Recaro Como Midnight Desert:
We have had the Como now for 3 days total. It was used two days FFing with a 2.5 yr old (DS), 34 lb, and 40.5 ins. It was used one day RFing with a 12 mth old (DD), 22 lb and 28 ins.
First impressions and features:
The Como had a very distinct chemical smell when it first came out of the box. The cover had a residue on it. The smell later dissipated after about two days and the residue washed out. The color, midnight desert, is very sharp and nice looking. The fabric texture was not a soft as expected and is quite hot feeling.
The Come is very light for such a large convertible. The shell is nice and tall. The wings of the seat are very deep. In the most upright position the seat is still much reclined. The base is quite large in circumference and completely smooth with now rough corners or edges. The side wings and eps foam have vents for ventilation.
The Como also comes with a hip bolster and separate headrest w/ wings for use with the smaller child. The hip bolster stays in place quite well and does not require the removal the crotch strap to be put on or taken off. Both the hip bolster and head wings are made of the same material as the rest of the seat. The headrest wings are quite floppy and require adjustment while loading child. Also you must remove the top straps of the harness to put on or take off the headrest.
The Como’s harness straps seem very thin and are very twisty. In 3 days time, the straps have completely twisted in the buckle tongues and chest clip. The adjuster strap is also very narrow. The harness tightens in one smooth motion.
The Como also has strap covers that are embroidered with the Recaro brand name. They are made of the same material as the rest of the seat. They are quite long at about 4.5 ins and have nice grippy material on the back sides.
My experience with the Como Forward Facing has been over all good. The Como sits quite high with the bottom of the seat angling sharply upward so the knees are higher than the bum. I think this contributes to the overall feeling of the Como have a higher base than other convertibles. Loading is quite a stress on the arms if your child is larger and not climbing up on their own. After some practice of loosening the harness and laying the straps off the sides so that when I was loading DS later, they were not in the way. Even with taking extra care, the straps were very twisty. My DS seemed to like the Como. He propped his feet up the back of the driver’s seat. When sleeping, he looked very comfortable as his head was well supported by the deep recline and deep wings. The tops slots measure at 19 ins and my son has approximately 3 ins of torso growth when installed.
As a Rear Facing seat, our experience was rather negative. On our first trip (30 mins), DD was completely sweated down. There was a ceiling vent pointed at her and it was about 86 degrees. The shell vents seem to have little effect as the thigh bolster and head wings are quite thick. She hated being confined by the headrest and spent the whole trip with her head lifted out of the wings. Loading her was quite troublesome and extra care was needed to make sure that the harness was tight enough with all the pads. The deep wings of the seat made putting the child in the seat a tight squeeze. The seat is also quite high RFing. The Como cannot be tethered while RFing (unless vehicle RFing tethers are present)
I wanted to add that Recaro makes the following recommendations on the headrest:
"We strongly suggest parents keep the headrest in position when the shoulder straps are in the lowest two slots. When the upper three slots are being used, the headrest is optional. The Como is no less safe without the headrest in the seat."
Overall installation was very nice. The Como has built in look offs and per instructions, should be used with all seatbelt installations. I had some difficulty with more upright seats as the Como has definite recline but was able to get an acceptable install. The RFing space taken up was the same as a Britax MA with no adjustment (i.e. pool noodles, etc) The RFing recline was very upright so use with a young infant would require some adjustment and might make the Como take up more room.
My overall impression of the Como is mixed. I am not sure I would have purchased the Como had I known I would not wish to use it RFing. I shall probably keep it as it has lots of torso growth room and is fairly easy to install. The harness is only slightly more preferable to the harness systems of seats only a 1/6th of the Como’s price. Honestly, I am very mixed about this seat.
