Can't Decide, KeyFit 30 or SS1

Erika Ruth

New member

• Jul 22, 2007

• #1

Okay, I know this is brought up A LOT...

I am due with my 3rd child in less than 2 months.

Eleanor has a bit over an inch on her Marathon, so we decided to wait on getting her a new seat, until it was necessary (as we want it to work as long as possible, and we want to wait for Recaro to come out to see how it actually works).

Okay, so we need a 3rd seat. 3 kids, 3 seats.

I don't have Latch, and I won't be getting the Minivan for another Month (to test them in the seat)

I decided to go for the SS1, or the Keyfit 30...

Advantages, as I see them of the SS1:
Tall back
High Weight
Built in Lock offs

Advantages, as I see them of the Keyfit 30:
Looks less "hot"
Cushier fabric
Infant insert (Has to be taken out by 11lbs, and my babies are about 9lbs)
Lower profile base (easier to scoot by, without bumping legs)
High Weight
Built in Lock offs
Harness is "smoother" and easier to adjust on the demo models.

Disadvantages of the SS1:
The fabric looks dirty and scratchy on the the models I liked
(Mocha looked "all right")
It has that same bulky tall base look as the old Snugride
Feels bulkier

Disadvantages of the Keyfit 30:
Costs $30 MORE!
Will it last as long? (I have tall babies, not tubby ones).

Yes, I am over analyzing, but this is the ONE purchase I have to make for the new baby, and I can't quite decide. What would you do?

 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician

• Jul 22, 2007

• #2

I've decided that you should go on 'when does the baby walk?' for buying infant seats (as if you KNEW in advance? lol)...but anyway, Leah was NOT walking when she got too tall for her Key Fit, and I NEEDED a carrier, so I was so glad to have the SS1 (which she still fits in at 18 months, but we don't use often). If your kids are early walkers, the Key Fit is fab...if you tend towards late walkers, I think the SS1 is the way to go (my ds was 15 months, dd1 was 12 months, dd2 was 15 months)...but if you have those 10-12 mo walkers, Key Fit is great

Ok, that's just my 12 cents...they are both great, flip a coin...

 

Erika Ruth

New member

• Jul 22, 2007

• #3

joolsplus3 said:

I've decided that you should go on 'when does the baby walk?' for buying infant seats (as if you KNEW in advance? lol)...but anyway, Leah was NOT walking when she got too tall for her Key Fit, and I NEEDED a carrier, so I was so glad to have the SS1 (which she still fits in at 18 months, but we don't use often). If your kids are early walkers, the Key Fit is fab...if you tend towards late walkers, I think the SS1 is the way to go (my ds was 15 months, dd1 was 12 months, dd2 was 15 months)...but if you have those 10-12 mo walkers, Key Fit is great

Ok, that's just my 12 cents...they are both great, flip a coin...

Click to expand...

I saw that you posted that before, that it depends on the age of your walker. Both my girls were in convertibles before they were walking. Eleanor by like 9 months (was walking by 12 months on the nose). And, Elizabeth was in her Marathon by 3 months (She was walking by 10 months).

But, why do you think it is dependent on walking? I am really curious, (Not because I disagree, but because, I don't have any experience with using carriers long term, so far).

The reason that I am getting a bucket instead of upgrading Eleanor early is because we live in an apartment building, and my "walkers" aren't capable of walking down to the car (I have to carry them), until they are at least 16 months (and it even NOW totally stresses me out, and I carry Elizabeth (She is a runner, at 18 months). So, basically, I can't carry two girls down, thus, the need for the infant seat (so I can set down the baby and chase Elizabeth).

I am leaning towards the Keyfit, but if the frame is just as tall, I am thinking I can get by with the standard KeyFit, and not the 30... (as my almost 4 year old just passed the 30lbs mark, and my 19 month old is 24lbs).

Thank you for indulging my over analysis... (as really, this is the ONLY purchase I am making, so it is my nesting.)

 

Patriot201

Car-Seat.org Ambassador

• Jul 22, 2007

• #4

Central Park is not scratchy.

