When it comes to car safety and peace of mind, I have to be in the know regarding what is the safest everything. Our research process when buying our current SUV was months and months in the making. When we registered for our first baby gifts almost five years ago, I wouldn’t blindly absorb the store salesman’s assurances of how safe the travel systems were….I had to get home and read up more on them before I scanned in the SKU.
Since then, every time we’ve purchased a car seat, it was back to the drawing board first and foremost to find out which ones suited our needs best…and which ones were safest. Crash test ratings, ease of adjustment, consumer complaints — everything was important to me. Let’s just say that I’ve gotten to know our local Safe Kids director very well over the years.
Another pervasive desire of mine was to find a seat that would let our children stay in a five-point harness for as long as possible, since it has been known to be safer at protecting kids in crashes than a booster. At four, G isn’t heavy or tall enough for a booster, and even if he was, at his age, I would still feel uncomfortable trusting him to keep his seatbelt buckled as we drove around.
Enter the True Fit Convertible car seat by the First Years (Learning Curve).
I had begun to assume that a car seat that was easy to install, simple to adjust, easy to clean, and most of all, ranking high on all national safety standards was not to be found….too good to be true. In the past, I had always had to relinquish one of these benefits when choosing a seat, making the decision difficult and bittersweet.
Yet the True Fit seat boasts all of these pluses! It even comes in a great variety of colors, which meant that for the first time ever, G could have a seat with his favorite color on it — blue! That had him sold on the spot…and my husband and I were very quick to follow with our own approval.
Here are the main fast facts on the True Fit Convertible car seat:
- 4-star rating on ease of use by the NHTSA
- Grows with your child from 5 to 65 lbs.
- Deep side wings and extra padding foam for added protection, yet fits great in the seat with another car seat
What do WE love about the True Fit Convertible Car Seat?
1. The ease of use claim was spot on. It took less than 5 minutes to get ready once out of the box. The directions were in a convenient pocket in the back of the seat itself, and the directions were simple and self-explanatory.
We took out the infant head rests and extra infant padding with no problem at all. The LATCH hooks were easy to find and adjust for length. Lastly, it took just a couple of clicks to adjust it to the right height for G.
2. The padding throughout is super easy to remove for cleaning….essential for us, since we do sometimes feed the kids snacks in the car. (And if you’re like us and have a carsick-prone child, this is especially helpful.) It’s all possible thanks to a few simple snaps and loops.
3. It’s exceedingly attractive and plush! G is super proud to be riding in this new seat, and I can feel assured that he is very well protected and comfortable.
Learning Curve/The First Years has produced a very thorough, information-rich video about the True Fit Convertible seat that’s well worth viewing. Click here to watch this video.
You can purchase the True Fit Convertible Car Seat directly from Learning Curve’s website as well as from Amazon!
Win it! Learning Curve/The First Years has graciously offered one of you a chance to win a True Fit Convertible Car Seat for your child! All you need to do is this:
Click on over and watch the demonstration video to learn more about the True Fit Convertible seat. After you’re done, come back here and tell me, in a comment, something that you learned or a particular aspect of this seat that you especially like. I’ll leave this contest open until 11pm next Wednesday, March 11th at 11pm EST. US entries only; duplicate commenters will be disqualified. Good luck!
Jessi (2 years ago)
I learned that there is a no re-thread harness which would benefit me when i have to take my nieces places as it is a pain to readjust her carseat all the time.
I love that i can use it from 5-65 lbs so i can use it for either one of my children.
Tonya (2 years ago)
I’ve heard lots of great things about this seat! I love that it’s no re-threading! Also the removable headrest I had a hard time finding a rear facing seat for my car. We’re looking for one for my husbands truck and thought we would have to give up rear facing bacause of the space!
thanks for the entry
Tonyamcrain [at] aol.com
Elizabeth (2 years ago)
I like the way it reclines for the rear facing position. I also like the way the harness adjusts without having to take it out and rethread it.
LaDonna Fox (2 years ago)
Since we have travel 14 hours to see my parents the fact that it’s cushioned so well makes me really like it. That and the straps that don’t have to be taken out to adjust. If we win this one we may need to buy another one for our other kid
Tracye (2 years ago)
I like the weight limits. It should fit a wide range of sizes, which is good, since it grows with your child.
Sarah (2 years ago)
I love the easy height adjustment! Rethreading straps and getting a good, safe fit as the kids grow is always so much harder than it should be – I’d love to skip that step!
Anu (2 years ago)
I really like how this one seat can be used for so many years! I also think the one-touch height adjustment and the easily removable padding is really nice to have! Thanks!
Sara (2 years ago)
I love the ease of the height adjustment. It looks like a great seat!
Candace (2 years ago)
Wow – I never realized that the 5 point harness on some seats is only good up to 40 lbs!! Maybe I should check on the seats we already have!
We’re expecting a new little one in 5 weeks, and would love this seat! Our younger two aren’t heavy/ old enough yet to get out of their convertible seats – so we need to look into options for this new one.
Thanks!
Candace
http://www.NineMonthsorLess.com
Colette S (2 years ago)
I love that you don’t have to re-thread the straps to change them as your child grows. Instead, I learned that you can change the height of the straps by moving the yellow handle on the back of the seat.
Rachel (2 years ago)
I love that it can be used practically forever
with such a wide range of weights, and that the pad can be taken out for an easy clean! Thanks so much!
Morgan Ranger (2 years ago)
I love everything about this car seat. The removable headrest allows it to safely and comfortably in both rear facing and forward facing positions. The easy to use strap adjustments seem so much safer than trying to re-thread the straps as our little guy grows. And the ability to have the 5 point harness as he gets bigger is a major plus. All that and it’s easy to clean. It seems like First Years got it right all around.
