I can be a bit extreme when it comes to car seat safety.
When my kids were infants, I watched YouTube videos about proper harness placement and had their infant car seats professionally installed.
The K Man was in a five-point harness until he was 6.5 years old and close to 70 pounds. Miss Q made it to six before I relented, and it still makes me nervous to have her in a belted booster. (In fact, as soon as I wrote this, my chest got all tight and I went to the car and switched her back into a five-point harness.)
And yet, when we travel with them, I never bring car seats or boosters. There’s only one exception to this and it’s when we went to Orlando a few years ago and rented a car for our 10-day visit. Otherwise, we’ve always put them into the resort shuttles or local taxis with nothing but a normal seatbelt.
Strange, I know. Hypocritical, even. I know!
So when the innovative mifold booster seat came along and sent us a couple to test out late last year, I was excited that it would be easier than ever to travel with car seat safety in mind.
THE GOOD
Let’s note right off the top that mifold has totally passed all of Transport Canada’s safety laws and guidelines and requirements when it comes to car seats. OK? So no need to worry. If you buy it in Canada, it’s approved. You can visit mifold Canada for more product and safety information (www.mifold.ca).
mifold is every bit as portable as it looks. It’s no bigger than an iPad and really does pack up and travel easily (even without the optional $20 case). It’s light and it can slide into bags or luggage without eating up very much space at all. The claim that it’s 10 times smaller than the average booster seat is by no means an exaggeration.
This thing is pretty darn easy to install:
If your vehicle’s seat crease opens enough for the mifold booster to slide into, you’ll find the set up and keeping the seat in place for any extended use really simple. (If not, see gaffes below.)
The seat belt placement is second-to-none. Not even our trusty (and pricy) booster seats with feeder slots for the seat belt can get such a precise fit. It’s pretty astounding to see, actually. And since we’ve started using them, I’m constantly critiquing the fit of a seat belt with all other boosters (we have many). There is no doubt that mifold offers absolute safety.
The adjustable shoulder strap could offer a bit more slack but so far, it works great for both of my kids:
The price is pretty good: $79.99 (via the mifold site or at Canadian Tire). Compared to the $300 we’ve paid for some booster seats, this is pretty remarkable on its own. Then add the convenience and safety features and I think the value speaks for itself.
For those who live in urban markets and typically use UBER or Lyft, or other ride-sharing companies, rent cars for weekend getaways and so on, mifold is absolutely the answer. Hands down.
It would also be ideal for those who operate small day cares or have a regular babysitting gig that involves driving. Grandparents who may pick up their grandchildren from school or even just to bring them over for sleepovers would also get good use out of a mifold booster seat.
Now that I think of it, mifold would have really come in handy that time I had to pick up three of my kids’ friends and bring them home in my truck alongside my kids. It was pretty challenging fitting three car seats across my small back row (even though two of them were Dionos!). mifold would have made it a snap.
There’s a travel bag available for the mifold for just 20 bucks as I mentioned earlier. I don’t need one, but I want one!
This booster seat is adjustable based (essentially) on the size of your kid’s butt — approved for kids from four to 12, and 40-100 pounds…
THE GAFFE
…but, The K Man is closing in on 80 pounds at 8.5 years old and is already at the maximum adjusted width with his mifold. So larger kids may start to spill out over the sides when they’re still at an age that requires a booster by law. And spilling out over the sides means that you’re really not supposed to use the mifold because it could impact the seatbelt placement. Be aware of this if you have a kid who runs big.
One of the things I was most looking forward to with mifold was taking it on vacation for those shuttle rides to and from the airport and resort. These can be up to two hours each way. Unfortunately, mifold only works with a shoulder belt – not a lap belt. And if we get any kind of belt at all on those shuttles, it’s usually a lap belt. We still bring the boosters, though, because they take up hardly any room, and you never know when you might hop in a cab to get to an activity or something.
My GMC Acadia features two captain’s chairs in the second row where my kids sit. These seats do not have a crease that easily accepts mifold boosters. So we make do but it does tend to slide around while the kids are trying to get in and belted up. Big B’s Ford F150, however, takes the mifold seamlessly. It’s all about the crease, baby.
Make no mistake – there is a definite learning curve for a kid new to the mifold booster. It took The K Man a good 8-10 tries before he could do it himself. And if we take a break from it or use it in a new vehicle, many reminders and sometimes extra help is required. Miss Q is still unable to make it work, so that’s an age thing because she LOVES being Miss Independent. I don’t think the winter coats are helping matters and I suspect once she sheds all the extra layers, she’ll master the mifold.
