what is the best convertible car seat if you travel a lot?
I have a 10 month old and he has outgrown his infant carrier. We don't want to spend a ton of money but we want something that isn't bulky but comfortable for our baby because we travel a lot. Any help would be appreciated
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6 Responses to “what is the best convertible car seat if you travel a lot?”-
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IMO the best and less bulkiest seat out there is the Sunshine Kids Radian 65 or 80. It is expensive though around $200. But it has very good reviews. This is the seat I will be getting my daughter!
Edited to add. THe Radian80 goes up to 80lbs harnessed!!
Walmart has a great ‘Costco’ brand…it’s like $55
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8054497
A lot of people point to the Britax car seat as the most comfortable if you are driving a lot. It is more expensive. I don’t know what to suggest in a lower cost seat, but I would try BabiesRUs. They have a much larger selection than Target would have.
I have the myride 65 by Graco… its not bulky as some (britax) but it is big and super super comfortable (also has 2 cup holders which I will love for when she is older) One reason I got it is not only because it looks super comfy but its safe! Its rear facing from 5-40 lbs and forward from 20-65!! It is also fairly cheap compared to others (britax)… I got it on sale at baby’s r us for $120… It fits in our 2 door honda accord in the middle of the backseat and 2 people can still sit back there.. I am in love with it LOL
esp if u travel a lot, i would def spring for a britax; more traveling increases road time increases opp for accidents…
HI – good question!
If you travel a lot by air, you’re going to want something fairly low profile and something not so heavy. If you travel by car, that’s an entirely different situation.
So for air travel:
I like some of the other suggestions – the sunshine kids is a nice seat – but it is possibly the heaviest seat on the market. It does fold up and has a strap you can purchase for carrying it… but man… the thing is dang heavy.
The cosco seat is a great seat for travel. It does not have any EPS foam and it will need to be replaced at about age 3 as it will be outgrown around that point. But it is inexpensive. I actually recommend parents buy a higher harnessing seat to keep permanently in their car and then buy this seat when it goes on sale (you can find it on sale for about $40) as their plane/travel seat.
For an all around seat – not too expensive ($80)- I would actually buy the Safety 1st Avenue. It does have EPS foam. It has a slightly taller shell and taller top harness straps then the Scenera by Cosco above. It rearfaces most kids to age 2+. It is fairly low profile for a plane (the britax seats in a plane put the child very close to the seat in front of it… and usually drive the people in front of them nuts with kicking!). They sell the safety 1st avenue at kmart, sears, amazon and I believe directly through safety 1st. http://www.safety1st.com/usa/eng/Products/Travel/Car-Seats/Convertible-Car-Seats/Details/2193-22449GES-Avenue%E2%84%A2-Convertible-Car-Seat
It does still only go up to 40lbs, but might last a little longer then the Cosco Scenera becuase it has about 16" top slots vs. the Scenera’s 15" (kids almost always outgrow a seat by height vs. weight).
Now – if you’re traveling a lot via car – that’s an entirely different situation.
I would recommend something that will get you the most use for the longest. This is a seat that has a higher harnessing weight, and tallest top harness straps. Some of the options would be:
Evenflo Triumph Advanced $130-170 depending on cover
Graco My Ride 65 – bonus of rear facing to 40lbs – $150
Britax Roundabout 50 (not the regular roundabout) added benefit of rear facing tether – $199
First Year’s True Fit – $150-175 depending on cover
You can find out more about specific models by going to http://www.car-seat.org – there are tons of photos and installs documented on that site.