Thule Palm car seat review

The Thule Palm high-back booster car seat makes the transition to the "big kid" car seat that little bit easier. This innovative car seat is designed for older children, typically from around 3.5 to 12 years (100-150cm), covering the later car seat stages while encouraging independence and keeping safety at the forefront.

At around £219, the Palm sits at the premium end of the high-back booster market, and Thule’s aim with this seat was to combine safety, comfort and longevity in one sleek design.

What sets the Thule Palm apart from more basic booster seats is its focus on comfort-led engineering. It has what Thule calls soft PUR-foam cushioning, a recline function and an adjustable headrest. It feels like a step up from standard models and was very comfortable for my 4-year-old daughter Summer, and my 7-year-old son, Parker.

Thule is well known for producing durable, safety-focused travel products, and that reputation carries through in the Palm’s solid build and thoughtful features. The Swedish company produces a wide range of outdoor and travel gear, with products tested at the Thule Test Center for durability and safety.

How easy is it to install the Thule Palm?

Installation was straightforward and reassuring from the first attempt. The instruction manual includes clear, easy-to-follow diagrams without overcomplicating the process.

As busy parents, the diagrams definitely helped, especially when I wanted to install something as simple as the cup holder.

After a quick read-through of the instructions, I was able to get the seat fitted in under five minutes, without needing to go back and double-check steps.

I installed the seat in a Cupra Formentor, and with ISOFIX connecting points highlighted in yellow, the seat was easy to click in place. Extending the connectors was simple and there are clear indicators to show when the seat is correctly installed, which makes it easy to feel confident that everything is fitted as it should be.

Positioning the seat snugly against the car was also straightforward. Once installed, it felt very stable, with no movement or shifting when we were on the move. Even when getting the children in and out or adjusting the seat, it remained firmly in place.

The seat itself is solid and weighs 7.14kg. You can feel the quality in this seat and although it’s around 2-3kg heavier than some other high-back booster seats, this was a doddle to move from my car to my mum’s car.

The footrest and cup holder (both sold separately) were easy enough to put together and add onto the seat. The cup holder did come with two fitments, one for the Thule Palm and one for the Thule Elm, which felt unnecessary.

How does the seat work for a younger child?

The seat worked very well for my younger child. Due to Thule's reputation, I expected the Thule Palm to feel well made and dependable, but my main question was whether my children would enjoy using it. Luckily, the boss of the family, my daughter Summer, was thrilled with the seat.

She was quite literally beaming with excitement and honestly couldn’t stop boasting about how comfortable it was. She immediately commented, without prompting, that the seat was really comfortable and that the footrest was amazing. The cushioning made a noticeable difference compared to other seats we have used. She seemed to fit into it perfectly straight away. The seat offered her great positioning and support, particularly around the head and shoulders.

Getting her in and out was simple. She could also get herself in and out of the seat with ease. The seat belt guide clip helped ensure the belt sat correctly, which made me feel confident about her safety on each of our trips. She often falls asleep on the longer motorway miles that we clock, and the headrest is large enough to accommodate her naps.

How does the seat work for an older child?

Adjusting the seat from my 4 year old to my 7 year old, Parker, was very easy.

The headrest adjusted smoothly to suit his height and there was plenty of space for him to sit comfortably. On longer journeys, he remained well supported and did not complain about discomfort, which is where other seats have sometimes fallen short for our family.

As my son has had a growth spurt, he’d often complain of backache and feeling warm in other seats, however the Thule Palm received zero complaints from him. He was also able to get in and buckle himself independently, which is a big plus at this age. A quick check of the seat belt and adjustment of the footrest, and off we would go. Simple.

How easy is it to adjust between children?

Switching between my two children was quick and simple, which is essential in a busy household where time always feels limited.

Once the seat is set, it holds its position well, which is helpful when the same child is using it for multiple journeys. I would go from dropping Summer off with my mum, then pick up Parker to take him to Scouts which meant the car seat had to be adjusted quickly so we could head straight to the next after-school activity.

Thule once again never fails. Parker would get into the seat and it was quick to adjust the headrest using the strap behind and lower the footrest. I love that the seat belt locks into place just under the headrest; this also ensures the seat belt doesn’t twist, a reassuring safety feature for me.

The seat also adapts well to different body shapes. It has a wide seat base and is padded, the side wings offer structure without being overly rigid, the recline function helps adjust the seat angle and the PUR-foam cushioning helps distribute weight evenly across the seat. Both my children felt properly supported.

How comfortable is it day to day?

Comfort is where this seat really stands out.

The innovative cushioning helps reduce pressure and supports good posture. Both my children were comfortable on short school runs and longer drives. The recline function added an extra level of comfort, especially for longer journeys where they could relax easily.

Summer sometimes has toilet accidents, so being able to wash the covers — and for them to dry quickly — meant everything stayed fresh and clean. Temperature-wise, the seat stayed comfortable and did not feel overly warm, even during extended use.

It’s worth noting that you can also purchase the Thule Palm cover (£44.99), which helps protect the seat from dirt and can also help keep it cooler in warmer weather, which is particularly useful during the UK summer or if you use the seat abroad.

How practical is it for everyday family life?