My kids don’t love being “low down” in their seats. They can’t really see out their windows well and they certainly can’t peer over to the side to look out the front window, either. So mifold doesn’t really work for us for any extended or permanent use. But for taxi rides, car rentals, etc.? LOVE IT.
THE GEARS
4/5
Cheryl says
Thank you for such an honest review. It looks like a great product. Before it came to Canada my husband wanted to cross the border to get two for our twins. I was adamant. One, they were not old enough for boosters at the time, and two i would not get it unless it passed Canadian regulations. Happy to see it finally come to Canada. My two are still quite content in their car seats. But it sounds like a great travel option. Especially if aunties or grandparents are picking them up for a visit.
Cheryl says
Thank you for such an honest review. It looks like a great product. Before it came to Canada my husband wanted to cross the border to get two for our twins. I was adamant. One, they were not old enough for boosters at the time, and two i would not get it unless it passed Canadian regulations. Happy to see it finally come to Canada. My two are still quite content in their car seats. But it sounds like a great travel option. Especially if aunties or grandparents are picking them up for a visit.
Joyce says
Have been looking for light weight booster that passes all safety tested for my 2 kids for travelling. Especially, when travelling oversea. .. long haul trip
Joyce says
Have been looking for light weight booster that passes all safety tested for my 2 kids for travelling. Especially, when travelling oversea. .. long haul trip
Caryn Coates says
Wow these are amazing. They would be perfect for our little ones when travelling back and forth to families over 2 hours away. I hate bulky car seats and boosters.
Caryn Coates says
Wow these are amazing. They would be perfect for our little ones when travelling back and forth to families over 2 hours away. I hate bulky car seats and boosters.
leana says
I really love how compact and easy to transport this seat is!
leana says
I really love how compact and easy to transport this seat is!
Jennifer P. says
I would love to have / need a mifold booster seat because my daughter is always on the go and it is such a pain to lug her current booster everywhere – to school if she is going home with a friend, to her grandparents, when we travel (several times per year), etc. I also have a little one still in a car seat, and I often drive an extra child with us, and it is soooo tight to fit the car seat and 2 regular booster seats in the back seat of our small SUV – a mifold booster would make things so much more comfortable, and easy, for all of us!
Jennifer P. says
I would love to have / need a mifold booster seat because my daughter is always on the go and it is such a pain to lug her current booster everywhere – to school if she is going home with a friend, to her grandparents, when we travel (several times per year), etc. I also have a little one still in a car seat, and I often drive an extra child with us, and it is soooo tight to fit the car seat and 2 regular booster seats in the back seat of our small SUV – a mifold booster would make things so much more comfortable, and easy, for all of us!
Mike Gismondi says
We need this booster seat because it would be great for travelling!
Mike Gismondi says
We need this booster seat because it would be great for travelling!
Amanda says
This is awesome, I didn’t even realize there was something so small and convenient that is actually safe and legal to use! I’d like to put my two big kids into these for when our new baby arrives this August!!
Amanda says
This is awesome, I didn’t even realize there was something so small and convenient that is actually safe and legal to use! I’d like to put my two big kids into these for when our new baby arrives this August!!
Catherine Elissa C says
Love how the mifold is so compact and portable. It would be great for when my daughter’s grandma babysits and could use it in her car! That is, when my daughter is ready for the booster.
Catherine Elissa C says
Love how the mifold is so compact and portable. It would be great for when my daughter’s grandma babysits and could use it in her car! That is, when my daughter is ready for the booster.
Aletha Breckenridge says
5th baby on the way and its either a mifold or a new van! Need two for sure to fit all the boosters in the back row.
Aletha Breckenridge says
5th baby on the way and its either a mifold or a new van! Need two for sure to fit all the boosters in the back row.
Anna says
Hey! This is so great, I liked this awesome review, I tagged my friend in the mifold Facebook page! We are both excited about the mifold car seat!!
Anna says
Hey! This is so great, I liked this awesome review, I tagged my friend in the mifold Facebook page! We are both excited about the mifold car seat!!
Anna says
I have been showing my friends the mifold Canada Facebook page because the car seat has blown my mind, I have a very small car and I cannot fit another car seat or booster in the back but I have been asked to pick up another child to deliver him home and this would absolutely be my answer!
