Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 Review

Chicco (KEE-ko) is an Italian company with more than 30 years of juvenile product experience. Chicco has experienced significant success in the US with infant car seats and parent favorite full-size strollers. In 1958, a pharmaceutical device inventor decided to make baby products after having his first baby. Chicco also makes portable high chairs and products we've tested in our bottle warmer and bassinet reviews.

Performance Comparison

Crash Test

The Zip Air offered impressive performance in our MGA Research commissioned crash testing with lower recorded G-forces in the dummy sensors (lower is better). Combined, the sensor data resulted in better-than-average crash test analysis results in the group.

We ran our crash tests slightly faster than the federal standard, and we used a crash sled that has a somewhat stiffer seat, more like late model vehicles. Our goal was to identify those boosters that truly stand out from the competition.

The Air Zip is a standout with HIC (head) sensor and chest clip sensor results that are better than the competition. This Chicco has one of the best HIC results and a chest clip result in the top-tier of products. Overall, we think the results indicate the potential for an additional margin of safety over the average booster.

Ease of Use

The Zip Air is similar to the other KidFit we tested but with a few useful additions, and it earned a similarly high score for ease of use that few matched in our review.

The shoulder guide is easy for little ones to thread, and there is almost no friction, so pulling the belt is easy and quick. Our tester was able to pull it across her lap and buckle it herself, even if we didn't like how it rubbed the booster side. This seat has a fun snack box you can attach to the side near the cup holder, and it could require a more thoughtful threading of the lap portion of the belt, but it isn't a big problem. Everything fit well, and the shoulder belt did not rub on our tester's neck.

This unit is easy to carry, and even with the fold-out leg padding addition it doesn't feel unwieldy to carry or maneuver in the car for installation. It has a LATCH installation with push connectors that are easy to use.

This booster has dual cup holders with rubber sides that fold in if you need more space beside the seat. The holders are large enough for our Thermos water bottle and they are removable for easier cleaning.

This option has a unique snack box as well that our child tester absolutely loved. It is about 3.5 x 4.5 inch box that hangs off the side, and it has a closing lid.

Weight and Size

This option is on the heavy side. While not the heaviest in the group, at 11.8 lbs, it isn't something you want to carry around. It is still below average for the group and almost three times lighter than the heaviest.

It is just above the average for width at 18.2 inches. While it might not be a problem for some, it could be a challenge in smaller cars or where multiple seats will be used.

Comfort

The Zip Air performed well in our tests for comfort, offering a smidge more than the little brother KidFit we tested. This option has similar padding to the other Chicco we tested, but there is more and an included leg rest lounge addition that provides comfort for legs below the knee.

This feature is unique in this review, and the Zip Air is the only one to offer a feature to combat the dreaded leg dangling we see in most boosters.

The fabric here is less appealing, with a strange patterned material on the headrest that is not skin-friendly. Our child tester felt the headrest was scratchy but approved of the smooth armrests on bare arms. Our little tester also felt the sides of the headrest could be closer to the center to help with leaning during napping, but overall, gave it a thumbs up for comfort.

Quality

This Chicco also performed well in comparison to the competition for quality. It earned a score that is higher than almost all of the competition, which is impressive given the lower-than-average price in this lineup.

The padding thickness is better than most, and the foam was chushie but did not flatten when sat on. There is even extra foam in the bottom seating area we appreciate. While competing foams might appear thicker, they usually condense to almost nothing and lack real support.

This option even includes additional zip-on padding. The material appears durable and is seen well with few (if any) errant threads or wonky stitching. The trim lining gives it the feeling of costing more than it does. The back of the shell is one piece, and while it scratches fairly easily, it doesn't collect a lot of hard-to-clean gunk.

Should You Buy the Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1?

We love this high-ranking seat, and it is hard to find fault in how it looks, functions, feels, or performs. It has a higher crash test analysis score than the average booster in the group, and its results indicate there could be an additional margin of protection compared to the several other boosters. It is a very nap-able seat with leg lounger padding, and our tester had no trouble getting buckled in without assistance. There is very little we didn't love about this booster, and definitely recommend it to friends.

What Other Booster Seat Should You Consider?

If you want the absolute best seat for crash testing, the Nuna AACE is an impressive contender. It is more expensive than the Chicco, but we think the better test results in almost all metrics make it worthy of consideration if your budget is bigger. The Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 is a highly adjustable seat with a width and height adjustment suitable for fast-growing or larger kids. It is also more expensive than the Air Plus, but it sports the best ease-of-use score in the group. No matter which way you go, we think you'll be getting a stellar seat.

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