January 11, 2008 Sheri

HiLo and behold!

You may recall that we found this clever new high chair at the ICFF show in the Spring. We were wowed by the simple genius of the concept, and the graceful execution. We are delighted that the chair is now in stock.

Basically, the HiLo chair has two seats, one designed for babies (Hi) and one designed for children (Lo). The two seat molds were created based on anthropomorphic data for children ages 6 months to 6 years of age. With a simple motion, you can flip the seat from one side to the other, making it a breeze to use the seat with multiple kids (ideal for grandparents). The infant side has a nice (and pthalate-free) tray with a lip to contain messes, and a comfortable, padded 3-point harness. The tray has a crotch bar built in for added security.

The Hi position is tall enough to tuck under a countertop, while the Lo position is table height. In the Hi position, the weight limit is 40 lbs, and in the Lo position, you can go up to a whopping 100 lbs. So this is a seat you can use for a long, long time. The Lo position also creates a footrest, which is important for helping kids sit comfortably.

As far as cleanability, the HiLo is outstanding. The molded plastic is deeply colored and wipes down easily with a wet cloth and some dishwashing soap. The seat is contoured so that no cushion is necessary, further reducing the number of things that can get dirty. The tray is not dishwasher safe, as far as I can tell from reading the instruction manual, but with all the other advantages, it just may be worth the sacrifice.

Oh, and best of all? The HiLo’s box can be recycled into a playhouse. Seriously.