In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 Review

Expensive, quality seat that is narrow and easy to use
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peg perego viaggio flex 120 booster seat review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $320 List
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Manufacturer:   Peg Perego
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Dec 21, 2021
67
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#5 of 8
  • Crash Test - 35% 6.0
  • Ease Of Use - 30% 7.4
  • Weight/Size - 15% 6.0
  • Comfort - 10% 7.4
  • Quality - 10% 7.2

The Skinny

The Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 is a high-backed booster seat with impressive crash test results for the chest clip and the narrowest width for a high-backed booster in this review. This product boasts a compact fold, comfortable seating, and easy-to-use features, including rigid LATCH attachment and height adjustment. Little ones like how easy it is to buckle themselves in, but they didn't like the lack of armrests. While this booster is nice and has some redeeming qualities, it is more expensive than most of the competition in our best booster seat review with an average and uninspired performance.
REASONS TO BUY
Easier to use
Narrow width
Comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
Higher price
Higher HIC crash test result
Editor's Note: The Peg review was updated on December 21, 2021, with new sections designed to inform readers on which seats we prefer and why.

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Awards  Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award Best Value Award Top Pick Award 
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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52
Star Rating
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Pros Easier to use, narrow width, comfortableGreat crash test results, high quality, rigid LATCHReasonable price, better crash test analysis, super comfy, high-qualityEasiest to use, better crash test results, priceLightweight and portable, budget-friendly
Cons Higher price, higher HIC crash test resultHeavy, hard to move, harder to useHeavier, can't go backlessAverage quality, widest seat bottomHarder to use, lower quality
Bottom Line Expensive, quality seat that is narrow and easy to useImpressive crash test results and quality materials make this a great choiceThis high-quality booster is super comfortable, with better crash test analysis and a reasonable priceNicely priced, easy to use option with better crash test resultsAcceptable performance for a travel friendly, inexpensive choice
Rating Categories Peg Perego Viaggio... Clek Oobr UPPAbaby Alta Chicco KidFit BubbleBum
Crash Test (35%)
6.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
5.0
Ease Of Use (30%)
7.4
6.4
7.4
7.8
4.4
Weight/Size (15%)
6.0
5.2
5.0
5.0
8.8
Comfort (10%)
7.4
7.2
8.0
5.9
5.1
Quality (10%)
7.2
8.2
8.6
6.0
3.4
Specs Peg Perego Viaggio... Clek Oobr UPPAbaby Alta Chicco KidFit BubbleBum
Crash Test HIC Score 757 493 390 557 603
Crash Test Chest G Clip 39 40 53 46 45
Modes High Back Booster High Back Booster,
Backless Booster
High Back Booster High Back Booster,
Backless Booster
Backless Booster
High Back Booster Weight Range 40 - 120 lbs 33 - 100 lbs 40 - 100 lbs 30 - 100 lbs n/a
High Back Booster Height Range 39" - 63" 38" - 57" 38" - 57" 38" - 57" n/a
Width 17.3" 17.7" 18.5" 20" 14"
Weight 14.5 lbs 19.3 lbs 16.1 lbs 10.4 lbs 1 lbs
Backless Booster Weight Range n/a 40 - 100 lbs n/a 40 - 110 lbs 40 - 100 lbs
Backless Booster Height Range n/a 40" - 57" n/a 38" - 57" 40" - 57"
5 pt Harness Weight Range n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
5 pt Harness Height Range n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
LATCH Equipped Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Can you use LATCH in booster mode? Yes Yes Yes Yes n/a
Recline Positions 5 2 0 2 0
Foam Type EPS EPP EPP EPS None
Seat Lifespan 12 yrs 9 yrs 10 yrs 8 yrs Not Listed

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Peg Perego Company started in 1949 with the creation of a baby carriage by founder Giuseppe Perego. The 60s saw the growth of the company through a variety of strollers and the creation of an adjustable high chair. The 70s brought the invention of an umbrella stroller and ride-on toys for children with the first 6-volt products and the sealed gel-cell battery. The 80s saw the rise of the Pilko strollers and the 12-volt two-cell battery that is still the industry standard. Peg Perego is responsible for the entire development process from concept to shipping and everything in between. They strive to develop innovative products that make life easier with a sophisticated style. They also make car seats across all categories from top-ranking infant car seat, convertible car seats, and booster.

Performance Comparison



peg perego viaggio flex 120 booster seat review - the flex headrest includes dense eps foam for potentially added...
The flex headrest includes dense EPS foam for potentially added protection in the event of a side impact collision.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Crash Test


The Flex has an odd mix of the best results for the chest clip and one of the worst results for the head (HIC) sensor. This HIC result hurt its overall score, leaving it average overall. All of the boosters in this review meet or exceed the Federal minimum guidelines for safety and are, therefore, considered safe.

peg perego viaggio flex 120 booster seat review - the graph shows the results from the chest sensor on the flex's...
The graph shows the results from the chest sensor on the Flex's crash test dummy. The Flex has the best data for this sensor in our review, so a comparison is unnecessary.
Credit: BabyGearLab, MGA Research

The Flex has the best chest (g) sensor data in the review with a 39. The maximum chest clip score the NHTSA regulations allow is 60, and anything lower is better. This graph only shows the Flex results as a comparison with the best isn't possible since it is the best.

peg perego viaggio flex 120 booster seat review - this chart shows a comparison between the peg and the top performer...
This chart shows a comparison between the Peg and the top performer for the test, the UPPAbaby Alta, with a 390.
Credit: MGA, BabyGearLab Staff

The Flex score for the head sensor (HIC) is 757, where the maximum allowed is 1000 (lower results are better). While this value is less than 1000 and therefore considered safe, it is one of the highest results in the group. The top result for the group is a score of 390, almost half that of the Flex. These results indicate a basic level of protection compared to the average for the group despite the impressive chest results.

peg perego viaggio flex 120 booster seat review - the flex has a rigid latch system similar to that found on the clek...
The Flex has a rigid LATCH system similar to that found on the Clek Oobr. This system secures the Flex to the vehicle, so it isn't loose when empty.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The Flex is easier to use than some of the competition. This booster connects to the car using a rigid LATCH system that is easy to use and secures the booster, so it isn't floating loose when not in use.

