Lower the headrest and unsnap the pad from the back of the car seat. Harmony Big Boost Deluxe Booster with LATCH Review the best big kid booster ever? The cup holder on the SlimFit rotates around to keep it out of the way or potentially to hold larger items. How can we improve BabyGearLab? The Slimfit has EPS foam, which is fairly standard in car seats. Graco state the seat contains energy-absorbing foam and offers TrueShield Safety Surround Side Impact Protection, providing enhanced head protection for every age stage; it has also been both side impact and ProtectPlus engineered (which entails some of the most rigorous crash testing). Many online reviewers like that the seat belt is threaded behind the seat padding, ensuring its a safe and snug fit. And, we combine our review work with gobs of expert parenting advice. With only two children, I dont routinely need to do a 3-across, but I do appreciate the ability to install seats side-by-side on occasion. In fact, the height of the headrest combined with the width of the side wings actually blocked almost half of our rear windscreen something we havent had a problem with when using other car seats. It can be a little tricky under the seat bottom, but it is manageable. Theres no carry handle (as you would find on many baby seats) and it doesnt attach to a travel system. What Other Convertible Car Seat Should You Consider? The SlimFit shares the same measurements as the Milestone. My daughter certainly wouldnt have been able to buckle it on her own, and as the adult, I also found it difficult to reach across to buckle her into her seat. My 4.5-year-old is 33 pounds and 39 inches, so she doesnt meet the minimum weight or height requirements (40 lbs. Forward-facing, the SlimFit installed easily with either the seatbelt or LATCH. and top of head is 1 below red adjuster handle, Forward-facing (with harness): 22-65 lbs and 49 or less, High-back booster: 40-100 lbs. A rear-facing and forward-facing SlimFit could fit side-by-side very nicely. It has a base that fixes securely using the vehicles seat belt. I can only say that the newer SlimFit3 (or True3Fit) will offer you a better chance at 3-across since it is narrower than the original SlimFit. Its both big and clever! We think better options are available with higher individual scores in almost every metric. Yes compared to other, pricier seats, there are 3 main differences: its look and style; the fact it doesnt swivel (which some parents prefer with very little babies); and that it doesnt connect with Isofix. We aren't even sure why it is called the "Slimfit" as it is 19 inches and only slightly smaller than a competing Graco but definitely bigger than options like the Clek Foonf, which are 17 inches. We were able to get a more secure feeling fit with the seat in the rear-facing position. Push in on the red buttons on the LATCH connectors, and remove them and top tether straps from the storage location (please see image below taken from the, Unhook tether and lay it in the seat (please see image below taken from the. Its very similar in features offering extended rearward-facing to 18kg and forward-facing up to 36kg. Contrary to what the name suggests, its not particularly slim, and is better suited to big cars, Lasts from birth to age 12, rearward facing for longer, easy to clean, simple to adjust, Heavy, very tall, complicated instructions, no Isofix, not travel system compatible, Rearward facing for longer (from birth up toaprox 4 years), Forward facing harness mode (from birth up to aprox 4 years), Highback booster mode from 4 to aprox 12 years, Integrated belt lock-off for easier seat-belt installation, Built in 5-point harness (no rethread), with one-hand adjustment. I also have same problem with you. Check the Level Indicator again to ensure the ball is completely within the blue zone. Perfect for families with a wide spread of ages, just be sure your car is big enough for this hefty seat! The straps lie cleanly against the back of the seat and do not need to be removed. Our experts have tested thousands of baby and kids products to share key performance, health, and safety findings. Installing the Graco SlimFit All-in-One using the vehicle belt is somewhat harder than the LATCH, but it only lost a point for this method. In comparison to its competitors however, it is slightly skinnier all three of its closest rivals are bigger, most notably the Cosatto All in All Rotate, which at 60cm is 6cm wider. Hi Melissa. When should body pillow be removed from Graco Slimfit car seat? The LATCH anchors attach on the Slim high on the sides of the shell (above left) or under the front edge of the seat, and the tether clips high on the sideboth locations sort of fail at keeping the straps and anchors out of the way of passengers. So was the SlimFit really more versatile than a Milestone without the cupholder? This seat eas easy to install using LATCH during testing and we think most of the features are easier to use than some of the competition. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. While weight for a convertible seat may not be as crucial as it is for an infant carrier, it can still factor into decision-making if you travel or need to carry it. We spend tens of thousands of dollars crash testing car seats to inform our ratings. Overall, this seat isn't remarkable and while not terrible, we think there are better choices, with higher crash test analysis results in the same price range, like the Graco Extend2Fit. Remove the elastic straps from the hooks and pull the cover off. