Safety 1st Complete Air with Air Protect: First Look Review
It’s been The Buzz for some time now and we finally have one for review! It’s the Safety 1st Complete Air Convertible with the Air Protect side impact technology cushions. This model can be used rear facing from 5 to 40 pounds and 19-40 inches. Front-facing, the limits are 22-50 pounds and 34-45 inches. It is available in the Mckenna or Harvest Fabric at Babies R Us and Toys R Us. I can’t tell you how it will perform in a crash, but I can tell you that it is feature packed and makes for a very nice covertible child safety seat.
First, the unboxing:
Next, the “Revolutionary Side Impact Technology.” This comes in the form of air filled cushions on the inside of each head restraint wing. It essentially replaces the EPS foam found on most child restraints with an air-filled cushion. It’s not an airbag, so there’s no inflation involved. It’s basically a disc of open cell foam, surrounded by a perforated plastic bag. When compressed, the air released is restricted by the size of the holes, allowing it to increase the ride down time of the child’s head before it reaches the plastic shell or an intruding part of the vehicle. Whether or not this is a significant improvement over EPS foam (similar to what you find in a bicycle helmet) I cannot say, but it looks impressive:
The other big feature of the Complete Air is the 40 pound rear-facing weight limit. A wise man once said-
Rear-facing provides the most crash protection in the most common and severe frontal and side impacts. There is a stigma for a lot of parents regarding rear-facing. Many have the impression that kids should be front-facing once they are 1 year and 20 pounds. Even some physicians still give this obsolete advice, contrary to the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Other parents just think their kids need to be front-facing for comfort or some other issue, or that turning front-facing is some sort of rite of passage or graduation award for being a year old. Well, now there’s a reason why front-facing shouldn’t be a reward for many kids until they turn 4-years old!
The Complete Air is the second new model in the USA with a 40 pound limit. Combined with that, Safety 1st gives a rear-facing height limit when top of the child’s head reaches the top of the adjustable head restraint section. That is extremely generous, as you can see in the photos below. On the left, my son is properly fitted with the adjustment in the 3rd from highest position and the harness slots are just below his shoulders. On the right, you can see how much room he has with the headrest in the highest position! He is 4 years and 2 months old, 43″ tall and weighs 40.0 pounds on our scale (clothed but without shoes!).
The only drawback is the stated 40″ rear-facing height limit. There’s a nice “Safety Tip” section in the front-facing section that advises parents to use the seat rear-facing as long as possible, up to the 40 pound and 40 inch limits. As is often the case, the standing height limit may be somewhat arbitrary, as it is mandated by the relevant standards. I am not advocating that you exceed the limits in the owner’s manual, but include these photos for comparison purposes. Leg room is limited by the vehicle seat, as it is with any rear-facing model in the USA or Canada. As for front facing height limits, many readers will want to know about the maximum torso height. This photo should be self explanatory:
The rear-facing install angle was relatively upright in my minivan; fine for larger kids and older babies, once they can support their head well. It may need a pool noodle or rolled towel in many vehicles to get the 45 degree recline angle necessary for newborns and small infants. There is a level line on the side of the shell, but not an actual indicator like you find on infant seats and some other convertibles.
Pros? Well, rear-facing to 40 pounds is a real safety advantage. One study indicates that rear-facing is especially advantageous in side impacts. So, if the Air Protect cushions work as advertised, the combination is a legitimate safety benefit. The generous harness and torso height settings are also a big plus, though they are mitigated by the published standing height limits that seem artificially low. Deluxe push-button LATCH attachments make it easy to connect and disconnect from the anchors found in newer vehicles. Front-facing LATCH installations are relatively straight forward with no unusual issues in my minivan.
The harness height mechanism is fairly easy to use from the front, even while installed. You do need to make sure the harness is loose enough to adjust it higher and also make sure it clicks into place, especially at the top position. The crotch strap has 3 positions, another nice addition. The Complete Air is well padded and the cover fits well at the edges. It’s made in North America (USA), another key selling point, in my humble opinion.