I’m hoping to get one at some point, I love the colours as well. They are brilliant!
Anna says
I have been showing my friends the mifold Canada Facebook page because the car seat has blown my mind, I have a very small car and I cannot fit another car seat or booster in the back but I have been asked to pick up another child to deliver him home and this would absolutely be my answer!
I’m hoping to get one at some point, I love the colours as well. They are brilliant!
Erica says
The portability of it looks awesome – would definitely come in handy for travel and visits with family!
Erica says
The portability of it looks awesome – would definitely come in handy for travel and visits with family!
Andrea says
I need a mifold booster seat because it’s so small and much easier to bring with you when you travel. We are travelling this summer so this can really come in handy!
Andrea says
I need a mifold booster seat because it’s so small and much easier to bring with you when you travel. We are travelling this summer so this can really come in handy!
Monique L.S. says
I love how light and small the mifold is…makes it so easy and convenient to bring with you. The mifold would work well for us on those occasions when my daughter needs to be picked up by someone else. Then we wouldn’t have to worry about uninstalling our car seat and then reinstalling the car seat x 2.
Thanks for the review.
Monique L.S. says
I love how light and small the mifold is…makes it so easy and convenient to bring with you. The mifold would work well for us on those occasions when my daughter needs to be picked up by someone else. Then we wouldn’t have to worry about uninstalling our car seat and then reinstalling the car seat x 2.
Thanks for the review.
Linzy says
Love this! This would be awesome to keep in my son’s backpack and one on hand when my nephew comes to visit. Plus the thought of not having a big bulky booster for travel is awesome. All they need to make now is a 5 point harness travel carseat like this and I will be set.
Linzy says
Love this! This would be awesome to keep in my son’s backpack and one on hand when my nephew comes to visit. Plus the thought of not having a big bulky booster for travel is awesome. All they need to make now is a 5 point harness travel carseat like this and I will be set.
Linzy says
This is amazing I watched the kick start and can not wait to get my hands on one sometime soon ok maybe 2 lol.
Linzy says
This is amazing I watched the kick start and can not wait to get my hands on one sometime soon ok maybe 2 lol.
Karen says
What a fantastic review! This would be amazing for travel, especially to the US when you have to bring everything through customs before checking the booster seats. We are travelling by train in a couple of weeks, and I have been dreading bringing the boosters with us on that journey where we won’t be able to check the boosters at all. This product would be amazing to have with us! Thank you!
Karen says
What a fantastic review! This would be amazing for travel, especially to the US when you have to bring everything through customs before checking the booster seats. We are travelling by train in a couple of weeks, and I have been dreading bringing the boosters with us on that journey where we won’t be able to check the boosters at all. This product would be amazing to have with us! Thank you!
Laura Chan says
This would be perfect for us. We have tried a few brands of booster seats that were supposed to click into to car. But once you click the booster in, you can’t get the seatbelt to click into its right spot cos the booster is too wide. This is by far the most awesome booster available today! Thanks
Laura Chan says
This would be perfect for us. We have tried a few brands of booster seats that were supposed to click into to car. But once you click the booster in, you can’t get the seatbelt to click into its right spot cos the booster is too wide. This is by far the most awesome booster available today! Thanks
Zarphin Lamba says
This could be perfect timing! I’m backpacking for a month through Europe with my two kids and my Dad. I need two but I would be so grateful and fortunate to win one!!!
Zarphin Lamba says
This could be perfect timing! I’m backpacking for a month through Europe with my two kids and my Dad. I need two but I would be so grateful and fortunate to win one!!!
tarakrane says
This would be amazing for travel! I hate having to rent them or bring from home. This would be perfect.
tarakrane says
This would be amazing for travel! I hate having to rent them or bring from home. This would be perfect.
Tyla says
I think this would come in very handy for our family- especially with Neices and nephews constantly jumping in our vehicles for sleepovers etc
Tyla says
I think this would come in very handy for our family- especially with Neices and nephews constantly jumping in our vehicles for sleepovers etc
Shondra says
Easy and Portable! Amazing! Easy to switch cars! Love it!
Shondra says
Easy and Portable! Amazing! Easy to switch cars! Love it!
Jennifer Mendes Melo says
As a mom of 3 skinny boys, 6 and under and a family that loves to travel, I can certainly see the use here. My skinny boys also swim on most boosters! We recently returned from Orlando with two 5-pt carseats and a standard booster on top of our luggage. We are a virtual stage show as we trek through the airport!! This would decrease our load which is always helpful!
