Really confused about which seat is needed for big, heavy toddler

[RidgyTipper]

My DS is 2 years 8 months and very tall and heavy (over 1 metre tall and well over 20kg - haven't weighed him for a few months so I imagine he's about 22kg now). He's been looking a bit squished in his Maxicosi Opal for a while but I (mistakenly, I realise now) thought he would be alright in it until he was at least three. He's just too tall for it now, and I have also just learnt that he is too heavy for the researched upper safe weight in a harness.
After speaking to friends and reading lots of reviews I went to Kiddicare today with the intention of buying a Britax Evolva, but the saleswoman told me that wouldn't be the most suitable seat as he is already too heavy for the harness and I should instead buy one from the next category up - age 4-11 years booster seats. There seem to be so many, with such a large price range - how on earth do I choose? My DH would feel safer with an Isofix seat, and I'd like something comfy and padded with enough head support that he won't flop forwards when asleep. I'm not worried about the cost; I just want the best option for him (and there is no way on earth he would go rear facing again - he has severe reflux and travelling rearwards made him vomit each trip after ten minutes or so. I don't need him ulcerating his oesophagus again!).
Any advice or recommendations really appreciated, thanks.

[Waggamamma]

Yes the maximum weight limit on a forward facing harness is typically 18kg.

The isofix high back boosters I know of are the Britax Kidfix and Maxi Cosi Rodifix.

[Ihateparties]

After confirming his weight... If cost isn't an issue I would get a britax two way elite to use forward facing with the harness. I moved ds into a high back booster at 2y10m when he hit 18kg and was over 1m tall. If I had known about the twe then (4 years ago) I would absolutely have got him one because it was obvious he was too young for the hbb but there did not seem to be any other option at the time. There was, I just didn't know about it.

[RidgyTipper]

Yes Waggamamma those are two I have been looking at, and they both look fine I suppose.
Ihateparties you have said exactly what I feel: my little boy is still a baby really, he's two! He doesn't seem nearly grown up enough to go into a high back booster seat, and when I was shown them today I really felt they were too 'old' for him but the saleswoman was insistent that this was the category I needed. I was not aware of the Two Way Elite and will look into that now. Thank you!

[Ihateparties]

Fwiw he went over 18kg at 2y9m and is now 24.8 at 6y9m so it's a possibility your ds won't continue to put on weight as he has been doing as he grows older. Going by this if I had bought a twe he could still be using it by weight though probably not by height as he's a shade off 130cm now (we had a mass weigh in and measure the other day which is why I have all the dcs measurements to hand).

[RidgyTipper]

Thanks, just had a quick glance at the Cybex and it looks good. I'll try to spend some time comparing some of these suggestions later.

[patchesmcp]

We're in your situation too. We have a Britax Two Way Elite which we've used for DS since he outgrew his infant carrier at about 6 months. We used that rf until DD came along when we had to use it ff to enable the seats and us to all fit in the car together.

It's a good seat, in that it's light and easy to transfer between cars, but I'm not convinced it provides great side impact protection.

DS is 3.4 now and we've just bought a Kiddy cruiserfix pro as it was one of the few seats which would fit in my parent's car. It's a nice seat but it's so upright and DS seems too young for it really. We need to get another seat for him too, as DD needs his seat so I was going to look at the Cybex Solution Q fix as that looks good. I just hope it reclines a little bit or is just less upright.

I've decided whatever we get we'll put DS back into the TWE when we do long journeys (we also have a Besafe Izi Combi for DD) so he can sleep comfortably.

Let us know what you decide to get!

[RidgyTipper]

Okay so after hours and HOURS of research (seriously, at least two hours every night if reading reviews, watching videos, measuring, calculating and worrying!) we've made a decision. I've just ordered a Cybex Solution Q Fix. Really hope it's the right one but I'm feeling confident and happy with the decision at the moment. I'll let you know what it's like when it arrives.

[RidgyTipper]

Just an update to say we're really happy with the Q Fix. DS absolutely loves climbing into it, is very comfortable and can sleep nicely in it. DH and I are eased with how safe, secure and substantial it appears. So far I would happily recommend it.