Is the Chicco MyFit LE a good transition to a booster car seat for your big kid? Read our review to find out.

The Chicco MyFit LE Harness + Booster Car Seat is one of the strongest members to the Chicco convertible car seat family. LE stands for Limited Edition, though as of this review it’s not very limited and easy to find in the store.

It’s sister seat, the MyFit, is a slightly less expensive version. Both are very similar in size and functionality. The LE adds a few nice features including SuperCinch LATCH, comfort waist belt pads, a kid console, and air mesh panels in the fabric. There’s also an upgrade above the LE called the MyFit Zip Air. That one has all the LE features, plus extra zip-off cushions and a breathable mesh backrest. It’s pretty expensive at about $50 more than the MyFit LE and $100 above the MyFit.

The MyFit seats all start life as a harnessed forward-facing seat then convert to a belt-positioning booster. They could serve as a good transitional seat for when your child graduates from a dedicated rear-facing infant car seat. But, for about $50 more than MyFit, are those extra features on the MyFit LE worth it for your big kid?

• Comes in 2 colors: anthem (black) and starlet (purple/black)
• 4-position recline
• 9-position headrest
• Seat belt lockoffs
• Push-on LATCH connectors
• SuperCinch force-multiplying system on LATCH (exclusive to MyFit LE)
• Bubble level for accurate positioning
• Steel frame
• Storage compartments for LATCH and tether straps
• Deep seat for better leg comfort in bigger kids
• 2 removable, dishwasher-safe, foldable cup holders
• Kid console
• Chest clip comfort pads
• Comfort flex pads for hip straps
• Premium fabrics with mesh panels and leatherette armrest covers
• Machine washable seat cover (hang to dry)
• LATCH can be used in booster mode
• 8-year expiration

A few things to note:

The chest clip comfort pads are required to be used at all times. There are also optional harness strap and buckle covers. The harness mode is FAA approved for airplane travel, but not the booster mode. The Kid Console is a storage pod that inserts into the cup holder. There is no backless booster mode.

This is a narrow profile seat that would be good for a 3-across car seat configuration. The cup holders (or “cup folders”) are collapsible so just fold them in if you need a couple more inches of space.

The bubble level, which is unusual in forward-facing seats, helps you know which recline positions will work best in your particular car. You have a wider range of leveling angles available in harness mode than booster mode.

There should be no gaps between the vehicle seat and car seat. Some cars may have headrests that push the car seat forward. In that case, you’ll need to raise or remove the headrest if possible. If not, you’ll have to try another seating position or not use the seat at all.

A couple things to note: You cannot borrow LATCH connectors from the outboard seating positions to install the seat in the center. Also, these seats cannot be installed with inflatable seat belts found in some Ford vehicles.

Helpful tip: For a tighter installation (in case the SuperCinch isn’t working great), put the seat in the most reclined position. Install with either LATCH or seat belt and get it as tight as possible. Then adjust the seat to a more upright position. Just check to see that the bubble level is in range.

Another really nice thing is the onboard harness, tether and LATCH strap storage. You don’t have to remove the harness when converting to booster mode, but it does take a few steps that some parents had difficulty with. Plus, the no-rethread harness with headrest adjustment is easy to use, though the “pull-tab” adjuster is a little trickier than the squeeze handles on other car seats.

Kids are usually able to buckle themselves in booster mode with no issues, but if you keep the seat belt threaded through the belt guide, it can really help. A few parents noted that the material around the crotch buckle can get in the way in harness mode, so be sure to supervise buckling when in harness mode.

Though several kids love the Kid Console thing, it can rattle and doesn’t always stay in place very well. Toddlers can pull it out and throw it in the floorboard, rendering it useless. You certainly don’t need it, so it might be best saved for older kids who can take care of it. It has a lid for storing snacks and small toys, etc. The headrest may rattle too, especially if you’re not using LATCH and your kid’s not in the seat.

The seat covers come off in several separate parts, which is good if you only need to clean one portion of the fabric. But it can be a pain removing some parts, especially the pads on the armrests. Keep your manual handy or take pictures so you know which part goes where when it’s time to put it all back on. If you anticipate a lot of messy accidents, the MyFit Zip Air model is worth a look.