Chicco Nextfit convertible car seat??

daniella2727 · March 2014

Anyone get this one? Do you like it? Is there a need o benefit to having a seat that moves positions?

I have a Britax Advocate with my oldest and there are several features with it I do not like so looking for a different brand.

nanabanana06 · March 2014

I like the Nextfit. It's a wonderful seat for ERF. It should allow you to keep them nice and safe RF until probably 3 or 4. It has the second tallest shell on the market, but only a 40lb RF limit. Which isn't a big deal if your child is average sized. The angle options are to keep smaller babies in the right angle as well as toddlers. It is also the easiest, most fool proof install I've seen. It's in my top 4 suggested seats and typically the seat I buy other people. Since it is so easy to use and install correctly.

sunnyday016 · March 2014

I've heard it's an awesome, long-lasting seat.

BP607 · March 2014

Have it. Love it!

ELF4321 · March 2014

We got it recently when DD reached the height limit for RF in her Britax, but returned it. I really wanted to love it as much as we used to love our KeyFit infant seat, but didn't work out for us.

Pros: super-easy install in the car without towels/noodles to get it level (this is where the multiple recline angles come in handy). I have a small car and it fit easily for RF. As another poster mentioned, it has a tall shell and could easily get most kids rear facing to age 3 or 4. It also had cushy padding and the seatbelt/headrest height is super easy to adjust. I also loved that I could undo the chest clip one handed (but it would still be hard for a toddler to undo!).

The reasons we returned it: (1) the shoulder straps are slightly closer together than most seats and DD complained about it rubbing against her neck to the point that she was screaming and tugging at it-- she's never complained about sitting in a car seat before! (tried with and without the strap covers). (2) DD also complained because the angle of the buckle and these sort of rounded tips on the plastic parts that go into the buckle were poking into her stomach. It's entirely possible it would be fine for other kids who don't care about the straps rubbing against their neck or don't have the same issue with the shape of the belt. (3) It was also really hard for me to get it tight enough -- I am used to being able to grab the straps behind the seat to help pull it snug, but the NextFit straps are covered up on the back of the seat, so I couldn't do that.

I recommend trying it out in a store before taking it home. If you do buy it, check the manufacture date on the box -- they made improvemenrs starting with the October 2013 models and going forward (shoulder strap covers are now removable and the crotch belt was lengthened because a lot of people wer complaining about it being too short when their kids got bigger).

ELF4321 · March 2014

Wow, that didn't seem quite as long when I was typing it! LOL Sorry!

JENandJEH · March 2014

We have it an LOVE it! DS2 is comfortably rear facing and will be 2 in 3 days. He should be able to rear face for quite awhile longer. It's also incredibly easy to install!

I've found that it's easier to tighten the straps now that the headrest has been moved up a notch but before, it was easy once I started following the tips of the ladies on Car Seats for the Littles. Hook the crotch buckle and chest buckle, slide the chest buckle all the way down as close as you can get it to the crotch buckle and pull all the slack from beside the hips, then tighten.

We did remove the pads on the shoulder straps (Chicco has said that they can be removed and actually have instructions on their site since they originally said you had to use them) and DS seems much more comfortable. They are pretty bulky but the more recently manufactured seats have different pads that have velcro so they are easier to remove.

mypeanut22 · March 2014

I love, love, love it!!!!!

ilovedesi · March 2014

Love it and recommend it.

Meery82 · March 2014

We have several and like it. We bought ours before October 2013. DS is 20 months, so the crotch strap length is fine at this point, but the shoulder pads are a bit stiff. I ordered the replacement pads just recently, but haven't had a chance to put them in yet. And the straps can be difficult to tighten, but I've heard it's easier without the current shoulder pads. We will see. Overall, DS seems to be pretty comfortable in it. And I love that it's ERF.

ss265 · March 2014

Momtobe2912 said:

I don't have it but noticed it is 20% off at Target this week. There is also a 20% off one baby item coupon floating around (maybe ask FB friends if anyone has one they aren't using) - that i think came in a special baby mailer - which ? They can be combined. In addition you can use your Target card to get 5% more off and it brings it down to around $175.

@Momtobe2912 thank you! DH got into a minor fender bender so we need to replace our Nextfit. I have been waiting for a sale at Target.

OP, I was debating between this seat and the Diono Radian which people also love. I chose the Chicco because of ease of installation (I have heard that the Diono is a pain to install RFing) and also because the of the no rethread harness (where you don't have to uninstall the seat to change the height of the straps). So far we love it!

nanabanana06 · March 2014

ss265 said:

Momtobe2912 said:

I don't have it but noticed it is 20% off at Target this week. There is also a 20% off one baby item coupon floating around (maybe ask FB friends if anyone has one they aren't using) - that i think came in a special baby mailer - which ? They can be combined. In addition you can use your Target card to get 5% more off and it brings it down to around $175.

@Momtobe2912 thank you! DH got into a minor fender bender so we need to replace our Nextfit. I have been waiting for a sale at Target.
OP, I was debating between this seat and the Diono Radian which people also love. I chose the Chicco because of ease of installation (I have heard that the Diono is a pain to install RFing) and also because the of the no rethread harness (where you don't have to uninstall the seat to change the height of the straps). So far we love it!

