 Micralite Fastfold
SuperLight
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
We'd be lying if we said
that looks had nothing to do with it--after all this is hardly the
stroller to choose if you want to blend in with the crowd. But it may
also turn the heads of those hoping against all odds to find one
stroller they can be happy with for all occasions--this one may actually
fit the bill. Pneumatic 12" rear wheels give a smooth ride over park
trails and even help you negotiate curbs and sets of steps with
grace--plus they have shocks. A spring-loaded swift folding mechanism
activates when you simply lift the handle, and--shebang--you can leave
it self-standing on the jetway as you board your flight. Seat adjusts to
two positions. Easy steering handle adjusts from 37" up to 42"H.
Rain cover included. Can be used from 3 months up to 55 lbs, or from
birth with a Graco or Maxi-Cosi car seat adaptor. Folds to 39.5" x 14 x
17". The
stroller weighs 14 lbs.
Find it online at: Right
Start
Amazon.com
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Bubble Bum inflatable
booster
Find it online at:
Amazon.com
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
T he
Bubble Bum inflatable booster has no bulky arm rests, allowing it to
fit in tight spaces, including times when you may need to fit a
combination of three car seats / boosters across the back seat of a
car. We've successfully used two Bubble Bums during travel, with one
Bubble Bum on each side of a regular car seat: in a full-size sedan
rental car, and also in a small SUV. While the seats have fit
side-by-side just fine, it can be challenging to get the seat belt
threaded through the red clips on each side. The seat belt must be
rethreaded on at least one side each time the child takes her seat,
so don't expect your child (even at 8 years) to necessarily be able
to get in and out without a little assistance. Nevertheless, it
weighs only 1 lb. and may be a good solution to renting a larger car
on your next trip. While it comes with its own travel stuff
sack.
While it's marketed for
kids at least 4 years up to 11 years, the seat is so narrow that
larger kids may overflow the seat a bit.
They are also quite comfy with
though kids still
often need help getting the seatbelt through the red
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 Evenflo
Titan Elite
Why
Shelly recommends it:
I am so excited about
this new car seat. (And I've seen a lot of car seats.) The Titan Elite
is an all-around great car seat for travel as well as for home use,
and gives you perks you may pay $50 to $100 more for in other seats,
particularly because it can be used for children up to 50 lbs. and 47" tall. While the
Titan Elite isn't as lightweight as the Scenera or Comfortsport
above, this seat gives you a similarly narrow footprint with all the extras
that make it the car seat you love to use everyday (not just as a
backup or for travel). Like the Scenera, it has tall harness strap
slots that accommodate a taller child than most other convertible
seats (including the Comfortsport above), and claims to fit a child
up to 47" tall. Height aside, the Titan is built for children up to
50 lbs. -- all without sacrificing the comforts that make long rides
in the airplane and lengthy road trips more tolerable for your back
seat passenger. Safety moms, know that the Titan is also side-impact
tested and has passed tests for structural integrity at energy
levels approximately two times the federal crash test standard. It
also features an EPS energy-absorbing foam liner and deep side wings
for added protection. The Titan is amply plush and padded with soft
fabrics and memory foam, plus dual snack/cup/organizer trays that
clip on for highway miles and unclip for air travel. LATCH-equipped,
and FAA-certified for use in aircraft.
Rear-facing from 5 to 35 lbs, forward-facing up to 50 lbs. 17.5" W
without cup or snack holder. Weighs 14.5
lbs.
Find it online at: Amazon.com
Diapers.com
Target.com
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Sherpani Rumba Superlight Backpack
> Supports children up to 55 lbs.
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
It only weighs 4.5 lbs.
The lightweight, streamlined Rumba Superlight gives you just what
you and your child need--great support for carrying kids up to 55
lbs.; storage for diapers, snacks, and jackets; two water bottle
holders, and removable sun/rain canopy--without weighing you down.
Since the storage space is kept below the carrier, rather than
sticking out behind it like some other models, this trim carrier is
not just more comfortable to wear when loaded, but easier to use in
crowded urban settings like when boarding trains, subways, buses,
and metros. Yet its generously padded lumbar support, load
stabilizers, rugged frame, and washable/waterproof fabrics make it
just as suitable to wear on the trail. Includes canopy, child
stirrups, and kickstand. Fully adjustable to fit Mom and Dad.
Find it online at:
Amazon.com
eBags.com
REI.com
 Combi Flash EX Universal Car Seat Carrier
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
The Flash features the compact tri-fold of Combi's travel
strollers, with an adjustable shoulder strap to assist with
carrying--leaving BOTH hands free to carry your infant's car seat. It also opens with one hand. The Combi flash works with
most major manufacturer's infant car seats, and
includes a safety strap with a fabric-covered buckle, plus a stroller
pack that features two bottle pockets and a zippered storage pouch.
