BeSafe Stretch 2 Review: rear-facing safety up to 125 cm
The BeSafe Stretch 2 is a car seat designed for families who want to keep their child rear-facing for several years. Usable up to 125 cm and 36 kg, it stands out for its generous internal space, installation with the car's seat belt, and a construction particularly focused on child protection.
In this review of the BeSafe Stretch 2, we analyze the main elements of safety, comfort, installation, space occupied in the car, and ease of use, without forgetting the less practical aspects that should be considered before purchase.
BeSafe Stretch 2: who is it for?
The BeSafe Stretch 2 is a rear-facing car seat suitable, according to the review, for use from 6 months. It is, therefore, a solution to consider when it's time to transition from an infant car seat to one that allows continued rear-facing travel.
For use from birth, there is the BeSafe B Stretch 2, mainly differing in the starting age of use.
One of the great advantages of the Stretch 2 is its longevity. The seat allows it to accompany the child's growth up to 125 cm and 36 kg, offering an alternative for those who wish to maintain rear-facing travel for a longer period.
However, it is not a seat designed for those looking for quick installation. It is a more technical solution that requires attention to the manual and some care during assembly.
Longer rear-facing travel
The possibility of extending rear-facing travel is one of the central points of this BeSafe car seat.
In this position, the seat better distributes the forces exerted on the child's body in a collision, particularly protecting vulnerable areas such as the head and neck.
It is precisely for this reason that the BeSafe Stretch 2 was developed exclusively for rear-facing use.
For families looking for a long-lasting car seat who prioritize child safety, this feature is particularly important.
R129 Approval and BeSafe Stretch 2 Safety
The BeSafe Stretch 2 is R129 approved, incorporating several elements designed to increase child protection in the car.
In addition to its rear-facing orientation, we find a combination of different systems and materials:
- 5-point harness;
- support leg;
- front brace;
- energy-absorbing materials;
- head protection;
- inserts for the initial stages of use.
The review also mentions ADAC tests in the context of assessing the seat's safety and the protection provided to the child's head and neck.
EPP for impact energy absorption
The seat's construction uses EPP, a material whose function is to help absorb the energy generated during an impact.
Instead of the entire force resulting from a collision being transferred directly to the child's body, the seat structure participates in its absorption.
This is a particularly relevant element in a seat whose positioning is strongly associated with protection in the event of an accident.
V-shaped headrest
The headrest features a V-shape, designed to provide head support and cervical protection.
In addition to its safety function, this design helps keep the child's head more supported during travel.
However, the final position of the head will also depend on the recline achieved in the car and the child's own position, as the seat does not have a universal leveling system.
5-point harness, front brace, and support leg
Child restraint is provided by a 5-point harness, allowing the restraint to be distributed across different areas of the body.
The seat also features two important components for its stability: the front brace and the support leg.
What is the purpose of the front brace?
The front brace helps limit the rebound movement of the seat that can occur during an accident.
Its correct placement is, therefore, part of the installation and should not be seen merely as a structural element of the seat.
Function of the support leg
The support leg contributes to the stability of the seat and to controlling the movements of the structure.
It is important to ensure it is correctly positioned during installation, always following the manufacturer's instructions.
BeSafe Stretch 2 Installation without ISOFIX
One of the distinguishing features of this seat is the absence of ISOFIX.
The BeSafe Stretch 2 is installed with the car's seat belt, using a 3-point belt.
This solution makes the seat compatible with cars where an ISOFIX installation might not be possible and is particularly relevant in certain commercial vehicles or vehicles without the necessary attachment points.
On the other hand, it implies a more laborious assembly process.
If you are looking for a seat that can be frequently installed and removed between several cars in a few seconds, this is an important factor to consider.
How is the installation done with the seat belt?
Installation requires passing the seat belt through the designated points, correctly removing any slack, and performing the final tensioning of the seat.
During this process, it is essential to respect the marked passage points and confirm the corresponding indicators.
The tensioner allows the seat to be gradually tightened until the appropriate tension is reached and the corresponding indicator appears.
It is precisely here that the Stretch 2 demands more from the user: installation is not difficult once the procedure is known, but it requires more attention and time than simply clipping two ISOFIX connectors.
BeSafe Stretch 2 in small cars
A long-lasting rear-facing car seat inevitably raises a question: how much space does it take up in the car?
The BeSafe Stretch 2 has considerable dimensions, but it allows for adapting part of the installation to the available space.
The review indicates approximately the following measurements:
- 45 cm width;
- 74 cm depth;
- 65 cm at the bottom of the base;
- up to approximately 71 cm seat height, in the highest position.
The installation presented also demonstrates its use in a Beetle, showing that a small cabin does not automatically mean the seat is incompatible.
However, compatibility must be analyzed individually. Available space, the position of the front seat, and correct seat installation are determining factors.
Up to 25 cm of legroom
Another interesting point of the BeSafe Stretch 2 is the possibility of providing up to 25 cm of legroom.
This does not mean that the maximum extension must always be used.