Thanks for the great review!
Jennifer Mendes Melo says
As a mom of 3 skinny boys, 6 and under and a family that loves to travel, I can certainly see the use here. My skinny boys also swim on most boosters! We recently returned from Orlando with two 5-pt carseats and a standard booster on top of our luggage. We are a virtual stage show as we trek through the airport!! This would decrease our load which is always helpful!
Thanks for the great review!
Lara morin says
This is so awesome!! I hadn’t heard of it until right now!! Great review and the price point for such a seemingly awesome product is fantastic!
I would love this as we just had our third child and we travel quite a bit. It would be great to have 2 of these for my two older kids, so I could avoid hauling huge car seats through airports and only have to take the babies bucket and these easily stored boosters!! Is it sad to be excited about a kids chair that will likely be ruined with smushed snacks eventually??? Convenience with kids is what it’s ALL about for me!!!!! Thanks!!
Lara morin says
This is so awesome!! I hadn’t heard of it until right now!! Great review and the price point for such a seemingly awesome product is fantastic!
I would love this as we just had our third child and we travel quite a bit. It would be great to have 2 of these for my two older kids, so I could avoid hauling huge car seats through airports and only have to take the babies bucket and these easily stored boosters!! Is it sad to be excited about a kids chair that will likely be ruined with smushed snacks eventually??? Convenience with kids is what it’s ALL about for me!!!!! Thanks!!
Christine D says
My daughter is just getting out of the stage 2 and going in between vehicles this is way more convenient and will make the transition fun for her! And the cost I can’t believe how descent! Awesome!
Christine D says
My daughter is just getting out of the stage 2 and going in between vehicles this is way more convenient and will make the transition fun for her! And the cost I can’t believe how descent! Awesome!
Leanne Walker says
This would be perfect for travelling! I hate having the kids in cabs with no boosters!!
Leanne Walker says
This would be perfect for travelling! I hate having the kids in cabs with no boosters!!
Chana says
With 2 using boosters and 2 at 39 lbs this would be so useful
Chana says
With 2 using boosters and 2 at 39 lbs this would be so useful
Heather Howard says
Finally!!!! I would love to have 4 of these. A set for my parents to have and a set so kids could each have one in their backpacks.
Mommy Gearest says
And for the price, it wouldn’t be outrageous to do so!
Heather Howard says
Finally!!!! I would love to have 4 of these. A set for my parents to have and a set so kids could each have one in their backpacks.
Mommy Gearest says
And for the price, it wouldn’t be outrageous to do so!
Beth R. says
I think the mifold would be useful for when my kids are at activities and we moms can trade off on pick ups and drop offs without having to transfer carseats
Beth R. says
I think the mifold would be useful for when my kids are at activities and we moms can trade off on pick ups and drop offs without having to transfer carseats
ailisebyrne says
My little one will be in to a booster before too long and the Mifold is something I’ve been watching since it first came out on Kickstarter! I’d love to get my hands on one as we travel and have family who pick her up at times when I can’t. It would be really handy to not have to swap vehicles or take the whole diono out!
ailisebyrne says
My little one will be in to a booster before too long and the Mifold is something I’ve been watching since it first came out on Kickstarter! I’d love to get my hands on one as we travel and have family who pick her up at times when I can’t. It would be really handy to not have to swap vehicles or take the whole diono out!
Mary Johns says
Wow I read the reviews by actual car seat techs who did not really recommend this seat. The moving around it does isn’t safe, the going over the sides means it can’t be used not it isn’t recommended but shouldn’t at all. Winter coats should never be used by anyone in a vehicle. It says it in every car seat manual and it is for boosters as well. If it is too big for her to buckle that shows that it isn’t good. http://csftl.org/mifold-review/ I was very excited for this to come out as I thought it would be a great extra to have for field trips and such. But I will not get it because of all the reviews I have had from actual techs
Mommy Gearest says
I am certainly not a tech, but I feel very comfortable with my kids in it based on my experience.
