Meet the Oobr!
Admin Jennifer had the pleasure of gaining first hand experience
with the Clek Oobr Booster Seat and she's thrilled to share her thoughts
with you! Let's read what Jennifer has to say about the Oobr,
and see if it could be the right booster for your child!
with the Clek Oobr Booster Seat and she's thrilled to share her thoughts
with you! Let's read what Jennifer has to say about the Oobr,
and see if it could be the right booster for your child!
I don't think I've ever been so excited to see the UPS man. He giggled at my squeal when I saw that the box he carried bore the words 'Clek' and 'Oobr' on the side.
"Been waiting on this, have you?” he asked with a smile.
"YES!” was my over-exuberant reply.
Any true car seat nerd knows the joy I've just described. To open that box and touch that brand spanking new seat is something akin to a cool breeze on a hot summer day. It's almost like an adventure into uncharted territory. For me personally, this will probably be the last car seat I'm ever going to need. Not just because the seat has a crazy long life span, but mostly because my 'baby' is six years old. Oh sure, we'll still use it for another three to four years, but it's just somehow… different. She's a bigger kid, and she may not even need the back on the seat for too much longer. Anyway, I digress…
"Been waiting on this, have you?” he asked with a smile.
"YES!” was my over-exuberant reply.
Any true car seat nerd knows the joy I've just described. To open that box and touch that brand spanking new seat is something akin to a cool breeze on a hot summer day. It's almost like an adventure into uncharted territory. For me personally, this will probably be the last car seat I'm ever going to need. Not just because the seat has a crazy long life span, but mostly because my 'baby' is six years old. Oh sure, we'll still use it for another three to four years, but it's just somehow… different. She's a bigger kid, and she may not even need the back on the seat for too much longer. Anyway, I digress…
Upon opening the box, I was a little relieved to see that not much assembly was required. The back and headrest were already put together, so I only had to attach the back to the seat's base, but not without first reading the manual! The back connectors are solid metal, not typical flimsy plastic pieces. The manual asks that you face the base away from you, and then start from your right by placing the metal piece down into its groove. Then you simply lower the other side into its groove and listen for a very audible click. There's no denying that it's securely fastened where it needs to be. Then, you simply press on the seat portion where the child sits, and listen for two smaller clicks to fasten the cushion to the base. If you're going to opt to install the cup holder, aka the 'drink thingy™', you simply detach the seating pad and slide it into place, then reattach the seating pad. (Bonus: the 'drink thingy™' is completely dishwater safe!) It was a very simple procedure to remove and reattach the seat pad.
This is a very nice, very well designed seat. It's not as boxy as I imagined it to be. The lines are clean, and there's a very modern look to the seat, with or without the back. The seat is rather heavy for a booster seat, though. In high back mode, it weighs in at 20 pounds, sans cup holder.
You might notice the cover of the Oobr looks a little different than what you've see on most car seats and boosters. The fabric all over the seat is called Crypton® fabric. Crypton® is a special fabric treated with antimicrobial and flourochemical agents. These act to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, viruses, etc. as well as helping resist stains. The cover on the seat pad is fully removable for washing when necessary. Washing instructions are inside the seat cover. Keep in mind that ONLY the cover is washable and NOT the foam pad itself. As for the back and the headrest… well, you have to spot clean those parts as the cover is not removable, but it should still be easy-peasy to clean because of the Crypton® fabric. If you do encounter a spill or stain, the manual advises you to scrape away what you can (if the spot is dry). You can mist on a mild detergent, but it doesn't specifically say which kind.
(As techs, we usually recommend very mild dish soap like Dove or Ivory. I would personally
use a watered down solution of one of those soaps in this case.)
(As techs, we usually recommend very mild dish soap like Dove or Ivory. I would personally
use a watered down solution of one of those soaps in this case.)
Installing the seat
The seat has built in Rigid LATCH. Not too common on a booster seat, but a very welcome addition to the booster seat arena. (As an aside, if your booster seat doesn't have LATCH, make sure to buckle the seat into the car even if it has no passenger. A loose seat can become a projectile in a crash.)
The Rigid LATCH system slides out of the back of the seat, almost as if it was designed for the Jetsons. ;-) Once you read how it's done though, it's super easy. You grasp the recline adjuster on the front of the seat and pull the Rigid LATCH connectors out of the back of the seat. They're on sort of a sliding plate with the LATCH connectors at the end. Then, you just line everything up and push the Rigid LATCH connectors onto the LATCH system in your vehicle. The LATCH system in my 2003 Yukon XL is very visible and easy to access. The seat went right into place and you could hear those telltale clicks. Once you're sure you're attached, you repeat the same process you did to access the system, except in reverse. Pull out on the recline adjuster again and give the seat a push toward the back of the seat. Once you hear the sliding plate lock into place, you're ready to roll!