Cons? It’s pricey at $249. The LATCH attachments require rerouting to switch between rear and front facing use. Though not difficult, it does take a few minutes to do. There’s only a single tilt adjuster on one side. Combined with the shape of the shell and position of the rear-facing belt path, you can’t quite get an ideal angle to tighten the LATCH straps rear-facing. Even so, it installed well in my 2006 Odyssey, but it took a little more time than some other models. Similarly, when installed rear-facing, the harness adjustment strap can be a little hard to pull to tighten it the last inch or so. That’s mostly due to the angle you have to use to pull the strap, but could also be due in part to a new mechanism that needs some use to loosen up a bit. It also appears that the harness straps can twist at the buckle. Though it has EPS foam and the Air Protect around the head, it does lack EPS foam elsewhere. Finally, the detachable cupholder is already being used as a hand hold to get into the van, I hope it doesn’t pop off in the process!
I have only had the Complete Air for part of one day. I’ll post a full review by the end of July as I get some experience with it. I’ll look over the manual thoroughly, try seatbelt installations, install in other vehicles and have some more photos, too. At first glance, it seems quite nice overall. It’s among the higher priced convertibles, but you do get some innovative features for the money. Initially, it’s available only at Babies R Us and Toys R Us online and retail stores until later this year! Anyway, if it’s within your budget, the Complete Air is definitely worth consideration along with other competitive premium convertible models.
Reader Comments
Thank you SO much! I feel great now having pre-ordered two of these seats for my kids! Looking forward to the official review as well. Thanks again!
One quick question – what is the seat depth measurement? Just wondering how the rear-facing leg room compares to other convertibles such as the True Fit. Thanks!
Jenny
Wow, exciting! Look how tall that is. And high top slots. If the seat offered more leg room and a higher forward facing weight limit it would rock in nearly all ways. As it is, it’s a lot of rear facing for the money, and it looks like it has some nice features. Definitely something to look forward to.
I will be sure to measure the seat depth for the full review. Unfortunately, I don’t have any competitive models on hand for a side-by-side photo but you might be able to judge by the photos with Jon it it compared to other recent reviews.
Oh okay, I didn’t mean you had to do the actual comparison yourself, I was just looking for a measurement of that particular seat.
My DD is currently in a True Fit, so I can measure that for comparison. Looking at Jon’s legs, it looks rather shallow unfortunately. Hopefully it’s not too bad.
Wow, my 8YO would fit in this seat (forward-facing, of course) with about 2 lbs. and 1/2″ of torso room to spare! I’ll have to take him to that store and try him in one when the seat is actually released. Nice job, Dorel!
Wow, my 8YO would fit in this seat (forward facing) with about 2 lbs and 1/2″ of torso room to go! I’ll have to take him to try it out when the seat is actually released. Thanks for this sneak preview!
VERY nice! I am excited to see this seat in person. Judging by the photos/measurements, my 95th+ percentile daughter would have been able to rear-face in this seat until she was 3 years old, and would have fit forward-facing (harnessed) until almost 6! If it’s similar to the Alpha Omega/3-in-1, or the Uptown/Avenue (all Dorel models), the seat depth is not bad at all. Fingers crossed that’s the case!
So Darren, just how many seats have you had now? Haha this review really makes me want to get one for my daughter. I hope they come out with more colors.
Oooooh, tallllll. Of course, the first thing DH noticed was Jon’s legs hanging off the side and we had a big discussion about physics and leg injury risk RF vs. FF. The second thing he asked was ‘how much’?
Sweeeet! One more question, can you possibly measure the bottom and top harness slots? I’m just wondering if the lowest slots are like on the Uptown, which fits a newborn really well. Also, is this a 6 or 8 year expiration? I’m hoping for 8, with that harness being so tall. And honestly, DD’s legs hang over like that in her Radian, so I’m not super worried. It’s fairly low-profile, so it doesn’t seem really uncomfortable.
Thanks! I like it more than I did.
Thanks for the review!
So Darren… what shell do we think this is? 3 in 1? Avenue? What do you think they based this off of? Or do you think they created a “new” shell?