DS is above this slot when Como is installed
DS had about an inch less torso room when installed
Regent vs. Como
Rfing 35 lb DS
RFing Britax MA behind RFing Como
RFing DD with Como hip bolster and headrest
RFIng Como side view
We have had the Como now for 3 days total. It was used two days FFing with a 2.5 yr old (DS), 34 lb, and 40.5 ins. It was used one day RFing with a 12 mth old (DD), 22 lb and 28 ins.
First impressions and features:
The Como had a very distinct chemical smell when it first came out of the box. The cover had a residue on it. The smell later dissipated after about two days and the residue washed out. The color, midnight desert, is very sharp and nice looking. The fabric texture was not a soft as expected and is quite hot feeling.
The Come is very light for such a large convertible. The shell is nice and tall. The wings of the seat are very deep. In the most upright position the seat is still much reclined. The base is quite large in circumference and completely smooth with now rough corners or edges. The side wings and eps foam have vents for ventilation.
The Como also comes with a hip bolster and separate headrest w/ wings for use with the smaller child. The hip bolster stays in place quite well and does not require the removal the crotch strap to be put on or taken off. Both the hip bolster and head wings are made of the same material as the rest of the seat. The headrest wings are quite floppy and require adjustment while loading child. Also you must remove the top straps of the harness to put on or take off the headrest.
The Como’s harness straps seem very thin and are very twisty. In 3 days time, the straps have completely twisted in the buckle tongues and chest clip. The adjuster strap is also very narrow. The harness tightens in one smooth motion.
The Como also has strap covers that are embroidered with the Recaro brand name. They are made of the same material as the rest of the seat. They are quite long at about 4.5 ins and have nice grippy material on the back sides.
My experience with the Como Forward Facing has been over all good. The Como sits quite high with the bottom of the seat angling sharply upward so the knees are higher than the bum. I think this contributes to the overall feeling of the Como have a higher base than other convertibles. Loading is quite a stress on the arms if your child is larger and not climbing up on their own. After some practice of loosening the harness and laying the straps off the sides so that when I was loading DS later, they were not in the way. Even with taking extra care, the straps were very twisty. My DS seemed to like the Como. He propped his feet up the back of the driver’s seat. When sleeping, he looked very comfortable as his head was well supported by the deep recline and deep wings. The tops slots measure at 19 ins and my son has approximately 3 ins of torso growth when installed.
As a Rear Facing seat, our experience was rather negative. On our first trip (30 mins), DD was completely sweated down. There was a ceiling vent pointed at her and it was about 86 degrees. The shell vents seem to have little effect as the thigh bolster and head wings are quite thick. She hated being confined by the headrest and spent the whole trip with her head lifted out of the wings. Loading her was quite troublesome and extra care was needed to make sure that the harness was tight enough with all the pads. The deep wings of the seat made putting the child in the seat a tight squeeze. The seat is also quite high RFing. The Como cannot be tethered while RFing (unless vehicle RFing tethers are present)
I wanted to add that Recaro makes the following recommendations on the headrest:
"We strongly suggest parents keep the headrest in position when the shoulder straps are in the lowest two slots. When the upper three slots are being used, the headrest is optional. The Como is no less safe without the headrest in the seat."
Overall installation was very nice. The Como has built in look offs and per instructions, should be used with all seatbelt installations. I had some difficulty with more upright seats as the Como has definite recline but was able to get an acceptable install. The RFing space taken up was the same as a Britax MA with no adjustment (i.e. pool noodles, etc) The RFing recline was very upright so use with a young infant would require some adjustment and might make the Como take up more room.
My overall impression of the Como is mixed. I am not sure I would have purchased the Como had I known I would not wish to use it RFing. I shall probably keep it as it has lots of torso growth room and is fairly easy to install. The harness is only slightly more preferable to the harness systems of seats only a 1/6th of the Como’s price. Honestly, I am very mixed about this seat.
DS is above this slot when Como is installed
DS had about an inch less torso room when installed
Regent vs. Como
Rfing 35 lb DS
RFing Britax MA behind RFing Como
RFing DD with Como hip bolster and headrest
RFIng Como side view