We had a Cosco Scenera NEXT as our in-law/travel seat, and it’s looking like our 2.5yo DS has outgrown it - I don’t think he’s actually hit the forward-facing height limits, but the straps on the top slot are now beneath his shoulders instead of above (he’s somewhere in the 90th percentile for height and I swear it’s all torso).
Any recos for lightweight car seats with a tall shell to replace this one?
pear / 1558 posts
Would you consider the CARES Kids Fly Safe harness? We've flown with a couple different carseats, but this was just so easy, I don't think we'll bring our carseat on board again. We gate check our carseat in a heavy duty bag to help protect it.
nectarine / 2521 posts
@elljay: We purchased this one for our 4 year old for a flight to Orlando and then an 8 hour drive home:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cosco-Finale-2-in-1-Highback-Booster-Overlay/55704258
Very lightweight, traveled well and while basic, it works for travel.
nectarine / 2648 posts
Not to hijack your thread, but we are flying to Italy in June and DD will be 16 months. I'm confused looking online at which seats are allowed. Both our infant seat (Maxi Cosi Mico Max 30) and our convertible seat she's in now (Maxi Cosi Pria 85) both say they are FAA approved. When DH and I looked on the airline sites though, it looks like they might be too wide for the seat? Do people usually take their normal car seats or do you have to buy something special?
pomegranate / 3595 posts
@elljay: @yellowbeach: we have never done a car seat on the plane. We do have a backup aka cheap convertible that I check with my luggage to use in cars at our destination. I am not sure which use you are planning on. Ours is an evenflo something we got on amazon for around $60 and I think the height limit was around 40”?
nectarine / 2243 posts
I’d look at the cosco finale also
It’s narrow, light, and an easy install. It’s harnessed high back booster, forward facing our only
@yellowbeach: the pria is pretty wide and heavy. There is no way I’d schlep that. Pick up a cosco scenera if you want rf/ff or the finale if only ff
Many European carriers won’t let you RF a convertible. They don’t follow FAA regs.
nectarine / 2243 posts
@yellowbeach: also bring a locking clip. Many belts in Europe don’t lock. We are traveling now and the brand new Mercedes sprinter van that picked us up from the airport didn’t have locking belts. So thankful I had two locking clips or I would have been sol
nectarine / 2018 posts
@elljay: I would check out the Cosco finale or the evenflo maestro. The finale is a bit cheaper and lighter but the maestro has a higher harness height (18" versus the finale's 16.75 - so it would last about a year longer).
You could also check out the evenflo SureRide. It's actually a convertible but is offen recommended as a light weight forward facing a seat, just know it won't become a booster. But it's only 11 pounds and has a harness height of 19 inches.
I would avoid the CARES harness. It really doesn't provide a good fit until the upper end of it's weight limit but it also only has a 40 inch height limit. Since it doesn't adjust the belt at all smaller kids can slip out under it. Also if LO needs a seat the destination better to just use it on the plane and not risk checking the seat.
nectarine / 2018 posts
@yellowbeach: you don't NEED to buy a different seat when flying ( as long as yours is FAA approved). But many people with bigger, heavier seats choose to pick up something lighter to lug through the airport. The Cosco scenera next can be installed very upright when rear facing so is a good bet on tight planes.
And I agree about bringing a locking clip when traveling out of the country.
grapefruit / 4361 posts
The Evenflo Tribute worked for us. We bought it at Kohls with Kohls cash. It has a 37in RF limit which is kind of low though. The Cosco Scenera Next is also always recommended.
apricot / 262 posts
@GoGoSnoGirl: We've used the CARES harness when we have a car seat at our destination (like when we visit my parents). My DH has had bad experiences with checking bags, so I can't talk him into checking the car seat. 
@Tanjowen: @catgirl: Thanks for the recommendations! I'll look into those.
@DesertDreams88: The Next is the one DS just outgrew, but I'll take a look at the Tribute! Maybe it will still work since he's FF now.
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