Marcy (2 years ago)
It looks so simple! We have 3 cars to switch the seat between so that is a huge thing for us!
erin, maker of chimes (2 years ago)
love that it works for all years, MUCH more simple!
Kate (2 years ago)
I love that this is a seat that can grow with my child- up to 65 pounds and that it is so easy to adjust the height. Sounds like a great seat to me!
Carol (2 years ago)
I really like the video, gives you a real look into the seat. I like that the cover comes off for washing and the amount of weight it can hold. Thanks for a chance to win.
Sue Kaminski (2 years ago)
I like the no re-thread harness. This would be great for my grandkids!
Heidi (2 years ago)
I really like how easy it is to adjust the harness to make the carseat fit for your child no matter what their age may be. I also like how it “locks” in place and how easy to use it looks.
Wendy Roper (2 years ago)
True Fit seems to have found the perfect combination for a car seat.It would be very important to me as a grandmother for the extra padding on the side in case of a side collision and the 5 point harness, along with the side wings. Seeing that the True Fit has the highest rating that the NHTSA would give a car seat is definitely a plus. All the other extras to make the child more comfortable as they grow would be an absolute buy for my 7 week old granddaughter. Thank you so much!!
syeda (2 years ago)
I really like the fact this car seat grows with the child. This car seat is a good investment for every parent as you don’t have to go shopping for another carseat after your child turns one. Also, I like the fact that it is easy to install. Last but not least, it has a cup holder which I know will come in so handy for resting my son’s sippy cup. Thanks for this awesome opportunity to become the proud owner of True Fit Convertible car seat.
Joni (2 years ago)
The padding looks extra cushy and I like the fact that it appears you can take the padding off without unthreading the straps. Personally, I like using an infant carseat (with a handle, so base in car) for getting wee ones in and out without having to pick them up out of the carseat. And we love our Britax marathon which is very similar to this seat. However, we do need another car seat in the convertible car seat range and this would be a wonderful one to win!
Autumn (2 years ago)
It looks extremely sturdy, and easy to clean. I also love the ease with which it is adjusted, that way it fits your child instead of your child trying to fit it! LOL!
Tonie (2 years ago)
WOW!! there is soooo much to love about this seat. I love that there is no rethreading and that the seat grows with the child
Kyndra Sherman (2 years ago)
I love the harness that doesnt have to be re-threaded and the fact that it seats 5-65 pounds!
allie (2 years ago)
i learned in the video that, in the rear-facing configuration, the carseat doesn’t come in contact with the back of the front seat of the car. i’d love that, since our current carseat will only fit if the front passenger seat is moved all the way forward, meaning no one over 5 feet can ever sit in the passenger seat! i also was intrigued by the impact absorbing foam substance they mentioned the seat being made of.
sherry g. (2 years ago)
It’s nice to see a seat that accommodates such a wide range of sizes. Car seats are expensive–this seat is a great option that will serve a family for the long term.
lace (2 years ago)
I like the range that the car seat covers. 5-65 lbs. You only have to buy one instead of 2-3 car seats. I’d love to win. We are needing to purchase another seat for the youngest. She’s grown out of her current car seat.
pat (2 years ago)
I love that it is the latest in energy absorbing technology and the latest and best way to adjust the straps with that yellow bar. Whatever keeps up to date and keep my grandbaby safe!
Lana (2 years ago)
The seat look very soft. I like the fact that it is safe and that it covers a many pounds in weight.
xenia (2 years ago)
What a great seat! I love the easy, one-handed height adjustment because my older daughter is tall for her age and I think that my younger daughter is going to be also, therefore too much time spent moving straps on car seats. Plus, the fact that this seat can be used from 5 – 65 lbs makes it really practical! Thanks!
Brit (2 years ago)
I just had a 2nd child and he’ll be 1 in September so he will be forward facing by then. I kept thinking about our car seat situation and what I would do about his next car seat. This is the perfect answer! I love that the car seat goes up to 65 pounds! I could use it for my 3 year or my 5 month old! Talk about multi purpose! I also like that you can have it rear or front facing and the one handed adjustment is great. Who has a free hand with 2 kids anyway?!
Katelyn Schroeder (2 years ago)
I love the way it can be adjusted for height so easily and how the headrest is detachable. Thanks!
grams (2 years ago)
I like the fact that it is easy to clean. They get so grubby. Thanks for the chance to win.
Becca (2 years ago)
I love this seat! It looks so comfy, I wasnt one in my size!
lilblufrog (2 years ago)
The best feature is the weight limit, 65lbs! If this seat didn’t expire after 6 years my daughter would be in it until she is 11;)I have looked at other seats but this one seems to be the best fit for our needs!
Carrie A (2 years ago)
I am sold on this car seat. The fact that it was rated the highest by the NHTSA makes it a no brainer and then with all of the great features and then how easy it is to use I do not have to look any further. I actually need to get 2 so maybe I can win one and buy one. Thanks for the chance!
mina bato (1 year ago)
What a wonderful giveaway! The video was informative. I love the fact that the cushions can be removed so easily for cleaning. Useful for me as my son has reflux. My son was a preemie so he is still small for his age. I love that the carseat can go from 5 -65lbs. I may have skipped the infant seat if I had known about this seat.
Julie (1 year ago)
I love that it has everything you could possibly want, just as Megret says, and yet it is still way more affordable than the Britax carseats, which while they may have a lot of similar features, do not have the easy-off cover for quick clean ups! Why not pay less, get greater ease-of-use, and still have all the safety you want for baby.