Review and Giveaway: Snazzy Baby Travel Chair

I'm a HUGE fan of Phil and Ted's Me Too Portable Seat, but am always open to trying new options. The Snazzy Baby Travel Chair looked very interesting and more compact/portable than the Me Too.

My pal Janet reviewed something similar to it called "My Little Seat" last Spring, and this differs in that it doesn't have a back to slide over a chair. It simply has an adjustable strap to wrap around a chair back. I think that this is an advantage because you're not limited by the height of a chair. This also allows one to use it in a shopping cart, in a high chair, or in a booster chair for more restraint and safety.

Click on "Read More" for the full review and to learn how you can win one of your own!

Ratings based on a 4 star scale.

Materials/Durability *** 1/2: This is made of nylon/polyester. It does not contain Azo Dyes, Phthalates or Bisphenol-A and is formaldehyde free. The seat part that the baby sits on is cushioned and has a non-slip bottom that helps keep it in place. It can be machine-washed (gentle) and dried naturally.

The clips and straps seem strong and overall it seems very well-made and I expect it to have a very long life.

Design/Functionality ***: This is designed really well, the seat and carrying case are all-in-one, as it folds up into itself and has a carrying strap. It's super light-weight (7 oz) and measures

~ 6 1/2"L x 5" H x 3" D when it's folded up. And, because it's fabric it can be squished up more if need be...very compact and portable.

One change that I think would be handy is if they maybe color-coded the straps and/or buckles. Attaching it is really easy but the straps can get a little confusing as to what goes where.

The biggest downfall is that the child is down low. This was kind of an advantage since our 14 mo. old is so insistent on feeding herself. This was not an option and made for a cleaner feeding experience, but at this age it is better for them to be at the table level.

That's where the fact it can be used in conjunction with a high chair or booster seat comes in really handy. We used it with a booster at home and it worked great. Especially considering most public high chairs and booster seats either have no straps, the straps are broken, or there aren't enough of them to really keep the kids in place.

As for usage with a shopping cart, I've never opted for any of those gadgets. I can definitely see it being handy for those with super wiggle worms for additional safety. (Note that it's not designed to keep the germs away).

This is designed to accommodate a child that can support their head (~5 mo's) through 35lbs. (Although I doubt my 3 yr. old would allow me to use it on her)!

Style ***: Pretty cut and dry, it's available in red or navy and is purely for function. I personally don't need a lot of cute design options.

Price *** 1/2: I think it's a good value at $35. Less than the seats that attach to a table like Me Too. It's compact, versatile, and simple.

Overall *** 1/2: I don't like that it keeps kids low, but the fact that it can be used in conjunction with a high chair or booster seat sold me on it. The Snazzy Baby Travel Chair is a simple, clever design for safe eating away from home that is perhaps more compatible to different PUBLIC eating scenarios than my beloved Me Too. I emphasize public because I really think it needs to be used in unison with a booster or high chair to get the kiddos up to table level.

Snazzy Baby is offering one lucky Kid Buy Products reader the chance to win a Travel Chair or set of Baby Knee Pads of your choice. To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is visit their web site and tell us the product and color you'd like. All comments must be received by midnight on Wed. December 30, 2009. Winner must be 18+ and a resident of the United States. You can read the rest of our giveaway rules HERE. Good Luck!