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Best Infant Carrier Car Seats for Travel
Car Seat Accessories
Convertible Car Seats
Stroller Frames for Car Seats
Best Travel Car Seats
Here are Shelly's picks for
best-traveling infant car seats. Car seats are listed in order of
maximum child height. All seats featured here can travel without a
base and are FAA-certified for use in aircraft.
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 Graco
SnugRide 22 with EPS
Find it online at:
Amazon.com Babies
1st Baby
Earth Right
Start
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
A lightweight, cushy, compact classic. While
other infant carriers may offer more bells and whistles, truth is many
of them only apply to the infant car seat base. For most travelers, that
becomes irrelevant the moment they leave their base behind and set out
for the airport. And while an
increasing number of infant carriers go beyond the SnugRide's 29"
height limit and 22 lbs. weight limit (including the SnugRide 32), many
won't fit well in smaller compact rental and ultra-fuel efficient cars. The Graco SnugRide infant car seat comes in a variety of models
that may include various upgrades, including "GracoPedic" luxury foam, a
cold weather boot (as shown here), peek-a-boo window in canopy, and
various fabric patterns The Graco SnugRide can be used with or without
its base and is FAA-approved for air travel. It measures 24" x 17.25" x
18" when attached to the base. For children 5 to 22 lbs. or 29" tall.
Seat by itself weighs
7.24 lbs, base weighs 5.4 lbs.
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Chicco
KeyFit 30
Find it online at:
Amazon.com Babies
1st Baby
Earth
Right Start
Target.com
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
It's lightweight and built for travel with
children up to 30 lbs. or 30" in height. While lugging a car seat that
is 9 lbs. plus a possible 30 lbs. of child ion a daily basis s not
especially desirable or comfortable for most parents, the ability to
travel longer with the ease of an infant-style car seat could make it
worth it for you (though if this is important to you, also take a look
at the Sit 'n' Stroll that can
be used rear- and forward-facing up to 40 lbs--and has retractable
wheels). Extra comforts include the infant insert and
extendable sun visor, as shown. The KeyFit travels without its base, if
desired, and fits easily into airplane seats at only 17"W. It installs
with either LATCH or seatbelts, and where LATCH is available, the
KeyFit's unique one-pull adjusting system can save you time during
installation. It is also compatible with the Chicco Cortina and C1
strollers. Measures 24"D x 17"W x 22"H without base, weighs 9 lbs. without
base.
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 Safety
1st onBoard 35 Air
Find it online at:
Amazon.com BabyEarth
Right
Start
Target.com
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
The car seat itself weighs in at 9 lbs. and
can be used with or without the base for children up to 32" in height or
35 lbs. in height. "Air Protect" cushioning provides extra side impact
protection around the head, but without adding weight to the seat. A
longer leg rest also makes it a more comfortable rear-fit for the taller
passenger. FAA-approved for air travel. 28"D x 17.5"W x 24.5"H. Weighs 9
lbs. without base, 15 lbs. with base. For more details and photos,
see the Travels with Baby
Feature Review of the Safety 1st Onboard Air 35.
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Britax
Chaperone with
Anti-Rebou nd Bar
Find it online at:
Amazon.com Babies
1st
Baby Earth
Target.com
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
Safety. Please see the Travels with Baby
Feature Review of the Britax Chaperone infant carrier car seat for
more details and photos of this car seat.
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 Combi
Shuttle 33 with Anti-Rebound Bar (ARB)
Find it online at:
Amazon.com Babies
1st Baby
Earth
Right Start
Target.com
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
The Combi Shuttle 33 replaces the original Shuttle and offers use up to
33 lbs. or 33" in height (its predecessor topped out at 22 lbs. and
29"). While it may offer more months of service, it may have more
trouble fitting with a full 45-degree recline in smaller vehicles
(including compact rental cars). However, the anti-rebound bar is built
into the seat itself, which means the safety feature travels with you
even when the base stays home--something no other brand of infant
carrier offers at this time. EPS foam lines the headrest for additional
protection, no-rethread height adjustable harness. Also appreciated: Height-adjustable
base with level indicator, EZ one-hand harness adjust, and push-button
LATCH clips. NOTE: The buckle tabs appear to be made of plastic instead
of metal, but they are in fact metal with a plastic coating, which would
help keep tiny thighs from getting scorched upon loading in hot
climates. FAA-certified for use in aircraft. Measures 25.75" D x
16.75" W x 22"H without base and weighs 9.3 lbs. (without base). The
Shuttle can be used for children from 5 lbs to 33 lbs., or up to 33"
tall.
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