Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster Preview

FacebooktwittermailFacebooktwittermail

tranzitionsPutting the unpopular and confusing name spelling aside for a moment, the new Tranzitions seat from Graco is a very welcome addition to the current combination seat (aka harness/booster) market. Why? Because the current offerings for combination seats under $100 are slim and all fall short in some major way. Up until now there hasn’t been one easy-to-install, easy-to-use combination seat that functioned well in all modes and has good longevity both as a forward-facing 5-point harness and also as a booster – all for less than $100. Fortunately, I think that’s about to change!

Tranzitions is a forward-facing only combination seat (Graco refers to it as a “Harness Booster”) that can be used with the 5-point harness and also as a belt-positioning booster. In booster mode you have the option to use the seat with the back (highback booster) or without the back (backless booster). I like to think of combination seats as “Stage 3″ seats that are most appropriate for kids over age 2 who have outgrown their convertible seats. Despite being labeled as a 3-in-1 carseat, the Tranzitions cannot be used rear-facing which is confusing for many parents who have come to associate the term “3-in-1″ with a product that can be used rear-facing, forward-facing and as a booster. If you’re looking for a rear-facing/forward-facing/booster seat, see our reviews of the Graco 4Ever All-in-One and Graco Milestone All-in-One.

Graco Tranzitions Spec & Features:

  • Forward-facing with 5-pt harness: 22-65 lbs.
  • Highback Booster: 30 – 100 lbs.
  • Backless Booster: 40 – 100 lbs.
  • No rethread harness with 8 height positions
  • Dual cup holders (outer plastic portion can be dismantled if space is more important than a functioning cupholder)
  • Machine washable cover
  • Open loop shoulder belt guide for highback booster mode
  • Babies R Us exclusive (for now)
  • Available October
  • Lifespan is 7 years from date of manufacture
  • MSRP $99

Graco Tranzitions Graco Tranzitions Graco Tranzitions

Graco Tranzitions Measurements:

  • Top harness slot: 18″
  • Top shoulder belt guide height for highback mode: 19.5″ to belt guide opening
  • Width across armrests: 18″
  • Seating area depth: 13″
  • Crotch strap/buckle positions: 6″, 7.5″
  • Widest area (across cupholders): 19″
  • Width at bottom of base (widest part):  17″

Graco Tranzitions Graco Tranzitions Graco Tranzitions Graco TranzitionsGraco Tranzitions Graco Tranzitions

Graco TranzitionsA note about the energy-absorbing properties of a blow molded shell:
Blow molding is a manufacturing process by which hollow plastic parts are formed. The blow molded headrest on Tranzitions has an interior and exterior wall with a void (air) between them. This design absorbs energy in a controlled manner very similar to having an EPS/EPP foam liner. Graco uses a drop test procedure that measures G forces to validate the effectiveness of this design.

We tested both with an EPS head rest and also the blow molded head rest, both at the back most surface and the side wings. The results on repeated testing shows that this wall of the blow molded seat represents very similar G values as we see on the existing head rests with an EPS liner.

Some final thoughts on the name “Tranzitions”. Considering that Evenflo already has a combination seat on the market called “Transitions”, I can’t say that I’m pleased with the name choice. Carseats are confusing enough already without making things worse for consumers with these much-too-similar names. Imagine if another manufacturer came out with a combination seat and called it Nautiluz! Now, in Graco’s defense, they’ve had this idea for a name for years – but it was never a good idea as far as many were concerned. I know a lot of us cringed at the spelling when we first saw it attached to a completely different Graco seat at the ABC show a few years ago. Personally, I’m just going to refer to this seat as the Graco “Z”. That’s easy, not confusing and won’t hurt my brain to look at. On the bright side, at least they didn’t call it the SnugRide 65. 😉

can-i-haz-tranzitions - no logo

 

44 Comments

  1. Dylynn Rutledge April 16, 2018
  2. Pam March 16, 2017
  3. Caitlin September 14, 2016
    • Kecia September 14, 2016
  4. Holly August 23, 2016
  5. Christine Kroll July 5, 2016
    • Kecia July 5, 2016
  6. Bailey June 23, 2016
  7. Kelly Corona June 1, 2016
    • Kecia June 5, 2016
  8. Shelbi May 18, 2016
  9. Patricia April 30, 2016
    • Heather April 30, 2016
  10. Heather February 19, 2016
  11. Jr Amy November 2, 2015
  12. Britoutofwater September 28, 2015
    • Kecia September 28, 2015
  13. HayleyCPST September 13, 2015
  14. Ashley September 11, 2015
    • Danielle September 21, 2015
      • Jessica September 24, 2015
  15. Wendy Thomas September 3, 2015
  16. Bebe August 24, 2015
    • Kylie September 1, 2015
    • Kim September 25, 2015
  17. Ketchupqueen August 24, 2015
    • Jenifer August 24, 2015
      • Teeka August 26, 2015
    • patriot201 August 24, 2015
  18. Jenifer August 24, 2015
  19. Julie Abel-Gregory August 23, 2015
  20. Abby August 23, 2015
    • Kecia August 23, 2015
  21. Rosie T August 23, 2015
  22. Krisha Collins August 23, 2015
    • Kecia August 23, 2015
  23. Jessica August 23, 2015
    • Kecia August 23, 2015
      • Melissa C. August 24, 2015
      • Kecia August 24, 2015
  24. unityco August 23, 2015
    • Kecia August 24, 2015
  25. patriot201 August 23, 2015