All in one vs Convertible? 2nd timers weigh in?

[Deleted User]

Seriously going crazy over this and I feel like it's unwarranted!  

Trying to decide if the extra $100 is worth it to buy an "All in One" car seat that goes from rear to front to booster OR save that $100 towards a booster x number of years in the future and just get a rear to front convertible at this point?  

Can any 2nd time moms weigh in on this?  How did the fabric and condition of the car seat withstand time?  Will i be ready to throw this thing off a bridge in three years and RUN out to get a new booster?  How's the size on them?  I drive a 4 door Jeep Wrangler.

Here are two i'm looking at...

All in One - https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12894136&searchURL=false

Convertible - https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=13320148&searchURL=false 

I would love some input on this!   I included links to BRU, but have done my research on amazon and albee baby as well.  We have gift cards to BRU so i'll prob do a price match through them when we decide!

TIA!!!!!   

Cheerio B

I don't know much about All in one Graco seat you posted but I have heard that most seats that claim to go from rear facing, to forward, to booster don't do a very good job of the booster part of the equation. Honestly I would just focus on getting a good convertible that will fit your child rear and forward facing. I think recommendations are that they stay harnessed until at least 4, though it's best to harness for much longer than that.

In other words, don't worry about the booster part of the seat right now. You have at least 4 years before you can use that. 

Also if you're having trouble deciding, go to a BRU or BBB and play with the seats. I was dead set on one seat until I put in on the floor and practiced buckling DS in from the side a few times like I would loading him in the car.  I realized that the buckles were awkward for me and chose another seat.

Under.the.Rose

We bought a Britax Boulevard Convertible for DS1 when he outgrew the Chicco Keyfit. Now his little sister is using it and we bought a Graco Nautilus all in one for him. I would've preferred a second Britax but there were none on sale at the time when we suddenly needed a seat. I find the Britax much nicer than the Graco (the clips and adjustability and simplicity). 

sam19

I think convertibles are supposed to be preferable. Most convertibles can be used for a long time as well. 

silkyhorse

I've also heard that the all in ones aren't great.  I say go with the convertible and worry about the booster later.  They'll already be in the convertible until 4 years old, I think by then you'll be ready to junk the convertible (kids are hard on carseats!!!)

Idahomama

We bought a Britax Marathon for DS1 and he is 3 now and still uses it.  We bought the Graco Nautalis for DH's car for him.  Once we move DS2 over to the Britax Marathon, I'll get another Nautalis for DS1.  I love both seats but the Britax is awesome and I highly recommend it.  If you can find the Marathon Classic (I believe only Targetbstill has it) I have heard its better than their new model.  

[Deleted User]

Cheerio B:

Also if you're having trouble deciding, go to a BRU or BBB and play with the seats. I was dead set on one seat until I put in on the floor and practiced buckling DS in from the side a few times like I would loading him in the car.  I realized that the buckles were awkward for me and chose another seat. 

great idea!  LOL i'm a technology teacher so i'm so linked to the internet it didn't even occur to me to go to the store to TRY IT OUT.  hahahaha we are going to BRU this weekend so we will most def try them out!

Thank you so much for the input - her bucket was Graco so i was leaning towards one of them but the Britax are getting some great reviews from you ladies so i guess it will be a game time decision!

THANKS AGAIN!!! 

KatFCo

We have an all in one for DD. We got it when she turned 1 and was out of the infant seat and she was in the 5-point for quite some time. Now, she's in the booster part.

Pros: it's nice not having to buy another seat.

• the high-back booster is safer than a regular
• they often have a higher weight limit. Ours, for example, is up to 100 pounds

Cons: yeah, the seat's stained but we haven't really focused on keeping it pristine

• high-back boosters are kind of bulky (but still safer, so I don't think this con outweights the pro)
• Since car seats expire after 5 years, you can't reuse it as a car seat for any little ones that come after

purplesnapdragons21

We are getting a convertible. The britax boulevard. Car seats expire in 5-6 years. I think he will be in his convertible for 3-4.  A booster he can be in until he's 12 or something crazy like that so I imagine we would want a separate booster anyways.

SuperCuteBenz

There isn't an all in one seat that makes a great booster. They are a jack of all trades, master of none. The only one I have seen recommended (and I am a tech), is the Symphony, and even then it isn't that great of a booster normally.

Get a great convertible that you like, and worry about the booster later. I wouldn't use a booster before the age of 5 at the earliest, so you have plenty of time. 

The only car seat with a 5 year expiration is the Peg Perego infant seat, and that is only in the US. In Canada it is 7 years. 

You will get plenty of use out of a convertible, and if you have another child in the next few years, you can get a combination seat like the Nautilus and pass down the convertible. Also, just remember rear-facing until 2 (at the minimum is preferred), so definitely get a seat that your child can grow into. Britax seats are awesome but they don't offer much leg room at all.

You can always ask here to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CarSeatsForTheLittles/

I am one of the techs on there.

gimmietimmies

SuperCuteBenz:

There isn't an all in one seat that makes a great booster. They are a jack of all trades, master of none. The only one I have seen recommended (and I am a tech), is the Symphony, and even then it isn't that great of a booster normally.

Get a great convertible that you like, and worry about the booster later. I wouldn't use a booster before the age of 5 at the earliest, so you have plenty of time. 

The only car seat with a 5 year expiration is the Peg Perego infant seat, and that is only in the US. In Canada it is 7 years. 

You will get plenty of use out of a convertible, and if you have another child in the next few years, you can get a combination seat like the Nautilus and pass down the convertible. Also, just remember rear-facing until 2 (at the minimum is preferred), so definitely get a seat that your child can grow into. Britax seats are awesome but they don't offer much leg room at all.

You can always ask here to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CarSeatsForTheLittles/

I am one of the techs on there.

And I'll add after being sucked into the 3 in 1 myself in the past, they really look like a hot mess after a year. And the straps twist and won't lay flat. And a million other things. Greatly dislike them. And they will no way in h-e-double hockey sticks work as a booster. If I still had one around I could post pics, but I actually landfilled the seat.