We are searching for a car seat that will be the last one we buy. Here are the criteria we're looking to match: converts to a booster, under $200, AND (the biggie) has straps that are long enough to accommodate a winter coat. We just bought the Graco Nautilus but found that it is too tight for our 20 lb tiny daughter in her winter coat with the straps at the lowest shoulder level. I wonder how older or average-sized kids fit in this car seat. I know that the car seat makers advise that children not be dressed in bulky clothing, but we live in the frozen tundra (and our garage is not attached). Does anyone have a car seat that they love? I've heard lots of good things about the Britax, but honestly, they are beyond our financial reach. Thanks!
Since you've already gotten plenty of recommendations about the carseat, I thought I'd give you another alternative to the bulky jacket in the car seat. Like others have said, you can layer clothing. Also, JJ Cole makes a cozy carseat cover that zips around the outside of the carseat - there are two sizes, infant and toddler. Or just bring a blanket from inside the house to use until the car warms up.
We have an Eddie Bauer - not sure which one - but it was under $200 and converts to a high back booster and he fits in it with a winter coat on a regular basis (not a bulky/puffy winter coat - but a wool coat or corduroy jacket - which aren't full of air but still warm enough for the frozen tundra!)
Like the other posters have said...it is unsafe to put them in their carseat with a thick jacket. We all live in the Twin Cities so we understand the cold. I put my 19 month old in his regular clothes (two shirts) and a sweater or fleece bunting. I put his jacket on until we get in the car then take it off before I put him in the seat...then put it back on when we get where we are going. It takes more time but it is worth it to know he is safe. I also bring a blanket to put over him (or just put his jacket over his lap) We have the Costco Alpha Omega Elite and love it...the Britax is wonderful but it was also out of our price range. The Costco seats are just as safe. (btw...the Eddie Bauer seat is the same one I have just different colors) The fleece buntings are great...I have one from Gap and one from Lands End (they have a Overstock area and usually have some there)
Good Luck finding a seat that works for your situation.
N.
We just bought our second nautilus. Both my boys are tall (95-99%iles) but thin. I love this seat for the safety (can use the harness for much longer due to the high shoulder adjustments) and the $ (we couldn't afford britax either). We also do not park in a garage and have to really bundle the boys up. I found that if we are going for a "long" ride (+20 min) I take their coats off in the car to make sure they are hooked in right and don't overheat. Otherwise, I unhook their coats at the bottom and let the bottom corners fall to the side so that the bottom buckle can be hooked and tightened appropriately.
It really isn't safe to have kids in their seats with huge coats if you can't get them strapped in tight. Good luck. I know it is especially tough when they are young and petite!
Seats that convert to a booster are great as the car seat, but are not good as boosters. Booster are somewhat less expensive and kids aren't ready for them until they are around 5 or 6. So, you still have 3+ years left in a regular car seat.
I would get the Britax, it is so worth it! I was able to keep my daughter rear facing until she was almost 2 1/2. She was in the Britax Marathon until she turned 6, when she became too tall for the seat.
As for the bulky winter coat, we just never put her in one for the car ride. She just wore a regular coat, not a snow suit. With the Britax, you can adjust the staps everytime you strap the kid in, so I was always able to get a snug fit.
Your actually not suppose to use a winter coat in a carseat because in a crash the coat will "deflate" leaving a large gap in the straps and your child could easily fly right out of their seat. Instead use a warm lightweight fleece jacket or a blanket.
Also most toddler carseats that convert to a booster make horrible booster seats the only exception is the Graco Nautilus and Britax has one too.
Britax was beyond my means as a single parent too but my child's safety wasn't so I used my tax return if you think about how much use you get out of a carseat on a daily basis verse what some people spend on fancy baby clothes there kids hardly wear it's worth the investment.My 7 year old is in the Britax Regent it's a beast and if I wanted she could fit in that with a winter coat but because I know it's unsafe we don't do that but it's one of the only seats I know of with tons of strap room.
We LOVE the Evenflo Triumph. It has great features like easy loosening/tightening of the straps, and the straps just pull up and down and lock in to change the shoulder height- you don't need to take the carseat apart anymore! It is pretty bulky, but its supposed to go up to 40 lbs I think - maybe 50. The best part - the safety ratings are the same as Britax for literally half the price.
V.,
My 5yr old son has the Nautilus and he is tall for his age (i think 45 or 46"). We are able to get him in the seat strapped in with his winter coat no problem. There is still about 3 inches of strap coming of the bottom when tightened. There is probably no way he could fit in it next year with a coat, but right now it is just fine.
