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Portable car seat solutions for a toddler

17 replies

EdPops · 09/09/2022 18:01

Hi,

I'm looking for a portable / travel-friendly car seat solution for my DS who is 3 years old, 16kg and 100.5cm.

We have a proper maxi-cosi car seat and base in our car at home, but it's not exactly portable in terms of taking it with us on planes and trains for use in taxi's on holiday (especially not when we're already taking a car seat for our 3 month old).

What are the best portable options for a toddler? Based on his age, weight and height could we use a portable booster seat like the Mifold and are they deemed safe enough?

Thanks

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
MisgenderedSwan · 09/09/2022 19:09

Join Car Seat Safety UK on Facebook - there's so much useful information and they do recommendations based on age, height and weight.

EdPops · 09/09/2022 20:33

I'm not on facebook, but thanks.

OP posts:
EdPops · 09/09/2022 20:33

I'm not on facebook, but thanks.

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 13/09/2022 11:31

He's technically the minimum weight and height to use the booster systems, Mifold, Trunki Boostapak or Bubble Bum, but he's very little and I'd be concerned that the belt wouldn't sit properly on his shoulder with these seats. Possibly it depends how much driving you are likely to be doing, what the roads/driving style is like where you're going to and whether it would be a "better than nothing" kind of scenario (they would almost certainly be better than nothing). If you go for one of these, my preference is Trunki, but it is bulkier than the other two.

You might also want to look at Chicco Fold & Go? This is another booster type seat, but it's at least a high backed booster. I wouldn't normally say that a 3yo only just at the minimum limits should use this type of seat, but again, if your options are that or a backless booster, it's the better option in that scenario. This gets a decent crash test result (Which? or ADAC)

Or there are a couple of Group 1 solutions you could look at - Maxi Cosi Nomad is a harness based seat, and folds for easy transport. Won't fit him for much longer, but you could use for your other child later on too. Up to 18kg/approx 105cm. No crash test result on this. It is a similar design to Urban Kanga which got quite a poor crash test result (and isn't any cheaper so I wouldn't bother with it) - the Maxi Cosi does look a bit more substantial and higher quality, based on nothing other than comparing the fitting videos, but don't know whether it's enough to make a difference. Obviously, portability and sturdiness are at odds with each other, you have to compromise some way or another.

If you prefer rear facing, Nachfolger is a pricey but practical solution, it's a fully inflatable seat that folds down into a small package. Rear facing, though requires either top tether (usually present in hire cars) or a front seat with disabled airbag, depending on the model - some are top tether only. Again up to 18kg/approx 105cm.

Or you could look at ultra-cheap supermarket/Argos type seats like the Nania or Harmony models, these are pretty flimsy and again wouldn't recommend at home, but actually they get better crash test results than the Urban Kanga and might be worth a look for travel use again based on the concept that something is better than nothing.

Lastly there are seatbelt fitted lightweight models from Joie or Britax in the Group 1 stage, which might be suitable for travel use if you want some established safety with the downside of the seat being larger and heavier to transport. Transport tips with these are to fully extend the safety harness and use this as a handle, or put the car seat in a travel bag which can be worn as a backpack.

Caspianberg · 13/09/2022 11:35

I would look at the maxi cosi nomad for this age. It’s only until 18kg but that should last you a year, and you can use again with next child for travel.

Caspianberg · 13/09/2022 11:55

@BertieBotts - do you know if the maxi cosi nomad can safely be used as just a seatbelt booster once they are over 18kg, if they still fit size wise? Ie you remove straps

BertieBotts · 14/09/2022 06:52

No, it's just a Group 1 seat, it doesn't convert to a booster.

There is a portable seat that does (Tinyseats) but it looks really heavy to carry around and not that great of a booster.

