My honest review of the Hiccapop Uberboost Inflatable Booster Seat
Boosters can be a bit awkward, bulky and problematic when you’re traveling. However, this one is exactly as advertised and lives up to the hype.
The Hiccapop uberboost inflatable booster seat is very portable, easy to slip into your suitcase without compromising on quality. It also meets up with safety regulations. Plus it’s not expensive.
This seat was made for kids who are between the ages 4 to 10 and can carry weight of up to 110 pounds. It doesn’t have a 5 point harness so the added safety isn’t there. This is why I don’t want to make it my everyday choice. However, if I want to travel out of town, I typically bring it out because it doesn’t take up a lot of space in my luggage.
Also, if you choose to go by air, place it close to you where it’ll be easier to reach. The whole thing is easy to pack up and when you want to set it up, you only need about 5 breaths to get it fully inflated.
what’s it made of and what does it come with?
Hiccapop uberboost is made from a durable vinyl which the company has also used to make some other inflatable products. Despite the fact that it’s big enough to accommodate a 10yr old, it still weighs less than 2 pounds.
The product comes with an instruction manual, a shoulder belt adjusting mechanism, a compact bag to carry it, and some spare patches to plug any leaks that could pop up on the booster seat.
Although I mentioned something about a plane earlier, it’s not ideal to use the product itself in an airplane, you just have to leave it in your carry-on.
The Hiccapop uberboost has a shoulder strap that can be used to hold the seat belt at a comfortable and safe place. My 7yr old found the booster seat very comfortable despite using it for 2hrs.
I was quite concerned about the metal clips meant to keep the seat belt safe as it goes across his laps. I felt it would make the seat belt a bit too tight, he tends to get very restless when he needs to be in one place for long, so he might find it too restricting. However, the fitting was quite alright. He was still restless though, but I’m glad it wasn’t because of the seat.
The cover of the seat is removable and can be washed in the washing machine. I talked about the vinyl material and how durable it is but I feel like I didn’t do it justice. You see, I was very worried that the seat would puncture easily and I would have to bust out my handyman skills, which are currently on life support.
Fortunately I’ve been using this for over a year and I haven’t had the need to patch it. It also holds air for a really long time, up to 7 days.
The Hiccapop uberboost has a large part at the bottom of the seat that is made of silicone. It’s designed in such a way that the seat won’t slip from your grip.
Setting the Hiccapop Uberboost
All you need to do is to remove the cover (unzip it), and then blow into the black valve. When you’re blowing, you don’t have to constantly use your finger to block the valve to prevent air from escaping between breaths, the valve has a flap that seals on its own to prevent this. You may be worried that after a long period of use, constant pressure on it, temperature changes, etc that the valve might weaken and to that I say, you might be right.
However, if it does happen, Hiccapop has a lifetime warranty that covers such scenario.
You can watch more instructions on how to properly install the unit and secure your child in this instructional video.
How do I pack up the Hiccapop uberboost?
Open the covering of the valve and use your finger to continuously push into the hole, air should start escaping. While you’re doing it, roll the seat until it’s shaped like a burrito. This would make it super easy to pack up and store inside a backpack.
Pros of the Hiccapop Uberboost
- It’s resistant to slipping when you hold it
- The cover is safe to be washed in the machine
- It’s quick and easy to set up
- It’s quick and easy to deflate and put away
- The company has excellent customer service
- It has a lifetime warranty
Cons
- The seat is a bit bigger than other travel booster seats, unless that’s what you’re after, but I’m not.
- The shoulder belt is quite bulky and your child might not find it comfortable.
My hiccapop uberboost inflatable booster seat review
Although it’s a bit big for my liking, I still prefer it to the others within a similar price range. I’ve heard many complaints about how the seat would slip out and leave the child at an uncomfortable position, an issue I’ve never faced while using this product.