Mary Johns says
Wow I read the reviews by actual car seat techs who did not really recommend this seat. The moving around it does isn’t safe, the going over the sides means it can’t be used not it isn’t recommended but shouldn’t at all. Winter coats should never be used by anyone in a vehicle. It says it in every car seat manual and it is for boosters as well. If it is too big for her to buckle that shows that it isn’t good. http://csftl.org/mifold-review/ I was very excited for this to come out as I thought it would be a great extra to have for field trips and such. But I will not get it because of all the reviews I have had from actual techs
Mommy Gearest says
I am certainly not a tech, but I feel very comfortable with my kids in it based on my experience.
Lindsay T says
I’d love a mifold booster for our upcoming trip to Cuba! It would make me feel so much better about travelling in vehicles down there!
Lindsay T says
I’d love a mifold booster for our upcoming trip to Cuba! It would make me feel so much better about travelling in vehicles down there!
Beth Anas says
This looks amazing and would be fabulous for carpooling to tyke hockey games and trips with the grandparents! Would be even better for packing for upcoming trips to DC and Calgary for family weddings!!
Beth Anas says
This looks amazing and would be fabulous for carpooling to tyke hockey games and trips with the grandparents! Would be even better for packing for upcoming trips to DC and Calgary for family weddings!!
Jennifer M says
Oh my! I need this! I, too, am a car seat extremist LOL I have never ever ever brought my 5 year old son in a cab or shuttle haha! Even when we went to the Bahamas, I arranged for a car seat to be installed in the hotel shuttle. When my older son (who turns 21 today!) was little, I refused to let him go swimming at the YMCA with his daycare, because they were just putting them in a van without seatbelts! WTF? Anyway, I would love to have this for traveling and also for when grandparents take my son places (getting the car seat in and out is a PAIN)!
Also, my car is MUCH worse than yours 😉
Jennifer M says
I also kept O rear-facing till he was 2. And sat in the back with him till he was 4, thinking my presence ensured even greater safety LOL My family still teases me that my older son was like 15 before I let him sit in the front seat of a car… it was more like 12, people. LOL
Jennifer M says
Oh my! I need this! I, too, am a car seat extremist LOL I have never ever ever brought my 5 year old son in a cab or shuttle haha! Even when we went to the Bahamas, I arranged for a car seat to be installed in the hotel shuttle. When my older son (who turns 21 today!) was little, I refused to let him go swimming at the YMCA with his daycare, because they were just putting them in a van without seatbelts! WTF? Anyway, I would love to have this for traveling and also for when grandparents take my son places (getting the car seat in and out is a PAIN)!
Also, my car is MUCH worse than yours 😉
Jennifer M says
I also kept O rear-facing till he was 2. And sat in the back with him till he was 4, thinking my presence ensured even greater safety LOL My family still teases me that my older son was like 15 before I let him sit in the front seat of a car… it was more like 12, people. LOL
Jenn @YouPinspireMe says
Ack! I need one of these TOMORROW!! We were just talking about how we’re going to get to and from the airport for our upcoming family vacation because we don’t want to park the van in long-term parking (goodbye $150!) and the kids need to be in boosters but we don’t want to take the bulky boosters WITH us on the plane!! So these. would. be. PERFECT. for this problem!! AND, our kids are tiny, just like my husband and I were tiny growing up. Their bums will fit into them until they’re 14. 😀
Jenn @YouPinspireMe says
Ack! I need one of these TOMORROW!! We were just talking about how we’re going to get to and from the airport for our upcoming family vacation because we don’t want to park the van in long-term parking (goodbye $150!) and the kids need to be in boosters but we don’t want to take the bulky boosters WITH us on the plane!! So these. would. be. PERFECT. for this problem!! AND, our kids are tiny, just like my husband and I were tiny growing up. Their bums will fit into them until they’re 14. 😀
Lori says
Wow…this actually looks great and worth a try…bulky boosters and car seats are not fun for travelling but this would work great for our upcoming Florida trip!!
Lori says
Wow…this actually looks great and worth a try…bulky boosters and car seats are not fun for travelling but this would work great for our upcoming Florida trip!!
Rebecca Stanisic says
ooooh great review – thank you for this!! We leave in over two weeks for another family trip that requires a flight then a rental vehicle. We bring the boosters when we travel, but this would be SO MUCH EASIER. We’re already pretty light travelers and this would be really helpful to have in these cases!
Rebecca Stanisic says
ooooh great review – thank you for this!! We leave in over two weeks for another family trip that requires a flight then a rental vehicle. We bring the boosters when we travel, but this would be SO MUCH EASIER. We’re already pretty light travelers and this would be really helpful to have in these cases!