Folds to 15" x 8.7" x 31".
Weighs 11 lbs.
Compatible with: Combi Connection, Combi
Tyro and Tyro II, Graco Snug Ride, Snug Ride DX5 and LX5, Century
Smart Fit Supreme, Assura Smart Fit Plus 22, Smart Fit Plus 22V,
Smart Fit Elite, Avanta SE and DX, Evenflo Portabout, Evenflo
Discovery, Cosco EddieBauer, and Peg Perego Primo Viaggio infant car
seats.
Find it online at: On
clearance now at > Elite Car Seats
|
 Me Too Hook-On Chair
Why Shelly recommends it:
Packs small but
carries a big kid--up to 40 lbs.! Weighing only
2.2 lbs itself, the Me Too is the lightest weight
hook-on chair that I know of (yet it seats the
oldest/heaviest kids), and therefore, it's the
easiest to travel with. It's strength and
stability come from an aircraft-quality aluminum
frame with a rubber flange, which clamps onto
tables up to 1 7/8" thick. In most cases, the
shorter clamp length will not interfere with
table ledges and skirts, but if this is a
concern, see the Easy Diner below. Includes 3-point safety harness. Wipes
clean or can be fully submerged in soapy water
if needed. Folds to 13" x 9" x 1".
Find it online
at:
Amazon.com
Tip: Hook-on chairs should not
be used with glass tabletops, tablecloths, or on
table extension leaves. |
Maclaren Easy
Traveller
Car Seat Frame
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
It really is an "easy
traveler." In fact,
many airlines now
allow parents to roll it down the aisle of larger aircraft because
it's actually narrow enough to do so and folds compactly enough to
store in the overhead bin!
One-hand umbrella fold with automatic
latch and carrying handle help you negotiate security, deposit your stroller frame on the jetway
if needed,
or hail your taxi from the curb. You also get Maclaren's
ergonomic foam-grip handles, lightweight aluminum frame, and easy
one-handed steering, plus a most generous basket for your essentials
(larger than rest of the Maclaren baskets). It
accommodates most infant carrier car seats, and secures them both by
latching to the frame and using a security strap as backup. Folds to 44" long.
Weight without car seat
is 10.6 lbs.
Compatible with:
Britax Companion, Peg Perego Primo Viaggio,
Graco Snug Ride, Combi Tyro, Evenflo Discovery, Cosco Designer 22, and
Eddie Bauer infant car seats.
Find it online at:
Baby
Earth
RightStart
Amazon.com
Toddler Car Seat
Sun Canopy
Why
Shelly recommends it:
If you've used an
infant carrier car seat, you already know the benefits of having a
sun canopy in the car. This generous canopy with adjustable side
flaps
helps create a shady retreat for
kids in convertible and toddler car seats, and also helps keep
headlights and street lights from disrupting nighttime sleep. On
overnight flights, it can also help ensure neighbor's reading lights
and air vents don't disturb your child's slumber. This model works
with virtually all brands of car seats (including infant carrier car
seats, but chances are yours already has a canopy) in either forward- or
rear-facing positions, though we recommend it most for use with
forward-facing car seats. Filters 98% of UVA and UVB rays.
Lightweight, stretch fabric and flexible frame let you fold it out
of the way when not needed. Available in blue or black.
Find it online at:
One Step Ahead
Combi Flash EX Universal Car Seat Carrier
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
The Flash features the compact tri-fold of Combi's travel
strollers, with an adjustable shoulder strap to assist with
carrying--leaving BOTH hands free to carry your infant's car seat. It also opens with one hand. The Combi flash works with
most major manufacturer's infant car seats, and
includes a safety strap with a fabric-covered buckle, plus a stroller
pack that features two bottle pockets and a zippered storage pouch.
Folds to 15" x 8.7" x 31".
Weighs 11 lbs.
Compatible with: Combi Connection, Combi
Tyro and Tyro II, Graco Snug Ride, Snug Ride DX5 and LX5, Century
Smart Fit Supreme, Assura Smart Fit Plus 22, Smart Fit Plus 22V,
Smart Fit Elite, Avanta SE and DX, Evenflo Portabout, Evenflo
Discovery, Cosco EddieBauer, and Peg Perego Primo Viaggio infant car
seats.
The Pac Back
Eddie
Bauer Portable Car Seat
Fisher Price Safe Voyage
Deluxe
Convertible
Fisher Price Safe Voyage
Convertible
Dex
Hands-Free Car Seat
Cover N Carry Case
Combi
Centre DX with Anti-Rebound Bar
Combi
Connection Infant Car Seat
Baby
Trend Flex-Loc Seat