I bought a padded highchair because it has a 5 point harness, removable trays (great for taking away the mess of the "first course" and starting again. But it is a serious PITA to clean. Mine is stained and the material is split. You get bits of food wedged in where the straps come through and its just plain nasty.

I was determined to have a padded one because a friend's baby managed to fall out of his Ikea highchair - it only has a waist strap - not a five point harness (my friend wasn't being careless - she was having an epileptic fit and was alone with her DS). I bought an Ikea one that lives at my Mum's only because there would always be me and Mum there together watching. It is soooo much better than the padded one - so easy to wipe down. Since DD#1 has been using it I've yet to come across a time when I'm not always with her so I will be buying another Ikea one for when DD#2 starts solids next month - they come in colours now too!!