EPS foam - which is the "right" kind?

[Unregistered]

Shopping for convertible carseat, found big difference in two specific versions of Evenflo Triumph - the LX and LX advanced. One has black spongy foam under seat pad (which seems comfy) and the latter has styrofoam hard type foam.

Which is safer, and does anyone know why Evenflo would have made the change? (The advanced is new this month.)

Thanks!

[UlrikeDG]

Spongey "comfort" foam will not absorb much energy in a crash.

White EPS foam or black/grey EPP foam both absorb a significant amount of energy in a crash, keeping that impact from being transfered through the skull to your child's brain. Chemically, the two are very different. Practically, I think they're probably pretty similar in their ability to protect in a crash. According to Evenflo's website, all versions of the Triumph have EPS foam, and I remember this being the case from day one. Are you sure there wasn't white EPS foam under the black comfort foam?

Of course, we have no actual real world data about how much energy absorbing foam actually reduces injuries, but we do know that it is required in Europe and that logically, it makes sense that hitting foam is better than hitting hard plastic, and I prefer to use seats that have it.

[AdventureMom]

Shopping for convertible carseat, found big difference in two specific versions of Evenflo Triumph - the LX and LX advanced. One has black spongy foam under seat pad (which seems comfy) and the latter has styrofoam hard type foam.

Which is safer, and does anyone know why Evenflo would have made the change? (The advanced is new this month.)

Thanks!

The Advanced is a different seat than the regular Triumph. It is a new version of the Triumph that will harness a child to 50 lbs (rather than 40 lbs like the regular Triumph) and has a slightly taller shell for this purpose. The DLX versions of both the Triumph and Triumph Advanced both have more 'padding' which is mostly for added comfort. But because it's plusher, they charge more. :)

[southpawboston]

Of course, we have no actual real world data about how much energy absorbing foam actually reduces injuries, but we do know that it is required in Europe and that logically, it makes sense that hitting foam is better than hitting hard plastic, and I prefer to use seats that have it.

not to mention, that's what bicycle helmets are made out of, which supports the notion that it would also be beneficial in a carseat. the newer helmets use EPP. it's not as brittle and doesn't crack and crumble like EPS. as for softness, that can be custom tailored for the application. most EPP helmets are actually pretty firm, while the EPP in our APEX is quite compressible.

[UlrikeDG]

Now that I think about it, I think Hubby's and my helmets are EPP, while the kids' are EPS. I'm pretty sure Evenflo uses EPS exclusively, however.

I'm sure there's an "ideal balance" between too firm and too easly to compress, as well.

[southpawboston]

I'm sure there's an "ideal balance" between too firm and too easly to compress, as well.

i think with EPS, the range of firmness is less variable, whereas EPP molecular structure is more variable and therefore highly customizable. i would guwess that helmet (and carseat?) manufacturers must specify exact compression rates based on their own test research and then the EPP manufacturer manufactures the material to meet their needs. this is just wild speculation, but one might guess that helmet foam should be firmer since it will be compressing against concrete or pavement (and must withstand a LOT of force), whereas the foam in carseats may be softer, since it will only be compressing against the inside of the CR shell, which already is much softer than concrete. just a guess...

[sophiesmum]

The new Triumph advanced definitely has EPP foam instead of EPS. I just bought and returned one (for a variety of reasons!) but the box was clearly labeled EPP foam and the foam was the black 'styrofoam' type.

[UlrikeDG]

Thanks! I was unaware they'd made a switch.