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Best Convertible Car Seats for Travel
Car Seat Alternatives
Car Seat Accessories
Car Seat Travel Bags & Carriers
Best Travel Car Seats
These infant-through-toddler car seats
can be used both rear- and forward-facing, and are listed in order of
car seat weight
from the lightest up to 20.5 lbs.
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 Cosco
Scenera
Why Shelly recommends it:
Best extra car seat for
travel or back up. With
an entry price of around $50, a weight of only 10 lbs, an
airplane-friendly seat width of 17.5", and extra features like a
2-position recline and removable cup holder, it's hard to go wrong
traveling with a car seat like the Scenera. Not to mention, the 4
harness height slots and 3 buckle locations give a better fit for
your growing child than most other convertible car seats (up to 40
lbs.) on the market. While
some parents complain their children outgrow the strap settings for
height long before reaching the 43" height max the manufacturer
boasts, I've found that the shoulder strap settings go higher on the Scenera than they do on most other convertible car seats, aside from
those by Britax. At least the price point of
the Scenera makes it easier to swallow the transition to a
larger car seat and/or
booster when the time comes (or see below for heavier
convertible seats for travel that will go up to 80 lbs). I also like
that the Scenera has a rear-facing weight limit of 35 lbs--which
comes in handy when you want to
prevent your child from kicking the seat in front of him.
I only wish they made a deluxe version with at least EPS foam and
perhaps memory foam like the cushier models (if this interests you,
see the Titan Elite below). Be aware that what you see is what you
get--beneath the seat cover is nothing but hard plastic. Rear-facing from 5 to 35 lbs, forward-facing 22 to 40 lbs. 17.5" W x
17"D x 26 1/2"H. 10 lbs.
Find it online at:
Amazon.com
Babies R Us
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 Graco
ComfortSport
Why Shelly recommends it:
The ComfortSport weighs
in at a mere 11.5 lbs, and at
17" W it fits into airplane seats with ease. But the
ComfortSport is more than a friendly flier; the deulxe models like
the Metropolitan include a GracoPedic memory foam upgrade, with
support pillows, and
removable snack and cup tray to make a cushy ride for small kids
even on lengthy road trips (rivaling pricier Britax
seats). I also like that the greater seat depth even acts as as a leg rest for babies, and also provides more
comfort for longer-legged older passengers. However, the deeper seat
means that it may take up more space reclined in the rear-facing
position than models with a shallower seat, so you might reconsider
if you have a very small car (forward-facing this shouldn't be such
an issue). What I don't like about the ComfortSport is the minimal
harness height adjustment slots-- a little ironic since they
bothered to offer two positions for the lower buckle. With
taller-than-average children, you will likely top-out early on
height just because of the low shoulder straps. Other inclusions: EPS energy-absorbing foam liner, easy to use LATCH
attachments, and 2-position crotch strap for the most secure fit.
Rear-facing from birth to 30 lbs, forward-facing 20 to 40 lbs. 17"W x
21.5" x 27"H. Weighs 11.5 lbs.
Read my detailed review of the
ComfortSport.
Find it online at:
Amazon.com
Babies R Us
Baby Age
Baby Universe
Target.com
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 Evenflo
Titan Elite
Why
Shelly recommends it:
I am so excited about
this new car seat. (And I've seen a lot of car seats.) The Titan Elite
is an all-around great car seat for travel as well as for home use,
and gives you perks you may pay $50 to $100 more for in other seats,
particularly because it can be used for children up to 50 lbs. and 47" tall. While the
Titan Elite isn't as lightweight as the Scenera or Comfortsport
above, this seat gives you a similarly narrow footprint with all the extras
that make it the car seat you love to use everyday (not just as a
backup or for travel). Like the Scenera, it has tall harness strap
slots that accommodate a taller child than most other convertible
seats (including the Comfortsport above), and claims to fit a child
up to 47" tall. Height aside, the Titan is built for children up to
50 lbs. -- all without sacrificing the comforts that make long rides
in the airplane and lengthy road trips more tolerable for your back
seat passenger. Safety moms, know that the Titan is also side-impact
tested and has passed tests for structural integrity at energy
levels approximately two times the federal crash test standard. It
also features an EPS energy-absorbing foam liner and deep side wings
for added protection. The Titan is amply plush and padded with soft
fabrics and memory foam, plus dual snack/cup/organizer trays that
clip on for highway miles and unclip for air travel. LATCH-equipped,
and FAA-certified for use in aircraft.
Rear-facing from 5 to 35 lbs, forward-facing up to 50 lbs. Weighs 14.5
lbs.
Find it online at:
Amazon.com
Target.com |
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 Sit 'n Stroll Car
Seat +
Stroller in one
Why
Shelly recommends it:
Check your stroller with
your suitcases and roll this car seat to your gate instead.
On your cruise, enjoy
the space-savings of this stroller, car seat, and dining booster in
one, and the convenience of it when taking taxis in port.
With its flat bottom, it can also serve as a dining
booster when needed (and the cover is washable). When you're ready to roll, pop out the retractable wheels and lift
the foam-grip handle--it will even roll down the aisle of most large(st) airplanes.