Legacy is not scratchy

Jenny is not scratchy

Ionic is not scratchy

Quinn is not scratchy

Heirloom is not scratchy

Rittenhouse is not scratchy

And now, for Chicco (all available KeyFit30s)


Race pattern

Extreme pattern

Adventure pattern (not listed on Chicco's website, though)

Atmosphere pattern (not listed on Chicco's website, though)

 

R

rlsadc

Senior Community Member

• Jul 22, 2007

• #5

i LOVED my SS1, i have only looked at the keyfit, and it does have some cute colors, but not enough to sway me from my first true love the ss1 is SO easy to install with latch or seatbelt, and i dunno, i just loved it with all my might. lol it was so hard to let go


(

 

Erika Ruth

New member

• Jul 22, 2007

• #6

If I go for the SS1, I think it is between the Rittenhouse and the Jenny.

(My girls want me to get the Jenny).

The Heirloom was the one that felt yucky in the store, but it looked like it had been handled a lot. I bet if the cover was washed mildly, it would be better. I had the Ionic before (with my first), and I liked that okay.

I am leaning more and more towards the SS1, as all of you seem to love it. (the Keyfit just seems so soft and luxurious and easy to use as well)

Erika

 

H

harnessed4ever

New member

• Jul 22, 2007

• #7

I would have to say SS1. I tested it out once, just for fun, but didn't buy it because I already had an infant seat.

 

Namegirl

Senior Community Member

• Jul 22, 2007

• #8

If you're installing with LATCH, I'd say the KeyFit. If you're installing with seatbelt, then I'd say SafeSeat.

I love both seats.

 

R

rlsadc

Senior Community Member

• Jul 22, 2007

• #9

i had the heirloom, and it wasnt scratchy....

 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician

• Jul 22, 2007

• #10

Oh, I only say walking because you can't just 'put down' a non-walker! If they are all buckled and contained and you can plop them on the ground, THAT's what I love . I was stressing about needing a sling for the plane trip on tuesday, then remembered I can just stand Leah there on the ground while I fold her stroller to gate check...the last time we went on planes at 10 weeks/5 months/14 months, that kid couldn't even stand, so I had to be able to keep her in a safe place . It's not like some developmental rule or anything, just convenience (seats used to be so small that we'd at least hope for 'sitting up' so you could put your kid in the cart or high chair, but I think 'walking' is a good convenience benchmark, now)

 

Erika Ruth

New member

• Jul 22, 2007

• #11

I got it!!!!!!!!!

Okay, MSRP $189 I got it for $71 plus Tax! (It was on clearance here in SoCal, because, get this... IT DOESN'T FIT IN the BUGABOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They had the SnugRide for $130! And the SS1 for $79, but they gave me an additional 10% off so they could call it a final sale!

Central Park is really nice and soft! You were totally right!

Patriot20171 said:

Central Park is not scratchy.

Click to expand...

 

S

Synchro246

New member

• Jul 22, 2007

• #12

cool, what an awesome deal.

I have the ionic, it is scratchy--but honestly it hasn't been a problem even in our florida heat.

 

C

cso1997

Active member

• Jul 22, 2007

• #13

Oh that is a good deal but I am a Keyfit fanantic. You would have to pry mine out of my dead lifeless hands. The LATCH connectors are better and the seatbelt install is so easy that I can't imagine the SS is easier. The infant insert is great even if you don't use it long and the headrest is really nice too. Oh well...another loss to the SS...boo hoo. Since you have never had a Keyfit, I suppose you won't even notice that you are missing a GREAT seat. I personally think that the SS is way overkill for anyone that doesn't plan to use it until it is outgrown. I am still using the Keyfit22 at almost 11 months. I think I am going to get plenty of use out of it. Also, I have the tiniest problem with the handle and Chicco is sending a new seat out to me as soon as they get my color in. I can't say enough about Chicco's customer service. JM overly addicted to the Keyfit O.

 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician

• Jul 22, 2007

• #14

Sweet deal!!! Bugaboo really needs to get on the ball, but just as well you are profiting off their oversight, lol

Erika Ruth said:

I got it!!!!!!!!!

Okay, MSRP $189 I got it for $71 plus Tax! (It was on clearance here in SoCal, because, get this... IT DOESN'T FIT IN the BUGABOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They had the SnugRide for $130! And the SS1 for $79, but they gave me an additional 10% off so they could call it a final sale!

Central Park is really nice and soft! You were totally right!

Patriot20171 said:

Central Park is not scratchy.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

 

Patriot201

Car-Seat.org Ambassador

• Jul 22, 2007

• #15

That's great!

Congrats!