The Bubble Bum is the third inflatable European booster seat solution to surface here on Daddy Types. Is it finally the one that actually works well enough to use?

Frankly, I find it a bit extraordinary that the Bubble Bum meets EU R44.04 safety standards “in the deflated state,” and yet folds small enough to fit “in Granny’s glove compartment.”

[UPDATE FROM THE BUBBLE BUMS THEMSELVES: I emailed some followup questions, and the BubbleBum folks got right back to me. The EU standard has a "worst case scenario" component, which in this case, meant testing the seat deflated. Because the Bubble Bum also has memory foam, it retains sufficient volume even when punctured or deflated.

They also pointed out that a booster seat like the BubbleBum is not classified as a child restraint system, but a seat belt positioner [and so involves the use of the positioning clip, not just the seat]. The car’s own shoulder belt is the restraint system, obviously.]

But whatever, if a Bubble Bum actually does fit in between two traditional hard-shell booster or car seats, then they have solved one of the greatest parenting dilemmas this side of paid paternity leave: how to not buy a three-row vehicle.

[UPDATE FROM THE COMMENTS: Wow, is this true, it's only 13x13 inches? You could fit that almost anywhere! ]

That they also make far-flung rental car use easier is just a bonus. That they compound your guilt for not using a car seat in a taxi is, well, let’s just call it a win for child safety.

Source: http://daddytypes.com/2011/11/07/does_the_bubble_bum_solve_the_third_car_seat_dilemma.php

Do you remember riding in a car seat as a kid? Neither do I! Most of us born in the seventies and early eighties were out of car seats and into lap belts as soon as we could walk. As a matter of fact, I have vivid memories of sitting in my dad’s lap and “helping” drive the car. With today’s advances in safety, those days are long gone and most kids will be sitting in booster seats until their age reaches double digits. As a mom, I am grateful for these advances and am happy to keep my children in a booster seat until they are 18 if it will protect them, but as a traveler, I have found booster seats to be a MAJOR PAIN! They are heavy, cumbersome, and yet another thing to lug through airports. Bubble Bum claimed that they had a booster seat that was inflatable, compact, and lightweight, making it perfect for travel. I decided I needed to check out the product for myself.

Before agreeing to review this product, my first concern was safety. After all, the reason my children sit in booster seats is because I want to prevent serious injury in the event of an accident. Thankfully, safety is also the primary concern of the designer of the Bubble Bum, Grainne Kelly, who is a mom herself. She designed a product that meets or exceeds all FMVSS213 safety standards set forth by the NHTSA as well as European regulations. As a matter of fact, Bubble Bum was recently named a “Best Bet” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety!
When our Bubble Bum arrived in its adorable little purple and green container, I was shocked. How on earth could a booster seat fit in such as small package? The padding for the seat is a combination of memory foam and air (courtesy of your lungs) and inflating the Bubble Bum is as easy as blowing up a balloon. Within 20 seconds I had the seat fully inflated and ready to use. Adjusting the shoulder strap took about 30 seconds as well and attaching the seatbelt to the booster was very easy. I was confident that I could do this anywhere! The seat is designed for children between 40lbs and 80lbs in weight and over the age of 4, making it a product that can be used for years to come.

Collapsing the seat was easy and it actually fits back into its carry bag easily- what a concept! My
daughter was comfortable and happy in the seat and I felt that she was very safe. The booster weighs only one pound and can easily be thrown into a carry-on or backpack and then pulled out to use in rental cars, taxis, and shuttles.

Pros

• Lightweight

• Easy to use

• Narrow, allowing for three booster seats to be used in the same row

• Unlike many products, actually fits back into its storage bag

• Meets both US and European safety standards

• Inexpensive

Cons

• No side impact protection

• Spot clean only

The only reason why the Bubble Bum won’t become our everyday booster seat is because it doesn’t offer any side impact neck protection. The large booster seats in our car provide that protection until children reach a certain height, making them a better everyday option for now. That being said, I am 100% sold on this product. I will not be taking our old booster seats on any more airplane trips! Bubble Bum provides both safety and convenience in a wonderful lightweight package. Plus the price is right at only $39.99! I will definitely be buying a second Bubble Bum for my son and recommending this product to others.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary Bubble Bum in order to complete an unbiased review of this product. All opinions are my own.

Source: http://www.trekaroo.com/traveltips/tip/bubble-bum-booster-seats-ideal-for-traveling-families