So with the accident, my insurance company is replacing my two current car seats. I am debating what to replace them with. I currently have a (new to me) Sunshine, which is now Diono and Chicco Keyfit 30. The Chicco has been fabulous, but my youngest will be outgrowing it very soon, so I need to upgrade him anyway. Now that I am going car-free, I need to buy car seats with the following criteria:
1. Safety of course, but I feel any car seat on the market today is probably plenty safe.
2. Easy to carry - since I may be carrying two car seats with two kids in tow at least to whatever car we are getting into from our second story unit. Or possibly even a few blocks to the nearest Zipcar or Getaround rental, or even on the Max to the train station.
3. Preferably light weight to help with that ease of carrying.
4. Compact - to be able to sometimes fit three across the back seat of the often smaller vehicles my friends tend to have. (Three seats as I am planning to still go places with my housemate's daughter in tow as well as my two). So it needs to be narrow and when rear facing, compact enough to be able to sit an adult in the front seat adequately.
What are your recommendations? Here's what I'm finding. Am I missing anything?
1. Safety of course, but I feel any car seat on the market today is probably plenty safe.
2. Easy to carry - since I may be carrying two car seats with two kids in tow at least to whatever car we are getting into from our second story unit. Or possibly even a few blocks to the nearest Zipcar or Getaround rental, or even on the Max to the train station.
3. Preferably light weight to help with that ease of carrying.
4. Compact - to be able to sometimes fit three across the back seat of the often smaller vehicles my friends tend to have. (Three seats as I am planning to still go places with my housemate's daughter in tow as well as my two). So it needs to be narrow and when rear facing, compact enough to be able to sit an adult in the front seat adequately.
What are your recommendations? Here's what I'm finding. Am I missing anything?
Safety 1st Go Hybrid Safety Booster
I'm considering this for my older child. He is almost 4, and over 30 lbs. This starts at just 22lbs, so he isn't at the low end and it grows to 100 lbs with a removable back. The two best things are:
1. It is only 11 lbs!!
2. It comes with a backpack bag!
3. It is 17" wide (which seems to be the most narrow options for anything).
Seems like it's a winner. Anything I'm missing?
I'm considering this for my older child. He is almost 4, and over 30 lbs. This starts at just 22lbs, so he isn't at the low end and it grows to 100 lbs with a removable back. The two best things are:
1. It is only 11 lbs!!
2. It comes with a backpack bag!
3. It is 17" wide (which seems to be the most narrow options for anything).
Seems like it's a winner. Anything I'm missing?
Finding a convertible car seat is a more challenging proposition.
Diono Radians - There are 3 models. This is the RXT. There are also R120 and R100 brands. They come with a shoulder strap and optional backpack strap, and they fold, so they can be stored compactly. They are narrow at only 17". I'm considering one of these as an option for my youngest.
Questions:
1. Are they snug-enough feeling... they look more like a booster. How comfortable will it be for sleeping in?
2. They are 26 and 23 pounds. OMG, seriously! The Sunshine one I have now is super heavy. I know it has a backpack strap, but still. Is it worth it? Does the backpack and folding capability really make it that much better?
3. When rear facing and reclined, can an adult still fit in the front seat comfortably. Most cars here I'd borrow are Prius' or similar vehicles. Would that work?
4. Is the side impact feature of the RXT work the added three pounds and 3" in folded depth? Does it really make a difference in its safety rating? Or is it just one more thing to adjust and make sure you have it right.
5. How easy is it to get in/out of vehicles?
Diono Radians - There are 3 models. This is the RXT. There are also R120 and R100 brands. They come with a shoulder strap and optional backpack strap, and they fold, so they can be stored compactly. They are narrow at only 17". I'm considering one of these as an option for my youngest.
Questions:
1. Are they snug-enough feeling... they look more like a booster. How comfortable will it be for sleeping in?
2. They are 26 and 23 pounds. OMG, seriously! The Sunshine one I have now is super heavy. I know it has a backpack strap, but still. Is it worth it? Does the backpack and folding capability really make it that much better?
3. When rear facing and reclined, can an adult still fit in the front seat comfortably. Most cars here I'd borrow are Prius' or similar vehicles. Would that work?
4. Is the side impact feature of the RXT work the added three pounds and 3" in folded depth? Does it really make a difference in its safety rating? Or is it just one more thing to adjust and make sure you have it right.
5. How easy is it to get in/out of vehicles?
Combi Coccoro
This too is 17" wide. However, it only goes to 40 lbs. Given that my children seem to be on the small side, it may not be an issue as he can graduate to his brother's 5-point-harness booster about the time his brother is ready for a regular smaller booster without a back probably. I can't find what the height limit is though. From pictures, it appears to fit rear facing rather well in small cars. Plus it is only 11 pounds! It doesn't have an easy carry option, but at less than half the weight of the Diono, maybe that's worth it? Anyone have experience with this? Will it really fit him until 3 or 4?
Here are a couple good blogs about it:
http://carseatblog.com/2285/combi-coccoro-review-small-cars-and-three-across/
http://www.thecarseatlady.com/taxis/using_taxis_2.html#convertible
I think I'm leaning towards this one over the Radian due to weight. What do you think? What's your experience?
I will come back later to report my decision and experience once I try them out. I'd love to hear your comments in the mean-time!
This too is 17" wide. However, it only goes to 40 lbs. Given that my children seem to be on the small side, it may not be an issue as he can graduate to his brother's 5-point-harness booster about the time his brother is ready for a regular smaller booster without a back probably. I can't find what the height limit is though. From pictures, it appears to fit rear facing rather well in small cars. Plus it is only 11 pounds! It doesn't have an easy carry option, but at less than half the weight of the Diono, maybe that's worth it? Anyone have experience with this? Will it really fit him until 3 or 4?
Here are a couple good blogs about it:
http://carseatblog.com/2285/combi-coccoro-review-small-cars-and-three-across/
http://www.thecarseatlady.com/taxis/using_taxis_2.html#convertible
I think I'm leaning towards this one over the Radian due to weight. What do you think? What's your experience?
I will come back later to report my decision and experience once I try them out. I'd love to hear your comments in the mean-time!
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