Full Review ⭐ Nania Start: for Children Aged 5 to 10, Height-Adjustable Headrest, Reclining Base, Made in France, 106-140 cm R129 i-Size Belted Booster

The Nania Start car seat is designed for children aged 5 to 10 years old who have outgrown their toddler car seats. Nania, a French company, creates the Start to provide safety, comfort, and adjustability as kids transition to using belt-positioning boosters.

This forward-facing only seat is made for children who weigh between 15 kg (33 lbs) to 36 kg (79 lbs) and stand between 106 cm and 140 cm tall (3'5" to 4'7"). It features a height-adjustable headrest, reclining seat base, side impact protection, and uses the vehicle's seat belt to securely restrain the child.

The Start aims to provide extended use through several years of a child's growth, adapting to fit kids from about kindergarten age through the end of primary school. Its design allows children to sit up higher to see out the window better. The seat meets the latest European i-Size safety regulations for belt-positioning boosters.

Safety Features

The Nania Start features several important safety features to help protect your child while in the car. It has a 5-point harness system to securely restrain the child's torso and prevent ejection in a crash. The shoulder straps, waist straps, and crotch strap all connect at a central buckle to distribute forces evenly across the body. Parents can adjust the harness straps as the child grows to ensure a snug fit.

For additional protection, the Nania Start includes side impact protection. Thick foam lines the sides of the seat to absorb crash forces and shield the child from intrusion. The adjustable headrest provides cushioning and support for the head and neck while also positioning the head correctly in relation to the seat back. As children grow taller, parents can raise the headrest for optimal protection. Together, these safety features help minimize injury risk and give parents peace of mind.

The Nania Race belted car seat is another great option for keeping kids safe on the road. This forward-facing seat is designed for children aged 3 to 10 years old, with a height range of 76 to 140cm. It meets the latest i-Size safety standards (Regulation R129) for optimal protection. The seat features an adjustable headrest that grows with your child, as well as a reclining base for comfort and correct positioning. It secures the child with a 5-point harness system, providing a snug and secure fit. Side impact protection cushions shield your little one from crash forces. Made in France with quality materials, the Nania Race gives parents confidence that their child is protected. See more details and reviews of this model here: Nania Race: Belted Car Seat,76-140 cm R129 i-Size, for Children Aged 3 to 10, Height-Adjustable Headrest, Reclining Base, Made in France (Princess).

When shopping for car seats, be sure to consider key factors like your child's age, height, and weight. Look for models that meet current safety standards and offer features like 5-point harnesses, side impact protection, and adjustable components. Proper installation is also critical, so check your car manual and seat instructions. Register your car seat after purchase so you can be notified of any recalls or safety notices. Attend a car seat safety check event to have a trained professional inspect and adjust the fit. With the right seat properly installed, you can drive with confidence knowing your child is well-protected.

Comfort

The Nania Start booster seat prioritizes comfort for growing kids. It has generously padded cushions on the seat bottom and backrest to prevent fatigue on long journeys. The armrests are also padded for additional comfort.

One of the standout features is the multi-position backrest, which can recline fully flat or be adjusted to 3 semi-reclined positions. This allows kids to relax or even nap on the go. The seat bottom also slightly reclines when the backrest is lowered. With multiple recline options, children can find the most comfortable position for their needs.

The seat cushions and backrest padding are made of high-density foam for support. The fabrics have breathable mesh inserts to help keep kids cool. The seat is well-contoured to properly support the child's posture.

Overall, the padding and adjustability of the Nania Start allow growing kids to remain comfortable even on long road trips. The ability to recline makes it easier for children to relax or sleep.

For younger infants, Nania also offers the Nania Maxim Car Seat designed for babies from birth to 18kg. This rear-facing seat has thick, soft padding and a headrest cushion for superior comfort. The seat can be installed either with the car's seatbelt or ISOFIX anchors for a secure fit. Side impact protection and shock absorbing foam provide safety. The Disney Minnie design adds a fun touch. With comfort, safety, and adjustability, the Nania Maxim allows even very young babies to travel in comfort.

Between the plush Nania Maxim for infants and the adjustable Nania Start for older kids, Nania offers a range of comfortable car seat options. Thick padding, recline ability, and shock absorption allow children of all ages to ride in comfort and relax on any journey. Nania emphasizes comfort across its car seat lineup.

Ease of Installation

The Nania Start booster seat is designed to be easy to install using either the vehicle's seatbelt or ISOFIX anchors.

To install with the seatbelt, simply thread the vehicle's seatbelt through the belt guides on the booster seat. Make sure the seatbelt lays flat across the child's hips and the shoulder belt crosses diagonally over the chest and shoulder. Tighten the seatbelt as you would normally.

For ISOFIX installation, extend the ISOFIX connectors from the base of the booster seat. Attach them to the ISOFIX anchors in your vehicle, which are typically located in the crease where the seat back and bottom cushion meet. Listen for an audible click to ensure the ISOFIX connectors are securely fastened. Some extra stability can be achieved by also routing the vehicle's seatbelt through the booster seat belt guides.

