CAR SEATS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2018!

2018 looks set to be another innovative year for the car seat industry. We recently attended Kind&Jugend in Cologne, Germany where manufacturers present their latest innovations to the world. This year they did not disappoint! Here is a rundown of car seat launches to expect in 2018 that you may just want to make a note of…

BeSafe iZi Flex Fix

Winner of the innovation award at this year's Kind&Jugend this is a very clever car seat indeed. The BeSafe iZi Flex Fix is a world first we believe - it's the first car seat to comply with the second stage i-Size regulations, these are being introduced for group ⅔ seats (previously i-Size legislations only covered group 0+/1). It has side guides to help absorb energy upon impact, additional guides for the hip belt and is is also height adjustable. What's more, you can fit three of these car seats across the back of a standard family car which should help many families in the UK.

Cybex Sirona Q i-Size

Cybex are never ones to rest on their laurels and this year we see two new car seat       launches to notes. Replacing the old Sirona car seat, this is now i-Size compatible and  suitable up to 18kg. It has a rotating base but what we think is very interesting about this seat is that you start off with a 5 point harness from birth to 15 months and then you use an impact shield up to the age of four/when the child outgrows the seat.This seat will be hitting the shops very early on in 2018, so keep your eyes peeled!

UPPAbaby Mesa

We have been waiting for some new innovations from UPPAbaby for a little while and then all of a sudden two come at once (check out the new MINU stroller). The new Mesa car seat is set to excite existing UPPA fans but no doubt expectant parents too. A new i-Size compliant car seat the first thing you notice is the sleek design and smooth lines, it has the UPPAbaby footprint running throughout - stylish, easy to use, functionable. What we think so many of you will love is the green light indicator system that shows you at five stages of fitting the system that all is installed correctly - from the ISOfix points to the safety leg and the seat connected to the base. It's one to definitely look out for and will also fit a number of pushchairs.

Britax Romer DUALFIX i-SIZE

Set to launch at the very end of this year, this is set to overtake the DUALFIX car seat that is already on the market and loved by so many The DUALFIX i-Size infant carrier has 360 rotation in all recline positions (this is not always the case), six recline positions and has a clever adjustable rebound bar that can give taller toddlers an extra 4cm leg room.

Graco Turn2Reach

The Graco Turn2Reach is their new launch which looks set to see them compete in the swivel car seat market. It offers 360 degree rotation and has a lie flat recline. It has multiple position recline and green indicators to confirm correct installation. Suitable from birth to 18kg, it will be available in five colours.

Baby Jogger City Go i-Size

Not known for their car seats, Baby Jogger launched the City Go last year but now have the i-Size compliant City Go i-Size. It can be installed with a belt or the base and has side impact protection. If you buy adaptors it can be used in conjunction with a Baby Jogger pushchair and has a stylish black design.

HiFold

Many of you may have seen or heard of the MiFold over the last 12 months, well the creators have now added a new member to the family, the HiFold. Again, designed for travel and occasional use, this is a high back booster that folds up small in a back pack. It is height adjustable and has side impact protection as well as head protection. 

There are a few more that we are sworn to secrecy over (Maxi-Cosi Rock and AxissFix Air) but one thing is for sure there is some real innovation and investment taking place in the car seat sector. The new car seat regulations may be forcing brands to produce better car seats and we cannot argue with that.

So, watch this space for a very exciting year!