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Child's head must be at least 1 in. Thank you, Crystal. MadeForMums reviews are independent and based on expertise and testing. Lets take a closer look! Center LATCH installations with Non-Standard Spacing: Would you happen to know the front to back measurements when in the rear facing modes. SlimFit and the Milestone are nearly identical in terms of their features because they are based on the same Graco platform. Transforming from a suitable-from-birth baby seat, into a toddler-friendly car seat and eventually into a high-backed booster for children up to the age of 12, its one of only a handful of group 0+/1/2/3 seats on the market and one of the cheapest, with an RRP of 169.99. You can install forward-facing using Graco Slimfit car seat with either the LATCH strap or vehicle seat belt. The entire Slimfit seat can be reclined using the handle under the seat bottom. From long-established American buggy and car seat brand Graco, the Slimfit All-in-One claims to be the only car seat youll ever need. The Slimfit doesnt use Isofix, unlike many other comparable Group 0+/1/2/3 car seats. The best-combined results for HIC and chest sensors belong to the Graco Extend2Fit. Below are some great tutorials that show you how to: Clean the harness straps and LATCH straps. Readjust the car seat or place rolled towels under the car seat at the vehicle seat crease if needed. Your vehicle must be on level ground when you check the indicator. The Milestone cover is a little easier to remove, but the SlimFit really isnt difficult. Should You Buy the Graco SlimFit All-in-One ? Is there more specific weight and height criteria for front versus rear facing for the slim 3-1 car seat? Hi Crystal. Its aesthetics may lack the finesse of other similar seats in the category, and its sheer height may be a problem for parents in smaller cars, but the Graco Slimfit All-in-One can certainly compete with the best of them in safety, comfort and sturdiness. The flashier Joie Every Stage FX is almost identical to the Every Stage, however its 60 more with an RRP of 240 and it is installed via Isofix. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. Loosening the strap is also simple, and we didn't need extra strength to install or remove the seat as we did with some of the competition. Or not! Thank you! The body support is required if the babys shoulders are below the lowest harness setting but is optional for larger babies. However, you may wish to contact your Graco authorized distributor for possible solutions or alternatives. However, I did try her in the seat with just the seatbelt to see how the belt fit was. On Amazon, where the seat is rated 4.7 out of 5, many shoppers agree that the seat feels safe, reassuringly sturdy, with a really cushioned seat. We have a separate review here for the all-new ultra slim SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 model, which launched in December 2020. Attaching the anchors is easy, and tightening the strap wasn't a hassle. The buckle on this Graco is somewhat better than previous Graco's but the buckle and chest clip are not as easy to use as some of the competition. While the SlimFit definitely fits nicely next to other seats, it is not a guarantee that it alone will solve your space issue. I do wish that the SlimFit had a buckle pad/cover of some kind, but its not a big deal. The SlimFit All-in-One is easier to use than much of the competition, with a straightforward design and nothing fancy to figure out. Putting the SlimFit in the center seating position meant that either of the front seats could be adjusted to a safe (if not ideally comfortable) position for my tall friend. Their unique baby swing design launched Graco into the baby product world, selling millions in a short time. All information is provided on an as-is basis for readers in the USA & Canada. I was not going to be switching the car seats around every time we stopped at a rest stop. Forward-facing LATCH weight limit: 45 lbs. Place the car seat forward-facing in the vehicles back seat. Choosing a new car seat for your little one doesn't have Graco Extend2Fit is the better Graco to buy. The car seat expires 10 years after that date. The chest sensor result of the Slimfit is shown here in comparison to the best result in the group earned by the Clek Foonf. 49" and the child's ears must be below the top of the head restraint. Adjust the seat until the ball is completely in the blue zone in the Level Indicator. Will this car seat work? In my Subaru Impreza (2010) I was able to install it rear-facing with either of the two recline positions, although the more upright position was almost too upright in my vehicle, according to the level indicator. Inflatable Seat Belts However, once its in, it felt tightly fixed in place, with no movement whatsoever. You may remove the body pillow or body support when your baby no longer needs it. The Slim's chest sensor result (chart above) is 43, where the maximum allowed is 60. Potentially making this installation more challenging for some dads. However, when installed rear-facing, the entire seat was able to tip back toward the vehicle seat. Having a child in the front passenger seat if the airbag is active can be dangerous, especially for a rear-facing child safety seat. With the height adjusted correctly for my 7-year-old, the Slimfit actually felt too tall for our car a smallish Honda Jazz. You must read your carseat and vehicle owner's manual and understand any relevant state laws. Question i own a 2016 Honda Civic, pretty small back seat. The sheer scale of the Graco Slimfit is an overriding issue in many online reviews of the car seat, with a number of shoppers struggling to fit it into smaller cars. Re-attaching it wasnt difficult either, although in the meantime you have to make sure you dont lose the little white plastic anchors while the seat cover is in the wash. Buying car seats can be daunting and costly this takes away that worry. Be sure to read your vehicle owners manual to find the location of the top tether. Graco has determined that the SlimFit CAN be installed withinflatable seat beltsfound in some Ford Motor Company vehicles. The overall fit and finish are nice for a Graco