The Britax Römer KidFix XP Sict car seat redefines safety
The KidFix XP Sict child carrier from the British-German company Britax Römer belongs to the group "2 - 3" and is intended for travelers from about three to twelve years of age. The weight of a small passenger is from 15 to 36 kilograms.
This restraint is a modification of the Britax Römer KidFix XP child carrier. There are not many differences between these models. The main difference is the SICT side protection system in the improved version of the child seat.
These airbags are capable of absorbing about 30% of the energy from a side impact. Moreover, the system is designed so that users can control and adjust the depth of the pillows themselves, depending on the size of the passenger car seat.
The KidFix XP Sict, like its predecessor, is installed in the direction of travel of the vehicle. The restraint can be fixed using the Isofix base, which allows it to tilt for a more comfortable fit of the child.
The little passenger is fixed with a standard car belt. To correctly and safely position these fastening elements, the engineers have provided special guides and a special XP-PAD overlay.
In addition, the chair design allows for a simplified fastening with a belt together with a child without the use of the Isofix system. This mounting is usually done when you want to relocate the holding device to a machine that is not equipped with appropriate brackets.
Main characteristics
| A country | Germany |
| Mounting features | The holding device is attached using the Isofix system and the supplied strap. An alternative is to mount the seat using only car belts. |
| Construction weight | 7.2 kilograms |
| Latch mount | Absent |
| Category | "2-3" (from 3-4 years of age to 12 years, from 15 to 36 kilograms) |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 61 × 41 × 85 centimeters |
| Installation | The child seat is installed traditionally - facing forward in the direction of movement of the vehicle. |
| Internal straps | None, the child is fastened using standard machine belts. |
| Car seat transformation into a booster | No |
Design features
| Side impact protection | There is |
| Headrest adjustment | There is a headrest adjustable in 11 positions |
| Backrest adjustment | Present |
| Removable cover | Present |
| Anatomical tab | There is |
Extra features
| Compartment for small items | No |
| Cup holder | No |
| Sun shade | No |
| Application as a rocking chair | No |
| Carrying application | No |
| Rotation mechanism | No |
| Stroller chassis compatibility | No |
How safe is the child seat?
Expert reviews and crash test results indicate the Britax Römer KidFix XP Sict is one of the safest restraints in its 2-3 age group. According to the test results, the car seat received the maximum number of points - 5.
Let us consider in more detail the main structural elements, which provide increased security of the product.
The first important safety parameter is the upgraded SICT (Side Impact Technology) side protection. These elements, by the way, can be adjusted in width, which saves space in the car interior (this was impossible to imagine in another chair-predecessor of the Römer Kidfix Sict).
The advantage of this protection system is especially noticeable when comparing the described device with the Britax Römer KidFix XP car seat, which lacked the SICT protection element. The last product received only 4 points out of 5 for safety.
Another important advantage of the Britax Römer KidFix XP Sict is the XP-PAD, a special pad that fits through a standard strap. This element is designed to reduce the load in a frontal impact. In addition to reducing pressure, this pad prevents head and neck injuries in the event of a head-on collision.
In addition, this car seat cannot be converted into a booster, since the cover is one-piece, and not located on the back and bowl. Experts in general are convinced that boosters do not correspond to normal safety parameters, therefore they are increasingly refusing to transform a car seat into this design.
ADAC crash test results
The independent testing of the Britax Römer KidFix XP Sict in autumn 2013 by the ADAC expert community has shown the safety of this restraint to be very good - very good. Although it was previously believed that in the group "2-3" such results were unattainable.
In addition, the "five" was awarded to such a characteristic as environmental friendliness of materials. But the comfort in operation, maintenance and ergonomics received a well-deserved "four", that is, 4 points. In general, experts consider this model to be very safe and convenient.
It should be borne in mind that the highest safety performance of the car seat is due precisely to the Isofix fastener. If you attach the restraint using only standard belts, the reliability characteristics are slightly reduced.
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Advantages and disadvantages of a car seat
The KidFix XP Sict holding device from the British-German company Britax Römer, as evidenced by user reviews and independent experts, is a very reliable and extremely high-quality product. Let's try to list the main advantages and disadvantages of the model.
The main advantages of the product:
the car seat is distinguished by the highest indicators of protection against side and frontal collisions (SICT and XP-PAD systems, respectively);- quite simple installation both with the help of the Isofix system and with the help of car belts (there are indicators of correct installation);
- regulation of the headrest in 11 positions together with a seat belt;
- V-shaped backrest and side parts help to accommodate a child of four and twelve years old with maximum comfort;
- there is a special lining that protects the neck and shoulder girdle of the little passenger;
- orthopedic back of the product;
- increased internal volume of the car seat;
- easily removable hypoallergic cover, it is possible to wash and clean it both by hand and in a “washing machine”.
the car seat is distinguished by the highest indicators of protection against side and frontal collisions (SICT and XP-PAD systems, respectively);Does the restraint have any disadvantages? Of course, where is without them. Parents include the following product features as disadvantages:
- lack of a full sleeping position;
- overly short Isofix guides;
- the bowl of the chair is rather short and stiff.
Many parents report that they have some difficulty in pulling car straps. Sometimes there is a feeling that the straps are twisted. In such a situation, you have to make sure every time that everything is in order (which only benefits child safety).
How to install the seat?
We have already mentioned the main methods of fixing the holding device. As it was said that, despite their equivalence, fastening using the Isofix system is considered more reliable. This was confirmed by the results of the ADAC crash tests.
Let's take a look at how the Britax Romer KidFix XP Sict car seat is installed using Isofix.
You need to find the Isofix guides on the seat on which you plan to install. If they are too deep, then you need to install the plastic guides that are included.- The XP-PAD must then be installed on the side of the car seat where the strap fits from above.
- Then you need to press the gray handle and turn the Isofix fasteners. The next step is to install the car seat anchor levers on the anchors and connect these elements.
- You can understand that the connection was successful by a characteristic click and the appearance of a green indication. Then you need to press on the seat to securely lock it in place.
- Then you need to insert the strap into the red guide, place it in the XP-PAD tab.
You need to find the Isofix guides on the seat on which you plan to install. If they are too deep, then you need to install the plastic guides that are included.The seat installation is completed the moment the child sits down in the chair. The parent adjusts the restraint to fit the small passenger, and then pulls the standard belt through the baby's chest and fixes it in the mount.
The finishing touches include moving the XP-PAD to the center of the baby's chest and unscrewing the SICT airbag from the side of the car door.
Where to buy Britax Romer KidFix XP Sict?
This holding device is much more profitable to purchase in online stores.
Car seat group 2/3 (15-36 kg) BRITAX ROMER Kidfix XP Sict
As a conclusion
There is considerable competition in category 2 - 3 car seats, but today it is the Britax Romer KidFix XP Sict restraint that is distinguished by the highest indicators of reliability and safety.
Thus, this model is a vivid example of a safe and comfortable car seat for older children. The cost of the product is not the lowest, but the reviews of parents and experts show that this price is well deserved by the high quality of work
