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Best Toddler Car
Seats & Boosters for Travel
Car Seat Alternatives
Car Seat Accessories
Car Seat Travel Bags & Carriers
All Best Travel Car Seats
These car seats and boosters are for
forward-facing use only, for children who meet their height, weight,
and age requirements for use. Listed in order of earliest possible
use, from 20 lbs. to to 100 lbs. or 57" tall.
Note: Some toddler car
seats may be used both as "car seats" and later as "booster seats,"
but booster seats used as such are not allowed on aircraft (they
must be used with a seat belt that has a shoulder strap). If your
car seat has a night enough weight limit for your child to use it
with the 5-point harness, you may use it as a car seat on the
airplane, but be sure to read my
warning
about the Car Seat Police--some of these car seats aren't
labeled as approved by the FAA (even if they are). -Shelly
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 Graco
CarGo Platinum
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
The CarGo weighs in at
only 8.5 lbs (less than our lightest weight recommended convertible
car seat!), and fits nicely into airplane seats and small rental
cars at only 17" wide (when you slip off the cup holders). Unlike
most other forward-facing seats, it also offers a slight recline and
side wings to help with napping on the go. Different "trim levels"
are available with different features: Platinum (shown above in
"Powell") and Ultra models
have an energy-absorbing (EPS) foam liner, also "Farley" and
"Simpson" have extra comfort foam in the seat and two reclining
positions instead of one. May be used with 5 pt. harness for
children at least 1 year old and 20 lbs up to 40 lbs, and as a
belt-positioning booster from 30 lbs to 100 lbs.
Find it online at:
Amazon.com
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 Safeguard
Go Hybrid Booster
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
The Safeguard Go weighs
just shy of 9 lbs. and folds to fit in its own carrying bag--which
itself fits in the overhead bin on aircraft. The 5-point harness may
be used for children from 22 lbs. up to 60 lbs., making it one of
the lightest weight seats that can be used so long with a harness
(but check your vehicle manual for possible weight limits for the
LATCH anchors...at some point you will need to install it with the
seat belt instead). The problem with the Safeguard Go is that, since
it must be used with either a vehicle tether as a car seat or with a
shoulder belt as a booster, it cannot be used in aircraft. However,
if your child is already old enough to travel without a car seat on
aircraft (40 lbs. and up) or you prefer to use a CARES harness in
flight (see car seat
alternatives), this may be the perfect traveling car seat for
you. When the time comes, it may also be used as a backless booster
with a shoulder seat belt. Use forward-facing with 5-point harness
from 22 lbs to 60 lbs. and 31" to 52", and as a booster from 40 lbs.
to 100 lbs. and 43" to 57" tall.
Find it online at:
Amazon.com
Babies R Us
Right
Start One
Step Ahead
Tip Toe Turtle
Tip: If you like the
idea of a folding car seat, but prefer one you can use rear- and
forward-facing that is also FAA-approved for use in aircraft, see
the Radian on the convertible
car seat page.
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 Compass
B505 Folding Booster
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
Its the high-back built
for travel. Since booster seats are not allowed to be used in
aircraft, you can simply have this seat folded up at the airport and
stored in its own carrying case (included with premier model, or can
be purchased separately). At only 10 lbs., you won't mind carrying
it to or through the airport by the shoulder strap! Tuck it into the
overhead bin on your flight, or store it in your cruise ship cabin
without complaint. This booster was also built for safety and
comfort with EPS foam and side wings for side impact protection and
children nodding off on the drive. With retractable cup holders,
you've got nothing to lose, and flip-up arm rests make it easy for
your child to get in and out of the seat. Use it for your child
weighing 30 lbs. up to 100 lbs., and from 38" to 57" tall.
Find it online at:
Amazon.com
Baby Age
Elite Car Seats
One Step Ahead |
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 Graco
Turbo Booster
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
Options and extras. You
may start using the Turbo as a high-back booster for a child 38"
tall and 30 lbs., then convert it to a backless booster when
appropriate and desired (like during travel). If you have a lot of
long drives in your future, your child may especially appreciate the
GracoPedic memory foam included in the Milan, Fairfax, and
Firecracker styles of this seat (not in Ionic or other styles unless
specified). Other options included with these deluxe styles: kid's
travel pillow and deluxe washable seat pad (Fairfax also has
extra-padded arm rests). The retractable cup holders on each side
and adjustable arm rests are also nice features. And the one-hand
adjustable head rest offers side impact protection (and snooze
support) with EPS foam. Weighs 9 lbs. Use it for your child with the
back rest from 30 lbs. to 100 lbs., or without the back from 40 lbs.
to 100 lbs. Children must be 38" to 57" tall.
Find it online at:
Babies R Us
Baby Age
Baby Universe
Elite Car Seats
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 Com bi
Dakota Backless Booster
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
Lightweight wonder. The
Dakota backless booster makes light of travel weighing it at less
than 3.5 lbs. It also offers children extra comforts with a
breathable soft fabric cover (machine washable), slightly more
wiggle room in the seat than many others, and a detachable cup
holder / pocket on the side. Made for children 4 years and older,
weighing from 33 lbs. up to 100 lbs., and between 33" and 57" tall.
Find it online at:
Babies R Us
Elite Car Seats
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