We have finally reached the point where we are really thinking about buying a convertible car seat for Edith. Although she is still low on the weight side she is getting older and is really outgrowing her infant car seat despite being able to use it up to 30lbs. So here we are in the middle of The Great Car Seat Debate of 2013- what do we choose?
Right now we are using the Chicco Keyfit 30 and we like it just fine. It was fairly easy to install and we really have no complaints about it except for how horrible the fabric is, I mean every single time Edith goes for a ride she is soaked in sweat by the time we get anywhere especially now that it is summer. Despite that we have been happy with it I think Edith has been ready to get out of it for months now.
For the most part Edith is a pretty good car rider however she HATES getting in her carseat. It’s a battle 9/10 times we go anywhere and I think at this point (obviously I can only speculate) one of the big things that bothers her is the angle of the seat and how far reclined back she has to sit. At 11.5 months I think it’s time she moves up into a big girl seat rather than be “tortured” for another 10 or so pounds.
Okay so after months of research we have narrowed things down to two contenders, okay I guess we have narrowed it down to three:
Likes:
- Safe- duh
- Rear facing up to 40lbs
- Fits in our car (based on Amazon reviewer)
- Bonus cup holder (not a deciding factor just a nice perk)
- Forward facing up to 7olbs
- Minimal BRFs (brominated fire retardants)
- Price $250 on Amazon
- Good for warm weather
Dislikes:
- Cover difficult to clean
- Skeptical about the head pillows- seems like they would get in the way as she gets older
- Can’t recycle (at least not aware of it)
- Takes up a little more car space
Likes:
- Safe- duh
- Rear facing up to 50lbs
- Narow width makes 3-across seating possible
- Comfort for Edith
- Forward facing up to 65lbs
- REACT Technology absorbs energy from impact in forward-facing mode
- Anti-rebound bar enhances stability in rear-facing mode
- Car seat materials are fully recyclable through Clek’s recycling program
Dislikes:
- Color- I know, I know color doesn’t have anything to do with safety but I don’t like it
- Skeptical about the fabric versus the Crypton Super Fabrics
- Weight- nervous about having to lug it to the airport…although that won’t be for another year and then only 1-3x per year.
- Price at $350 on Amazon it’s not cheap
Likes:
- Safe- duh
- Rear facing up to 50lbs
- Narow width makes 3-across seating possible
- Comfort for Edith
- Forward facing up to 65lbs
- REACT Technology absorbs energy from impact in forward-facing mode
- Anti-rebound bar enhances stability in rear-facing mode
- Car seat materials are fully recyclable through Clek’s recycling program
- Crypton Super Fabrics
- Color
Dislikes:
- Weight- nervous about having to lug it to the airport…although that won’t be for another year and then only 1-3x per year.
- Price at $400 on Amazon it’s not cheap
* I have had a number of people suggest Britax to us however despite them starting to phase out BFRs (brominated fire retardants) I am still weary about exposing Edith to highly toxic chemicals since it is such a new change. Although the Maxi Cosi Pri does have BFRs it is a very small amount.
** Amazon links are affiliate links.
We went with the Diono, which (certain fabrics) is not treated with BFR’s. The formerly named company, Sunshine Kids, was named one of the least toxic in 2011. G loves it! I don’t mean to complicate your decision further, but I thought I’d throw that in there 😉 I’ve heard great things about the Foonf but I just couldn’t stomach the price tag.
We did consider the Diono but I just don’t think it is the right seat for Edith. We are really leaning towards the Clek as we have some rewards points that we could use on Amazon to buy it as well as a few Amazon gift cards.
Here’s a good review: http://theshoppingmama.com/2012/12/diono-radianrxt-car-seat-review-giveaway/
My one piece of advice? See if you can try out the Maxi-Cosi in your car before buying it (I realize that would be tricky with the Cleks and those can fit in even super teeny cars anyway) if your car is anything smaller than a larger sedan. We were planning on getting the Diono (I have to agree with Lara on that one! It’s incredible!) for my husband’s car and per Amazon and other sites, were told it would fit in our car (which surprised me, as he drives a Corolla). We tested it out at Buy Buy Baby and there was no way it would have worked without one of our seats touching the carseat and we are by no means tall people! So we actually went with the Peg Perego in his car (I have a different car seat in my vehicle that I love). But it seems like you are set on the Clek! Good luck.
Our son currently has a chicco keyfit and also trying to decide on a convertible carseat. We are debating between the clek foonf and the peg perego. Did you end up getting the clek and if so how do you find it? Also do you know if there are brominated flame retardants in the clek?
I realize we didn’t write an update! Now I must! But in the end we decided to go with the Clek Foof and we LOVE it. We have baby #2 on the way and are planning on buying another one for them when they turn one. They are free of bromine and chlorine-based flame retardants and are made of a GREENGUARD Select Certified Crypton® Super Fabrics are GREENGUARD Select Certified and provide permanent protection against stains, moisture and odor-causing bacteria (you can read more on their website). We bought ours at a local retailer in Portland OR but you can order them online and you can find retailers in your area here: http://www.clekinc.com/retailers/
I use a Foonf with my son and wouldn’t have it any other way. I help a LOT of friends install their car seats correctly and the Foonf is still to this day leaps and bounds above any other car seat I’ve worked with. It sure is heavy, but it wins in every other category (easy to install correctly with seat belt or LATCH, easy to tighten harness, spacious, lots of legroom for extended rear-facing) so I deal with the weight when it needs to be transported. So if anyone is considering a Foonf… I highly doubt you’ll be disappointed!
We love our Foonf! We have had it for a year and a half now and are planning on buying a second one when our son who is 6 months right now moves into a convertible carseat. Seriously love it! We have used three different toddler carseats and it is by far the best by a lot!
I’ve heard the Foonf isn’t very comfortable for the kiddos – has anyone noticed that?
Does anyone know about the Diono and Maxi Cosi chemicals? I can’t find anything on their websites, which tells me they aren’t extremely chemically safe.
Our daughter has been using the Foonf for almost 2 years now and she has never commented about being uncomfortable.