mid-range product, but overall it struggles to keep up with the options that give more attention to padding and fabric for comfort. The shape of the armrests makes a huge difference. Moving the LATCH strap from the rear-facing beltpath to the forward-facing beltpath is easy and convenient. First of all, the installation of the SlimFit is very easy, just like my beloved Milestone. We follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/12188) and NHTSA guidelines for rear-facing, which both recommend rear-facing to the weight and height limits of the convertible/all-in-one carseat. or until the top of the childs head is 1 below the red adjuster handle when the headrest is adjusted all the way up. Where does your granddaughters carseat rattle? With two kids of my own, Im passionate about child safety! The instructions are easy to understand and the seat features premium push-on LATCH connectors. Just for fun, before watching any videos or reading the instructions for removal, I timed myself removing the cover. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to remove the lower seat cover. Our biggest problem was the height. It feels and looks secure for all stages, and Id be happy using it at any age. The shoulder straps have 10 possible height positions for a good fit, and the crotch strap has three. Push in on the red buttons on the LATCH connectors and remove them from storage location (please see image below taken from the. Remove the elastic straps from the hooks and pull the cover off the headrest. This is only suggested if there is no other option for seating a child 12 or under in the back seat. In some larger vehicles with more room to work with, the options for other seats may be more varied. Graco continues to create baby gear, including strollers, a variety of car seats, swings, and more. To convert the seat to booster mode, slide the buckle tongues and chest clip peices together then store them in the convenient storage compartment under the cover. After hearing a clicking sound, slowly pull the belt to ensure it is locked. She tested the Graco Slimfit All-in-One Car Seat on short daily drives to school and the shops, and on a longer journey to visit family. Even if you aren't considering this car set as an all-in-one option, it still didn't perform as well as the competition. It has to be the fact that one seat fits all, right up to age 12. I quickly found that there is a handy tab on the SlimFit and it is just as easy to access the beltpath. ), the SlimFit is a clear winner! On this page youll find help with: And (as they say in infomercials) much, much more! The overall padded is decent and supportive, but it isn't great and won't offer long-term comfort on road trips cross country. No sponsored content. Pull the plastic tabs out from the back and sides of the car seat. I particularly like how quick and easy it is to switch between the positions you just press a lever under the front of the seat. Is it the sane as the milestone because I found those measurements. Some online reviewers found the buckle slightly fiddly to secure, but this wasnt an issue for me. Attach the top tether strap (please see image below taken from the, Push in on the red buttons on the LATCH connectors to the plastic bar and tighten the strap (please see image below taken from the, Route the vehicle seat belt through the forward-facing belt path that is marked with an orange label (please see image below taken from the, Press down firmly at the center of the car seat and pull on the shoulder belt to tighten while feeding the slack back in the retractor (please see image below taken from the. Because safety seats across types are designed with a specific size and developmental level in mind, we believe it is safer to use an infant seat for babies under nine months and a convertible seat for those who have outgrown their infant carrier. Since we would be switching drivers, it was important that neither of the front seats were too cramped. If these factors arent an issue for you, theres very little youre missing out on with this. Almost all of the padding and covers are washable, as well as being easy to remove. BabyGearLab is reader-supported. Yes. It also comes with a collapsible cup holder. With this in mind, the original SlimFit 3-in-1 was introduced several years ago. Almost all the covers are machine washable and can be removed and re-attached easily. Hello, looking to install in a passenger seat of a truck (airbag off) is this seat safe in trucks? Rex Thomas and David Saint were inspired by a coworker's story of soothing a baby using an outdoor glider. 49" and the child's ears must be below the top of the seat shell. BabyGearLab does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.See our Terms for more info. Let us know! This Graco has a metal ball in a plastic casing level to ensure it is installed at the proper angle. Both our children loved sitting in it. It can be used as a rear-facing seat with 5-point harness from 5kg to 18kg (birth to up to four); forward-facing car seat with 5-point harness from 9kg to 18kg (around nine months to four); and a forward-facing high-back booster from 15kg to 36kg (from approx. A sturdy group group 0+/1/2/3 three-in-one car seat with a built-in base with plenty of safety and comfort features. You can install Graco Slimfit car seat rear-facing with either the LATCH strap or vehicle seat belt. Again, all of these configurations were done in my Subaru Impreza, which is not exactly known for its spacious back seat. CarseatBlog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. There is also a removable headrest pillow and harness strap covers, both of which have no requirements for use. I think this would be okay if you have a big car a people carrier or SUV; however, if you have a small car, this may not be the seat for you. Could I find a seat that I loved even more than my Milestone?