A side note about the LATCH system on this seat: the typical LATCH weight limits do not apply. You can use it for the full weight range of the seat, as it is not bearing a load like a convertible, combination, or infant seat does.
The LATCH is there just to keep the seat in place so you don't have to buckle it in when it's not occupied.
The Oobr in the most upright, and the most reclined positions Another nice perk of the Oobr is the recline feature. You can achieve up to a 12 degree recline, so long as you maintain contact with the headrest. Just pull the recline adjuster and slide the seat forward to achieve the desired recline angle.
I also installed the seat in my husband's 2004 Chevy Impala. It took a little more oomph and wiggling, and that was just because the LATCH system in that car is not very easy to access. If you don't feel like you can securely attach both lower anchors, then it is just as safe to use the seat belt only. Clek's only stipulation is that the headrest on the seat must make contact with a headrest in the vehicle,
and the vehicle's seat cannot be reclined.
and the vehicle's seat cannot be reclined.
At six years old, Emma tested out the Oobr in high back mode.
She is 45lbs and 47 inches tall, and it provided a beautiful belt fit!
While Patrick seems less enthusiastic about having his
picture taken than his sister did, he still achieved a safe seat belt fit when he tried the Oobr
in backless mode.
He is nine years old, weighs 67lbs and is 56 inches tall.
Overall Thoughts
PROS:
- Easy to assemble
- Adjustable headrest extension with steel bars (It adjusts just like your vehicle’s headrests!)
- Removable seat back when you're ready to go backless
- Removable, dishwasher-safe cup holder 'drink thingy™'
- Crypton® Super Fabric resists stains and is easy to spot clean
- Reclining seat back with up to 12 degrees of recline
- Side impact head protection (when used as a high back booster)
- Easy to install; narrow for fitting 3 across
- Rigid LATCH system
- Magnesium frame in the backrest, surrounded by energy absorbing foam
- 9 year lifespan
- 100% recyclable through Clek's recycle program
CONS:
- Quite heavy for a booster, weighing in at 20 pounds in high back mode (Weighs 10lbs in backless mode)
- At almost $300 for the solid colors, and about $30 more for the adorable Paul Frank patterns, it could be cost-prohibitive for someone on a tight budget
- Not a "grab and go" seat when moving between cars in high back mode
- Seating area may not be deep enough for kids with long legs
- Backrest cover cannot be removed
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Oobr's box is 18 1/4" x 13 1/4" x 27"
- Seating pad is 13 1/2" wide at the front (where the knees bend), 11" wide at the back end, and 12" deep (front to back). The 'drink thingy™' adds 6 inches to the width when in use.
- Backrest is 22 1/2" tall with the headrest all the way down and 29 1/2" with the headrest fully extended
- Space between backrest and headrest, with the headrest fully extended, is 7"
Child Requirements:
Alabama law requires a child to be 5 years old or 40lbs to use a belt positioning booster seat.
Oobr Specifications In High Back Mode:
33-100 pounds
38-57 inches tall
Ages 4 and up
Oobr Specifications in Backless Mode:
40-100 pounds
40-57 inches tall
Ages 4 and up
Oobr Specifications In High Back Mode:
33-100 pounds
38-57 inches tall
Ages 4 and up
Oobr Specifications in Backless Mode:
40-100 pounds
40-57 inches tall
Ages 4 and up
Overall, I give the Oobr an A-. In my book, it lost just a few points because of the weight of the seat and because it isn't going to be quite as
cost effective as other seats. Other than that, it's a gorgeous seat with
a clean, modern look and great features.
cost effective as other seats. Other than that, it's a gorgeous seat with
a clean, modern look and great features.
Are you intrigued by the Oobr?
How about a chance to win one for FREE,
in your choice of color, directly from Clek?!
in your choice of color, directly from Clek?!
Enter our giveaway with the widget below! You can earn extra entries with "likes" on Facebook, or for "following" on Twitter! Then leave us a comment on the blog to let us know what color you're hoping to win! Drift, Blue Moon, Snowberry, or Dragonfly!
(Note: The 'drink thingy™' is not included with the Drift model, but can be purchased separately.)
(Note: The 'drink thingy™' is not included with the Drift model, but can be purchased separately.)
Note: Claiming entries falsely will result in being disqualified. (Example: Do not
earn an entry claiming to "Follow" us on Twitter if you do not.) We will confirm
any claimed entry before announcing a winner. Discovery of these false
claims will forfeit your valid entries.
earn an entry claiming to "Follow" us on Twitter if you do not.) We will confirm
any claimed entry before announcing a winner. Discovery of these false
claims will forfeit your valid entries.
Winners of previous giveaways hosted by "Beyond the Car Seat Minimums - Alabama"
are excluded from entering new giveaways for 6 months.
are excluded from entering new giveaways for 6 months.
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