I'm one of those crazy Radian people. It's my favorite and most recommended car seat. I also have a Foonf (of which I find cool, but don't recommend very much). I find the Radian super easy to install. It's just threading through a belt path. However, I personally do not use LATCH (my car doesn't have it and I think it's a giant PITA). So maybe using the belt is easier with Radians. It takes me moments to install a sound Radian RF.

Mrs_Lady · March 2014

Love ours

ss265 · March 2014

Nana_Osaki06 said:

ss265 said:

Momtobe2912 said:

I don't have it but noticed it is 20% off at Target this week. There is also a 20% off one baby item coupon floating around (maybe ask FB friends if anyone has one they aren't using) - that i think came in a special baby mailer - which ? They can be combined. In addition you can use your Target card to get 5% more off and it brings it down to around $175.

@Momtobe2912 thank you! DH got into a minor fender bender so we need to replace our Nextfit. I have been waiting for a sale at Target.
OP, I was debating between this seat and the Diono Radian which people also love. I chose the Chicco because of ease of installation (I have heard that the Diono is a pain to install RFing) and also because the of the no rethread harness (where you don't have to uninstall the seat to change the height of the straps). So far we love it!

I'm one of those crazy Radian people. It's my favorite and most recommended car seat. I also have a Foonf (of which I find cool, but don't recommend very much). I find the Radian super easy to install. It's just threading through a belt path. However, I personally do not use LATCH (my car doesn't have it and I think it's a giant PITA). So maybe using the belt is easier with Radians. It takes me moments to install a sound Radian RF.

@Nana_Osaki06, Lol, I never called Radian lovers crazy. Just that after doing some research, I just felt that it wasn't for me. I had read that sometimes you have to use pool noodles or angle adjusters to get the right install RFing and I just did not want to have to deal with all that. People do love it though so I am sure it is a great seat.

Plus, DH has a super small backseat and the Chicco just fit better than the Radian.

nanabanana06 · March 2014

ss265 said:

Nana_Osaki06 said:

ss265 said:

Momtobe2912 said:

I don't have it but noticed it is 20% off at Target this week. There is also a 20% off one baby item coupon floating around (maybe ask FB friends if anyone has one they aren't using) - that i think came in a special baby mailer - which ? They can be combined. In addition you can use your Target card to get 5% more off and it brings it down to around $175.

@Momtobe2912 thank you! DH got into a minor fender bender so we need to replace our Nextfit. I have been waiting for a sale at Target.
OP, I was debating between this seat and the Diono Radian which people also love. I chose the Chicco because of ease of installation (I have heard that the Diono is a pain to install RFing) and also because the of the no rethread harness (where you don't have to uninstall the seat to change the height of the straps). So far we love it!

I'm one of those crazy Radian people. It's my favorite and most recommended car seat. I also have a Foonf (of which I find cool, but don't recommend very much). I find the Radian super easy to install. It's just threading through a belt path. However, I personally do not use LATCH (my car doesn't have it and I think it's a giant PITA). So maybe using the belt is easier with Radians. It takes me moments to install a sound Radian RF.

@Nana_Osaki06, Lol, I never called Radian lovers crazy. Just that after doing some research, I just felt that it wasn't for me. I had read that sometimes you have to use pool noodles or angle adjusters to get the right install RFing and I just did not want to have to deal with all that. People do love it though so I am sure it is a great seat.

Plus, DH has a super small backseat and the Chicco just fit better than the Radian.

No pool noodles for the Radian. If someone is using them then they need to relook the manual and get out the RF boot. The angle adjuster is optional to make the car seat slimmer and to give a toddler more leg room. I didn't get the Nextfit since at the time it was brand new and I didn't want to deal with any issues that needed worked out (which there was) and it only has a 40lb rf limit. Which when your 14 month old is 30lbs its needed.

Also, totally was joking and not being snottywith being the crazy lady .

ss265 · March 2014

No pool noodles for the Radian. If someone is using them then they need to relook the manual and get out the RF boot. The angle adjuster is optional to make the car seat slimmer and to give a toddler more leg room. I didn't get the Nextfit since at the time it was brand new and I didn't want to deal with any issues that needed worked out (which there was) and it only has a 40lb rf limit. Which when your 14 month old is 30lbs its needed. Also, totally was joking and not being snottywith being the crazy lady .

Thanks for the added information on the Radian. Completely understand your decision since your LO is high on the weight percentiles (which I am totally jealous of - DS is consistently in the 1st percentile).

BLPL101 · March 2014

We have a Radian, but almost bought the Nextfit. I've heard great things about the Nextfit. We had a Keyfit and loved it.

nanabanana06 · March 2014

ss265 said:

No pool noodles for the Radian. If someone is using them then they need to relook the manual and get out the RF boot. The angle adjuster is optional to make the car seat slimmer and to give a toddler more leg room. I didn't get the Nextfit since at the time it was brand new and I didn't want to deal with any issues that needed worked out (which there was) and it only has a 40lb rf limit. Which when your 14 month old is 30lbs its needed.

Also, totally was joking and not being snottywith being the crazy lady .

Thanks for the added information on the Radian. Completely understand your decision since your LO is high on the weight percentiles (which I am totally jealous of - DS is consistently in the 1st percentile).

Yeah, I was kind of happy he was giant at first. Now we've spent far too much money on clothes and baby stuff trying to keep up. We're actually upgrading him to the 50lb rf limit Radians when they come out.

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