DML00 · 29/09/2022 13:06

Hi EdPops,

Have you seen the new RyRy Compact car seat? It’s your every day permanent car seat but it can also fold up and is compact enough to take on your travels with you, or equally just as compact to store it away in a small space at home when not needed. It’s just passed the new EU R129 safety certification which is more stringent than the previous R44 which is commonplace in the market. It’s got a great sustainability story and credentials, plus it comes with integrated Isofix and it’s own travel bag.

www.RyRyCompact.com

Full disclosure, I’m a mum of 3 young kids but also the Co-founder of RyRyCompact along with my husband! We just got fed up of dragging a bulky car seat through the airport or even swapping between cars and taxis at home, so we set about creating our own about 3 years ago. Our ambition is to create the most premium, compact equipment to make like easier for parents. We have just launched the RyRy Scallop car seat in June this year and already won Silver for Best Car seat by Nursery Online and we’ve just been shortlisted for the same by Mother & Baby awards. So it’s all going really well so far.

I hope this doesn’t come across as a sales message. I really love mumsnet and have used it for years so I’m happy to answer any specific questions you might have around the RyRy Scallop car seat or any other car seats in general. I know a fair bit about car seats these days!!

L xx

Caspianberg · 29/09/2022 13:49

@DML00 - at 9kg it’s not really a lightweight travel option though is it?

We have the graco extend as a rear and forward facing travel option for 0-4 year old here. It’s only 6.7kg but still too heavy for me to carry alone with toddler, pram, suitcase.

As comparison:
maxi cosi nomad - less than 4kg
maxi cosi rodi - for 15kg+ children is 4kg as well
nachfolger - 0-18kg, weighs 4.9kg.

A ‘travel’ baby item really need to be less than 5kg imo. Otherwise you might as well just take main one from home.

sorry. It’s a really good idea. But the weight needs to come down a lot. And I wouldn’t want to have to use tethers in and out taxis and unknown cars as that would take ages

Kohan · 18/01/2023 11:35

I just ordered one of these and can't wait to try it out. I was considering the MaxiCosi Nomad as well but I'm not a fan of seatbelt only secured car seats as they're never tight enough. I plan to use this in a Canadian rented car as we go often to see family and the rented car seats are expensive and not very good. I went to Oman recently and the car seat provided was SHOCKINGLY bad, but we had no other choice but to use it.

Really had fantastic support from James who's a co-founder to ensure that it would fit a Canadian or N American car.

I will let you know my experience when I use it - but will only be travelling in April.

Kohan · 18/01/2023 11:36

Sorry, didn't realise it didn't reply to a message - I am talking about the RyRy Compact.

Lupita123 · 24/04/2023 08:01

Hi, did you use the RyRy? How did you find it? Thanks

Kohan · 24/04/2023 11:28

Hi, we used the Ryry for 2 weeks in Canada and we absolutely LOVED it! Wow! So small in comparison to usual car seats but my large 2 year old was so comfortable in it and kept falling asleep, something he never does in the Cybex we have. Also, it is very plush and hard wearing. The fit was fairly easy for a car seat - plugged into the Canadian equivalent of isofix with ease and felt secure although some minimal movement compared to the Cybex - probably because of the depth of the seat in the Kia we hired, nothing to worry about through as thorough secure and safe. Packing away was fairly easy - did struggle with the isofix bars and folding them away only as we weren’t familiar with the folding mechanism. I’d suggest practicing before you go just to be familiar with it. Our Canadian family were well impressed with it too. The support I’ve received from the owners has been second to none and almost instant via email.

I cannot recommend this seat highly enough as a travel seat or a main or second car seat! Also we got a discount in Natural Baby Shower as 10% off first purchase.

We got the True Charcoal one.

Kohan · 24/04/2023 11:30

Also forgot to mention that we used the top tether strap and that was fairly easy to use too.

Lupita123 · 24/04/2023 16:47

Great, thank you @Kohan !

IRC01 · 13/06/2023 00:27

Hi,

Do you have crash test scores for the seat?

Thanks

Kohan · 13/06/2023 08:08

I’m sure if you email the RyRy team, they’ll let you know

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