In a car with a small cabin, a more compact configuration can be chosen. In a car with greater interior depth, more space can be utilized to increase child comfort.
This flexibility becomes especially important as the child grows and continues to travel rear-facing.
Cabin and use up to 125 cm
Longevity is one of the main arguments for the Stretch 2.
According to the measurements presented in the review, the seat offers approximately 70 cm of total backrest length, allowing it to accommodate taller children for a long time.
It can be used up to 125 cm and 36 kg. The exact age until which each child can use the seat will naturally depend on their growth and percentile.
This issue is important because two children of the same age can have very different heights and weights.
More than just looking at a theoretical age, the usage limits defined for the seat must be respected.
Side impact protection inserts
In the initial stages of use, the BeSafe Stretch 2 includes side impact protection inserts and other elements designed to better adapt the seating area to a smaller child's body.
According to the information presented in the review, these inserts are used initially between 61 cm and approximately 2 years of age.
The objective is to provide a more suitable fit while the child does not yet naturally occupy all the available space in the seat.
As the child grows, the inserts are no longer necessary, allowing progressive use of the seat's full capacity.
Soft Breeze fabric: breathability and comfort
The Soft Breeze is another highlighted element in this version of the BeSafe Stretch 2.
It is a breathable fabric developed to provide greater thermal comfort without adopting the more characteristic texture of some fully mesh materials.
In the review, the Soft Breeze is described as particularly pleasant to the touch, combining breathability with a softer feel.
For children who spend a lot of time in the car or who tend to sweat easily, the breathable fabric can be a relevant factor in choosing the seat.
Other upholstery options exist, but Soft Breeze stands out precisely for seeking this balance between breathability and comfort.
Headrest adjustment and child growth
The headrest adapts to the child's growth and is one of the fundamental areas for ensuring proper use of the seat over the years.
The ability to adjust this area allows the seat to adapt to the child's height, maintaining cervical support and the position of the harness system.
This adjustment becomes particularly relevant in a seat designed for prolonged use, as the physical difference between a child who has just transitioned from an infant carrier and one approaching 125 cm is significant.
Daily installation and removal of the seat
Once the process is understood, installation becomes more intuitive, but still requires several steps.
It is necessary to prepare the seat, position it correctly, thread the belt, remove slack, tension the system, and confirm all support points.
Removal is simpler, as it essentially involves releasing the tension and removing the fastening elements in the correct order.
This reinforces an important characteristic of this review: the BeSafe Stretch 2 works better as a relatively permanently installed seat in a car than as a solution intended for constantly switching between cars.
Main advantages of the BeSafe Stretch 2
Among the most notable aspects of this seat are its safety, longevity, and the possibility of extending rear-facing travel.
Use up to 125 cm and 36 kg allows it to accompany growth for several years, while the spacious interior and adjustable legroom contribute to this extended use.
Installation using the seat belt also increases the possibilities of use in cars without ISOFIX.
In terms of protection, EPP, the 5-point harness, the front brace, the support leg, and the headrest design are also noteworthy.
Less positive aspects of the BeSafe Stretch 2
A comprehensive review should also consider what might not work for all families.
The main compromise lies in the installation.
The use of the seat belt makes assembly more time-consuming and requires more attention than an ISOFIX seat. For those who frequently move the seat between cars, this feature can become impractical.
The dimensions themselves should also be considered. Although it can be installed in a compact car, this does not mean it takes up little space.
It is necessary to evaluate the cabin space, the position of the front passenger, and the space you wish to provide for the child's legs.
Finally, it is a seat designed exclusively for rear-facing travel. For those looking for a seat that allows for later orientation changes, this model does not fit that usage profile.
BeSafe Stretch 2: Is it worth it?
The BeSafe Stretch 2 makes particular sense for those who prioritize safety and the option of traveling rear-facing for several years.
It is not necessarily the simplest car seat to install, nor was it designed to be constantly removed and reinstalled in the car.
However, it offers a set of features specifically designed for extended use: limits up to 125 cm and 36 kg, a generous seating area, adjustable legroom, a structure with energy-absorbing materials, and various elements for stability and child protection.
Therefore, it is a car seat with a well-defined profile. For families willing to dedicate more attention to installation in exchange for a long-lasting rear-facing solution, the Stretch 2 presents particularly strong arguments.
Frequently asked questions about the BeSafe Stretch 2
Does the BeSafe Stretch 2 have ISOFIX?
No. The BeSafe Stretch 2 is installed using the car's 3-point seat belt. The absence of ISOFIX allows for use in different types of vehicles, but makes installation more challenging.
Up to what height and weight can it be used?
The BeSafe Stretch 2 allows for use up to 125 cm and 36 kg. The age up to which it can be used varies depending on each child's height, weight, and growth.
Does the BeSafe Stretch 2 fit in a small car?
It may be possible. The review shows an installation in a Beetle, despite its smaller interior. However, compatibility should always be assessed in the specific car, considering the correct installation of the car seat, the front passenger space, and the legroom for the child.