Tarynsmom, according to Safety 1st the lowest harness position is 10″, which is quite high for a newborn. Not sure how accurate that measurement is though because they said the top position was 17″ and according to Darren’s picture above, it looks like at least 17.5″.
This seat really does look like a EERF seat! Much moreso than the radian (too reclined) or MR65 (too short shelled and too reclined). I wish the RFing weight limit was 5 lbs higher- then I might be able to make an excuse to get two for the 37# and 39.5 # kiddos… On the other hand, I think I’m glad it’s 40 lbs, it saves me $500 :p .
Hi, I am deciding between this one and the britax advocate because side impact is important in my decision. Which of these would you prefer as I noticed you have reviewed both. thank you.
I can give you a better opinion in a week or two. Safety wise, I could not say. They both have different advantages and disadvantages. For example, the Complete Air is less expensive, takes up less room and has a higher rear-facing weight limit. On the other hand, it’s LATCH and harness system aren’t as nice.
Wow, the wings are MUCH larger than I thought. After fighting with seats today, that seat is looking *very* nice.
I can’t wait to read the full review. We are currently researching a replacement for our Boulevard after a auto accident. This seems similar (head wings, easy height adjustments, etc). Not sure what to do…
Where is it lacking the EPS foam?
Thank you for your review! I agree with the following:
“It may need a pool noodle or rolled towel in many vehicles to get the 45 degree recline angle necessary for newborns and small infants.”
Also,”Though it has EPS foam and the Air Protect around the head, it does lack EPS foam elsewhere.”
Thirdly, I like how you refused to mention the “brick and mortar baby/toy store and their website” because they opted not to grant an affiliate account and then didn’t reply to email when I provided the information they requested!”
One issue I have with rear-facing convertible seats is the lack of sun protection for the baby/child. It’s easy with the infant seats but does anyone know of a good sunshade system to protect them from the sun while in the car when they’re in a seat like this one which doesn’t come with a sunshade at all?
I wrote to Consumer Reports about this seat they they said: “I’d like you to know that I have forwarded your correspondence to the appropriate editors and technicians for their review and consideration for a possible future report…Unfortunately, Consumer Reports is not currently scheduled to report on safety seats and so we are unable to provide you with the information you are looking for regarding a future report date. However, I would like to assure you that we have forwarded your suggestion to both the editorial and technical departments.”
MY CONSIDERATIONS ON THE SEAT ARE AS FOLLOWS:
I just today bought the Safety 1st Safety 1st Complete Air Convertible Car Seat. It was a great deal at [a store] with a 15% off coupon. I love the design! It was released a week before the scheduled launch date. The California Highway Patrol installed it in the car. Our baby is 5 months old, 21 inches tall and about 15
pounds. He is not yet able to fully sit up on his own without some assistance and his neck muscles are still developing for sitting upright with that assistance. I love the seat EXCEPT for a few findings, including the fact that Consumer Reports ratings having come out yet for this seat.
First of all, unfortunately, the car seat had to have a foam cone put underneath it to recline more than it did, but this was not enough. The car was a Chevrolet Malibu. The other car it would have been installed in was a Toyota Camry. These are both popular cars that people drive around. Still, the seat does not recline enough rear-facing to have my baby ride around in it safely because he could sustain a neck injury without the proper level of recline. Also, the revolutionary head protection for the sides of the head are still too high for my baby despite his being within the height/weight range. They don’t come down low enough to protect his head. My gut feeling on this is that it could be better for an older child who can sit on his own and that this is not an appropriate infant seat convertible rear-facing-wise particularly for my child at this time, so as a mom I cannot endorse it right now, especially as a convertible, even though I love the design. This is probably what other parents will find out on their own after buying it with the intention of using it as a convertible seat for their infants. Hopefully, they won’t just take a risk waiting
for their child to grow into it because I know it’s not safe for mine at present time.
I was concerned about the Recall card in the packaging. The infant positioning insert is not as protective as the Britax. Essentially, I thought we were getting a Britax-type of seat, which is highly rated by Consumer Reports, only with the air cushions for the head. The Combi appears to recline more safely and the Britax appears to fit better.
