We currently have a 22 month old and use a Maxi Cosi Romi for longer rides and Pico Wayb for shorter rides in the city. Both of these you can finagle a way to strap to stroller but definitely a little annoying. And agree once they get older moving to the RideSafer vest.
I think it’s worth the cost. Definitely easier to lug around for shorter day trips in the city compared to the scenera or romi or other regular car seats.
Idk how granola they are but the recommendations for a travel convertible seat are the Cosco Scenera or the Maxi Cosi Romi because they’re both lightweight (7-8 lbs if I remember correctly). We got the Cosco for free from a friend, but I’d probably choose the Maxi Cosi if I was purchasing because I believe it’s flame retardant free. Then we just got a cheap car seat backpack off of Amazon.
Toddler car seats don't fit in ANY strollers. Your best bet would be to get a lightweight car seat, a car seat carrier bag (they make ones that you can wear as a backpack), and a travel stroller (umbrella stroller). Make sure the travel seat you buy is also aircraft-approved, for when and if you fly.
I have a Maxi Cosi Romi. It's only about 7ish lb, super easy to install with a lap belt, and it's free of fire retardant. Recently flew with it and couldn't be happier.
When we for with our 20 month old we used the Evenflo Tribute LX. She was right at the edge of there weight limit, and maybe a lb or two over fully clothed and stuffed with food. But it worked really well for us. It’s only 9.3 lb so relatively lightweight. My husband was able to use a heavy duty caribeaner and hook it upside down over his backpack so our hands were free.
We tried the either Cosco Scenera or Maxi Cosi Romi (I can’t remember which, but they’re basically the same car seat, made by the same megacorporation but under different brand names and Maxi Cosi has nicer fabrics) because it was lightweight and highly recommended for travel. She was right at the weight limit for it (40 lbs), too, but we weren’t able to use it because the straps were comedically too short. Like I don’t think they made it even halfway around her body. That might not be an issue for you, if yours is tall but not wide. Mine was super off the charts heavy and not particularly tall. All to say check the height restrictions, and make sure you buy far enough in advance that you can return it and buy another if you need to. Or plan to buy two and return one. Because you don’t want to buy too far in advance and then they outgrow it by the time the flight comes around.
Now that she’s older (3) we like the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 for travel. It’s also lightweight. But it’s forward facing only, so not really suitable for a 1 year old.
Top Travel Car Seats on Reddit
1
Cosco Kids
Scenera Next DLX Convertible Car Seat
78% positive of 250 users
Super light, cheap, great for air travel, but outgrown fast.
1989ac
