The First Years Compass B570 Pathway Booster Car Seat {Review & Giveaway}

Kids grow so fast! Lately, every time I look at Rylie I wonder where my little baby went and who this big girl is standing before me. She seems to be going through a perpetual growth spurt and has grown out of a lot of her clothes just over the past couple of months. When we ride in the car I see her long legs hanging over the end of her convertible car seat and I have had thoughts about moving her to a booster seat.

Even though she seems so big to me, Rylie is still pretty small for an almost 5 year old, so the booster seat move was just a fleeting thought here and there. I recently got a chance to check out the Compass B570 Pathway Booster Car Seat from The First Years, so I decided this would be a great opportunity to see if I am she is ready for a booster seat.

The Compass B570 Pathway Booster Car Seat is a high back booster seat that has received a five-star "Ease of Use" government rating from NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). I like the idea of a high back booster as opposed to a backless booster because of the extra support that it will give my small child. This seat is designed for use with children 30-100 lbs.

This booster seat has a patented one-hand fold, which is great for easy transport and storage. It weighs only 9 pounds, which is a huge benefit if you have to transfer your seat between cars.

Once we unfolded the seat, I checked out all of the features, and there were several that immediately got my attention. My favorite features of this seat are the color coded belt positioning paths to ensure the seat belt is in the proper position. The adjustable shoulder belt path allows you to adjust the shoulder belt up to 1.5" so your child will be comfortable and secure each and every time. And the lap belt paths ensure a comfortable fit. You will never have to worry about the seat belt not being positioned properly!

The Pathway head rest has large cushioned "wings" on each side to contain and control your child's head in the event of a crash. This feature is VERY important to me. Side impact testing is standard for all of The First Years' seats, and they side-impact test to Australian standards, which are the most stringent standards for side-impact testing.

I also like the adjustable arm rests and cup holders in this seat. While these are not necessary for the functionality of the seat, it is a great feature for the passenger. I can't tell you how many times I have had to reach back while driving to either give something to Rylie or take something from her, because she had no place to put it. The two cup holders on either side can hold her drinks, snacks and small toys when she can't. No more reaching back for me! The arm rests add comfort to the seat, especially during long rides.

The Pathway Booster Seat was very easy to install. You simply place it on the back seat of your car. The self-adjusting back allows for installation in any back seat.

With many booster seats, you have to keep the seat belt buckled when not in use to prevent the seat from becoming a projectile in the event of a crash. The Pathway comes with LATCH connectors to keep the seat secure when not in use. You do not have to remember to buckle the seat down after you drop your child off somewhere. This was a brilliant design!

Once we had the seat in my truck, it was time for Rylie to test it out. We had to adjust the shoulder belt path just slightly to make sure the seat belt was in the proper position, and the diagrams on the side of the seat made that easy to do. We buckled the seat belt, made sure it was snug across her body, and made sure the lap belt was in the proper position through the color coded positioning system. She fits perfectly in this seat!

Rylie absolutely LOVES this booster seat! She is comfortable, and best of all, she feels like such a big girl. She knows that she is not allowed to unbuckle the seat belt while we are driving, and that she has to sit still in the seat to keep the seat belt tight.

While I do believe Rylie is mature enough to follow the rules and ride in this seat, I am not quite ready for her to be in it permanently. She is still way under the weight limit for her convertible seat, and I just don't want to give up that five point harness yet. However, she does love riding in the Pathway Booster Seat, so we put it in Brian's car since she only takes occasional, short rides in that car.

That said, this is a great seat, and it won't be long before Rylie is riding in it permanently. It has every safety feature I would look for in a booster seat, and I feel that it would keep her safe in the event of an accident. When we do move Rylie permanently to a booster seat, a high back booster is the only way I would go, and I like the added side protection of this seat. I highly recommend this seat if you are considering the move to a booster seat for your child!

The First Years Compass B570 Pathway Booster Car Seat retails for $99.99, which I think is an excellent price, considering the safety features of this seat. You can find it at major retailers like Walmart and Target, and online at sites such as AlbeeBaby, Goore's and Amazon.

For more information on this great seat, and other products for babies and kids, visit The First Years online. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter to learn about new products and great deals.

~*~Giveaway~*~

~*~Compass B570 Pathway Booster Car Seat~*~

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the booster seat at no cost, in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. A big Thank You to the representing PR agency for providing the giveaway prize!