In daily use, the Thule Palm fitted seamlessly into our routine. It worked well when there were multiple journeys in one day.

Summer and Parker could jump in and out when we would leave school to head to their weekly swimming lessons. It was all extremely hassle-free.

It also fits well in the car alongside other seating without feeling overly intrusive. Even my mum said, "this is lovely, it’s so slim" when she first saw the car seat installed in my car. I only have two children, but if you have three, Thule states that three Palm seats can fit across the back of some vehicles.

And when the kids need to take a journey in another family member's car or if you have multiple cars, the Palm is easy to move around. I was able to get the seat out of my car and into my mum’s car (Citroen C1) easily - which we did weekly. The Palm’s slim design meant it slotted into her little car nicely, although the footrest can get in the way of the seat in front at times.

How safe and reassuring does it feel?

The seat feels extremely stable and secure once in place. The overall build gives a strong sense of protection, plus it complies with the stringent UN R129/3 (i-Size) safety regulations.

The side-impact protection and structured design add reassurance and the seat belt positioning system helps ensure correct placement. This added to my confidence in the seat's safety.

How well made does it feel?

Very. The quality is immediately noticeable, both in the look and feel of the seat. The materials feel premium and durable, with a solid outer shell that suggests it will last for years. It gives the impression of a carefully engineered product rather than something designed to meet the minimum standard.

The headrest moves easily without sticking and hearing each position click into place, I know that it will stay where it is set. There are no loose parts or flimsy bits and everything feels well integrated.

How easy is it to keep clean?

The removable covers are a big win and make a real difference in day-to-day use. With two children regularly using the seat for school runs, snacks, after school activities, more snacks, longer journeys and… more snacks, it did not take long for crumbs and marks to build up. Being able to remove the covers and put them in the washing machine made it easy to keep the seat looking fresh without much effort.

Taking the covers off was easy, with the fabric sections unclipping. It did take a little time to work out the best way to remove each section the first time, but once I had done it, it became much quicker. After washing, the covers held their shape well and refitted neatly without stretching. The seat was also easy to vacuum and most marks were wiped clean with a damp cloth.

The arm rests are not fabric-covered which makes it easy to wipe clean, as these areas tend to get dirty quickly with regular use.

How does the Thule Palm compare to other high-back boosters you’ve used?

The Thule Palm sits alongside fellow premium high-back boosters such as the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow and BeSafe iZi Flex Fix, offering a similar high level of comfort and safety.

Thule’s 7.1kg weight places it in line with premium rivals but does make it heavier than the mid-range high-back options like the Nuna AACE lx at 6.7kg or the Maxi-Cosi Rodifix Pro2 at around 5.9kg, and significantly heavier than budget models, which can be closer to 4kg.

We have also tested the Cosatto Zoomi Group 123, Cosatto Ninja 2 i-Size and Joie Trillo — all of which perform well and offer good safety features at a much lower price point.

Thule’s Palm stands out in terms of comfort, build quality and overall finish.

What's in the box?

• Thule Palm high-back booster seat
• Instruction manual
• Integrated seat belt guide system

How sustainable is the Thule Palm?

The Thule Palm feels built to last, which supports long-term use across multiple years and even multiple children. The durable materials and solid construction suggest it will hold up well over time.

While packaging is standard, the longevity of the product contributes positively to sustainability by reducing the need for replacement.

Is it worth the money?

It depends. Thule has a strong reputation across travel products, and the Palm feels consistent with that. The cost is reflected in the finish, but it does sit at the higher end of high-back booster seats.

Features such as the supportive cushioning, smooth adjustability and considered design touches make a tangible difference over time, particularly for families who rely heavily on their car.

The adaptable fit across different ages and sizes means it can be used for several years, and potentially across more than one child, which helps offset the initial investment.

That said, there are strong performers available at a lower price point, including the other models we’ve used from Joie and Cosatto, which meet safety standards and offer good practicality. If you’re looking for something cheaper, the Joie Trillo is a good lower-cost alternative.

Where can I buy the Thule Palm car seat?

It is available from Thule, Natural Baby Shower, John Lewis and Very

MadeForMums verdict:

The Thule Palm delivers strong comfort, quality and is extremely easy to use. From the first use, it feels well made, with a clear focus on supporting children properly as they grow.

This reassuring sense of durability suggests it will last through years of use. The combination of plush cushioning, an adaptable headrest and a handy footrest (sold separately) helped keep Parker and Summer safe, happy and super comfortable.

In everyday use, it was practical and reliable. My children were able to jump in and out of the seat easily and it fitted well into our routine of quick school runs and longer motorway drives.

That said, it sits firmly at the premium end of the market, and while the performance reflects this, it may not be the right choice for every family. Parents who are looking for a budget-friendly option will still find solid alternatives elsewhere.

I would recommend it to parents who want a high-quality, long-lasting booster seat that goes beyond the basics. It is particularly well-suited to families who spend a lot of time in the car and want a seat that delivers consistent comfort and support across every journey.

Read more:

• Best car seats for children from 4 years
• Maxi-Cosi Rodifix Pro2 i-Size car seat review
• Joie i-Trillo i-Size car seat review
• Cybex Solution T i-Fix car seat review
• Graco Junior Maxi i-Size R129 car seat review