Question Lightweight travel seat for 3.5yo

dpolivy · Dec 19, 2017

I'm looking for assistance with choosing the best lightweight travel seat for our 3.5 year old daughter. She's approx 39"+ and 33lbs. We currently use the Cosco Scenera NEXT as a travel seat, and we're looking for the next "level" as she's getting close to outgrowing it. We use a CARES harness on planes, so this is primarily for use at our travel destinations (and as a secondary/backup carseat at home). Our main seat is a Britax Advocate (FF).

I've been reading about the IMMI GO and the RSTV. Both are investments (compared to the Scenera NEXT), so I would appreciate some additional guidance before making a decision! If there are other seats worth considering, please let me know.

Thanks in advance, and let me know if you need additional information.

NessieNess · Dec 19, 2017

Do you use rental cars or taxis at your destination, and are the destinations mostly in the US or elsewhere? That may make a difference in terms of the types/age of vehicles you will most likely travel in.

I'm by no means an expert, so I'm just going to throw out some suggestions based on the assumption that you're ok with her being forward-facing. We've been giving out a lot of Evenflo Maestros at car seat checks, and they seem pretty lightweight to me. The SecureKid DLX may be another option, though more expensive.

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MelodyoftheForest · Dec 19, 2017

Have you been gate-checking the NEXT? I would go for the RSTV if you are using the CARES on the plane. It will fit in a bag, so you won't have to check it. If you want to use a harnessed seat on the plane, I would add the Cosco Finale to those Nessie mentioned.

dpolivy · Dec 19, 2017

NessieNess said:
Do you use rental cars or taxis at your destination, and are the destinations mostly in the US or elsewhere? That may make a difference in terms of the types/age of vehicles you will most likely travel in.

I'm by no means an expert, so I'm just going to throw out some suggestions based on the assumption that you're ok with her being forward-facing. We've been giving out a lot of Evenflo Maestros at car seat checks, and they seem pretty lightweight to me. The SecureKid DLX may be another option, though more expensive.

We primarily use rental cars, however we do go to NYC and it would be nice to have a taxi-friendly option. Primary destinations are in the US, Mexico, and occasionally overseas. Yes, we are OK with forward facing; it got to be too hard to stay backwards with my car, which had "suicide doors"

MelodyoftheForest said:
Have you been gate-checking the NEXT? I would go for the RSTV if you are using the CARES on the plane. It will fit in a bag, so you won't have to check it. If you want to use a harnessed seat on the plane, I would add the Cosco Finale to those Nessie mentioned.

We typically check the NEXT at the counter. Are there any good "foldable" seats in this category that don't require checking, or is the IMMI GO the only one? The Finale looks interesting due to its weight (8lbs!); I think the others (Maestro, SecureKid) are a bit heavier (12lb+).

lgenne · Dec 19, 2017

Vehicles in Mexico generally don’t have tether anchors, right? If I’m right about that, the IMMI Go won’t be usable there at all, and I’d either choose something you can use rear facing there until she’s really booster ready, or get the RSTV (and probably avoid going there until she’s at least 4, since you can’t tether it.

The only really reasonable option that could keep her rear facing more than another inch is the Graco Contender.

flyer23 · Dec 19, 2017

I have both an IMMI Go and an RSTV. I would absolutely prefer an IMMI Go over RSTV for a 3.5yo. When tethered, the RSTV permits less movement than a booster, but still more than a harnessed seat. I'm ok with my 5yo using it for travel, but when we are home, she sits harnessed in the IMMI Go. It's also a bit of a production to get her strapped in to the RSTV, compared to the IMMI Go -- which is another reason why we use the IMMI Go at home.

The point about lack of tethers when traveling abroad is a good one. We've run into that. Neither seat works for a 3.5yo without a tether.

The IMMI Go fits in an overhead bin if you are using CARES on board the plane.

NessieNess · Dec 20, 2017

Come to think of it, traditional taxi cabs don't have tether anchors either, or do they?

Dillipop · Dec 20, 2017

The saferider vests do not require a tether for any of the vests unless it is being used with a lap belt.

flyer23 · Dec 20, 2017

The RSTV tether isn't required, but it limits movement tremendously. IMO, it makes the RSTV a reasonable option for kids who are not quite booster-ready, as it is harder for them to move out of position than it is in a regular booster.

Without the tether, it is essentially a booster seat and should only be used by kids who are booster ready.

I have an almost 3yo and wouldn't dream of putting her in the RSTV untethered anytime in the near future. Even tethered would be borderline at this point. But YMMV.

dpolivy · Dec 21, 2017

Thanks, all. We've been to Mexico in the past (and are going again on Saturday) but I can't recall if the cars have proper tethers or not; usually the rentals (in Cabo, at least) are relatively recent model years, so I'm hoping they will. I likely won't be able to acquire an IMMI GO or RSTV in time, but it sounds like the IMMI GO might be slightly preferred as our daughter is on the younger/smaller side for a booster.

I might see if I can get a Cosco Finale as a short term solution -- not the most portable, but for the price and weight it seems like a great travel seat.

MelodyoftheForest · Dec 26, 2017

If you use the Finale, I would suggest taking it on the plane and installing it for her to ride in on the flight. Checking a seat isn't really safe, as you don't know how it is treated, and not all damage is visible. You can strap the seat to a rolling carry-on to get it through the airport.

Question Lightweight travel seat for 3.5yo

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