projectile if unoccupied. The lower anchors do not restrain the child in any way, so you can absolutely use this seat in a position without LATCH.

Note that in high-back mode, the KidFit manual still requires you to secure the seat with the lap/shoulder belt when unoccupied, even if it is also attached to the lower anchors. This is probably the primary “con” of this seat, since most parents buy a booster with lower connectors to avoid having to belt in the booster when unoccupied. (You do not need to fasten the seat belt around the KidFit when in no-back mode.)

The lower connectors also keep the seat in place when the child gets in and out. Since the child is usually getting into the seat and buckling/unbuckling themself, this prevents the seat from shifting out of place and covering up the buckle.

To attach the lower anchor connectors, push them onto your vehicle’s lower anchors until you hear a “click.” Pull the strap at the front of the seat to tighten. To loosen, push down on the orange button.

Special installation considerations:



  • Consult your vehicle owner’s manual if using the lower anchors. Some vehicles prohibit the use of LATCH for booster seats.
  • If your vehicle headrests interfere with the seat (pushing the booster’s headrest forward), consult your vehicle owner’s manual to confirm if the headrests can be removed. Vehicles with forward-leaning headrests that are not removable or must be left in place as per the manufacturer may not be compatible with the KidFit in high-back mode.

No-back mode

Set Up

If your child is ready to use the KidFit without the backrest, remove the backrest and attach the booster to the lower anchors as you did in high-back mode. (If using in a position without LATCH, remember to secure it with the seat belt when not in use.)

The portion where the backrest clicks onto the seat becomes a handy handle if your child often has to tote their booster between cars for carpools!

Adjusting for Your Child

High-back mode

With your child seated in the KidFit, click the orange lever at the top of the headrest to lift it up until the orange shoulder-belt guide is at or slightly about your child’s shoulders. Thread the shoulder belt through the guide.

When raising the headrest of the KidFit, notice that it actually lengthens the entire back support portion of the seat, extending from the base, rather than just extending the headrest. This means the side wings of the seat go up as the child grows. I love this!

Note that contrary to many similar seats, the shoulder belt portion of the belt must go OVER the armrest nearest the buckle. (Just follow the diagrams on the side stickers!)

No-back mode

If the shoulder belt doesn’t sit centred on the child’s shoulder without the backrest in place, use the attached shoulder belt guide.

Our Favourite Features:

  • THE MANUAL IS SO CLEAR AND EASY TO FOLLOW! YES I HAVE TO SAY THIS IN ALL CAPS!
  • Headrest and back support extend together as the child grows
  • Cupholders fold in to make more space for other passengers
  • Quick set up out of the box
  • Very clear and easy-to-follow manual and side stickers
  • Premium lower anchor connectors make attaching the seat easy and keep the seat from shifting when child gets in and out
  • Lightweight and narrow
  • Seat can be used without a vehicle headrest behind it (and this is clearly indicated in the manual), offering more flexibility in terms of suitable installation positions in a variety of vehicles

Room for improvement:

  • Seat must be buckled in when used in high-back mode, even when attached to the lower anchors
  • The 19.5″ shoulder belt guide maximum height means especially tall kids (with long torsos) won’t be able to use the seat in high-back mode for as long (update: my son outgrew the back on his Chicco when he was 9; he has always been tall for his age.)
  • Routing the shoulder belt OVER the armrest rather than under is different from most other seats and will take getting used to if this isn’t your first booster seat
Correct seat belt routing for use in Canada

Overall appreciation:

My son and I both love the KidFit. We have used it in our 2014 Odyssey in both high-back and no-back modes with great success. What I like best about the seat in high-back mode is the way the entire body support goes up as the child grows, rather than just the headrest. This extra support on the sides seems to prevent my son from slumping forward when he falls asleep (compared to other high-back boosters he’s used). My son likes the cupholders and the comfort, and that’s really about all he needs to be happy in a booster.

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Save 15% off all Chicco products via their Canadian distributor, Elfe Juvenile: use code Mamanloup15 until December 31, 2023 at checkout





58 responses to “Chicco KidFit Booster Review + coupon code”

  1. Kristin B

    I love this booster! Great thorough review. Interesting that it needs to be buckled in HBB mode even if secured with lower anchors!

  2. Erin W

    This looks like an awesome booster, my daughter is really tall and her high back booster is getting too short, I love how this one turns into a backless booster as well!

  3. kathy downey

    Wow,what a detailed review.I totally love this booster.

  4. Logan Powell

    Ive been reading into boosters lately since I know I need to get one soon and I love reading reviews from parents who actually have used the carseat

  5. Bernadette Rogelio

    So versatile!

  6. Olivia

    I’m really excited that Chicco is bringing more products to Canada!

  7. Sarah

    Love this booster! Such a great option for my 7 and 9 year old.

  8. Ashley H

    I love that Canada is getting more choices in all child restraints and boosters!

  9. Elise B

    Thanks for the review! Seems perfect or my son

  10. Janet M

    I love the booster seat and the colors offered. The cup holders are a big plus at this age.

  11. Janice K

    I love that we have another latchable option available to us.

  12. Natalie D

    What a great new seat on the Canadian market! I am not sure about the unique shoulder belt routing over the armrest on the buckle side but am sure you would get used to it.