The shoulder strap retainer on the Flex is easy to adjust and to...
The shoulder strap retainer on the Flex is easy to adjust and to thread the strap into.
Testers indicate that the Flex is the easiest option to buckle by...
Testers indicate that the Flex is the easiest option to buckle by themselves.

The seatbelt retainers are simple and easy. Our little testers felt it was the easiest one to use by themselves, both for securing the shoulder belt (above left) and for buckling the belt (above right).

The headrest/height adjustment on the Flex is operated from behind...
The headrest/height adjustment on the Flex is operated from behind with an easy to use button.
The width of the Flex is adjustable with a knob on the back. This...
The width of the Flex is adjustable with a knob on the back. This adjustment is how the Flex earned its name.

Adjusting the height of the headrest/retainer is also one of the easiest (above left), and the width is also somewhat adjustable for fit or comfort with a turnable knob on the back (above right).

The cup holder ring on the Flex is flimsy and we suspect it won't...
The cup holder ring on the Flex is flimsy and we suspect it won't last long before it is broken.
Adjusting the base forward will recline the seat back, making the...
Adjusting the base forward will recline the seat back, making the Flex more comfortable for napping.

The Flex has a flip-out cup holder (above left) that is sort of flimsy and not as useful in real life as it sounds on paper. A recline feature also adjusts from the front (above right). This feature is super easy to use and increases comfort for better napping possibilities.

peg perego viaggio flex 120 booster seat review - the peg is the narrowest high backed booster in this review and one...
The Peg is the narrowest high backed booster in this review and one of the lightest for its type.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Weight and Size


The Flex is somewhat light and narrow compared to some of the competition. This booster weighs 14.5 lbs, which is almost average for the group. The width is one of the narrowest we saw in this review, with a measurement of 17.3 inches. The only narrower choice we tested were backless boosters. This weight and size will likely be more than you want for carrying it while traveling, but it could work for carpooling if the shift from one car to another was infrequent. The width would make it easier to fit three car seats across a back seat, and the booster itself isn't as cumbersome as much of the competition. While not as convenient as the backless booster, we believe the high back boosters are inherently safer thanks to the shell design.

peg perego viaggio flex 120 booster seat review - the flex folds in half to create a smaller package for storing or...
The Flex folds in half to create a smaller package for storing or travel.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

This booster can fold into a smaller package to make it easier to store, move or carry; however, this package has to be opened before putting it in the car, and it won't change the overall weight.

peg perego viaggio flex 120 booster seat review - while not an uncomfortable seat, the flex lacks armrests which is a...
While not an uncomfortable seat, the Flex lacks armrests which is a disappointment to several testers.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Comfort


The Flex has a soft cushion and fabric with thick padding. Little testers like the way their legs fell, but they didn't like the lack of armrests, and the headrest design looks like it isn't supportive of comfortable napping. Unlike some of the competition, this is one of the few products where grownups and kids alike had similar views on comfort.

peg perego viaggio flex 120 booster seat review - the flex looks like a high-quality seat than it really is, and while...
The Flex looks like a high-quality seat than it really is, and while it earned an above average score for quality, the design and materials don't match the higher price.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Quality


The Flex has thick, cushiony padding and skin-friendly fabric that feels durable and soft. The shell is simple with a clean look and feels sturdy at the smallest height but starts to flex as you expand the backup for taller children resulting in a fairly flimsy feel. Peg uses EPS foam which is the industry standard but not as nice as the EPP foam found in some competitors. The overall fit and finish are better than some, but they don't feel as good as the Flex looks.

Should You Buy the Flex?


The Flex is an expensive booster that doesn't offer enough to justify the price, in our opinion. This booster performed only average in our tests compared to the competition. While there is nothing wrong with this seat, it has an average crash test result, and it scores well for quality and comfort; there is nothing about it that makes it a standout or justifies one of the highest prices in the review. The only advantage to the Flex is the high weight limit of 120 lbs and height limit of 63 inches.

What Other Booster Seat Should You Consider?


With a list price of almost half the Flex, the UPPAbaby Alta has a higher crash test score and offers more for comfort and quality. If finding the option with the best crash test score is important, the Clek Oobr is the one for you. While it has a higher price depending on the color, the steel frame design and quality are worth the additional price in our book, and more than one BabyGearLab team member has the Oobr in their car.

Manufacturer Video



Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz
 

Honest, objective reviews. Led by a Pediatrician.

BabyGearLab was founded by a Pediatrician Mom with a mission to provide a reliable, independent, source of information to new parents. Our experts have tested thousands of baby and kids products to share key performance, health, and safety findings. We spend tens of thousands of dollars crash testing car seats to inform our ratings. And, we combine our review work with gobs of expert parenting advice. To assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing by people who care.

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