Who is Nachfolger?
Nachfolger is a German company with a clear idea: the car seat should go with the child, not stay fixed in one car. Most rear-facing car seats are heavy, bulky and made to stay in the same car year after year. Nachfolger built a seat that is filled with air instead. The design has won both the Red Dot Award and the iF Design Award.
HyFive City is the latest model. It is an inflatable reboarder, a rear-facing car seat, that weighs about 4.6 kg and packs into a bag when not in use.
How an inflatable car seat works
You inflate the seat with the included USB-rechargeable pump, and it is ready to use within a few minutes. The pump switches off by itself when the right pressure is reached, so there is no guesswork. A built-in Air Control System (ACS) monitors the air pressure all the time, and a light on the seat shows that it is ready.
The seat is installed rear-facing with the car's three-point belt and the included Top Tether strap, which attaches to the front seat. No ISOFIX anchors are needed, so it fits almost any car. When the trip is over, let the air out, fold the seat and pack it in the bag.
The cover is breathable, removable and washable at 30 °C.
Safety
Being inflatable does not mean compromising on safety. HyFive City is approved under UN ECE R129 (i-Size), the current European standard, and passed the approval without technical changes. The approval includes frontal, rear-impact and rollover tests.
- Rear-facing: in a collision, a rear-facing seat spreads the forces across the child's whole back. According to Nachfolger, this reduces the load by more than 80 percent compared with a forward-facing seat.
- Air-based side protection: air chambers (Side-Air-Suspension) protect the head in a side impact, without extra parts sticking out.
- Top Tether: the strap reduces how far the head moves forward in a frontal crash.
- Flying: the seat is TÜV-tested for use on aircraft.
Its predecessor, the Nachfolger HY5.1 TT, was tested by ADAC in May 2019 and received a safety rating of 1.9 (overall rating 2.7). Read the full ADAC test result and more about safety on Nachfolger's website.
Mobility and travel
A taxi to the airport, a rental car on holiday, car sharing in the city or a day with the grandparents: with a regular car seat, every change of car becomes a project. HyFive City weighs under 5 kg and, according to Nachfolger, has the smallest outer dimensions with the largest inner dimensions.
- Taxis, rental cars and car sharing: quick to install and remove, and the protector under the seat keeps the car's upholstery clean.
- Three across: the seat is only 44 cm wide, so three seats usually fit on the back seat.
- Plane, train and bus: the seat and pump travel in the bag. The pump is allowed in hand luggage.
- Long journeys: the seat is so comfortable that many children fall asleep in it.
Read more about mobility at Nachfolger.
Sustainability
According to Nachfolger, the seat uses three times less material and four times less packaging than a regular car seat, and takes up five times less space in transport. Nachfolger thinks about the whole life cycle: transport, shared use and recycling. Shared use is exactly what we do at Parently. A seat rented by several families, instead of sitting unused in storage, does more good.
Key facts
| Type | Inflatable, rear-facing car seat (reboarder) |
| Approval | i-Size (UN ECE R129/04) |
| Child's height | 61–105 cm |
| Child's weight | up to 18 kg |
| Seat weight | about 4.6 kg |
| Width | 44 cm |
| Installation | three-point belt and Top Tether |
| Included | USB-rechargeable pump and bag |
| Cover | removable, washable at 30 °C |
Why HyFive City is perfect to rent
1. For your trip
Many families only need a travel-friendly car seat a few times a year: on holiday, on a weekend trip or when the children ride with someone else. Buying an extra seat for that is expensive and takes up space at home. Rent HyFive City for your trip, pack it in the bag and send it back when you are home again.
2. Test first, then buy
Curious about an inflatable car seat but not sure it suits your family and your car? With a flexible subscription you can test HyFive City in everyday life. If it suits you, you can buy it out, and the rent you have already paid is deducted from the price. If it does not, simply send it back.
Rent Nachfolger HyFive City from Parently →
Frequently asked questions
Can my child sleep in the seat?
Yes. The seat is so comfortable that many children fall asleep in it during the journey.
How long can my child use the seat?
The seat is approved for children up to 18 kg and about 105 cm, including clothes and shoes. The Top Tether strap should sit about two finger widths above the child's head.
Does the seat work in rental cars and car sharing?
Yes. It installs and folds quickly, fits in the bag, and the protector under the seat keeps the car's upholstery clean.
How many seats fit on the back seat?
The seat is 44 cm wide, so three seats usually fit side by side. Each position must have a three-point belt.
Can the seat be installed in the front seat?
Yes, rear-facing on a forward-facing seat with a three-point belt. The passenger airbag must be switched off. The dashboard then replaces the Top Tether strap, so push the seat as close to it as possible.
Can the seat be used on a plane?
Yes, the seat is approved for aircraft. Inform the airline in advance, check the air-pressure light before take-off and landing, and always follow the cabin crew's instructions.
Can I take the pump on a plane?
Yes. The pump's battery is 6.6 Wh and is designed to be carried in hand luggage.
How long can the seat stay inflated in the car?
Inflated, the seat holds its pressure for about two weeks. Keep it out of direct sunlight, and ideally cover it with a light-coloured cloth when the car is parked.
Can the seat handle heat?
The material is tested for temperatures up to 70 °C. In direct sun, parts of the seat can get warm, so it is best to cover it. It cools down quickly.
How do I charge the pump?
Via USB-A or USB-C from a charger or power bank with at least 1 A. Fully charge the pump before your trip.
Source: Nachfolger's FAQ. More questions? Contact us.