I’m now in the position of having to buy a new infant system for him to grow into because over the weekend I sold my ORBIT Baby system in anticipation of the Safety 1st Safety 1st Complete Air Convertible Car Seat.
Essentially, I don’t have a car seat for my infant right now…at least a safe one. I won’t even chance driving him in your seat down to the California Highway Patrol for a fitting inspection, but I will take photos of what the baby looks like in it slumped over and too vertical despite the foam cone that was installed at the edge of the seat to make it recline more. SO, I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO CONSUMER REPORTS FINDINGS. It would be nice if Safety First had a fitting center that would allow them to help the consumer install the seat and to see if it fits babies properly rear-facing.
I’ve written to Safety First with my feedback and I’ve asked them to confirm the minimum height/weight range.
I welcome any feedback!
Thank you for the great input! Just a few comments-
First, the 45 degree rear-facing recline is not a neck injury issue. In fact, being more upright is actually safer in a crash. The issue is that newborns and younger babies have a risk of an airway obstruction if their head flops forward from being too upright. Once they have enough strength to hold up their head, this is no longer enough of a risk to require a 45 degree recline, but you still may recline it that much. You may even use a pyramid of three noodles to get the necessary recline in some vehicles.
Second, as for sunshades, I prefer the tinted static cling sun shade sheets you can find in many stores and online (like this one http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001LJG60C/?tag=carseatblog-20 ). They are inexpensive, easy to install and don’t pose a risk of flying off in a crash and hitting baby.
Third, I will include some photos with an infant or infant doll in my final review, probably sometime next week.
Fourth, the infant insert is only protective in the sense that it helps position the baby correctly before a crash. It really provides no protection itself in a crash.
Finally, Consumer Reports is not widely considered a reputable source of child passenger safety information among experts and advocates. While their reviews and comments may be helpful, I personally wouldn’t rely upon them solely or even primarily for a recommendation.
Can you advise as to a comparison between this seat and the True Fit Premier? I have ordered the premier because it looked like this seat, although very nice, lacked any kind of tether or ARB for rear-facing. What do you think?
Do the SIP Wings come down far enough to protect a newborns head?? Or are the Wings only for taller, older children?
Hi! I’ve been following the remarks about this seat and was anxious to see if there was any new input. My twin boys are about ready to grow out of their Britax Companions and I’m looking at this seat as a possibility. Primarily, I’m looking for something that will install fairly easy and fit good in the rear-facing position (I have a Nissan Altima, not a minivan). Thanks!
I apologize. I had hoped to have the full review finished by now, but just haven’t gotten ’round to it yet, sorry!
I’m not pregnant, yet. I saw this new carseat, and thought it would be great for my hopefully future baby. It concerns me that noodles & cones are required to get this seat to work properly. If that remains the case… NO WAY.
Many infant and convertible seat models require a noodle or rolled towel to get the correct rear-facing recline angle. This is not unusual and is a perfectly acceptable method for installing most rear-facing child restraints.
Do you think the seat would fit well in an 07 Honda Civic? I think my lanky 9-month-old (17 lbs, 28″) is ready to graduate from her infant seat.
We recently purchased this carseat and are attempting to install it rear facing in a BMW X3 for my 6 month old daughter. We have installed it without using a towel or noodle to acheive the recommended recline. It looks like the front of the carseat would need to be propped about 6 inches in order to get the level line level with the ground as suggested. My question is, is this truly safe? In a rear collision wouldn’t the seat be in danger of flying forward toward the seat it was installed rear facing in? Also, there doesn’t seem to be much structure under the bottom front of the seat to grip onto towels or noodles. Has anyone been able to install this at the suggested angle without using a towel or noodle? If so, what type of vehicle. I can’t believe we are the only ones having this problem. My husband thinks there is a major design flaw in this seat and wants to return it. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Laurie, that is an issue with this seat. Somewhere at around 6 months, when the child can support their head themselves, it is OK to have a child more upright than 45 degrees when rear-facing. In fact, it is safer in a crash to be more upright. Usually, 30 degrees or so works pretty well for older babies and toddlers.