  13. kristen visser

    i absolutely love their nursing covers

  14. Nasya

    I’ve always wanted to try this booster. I actually like that it routes part of the seat belt back over the arm rest.

  15. jan

    I too like their guidelines for when they are ready for a booster.

  16. Monique L.S.

    I love that the back part comes off. This chair will last us for a few years.

  17. kristen visser

    oh my gosh this would be beyond amazing!! thank you for the chance. I would love a booster for my daughter

  18. Célina Boulé-Perroni

    My 7 yo son is growing out of his Britax… I have been reading all your post in booster seats! We need to transition to another seat

  19. Becky Johnson

    Love learning more about this new seat!

  20. Debbie White-Beattie

    It’s nice to know that there’s good products like this booster seat to help kids stay safe in the vehicles

  21. Tannis W

    I like that the seat is lightweight and narrow and comes with an easy to understand manual.

  22. Marianne

    Love that there is yet another high back booster out there. My kids have been in seats so long that the booster I first bought are expiring now (this is what happens when you have a 6th grader in a booster still)…

  23. Luke

    Looks great

  24. Kealyn

    Thanks for the great info. This car seat transitions has been a tricky one for me get down.
    Thanks!

  25. Vivi An

    Love the cup holder feature

  26. Andy d

    I love the that back can be removed!! So cool!

  27. Carole

    Looks so comfortable, and I like that the back is removable as they grow. The price isn’t too expensive either. Sounds like the perfect booster seat for my granddaughter. Thank you!

  28. Jodi

    Would love to win this!

  29. ALEX MORRISON

    Love the cupholder! And the UAS!

  30. leana

    I would love the flexibility of this booster seat and my daughter would love the cupholder!

  31. Amy Rose

    Excellent review were just starting to think about the next carseat phase for our eldest.

  32. Anna B

    Thanks for the awesome review! So good to see the pros and cons in one blog post!

  33. Desirae

    Great thorough review! These reviews from cpsts are very helpful when choosing seats.

  34. Jody S

    Looks like a great booster! I’d be excited to try it!

  35. Linda

    I like the sound of “quick set up out of the box”. That’s what I like.

  36. Amy Hall

    I haven’t seen this booster yet, I’d like to try it, we’ll be booster training soon!

  37. Holly MacRitchie

    I would love to have the 3-in-1 Growing Step Stool for my daughter!

  38. Holly MacRitchie

    This would be amazing to win! Thanks for the chance! This sounds like a great booster!

  39. andie

    Perfect gift for my newest niece and her proud parents.

  40. Elaine Buonsante

    This review makes it very clear what the guidelines are for children for whom this car seat is designed. I appreciate the fact that the reviewer made this very clear right off at the beginning of the review.

  41. Shirley OFlynn

    Great review. I love how versatile the Chicco KidFit Booster seat is.

  42. Betty S

    I checked out Elfe products and the Steri-Dry Steam Sterilizer looks like it would be just the thing for our new little one

  43. Betty S

    This is such a detailed review, you have answered all my questions. I know it will be put to good use

  44. Amanda

    We’re planning ahead a few years for our 3.5 YO and this looks like a great possibility!

  45. Kristy Reid

    My daughter is ready for a booster. I like that this one can be used with and without the high back. I also like that it can be attached using the lower anchors so it doesn’t shift. The seat belt routing seems a little wonky but not hard to do. Sounds like a great seat.

  46. Nate

    This looks like a very good product for kids

  47. Mandy

    I like how the head rest and back is supported as they grow. Hate it when my child falls asleep and the head is flip flopping around.

  48. michelle tremblett

    Looks like a fantastic booster and a well written, informative post. Thank you!

  49. Soozle

    Thank you for the great review! I love how versatile this seat is – the custom back is awesome!

  50. Andy d

    We are almost ready to transition our daughter into a booster seat and this is the one I’ve been looking at! I love how safe it is & it would give me peace of mind driving around with her.

  51. nicky

    Looks awesome! My kiddo will need a booster seat soon.

  52. Jennifer P.

    The Toy Infant Car Seat By Joovy also interests me – my little one would love to safely bring her baby doll in the car with her!

  53. Karine

    Great review! Love that you included technical details like where the seatbelt routes. Also nicd that it’s latchable. Makes for stable quick in and outs. Thanks!

  54. Janna

    The handle on the no back booster is such a nice feature. Thanks for the great review!

  55. Lauren R Goins

    The booster top portion or back doesn’t sit flesh against the seat and seems unsafe because there is no place to anchor it. Is this normal for all booster?

    1. Lindsay Gallimore

      Hi Lauren. I unfortunately cannot assess this for you without seeing it myself. Your best bet is to contact Chicco customer service with pictures and/or meet with a CPST near you.

  56. Lisa

    Hi, in backless mode, you also have to route de shoulder part of the belt over the armrest?
    Because in the backless version (GoFit) you don’t (you do the normal way as per the manual), how different if the Go Fit and Backless-Kid Fit?

    1. Lindsay

      Hi Lisa. In both modes, yes, the belt routing in Canada remains the same. I have not used the Go Fit so I unfortunately cannot give you any insight on this.

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Welcome to my Wolf Pack!

My name is Lindsay and I am a 40-year-old mama of four trying to live an eco-friendly, budget-friendly life! I am a substitute teacher and Child Passenger Safety technician in Calgary, Alberta. Join me on my adventures!

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