On 737s and smaller planes, take advantage of the built-in
carrying handles to carry your child already in buckled into her seat if you
like. Just ask for a seatbelt extension from the flight attendant as
you board, then buckle the belt right around the car seat, instead
of fishing it through a path in the back or bottom like other
convertible car seats. This "ease of belting" also makes it a breeze
getting in and out of taxis and shuttle vans. What's more, the sun canopy can be very
helpful in the car as well as on the sidewalk. Note: While it offers
obvious advantages as a stroller, you may prefer to use a travel
stroller for extended sightseeing, especially where there may be
lots of curbs to negotiate (you are advised to back it up and down
curbs, though we've gotten away with it ourselves). On the other
hand, you may also find this helpful at home when running errands
with your child--just keep her buckled and snoozing in her seat as
you go. Stroller handle adjusts from 33" to
37". LATCH-equipped, and FAA-certified for use in aircraft.
Sometimes sold with canopy included, sometimes as an extra. An
organization bag is also available.
Rear-facing from 5 to 30 lbs, forward-facing up to 40 lbs. Weighs 16.5
lbs. While the handle
measures 18" W across the top, the footprint is 17" W to fit in
virtually all airplane seats (with seatbelt extension). For more
details and to see pictures of the Sit N Stroll in action,
read the Travels with Baby
feature review of
the Sit N Stroll.
Find it online at:
Amazon.com
Elite Car Seats
One Step Ahead
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 Britax Roundabout Convertible Car Seat
Why Shelly recommends it:
The Britax Roundabout is
streamlined for travel, with no bulky armrests to compete with those on
the airplane, and a lightweight frame that's easier to carry than many
in its category--all without sacrificing comfort or safety features. It's also very easy to install and remove using
seatbelts, and includes its own seatbelt lock-offs for extra stability
without the need for additional locking clips. It is also
LATCH-equipped. It measures 26.25" x
18.25" x 21.62". Rear facing from 5 to 33 lbs,
forward-facing up to 40 lbs. Weighs
14 lbs.
Find it online at:
Amazon.com
Baby Universe
Elite Car Seats
One Step Ahead
Target.com
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 Britax Marathon Convertible Car Seat
Why
Shelly recommends it:
COMFORT.
While you may curse a blue streak
carrying it through the airport (not recommended), and it is not always the best fit for coach seats, the
Marathon is hard to beat for comfort in the car, and if you have
many lengthy road trips in your future, the higher price of this car
seat may be worth it. In addition to extra padding, plush fabrics,
and a 2-position recline (great for snoozing): it offers the widest
width for any harnessed child up to 65 lbs., and may be used longer
than may forward-facing car seats--up to 65 lbs. (see following car
seats, too). It's also very easy to install and remove using
traditional lap and shoulder seatbelts, and includes its own seatbelt lock-offs for extra stability
without the need for additional locking clips. It is also
LATCH-equipped. It measures 19.5"W x 25"D x 28"H. Rear-facing from 5 to 30
lbs, forward-facing up to 65 lbs. Weighs 17.5 lbs.
Find it online at:
Amazon.com
Elite Car Seats
One Step Ahead
Target.com
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 Radian
65 Folding Car Seat
Why
Shelly recommends it:
It folds to 6 1/2 inches
thick and is narrow enough to sit triplets across the back seat of
most cars, making it a dream for use in airplanes and small European
rental cars. When overnighting on the train, just fold it and slip
it under your sleeping berth. And safety? How
about a full, steel
alloy frame for strength and four panels of EPS foam for impact--including
side impact? It also features a tether for use when rear-facing (as
do the Britax seats below) and exceeds U.S. safety standards. Other
perks include 3" more shoulder room than most other seats, with a
higher upper-end weight limit than many convertibles (same as the
Britax Marathon below). But be aware, for all its travel-friendly features, it's
far from lightweight. FAA-approved for use in aircraft. Measures 28" x 17” x 16" open,
folds to 28" x 17" x 6.5".
A car seat
carrying case with shoulder strap is also available. Rear-facing from 5 to 33
lbs, forward-facing to 65 lbs.
Weighs 20 lbs.
Find it online at:
Amazon.com
Elite Car Seats
Target.com
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 Radian
80 Folding Car Seat
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
Safety, size, and
storage. Like the Radian 65 above, the 80 is also narrow enough to
fit three across the back seat of most cars--an impossibility with
other car seats that meet this higher weight limit (compare with the
bulky Britax Regent), and at 17" wide you can also use it in
airplanes with confidence. When you check in for your cruise, you
can simply fold it and store it away in your closet. Its safety
features also exceed U.S. standards with a full, steel alloy frame
for strength and four panels of EPS foam for impact (including side
impact). And it also features a tether for use when rear-facing for
enhanced safety and stability. Again, it is not the lightest-weight
car seat for travel, but you may feel the safety, size, and
convenient storage features "outweigh" this one drawback.
FAA-approved for use in aircraft. Measures 28.5" x 17” x 16" open,
folds to 28.5" x 17" x 7".
A car seat
carrying case with shoulder strap is also available.Rear-facing from 5 to 33 lbs,
forward-facing to 80 lbs.
Weighs 20.5 lbs.
Find it online at:
Amazon.com Babies
R Us
Elite Car Seats
One Step Ahead
Target.com
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