Is there a difference between joie steadi r129 and r44?

[fakeflower]

I just realised I have the older r44 version of the joie steadi, not the r129 standard. I know this later standard is safer generally, but the seats look the same online. I know joie test above the r44 standard so it’s possible the seat exceeded that standard already.

does anyone know if the joie steadi r129 is different safety wise to the older version? Any different features?

new one https://joiebaby.com/uk/steadi-r129-toddler-car-seat#color=35

old one https://joiebaby.com/uk/steadi-toddler-car-seat#color=27

Thanks

They aren't identical, not like some models where they re-certify the exact same model with no changes, but the design is fairly similar so I don't think they changed very much to get it to pass.

Some people have said the headrest doesn't go up as high on the R129 one. You also have a standing height limit of 105cm on the R129 version (but people were saying it's outgrown before this anyway) whereas the R44 one you can use up to 18kg as long as the child's eyes are no higher than the top of the seat.

The belt routing has a slight difference in the R129 in that the extra hook for rear facing is also used in the forward facing routing. I don't think it actually does anything, it is just because under R129 you can't have different belt routings for RF/FF, they have to be the same. It's possible that it adds an extra bit of protection against forward rotation but I think likely not a huge difference.

Because R129 is stricter on side impact and the forward movement tolerance is stricter it's possible that the R129 one performs a bit better, but it's impossible to tell because there's no direct crash test comparing them.

The R129 one does advertise memory foam in the headrest whereas the R44 one doesn't, but the Graco Extend R129 (which seems to be the same/very close) doesn't have memory foam, so I don't think it will be that the old one doesn't meet the R129 side impact standard.

If you're wondering if you should upgrade, I wouldn't personally. I don't think the difference is likely to be that much. If you have a spare £130 and want to change your car seat, you get a bigger jump in safety by going for the Joie Spin 360 / Graco Turn2Me, because they have a support leg.

Thank you so much for your detailed reply.
I’ll only be using this rear facing so it sounds like some of the changes will be irrelevant.

I’ve just bought a Britax safe way pro for my 4 year old as he’s wriggling out of his new HBB, the 2 year old has the steadi. I’m hoping 4yo can use the Britax for a year or so then hand it to younger one. In the meantime I’m not clear how safe 2yo is in the steadi (no ADAC test either). My husband will think I’m mad if I buy another car seat.

Rear facing is great, it doesn't matter if it's the most basic seat around. Rear facing is the best way to get safety without having a load of fancy features for the seat. The only real difference you get between something like the Safe Way and the Steadi is that the Safe Way is more upright and has the support leg, both of which are helpful for the larger physical size of the 4yo - but not needed for a younger child.

I can't find it now but I'm sure I've seen a photo of a (R44) Joie Steadi after being in a car crash (and the child in the seat being perfectly fine) and it looked completely solid. I think your set up is fine. The headrest gives you a measure of side impact protection, and rear facing itself also gives some side impact protection because of the fact that you'll commonly brake if you anticipate a crash and this throws a rear facing child back into the seat, whereas if they were forward facing it makes them lean forward outside of the side impact protection.

If you have space, you could also consider fitting it in the middle seat. This means it's further away from the sides, plus if you fit the Britax on the side where the middle buckle doesn't fasten, it means you have the open side of the belt to get the younger one in and out of the steadi, and it's more comfortable if you need to carry an adult or third child in the back in the HBB.

I'd be totally happy using the Steadi until the younger child gets to the weight limit or their head gets to the top, whichever happens first :)

Lastly I'm sure you already are aware of how to fit it but Margaret always does such great comprehensive videos so always worth watching her fitting videos I think, she usually gives good tips to get it really secure and safe.

Messed up the video link, try again:

Amazing. Thank you so much. It’s been so hard to make a decision on this as every time I research it I get new information. I think I’ll stick with the britax rear facing for my eldest as long as he accepts it and then just hand that to my youngest. I don’t drive every day anyway. Good tip about the middle seat too