latch system or seat belt (carseat ?)

okay, so turns out my car's latch system only works on the two side seats and not the middle.
So I'm wondering which would be safest to install the carseat with; using the latch system in a side seat, or using the seat belt in the middle.
My car is a 2010 KIA soul, so since it's newer the middle seat's seat belt does go across the chest and does lock when you pull it out all the way and all that.

Seat belt in the middle. LATCH is not safer. It's there for convienence.

LATCH is for convenience. Middle is ideal, but wherever you get the best install/fit is safest.

seat belt in the middle definetly, especially if they are forward facing. Thats what my friend says and he is a state trooper, and does the car seat inspections.

The safest place is where you get the best install. Middle is generally recognized as safer, but not if you don't get a tight install there.

my seats are leather and they're slippery as fck risk why  
we use both latch and seatbelt and DS is on the passengers side since the car seat wouldn't get a good grip in the middle.

okay! thank you so much ladies! I was unaware of the whole latch thing anyway, my best friend's mom was just talking it up like it was the greatest thing ever and that it was super important. I just knew that the middle is supposed to be safest. My middle seat belt works the same as the sides, so I'll be putting it in the middle. provided that it's tight enough.
Thanks again everyone!  

Quoting *Nathan's Mommy*:" my seats are leather and they're slippery as fck risk why   we use both latch and seatbelt and DS is on the passengers side since the car seat wouldn't get a good grip in the middle."

there is mats that you can buy for leather seats, but you shouldn't use both latch and seat belt at the same time

Quoting Moose's Mama:" there is mats that you can buy for leather seats, but you shouldn't use both latch and seat belt at the same time"

yeah I have one its called a safe fit, I have leather bucket seats, and I love that mat!

I didn't know about these mats, thanks ladies!!  

Quoting Amber :]:" okay, so turns out my car's latch system only works on the two side seats and not the middle. So I'm ... [snip!] ... it's newer the middle seat's seat belt does go across the chest and does lock when you pull it out all the way and all that."

Seat belt in the middle. I actually do the double thing. My Scion xB only has them on the sides, but I still put my niece's seat in the middle, use the latch system, but I then buckle it as well. It's just an extra precaution 'cause I tend to be kinda paranoid, like "What if the seat belt fails for whatever reason?" Lol.

Fortunately, our new Pilot has latches for every seat in the car, so our little girl will get the latch thing going for her seat.  

Quoting Tανη [CNL]:" Seat belt in the middle. I actually do the double thing. My Scion xB only has them on the sides, but ... [snip!] ... our new Pilot has latches for every seat in the car, so our little girl will get the latch thing going for her seat.  "

You NOT supposed to use both LATCH AND belt. One or the other. It doesn't make it any safer!!! Just FYI.

Quoting .chele.:" You NOT supposed to use both LATCH AND belt. One or the other. It doesn't make it any safer!!! Just FYI."

It doesn't hurt to latch and seat belt. So why not?

As long as it doesn't hurt or cause any issues, then I don't see why having a "backup" in case one fails is wrong.

If it does hurt or it causes issues, please do let me know and I will stop doing it. But if it doesn't lessen the safety, then I'll keep doing it.

Quoting Tανη [CNL]:" It doesn't hurt to latch and seat belt. So why not?"

This will explain why better than I can...
http://babyproducts.about.com/od/carseats/f/LATCH_SB.htm

We own Britax and they specifically say on their website "Install your car seat using either LATCH or the vehicle seat belt system. You should not use both systems at the same time." I'm sure the manufacturer of your seat will offer the same warning.

Quoting .chele.:" This will explain why better than I can... http://babyproducts.about.com/od/carseats/f/LATCH_SB.htm ... [snip!] ... system. You should not use both systems at the same time." I'm sure the manufacturer of your seat will offer the same warning."

Well we have Britax too, so....looking up the link you sent...

Okay. I totally see why you SHOULDN'T use both. Interesting. Hadn't thought of it that way. I will no longer use both, that's for sure. Seat belt only in the xB.

For anyone else wondering, this is what it says..
Putting two installation belts through the same belt path could put stress on the car seat shell from two different angles during a crash, causing breakage. Using two installation belts could also concentrate more crash force on a small area of the car seat.