When you want to embark on a long distance journey, especially long road trips with probably a connecting flight between, you may want to rethink the type of convertible car seat you buy for your toddler. Most people are familiar with the all popular convertible car seats which are designed to accommodate children of different age, weight and sizes. These special car seats have become very commercially successful for several reasons – they can be adjusted to grow with the baby, their safety credentials have been proven and they are sometimes described as 3-in-1 or all-in-one models, which mean they can be converted to different modes of use, such as rear-facing, forward-facing and booster seats.
However, when it comes to making a decision on which one to buy for your long distance trip, you can easily be overwhelmed with the hundreds of brands and models in the market. Here is where our guide comes alive, to assist your search for the best convertible car seat for long distance driving. There are a number of specific features to consider, these would include:
- Ease of use: These car seats have to be easy to use, easy to install and secure properly. They should also have easily accessible and understandable user manuals and product videos.
- Comfort and easy adjustments: The comfort of the seat for the toddler is paramount in this case. It should be easily adjustable to accommodate the child while awake or asleep.
- Good safety & Impact protection: Of course the safety rating of the product is always important. The straps and harness of the seat should be effective at securing the child safely and comfortably on the seat.
These criteria are important in ensuring your little one enjoys the journey without spraining any parts of their body. Given that long distance driving comes with it set of unique challenges, in this article, we shall give you our top three convertible car seat recommendations for long distance driving. We shall give you our overall rating derived from scanning through hundreds of customer reviews around the world.
1) Britax Marathon G4 Convertible Car Seat Review
This is bestselling car seat is easily one of the best convertible car seats in the market. Packed with comfort and safety features, the Britax Marathon convertible uses its SafeCell Technology in the base, integrated steel bars, and energy absorbing versa-tether that work together to minimize head excursion and reduce the risk of head injury during a frontal impact. It offers a no-rethread and quick-adjust five-point harness. The Britax Marathon accommodates children rear facing from 5 to 40 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds.
You can get more information on this product at: https://us.britax.com
See product video at: https://youtu.be/w5hhtO-EyBo
Its basic specifications are as follows:
- Item Weight 5 pounds
- Product Dimensions 21 x 18.5 x 26 inches
- Weight recommended 65 pounds
- Price £££ (relative expensive)
Pros
- Luxurious feel and assortment of cover materials
- One of the easiest harnesses to readjust as your child ages
- Exclusive SafeCell impact protection
- Conducive for long distance travel
- It is considered a long lasting product
Cons
- It comes in heavier than most others.
- The crotch straps may be too short
- Difficulty in using the LATCH system
Our Rating
- Our overall rating (5 out of 5)
- Ease of installation (5 out of 5)
- Safety rating (5 out of 5)
- Comfort rating (5 out of 5)
According to their site, Britax has been leading the way in child safety technology for more than 70 years. The Britax Marathon ClickTight is a premium priced offering from a high quality brand well known for excellent safety ratings. It will last from infancy until your child is ready for a booster seat. A stylish and impressive seat in and of itself, this seat certainly stands out among the competition.
2) Cosco Scenera NEXT Convertible Car Seat Review
This is the Cosco Scenera NEXT, it an ultra lightweight and very affordable convertible car seat. We know travelling with kids is difficult enough and most of us would not want to worry about the additional weight of our car seat. This super lightweight convertible car seat from Cosco is easily a traveler’s delight. It is airplane-seat friendly with a width of just over 17 inches. It is certified for safe air travel and is also great for cars when you want to fit three car seats across.
You can get more information on this product at: https://www.coscokids.com
See product video at: https://youtu.be/d7KrwZDCHPc
The basic specifications are as follows:
- Item Weight 65 pounds
- Product Dimensions 17 x 22 x 23.5 inches
- weight recommended 40 pounds
- Price ££ (low priced)
Pros
- Ultra lightweight
- Side Impact Protection
- 5-point harness with easy front adjustment
- Conducive for long distance travel
- Certified for use on aircraft
Cons
- Not so high on the comfort rating
- Difficulty in using the LATCH system
Our Rating
- Our overall rating (4 out of 5)
- Ease of installation (5 out of 5)
- Safety rating (4 out of 5)
- Comfort rating (4 out of 5)
The Cosco Scenera NEXT can be used as a rear-facing seat for kids from 5-40 pounds and as a forward-facing seat for kids from 22-40 pounds. It features five harness heights and three buckle locations to provide the best fit as they grow.
Diono Radian RXT All-In-One Convertible Car Seat Review
Finally, we shall consider the Diono Radian, the All-In-One Convertible Car Seat. This premium quality product has steel alloy frame, aluminum reinforced side walls, energy absorbing EPS foam, and memory foam to put your mind at ease as your little one travels safely in style and comfort. The reinforced adjustable head support provides additional side impact protection and if you want to avoid those bulky car seats, look no further as the sleek design of the radian rXT allows for a 3 across fit or plenty of room for passengers.
You can get more information on this product at: https://us.diono.com
See product video at: https://youtu.be/QEBDeNewbnA
Its basic specifications are as follows:
- Item Weight 68lbs
- Product Dimensions 16 x 17 x 28.5 inches
- recommended weight 120 lbs
- Price £££ (Expensive)
Pros
- Luxurious feel and highly comfortable
- Super narrow for fitting three seats in a row
- High quality fit and finish everywhere
- Excellent overall weight range
- Easy adjustments
- Approved for air travel, etc.
Cons
- It comes in heavier than most others.
- Much larger than most others.
- Relatively higher pricing
Our Rating
- Our overall rating (5 out of 5)
- Ease of installation (4 out of 5)
- Safety rating (5 out of 5)
- Comfort rating (5 out of 5)
Like every other convertible car seat, the Diono Radian RXT can be adjusted so as to cater to the growing needs of your baby. In the extended rear-facing position, it can fit children from 5 – 45 pounds and in the forward-facing position; it can fit children from 20 – 80 pounds secured safely in a 5-point harness. It is relatively expensive, but is really very high quality, safe, reliable, durable, and comfortable seat that accommodates a wide range of baby shapes and sizes. The Diono Radian series is well-known for making one of the narrowest and best car seats on the market.
Conclusion
Just like we always say, when buying a car seat for your baby, remember to request for a convertible rather than just an infant seat. From our selection, we rate the Diono Radian RXT first despite its high price tag. This convertible car seat features a world class safety rating that will protect your child from serious injuries in the event of a collision. The side walls of this car seat are reinforced with aluminum and the head support is adjustable to 12 height settings to guarantee the perfect fit for your growing child and is also lined with thick, energy absorbing EPS foam to provide your child with superior side impact protection. There is also a safe stop energy absorbing harness that will provide additional protection for children who weigh between 20 to 40 pounds while seating in the forward-facing position.
All three featured convertible car seat are good to go! They are selected in consideration of their utility in long distance driving. The ultra lightweight Cosco Scenera NEXT is highly recommended for price conscious shoppers. It is certified for safe air travel and is also a great fit for cars. It lends itself to easy adjustment and you do not have to spend much time learning how to get it working. Do not forget that the challenge of comfort and safety is more pronounced with long distance driving. It is worthwhile buying a car seat that can accommodate this additional stress.