Thanks Darren. Just one last question. She can support her head pretty well now, but the problem is happening when she falls asleep (which is often). When I stop and go around to get her out I feel so bad for her. Her little head is hanging forward in a very unnatural position. I think if she is like that for anything more than a 15 minute trip it could be painful. I worry this will happen when she falls asleep no matter what her age. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
The issue with newborns is a potential airway obstruction if their head flops forward. My understanding is that by around 6 months, the airway is more developed and the child would naturally pick up their head if breathing was difficult. Comfort is a different issue, of course. It’s certainly fine to keep a 45 degree recline for that. As long as the harness is adjusted correctly and the child is within the height limits, rear-facing is extremely safe for older kids, even with a 45 degree maximum recline angle. A pyramid of three pool noodles is often used to get the necessary recline, but as you said, the base of the Complete Air can be tricky with positioning noodles. My followup review will be posted by Monday at the latest!
I was looking at this seat today. I had a question about the pool noodle when used in rear facing. Are you saying to discard the leveling line when using the pool noodle or use the noodle to make it level?
My 6 month old is 20lbs and just about 23” tall. I had to borrow a convertible seat today as my wife went out with the infant carrier in her car and left me with no way to safely take my son out.
When he fell asleep his head was completely slumped over. It didn’t look very comfortable at all. Are you saying that you can use a pool noodle to increase vertical angle of the rear facing car seat to allow for a more comfortable riding position? I’ve read several posts and understand that as he gets older he will naturally be able to hold his head up better. I just want to make sure this is an acceptable practice before I head on over to the local pool supply store.
Thanks
Joey
Sorry I said he was 23″. Thats wrong he is a little over 25″.
The inclusion of a line rather than some type of indicator is problematic as it doesn’t allow for an acceptable range of recline angles. The line appears practical for the 45 degrees that is acceptable for all kids rear-facing. Older kids, beyond 6 months, are somewhat safer a bit more upright, perhaps to 30 degrees or so. If in doubt, you should definitely follow the owner’s manual.
My followup review can be found here – http://carseatblog.com/?p=3698 .
My baby is 14 months and 17 pounds, she walks and holds her head up, I was wondering if the seat reclines at all? my 3 yrs olds seat needs to be in the recline position for her to be rear facing, also, im thinking of getting two of them, they will both be rear facing, will they fit in my toyota corolla?
thank you so much, its been helpful
There is no true recline setting, though there is a foot that you use when going from rear facing to front facing. When rear-facing, you may need to use a pool noodle or rolled towel to adjust the recline, as is often done with any rear-facing infant or convertible seat. I can’t tell you for sure if it will fit in a Corolla without seeing it in person. It would depend on the year of the Corolla and other factors. If you don’t have a third child seat or passenger for the middle, I would say there is a good chance you could fit one on the outboard seat in many vehicles. You will probably find that you have to move up the front seats to accomodate a larger rear-facing convertible because it is a small car.
I’m wondering if it’s possible that my generally destructive, almost 3-year old son could do permanent damage to the air cushions? His current car seat has several bites out of the EPS foam (it’s a graco safe seat 2). Thanks!
I’m sure if he took a very good bite, he could puncture the air cushion. Otherwise, it seems like it should stand up to everyday use pretty well.
I just purchased this and am have a hard time with the rear level setting. I have a 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander with lots of room, but the angle that is required it wont fit. It seems like they want us to lay it flat. My son is a big for his age. He’s 5 & 1/2 months, 22 lbs and about 24 inches. He can almost sit up unassisted. Not sure wat to do. What other seat would you recommend??
If you like the Air Protect otherwise, a new version is being released within the next month or two that has a new recline adjustment mechanism. I don’t know if that will solve your issue or not, but it is a possibility. While it is impossible to say for sure what seats will fit your child and your vehicle, we do have some suggestions here http://carseatblog.com/?page_id=401 . You might also try to find a child seat inspection in your area and see if they can help you install it correctly before you return it.