Looking for a Non-Bulky 5-point Carseat Harness for Travel

[Johnnie Fedora]

W have used traditional carseats in the past, but they are so bulky for air travel. I'm looking for a very portable non-bulky five-point harness carseat for use on an airplane and in a car. I remember a post about an inexpensive and very flat one at Walmart. It was very thin and sounded great for air travel. Does anyone know the brand/name? Do you have a good recommendation? I'd like to purchase it early and use with our almost 3yo so she becomes "at home" with it before our trip this fall.

Thanks...Johnnie

 

[rickdeni]

Bump I would like to know too.

 

[clb22]

It is called the "Tote 'n' Go DX Portable Car Seat" and you can buy it online from One Step Ahead (onestepahead.com). It is $29.95.
I bought one a year ago for my daughter to use when we went to Disney World in December.
It is a great car seat and fits right in the suitcase. It is not difficult to install into a rental car (we have used it 4 times now in rental cars and not a problem).
She loves it because it fits and it is comfortable.
I love it because it keeps her safe.

What I recommend is that you fit your child (adjust the straps) before you go on your trip - that way as soon as you arrive and get your rental car - you can just put it right in and do not have to adjust it while everyone is anxious to get over to Disney.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Thanks. I just looked it up and it would be perfect (link below), but it says it's not FAA approved. Figures!! Anyone have other suggetions? I know we will need a 5 point harness to keep our little escape artist in her seat.

Tote N Go

 

[dtsaos]

i think the one you're thinking of is the cosco brand? I've read some bad reviews on the boards about it-people saying they don't think's it's safe and stuff. I don't know personally. I'm also looking for a easy to tote car seat and posted a similar thread on the family boards with no answers so far. Hopefully someone will let us know!

 

[southjerseymom]

I don't know the specific car seat you are looking for. But the covertible "car seat/booster seats" out there are pretty light and easy to travel with. (The seats cannot be converted to just booster seats - they must still have the 5 point harness system in them or they are not FAA approved. At the airport they will look on the seat for a tag that says this seat is FAA approved with the 5 point harness system intact) We used our Graco ($39 at Big Lots) when we flew in May. It is light and has the added feature of a lift up flap on the back of the seat so you can see where you are threading the airplane seat belt. I was able to adjust it and have DD2 strapped in very quickly. I loved being able to put her in "her" seat - and it made for a much more comfortable ride for both of us. After we landed, I hooked the anchor belt to the bottom of the seat when we walked through the airport and it made an ok shoulder harness. They also sell car seat "carriers" online at Walmart. Have Fun!

 

[shelly3girls]

We use the Cosco High back booster seat that comes with the 5 point harness. It weighs a fraction of what DDs Britax carseat weighed so it was much better for travel. As a booster it received an excellent rating by consumer reports in crash tests (good rating as a toddler seat, not sure why the difference).
We only use this seat for travel and back-up b/c I personally feel better with the Britax at home even now that the girls can only use booster seats but the Cosco was much more practical for travel.

 

[shelly3girls]

I don't know the specific car seat you are looking for. But the booster seats out there are pretty light and easy to travel with. We used our Graco ($39 at Big Lots) when we flew in May. It is light and has the added feature of a lift up flap on the back of the seat so you can see where you are threading the airplane seat belt. I was able to adjust it and have DD2 strapped in very quickly. I loved being able to put her in "her" seat and pretend we were just going for a car ride. I hooked the anchor belt to the bottom of the seat when we walked through the airport and it made an ok shoulder harness. They also sell car seat "carriers" online at Walmart. Have Fun!

If you can find the Graco for that price I would go for it. We also have one of those and like it. We bought the Graco for our babysitters car and I feel safe with the girls in it.

 

[clb22]

I am the one who OWNS the Tote n Go and it is SAFE.

I am a cautious, safe mother and would never put my daughter in anything that was not safe.
I also am an engineer my degree and profession and this car seat works.

If you fit your child at home before you take it on a trip and then put it in a rental car - they are snug and secure in the car.

It is hooked into the car with the car's shoulder and seat belt - JUST LIKE A REGULAR CAR SEAT and it is secure.

The only caution I would give on using this car seat is: I would not recommend it for really small children. My daugther was 6 (and she is on the petite side) when I first used it and she was secure and comfortable in it.

FAA non-approval of this car seat was not an issue for us because we do not use a car seat on the airplane (because of her age) and she is so fasinated with looking out the window that she sits still and stays in her seat belt the entire flight (over 2 hours).

 

[sarahsmom73]

We have a simpson graco 5 point harness that is now our DD's booster. It was wonderful to use last year when we could as it is very light to carry through the airport. It is also nice now because it is a wonderful booster.. (at least it was good for 1 plane trip!)