If you are looking for the best name in car seats, you are probably considering a Clek. Having owned a number of them, we’re big fans here at HelpAtMyHome. The Clek Oobr is a top choice for kids 4 years old and older (40 pounds and over).
Who Can Use A Clek Oobr?
In high-back mode (with the back attachment in place), kids must hit all the following criteria:
- Ages 4 and up
- 40 pounds to 100 pounds
- 38 to 57 inches tall
In booster mode (no back attachment):
- Ages 4 and up
- 40 pounds to 100 pounds
- 40 to 57 inches tall
Clek Oobr Basics
The Oobr (pronounced “oo-ber” like “über”), is a child booster seat with a removable high back piece. It works with modern’s automobile’s LATCH attachment system and is focused on the utmost safety for children.
The Oobr combines a sturdy metal structure with removable pads and comfortable arm rests.
As the child grows the back can be removed, turning the “high-back booster seat” into a standard booster seat.
The Oobr has been rated a “Best Bet” by the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) for 10 years running.
Clek Oobr Installation
The Oobr installation is shocking simple, especially if you have used other car seats where the process isn’t as easy (including Clek’s own Foonf car seat).
You should read your Oobr manual really closely, as following its instructions closely is the only way to ensure a safe seat for your child. That said, the Oobr installation is very simple:
- If appropriate: Attach the two pieces of the Oobr so you have the full high-back car seat.
- Slide the LATCH mechanism on the bottom of the car seat out by pulling the handle at the front bottom of the seat
- Push the LATCH in place in the crease of your car’s back seat (with the Oobr facing forward). You’ll hear a loud click ensuring it’s in place
- Pull the front handle on the bottom of the Oobr and push the seat backward until the back of the card seat is touching the car’s seat.
That’s it. The whole process can be done in about 5 minutes. It really is a very easy car seat to install. This is largely the case because of a great design, but don’t forget that booster seats rely on car’s seat belt, not a car seat’s 5-point harness. This means the car seat installation is easier, but the fit of the seat belt on your child is of the utmost importance now. With a standard card seat and 5-point harness you can fully secure your child without the use of the car’s seat belt, but this will only work with smaller children or a specialized seat like the Immi Go.
Clek Oobr Features
Some of the great features of the Oobr include…
- Full magnesium metal sub-frame for strength but also light weight
- Built-in belt guides to aid fit of the car’s seat belt
- Secure headrest with extended wings that provide protection in case of an accident
- Boost seat raises children 4 inches (about 10 centimeters) up into a safer sitting position
- Removable, cleanable, replaceable pads
- Reclining back seat works with any car with LATCH
- Detachable cupholder
- Recyclable design when your use of it is over
Clek Oobr Review
Please keep in mind that I’m a consumer and parent just like you, so I’m not able to assess the safety of a car seat using simulations, crash tests or anything like that. I can only comment on the Oobr from the perspective of a long-time Clek car seat owner, as a driver, and as a parent.
I purchased the Clek Oobr after using the Foonf for a long time. Clek was running a coordinated sale across multiple retailers and the pricing was very good. The lowest price you’ll normally see an Oobr for is $199.99, but prices in the $219-$249 range are more common. If you are flexible with your colors you can save some money, but you always to to make sure you are getting the latest version (the manufacturer date is printed on the bottom) and always buying new. You don’t want to buy a used car seats, especially not one that has been sitting in the back of a car or attic for years as the materials can be compromised.
The Oobr booster seat installs very easily. It’s a simple job. Also, I’m very confident in the installation, where I’m constantly looking at my Foonf and wondering if it’s properly installed.
My daughter seems quite comfortable in the Oobr. We’ve done a number of long and short rides with limited complaints. She had grown to dislike the 5-point harness of the Foonf as well as the Immi Go, particularly how these designs can squeeze at the thighs and chest as children grow. The use of a grown-up belt means a more fiddly fitting with the belt, but more comfort overall.
The cupholder has been a hit. In fact so much of a hit that her little brother is jealous of it. Moving the cupholder from the center to outside has mostly solved this problem.
The Oobr is easy to remove as well. We needed to do some cleaning and it was out in a minute. Our model, with the base level jersey fabric as held up well and is free of stains, tears, scuffs, or smells. We’ll see how it lasts over time, but a few months in and things are good. We did get the Carbon Black color so some light stains will be hidden by the black fabric.
Overall I’m very happy with the Oobr so far. Luckily we have not had to test any of the safety features, but based on my research and year of Clek product ownership I trust that it will be able to do the job here as well.
Clek Oobr Fabric Options
The base fabric on the Oobr is called the Jersey Knit, which can be upgrade to the C-Zero Plus Performance Collection (about a $30 upgrade), or to Merino Wool (about a $70 upgrade). Typically you’ll see sales on the Jersey Knit models, but not so much on the others.
C-Zero Plus is actually Crypton fabric, which means it’s anti-microbial, stain-resistant, odor-resistant, and listed by the EPA as being able to be fully disinfected. The material is also completely free of brominates and free of chlorinated flame retardants. It’s a really nice upgrade is you can afford it.
FAQs
How do you install the Clek Oobr drink holder?
This is confusing enough that we made a video explainer! To install the drink holder you need to lift the seat cushion and slide the hook-shaped arm on the side of the drink holder into the slot on either side of the seat. The confusing part here is that the Clek cup holder doesn’t clip onto the arm as you might expect, it clip onto the seat, under the cushion.