The Nania Start comes with clear installation instructions in the user manual. The ISOFIX system and seatbelt routing offer very straightforward installation options to get your child secured properly in just minutes.

Weight and Height Limits

The Nania Start car seat is designed for children weighing 15-36 kg (33-79 lbs) and 105-150 cm (41-59 inches) tall. This makes it suitable for kids approximately 5 to 10 years old.

The weight range accommodates growing children from booster seat age up through older kids who still require a car seat by law. The minimum weight of 15 kg ensures the seat belt fits properly across the child's hips and chest. The maximum weight of 36 kg provides sufficient support and safety up to the average size of a 10 year old.

The height range of 105-150 cm corresponds to the average height of children in the targeted 5 to 10 age range. At the minimum height of 105 cm, the seat belt guides will properly position the belt across a child's body. Up to 150 cm, the headrest and seat back offer protection and comfort for taller kids. Overall, the Nania Start's weight and height limits make it an ideal choice for school-aged children who are too big for a booster but still need a car seat.

Adjustability

The Nania Start booster seat has several adjustable features to accommodate growing children and provide comfort.

The headrest and shoulder harness height are adjustable with one hand to properly position the headrest as your child grows taller. There are 10 different height settings, allowing the headrest to grow with your child for extended use. Proper headrest height helps provide head and neck support.

The seat also features a reclining base with 3 positions. You can adjust the recline angle for napping comfort or an upright position for feeding or reading. Reclining helps relieve pressure on the lower back and neck on long trips. The easy one-hand lever makes recline adjustments simple when your child is already buckled in.

Overall, the adjustable headrest, harness, and reclining base allow you to customize the seat for your child's needs and keep them comfortable as they grow. These convenient adjustments help extend the longevity of the seat.

Aesthetics

The Nania Start car seat comes in two different color options - black with red accents or grey with blue accents. Both color schemes feature a black shell with contrasting fabric on the padded headrest and seat.

The headrest fabric has a soft velour feel, while the seat fabric is smooth and easy to wipe clean. Nania uses high quality, durable fabrics designed to withstand regular use.

The overall aesthetic is sleek and modern, with rounded edges on the shell. The red and blue accent colors add a pop of color without being overly bold. Both color options would likely appeal to kids in the 5-10 age range.

The fabrics seem well-made and comfortable. The padding provides cushioning without being overly bulky. The grey/blue option offers a slightly more subdued look for those who prefer that. But both versions have an attractive, contemporary style fitting for today's vehicles.

Additional Features

The Nania Start booster seat comes equipped with a few handy additional features that add to the overall convenience and functionality of the seat.

One nice feature is the dual cup holders on either side of the seat. These are perfect for holding drinks and preventing spills during the drive. The cup holders are built right into the seat so they don't get in the way or require any assembly.

There is also a storage pocket on the back of the seat. This pocket is great for storing small toys, books, snacks or other items to keep children entertained. The pocket has a velcro closure to keep items securely inside.

The cover on the Nania Start seat is removable and machine washable which makes cleaning up messes and spills a breeze. No need to spot clean, just remove the cover and toss it in the wash.

Lastly, the seat has ventilation holes in the padding which help with airflow and breathability. This prevents the seat from getting too hot which adds to the overall comfort.

Overall the additional conveniences like cup holders, storage and a machine washable cover add a lot of extra utility to an already safe and comfortable booster seat. These little features make daily use easier for parents and more enjoyable for kids.

Price

The Nania Start R129 i-Size belted booster seat typically retails for around £120. This positions it as a mid-range option in the booster seat market. Similar booster seats from brands like Graco and Joie range from £60-£150 depending on features, so the Nania is reasonably priced.

While not the cheapest option available, the Nania offers good value given its array of safety features and adjustable design. For parents looking for a sturdy, safe booster seat that will last for years, the Nania is a worthwhile investment. More budget-friendly options may lack the side impact protection, comfort padding, and adjustable headrest that make the Nania a great choice as kids grow. Overall, the Nania Start hits a nice sweet spot between price and quality in the booster seat category.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Designed to keep kids safe in the event of an accident with side impact protection and energy absorbing shell

• Height-adjustable headrest grows with child

• Reclining seat for napping comfort

• Padded and breathable fabrics for comfort on long journeys

• Easy to install using either seatbelt or Isofix connectors

• Fits children from 15kg to 36kg (approximately ages 5-12 years)

• Lightweight and portable design makes moving between cars easy

• Attractive design and color options

Cons:

• May not fit taller or heavier kids at the upper end of the weight range

• Recline feature can make it difficult to achieve proper seatbelt positioning

• Fabric covers are not removable for washing

• Some users report fit issues with certain car models

• Lacks extras like cup holders or storage compartments

• Only reclines in rear-facing mode, not forward-facing

• Higher price point than some other boosters