To satisfy our readers, I’m taking a short break from the expo to get you the Clek Foonf convertible seat information ASAP! Unfortunately, no photos were allowed with the prototypes. As they are not production samples, all these specifications are subject to change before launch next year. *UPDATE -stock pics of prototype foonf have been released and are posted below.
Clek’s goal is to make the safest convertible seat on the market. They have a patented energy absorbing crumple system in the base to significantly reduce chest forces on the occupant. The very impressive base is re-inforced with Magnesium, like the Oobr, and also offers rigid LATCH for forward facing use. The frame is steel re-inforced throughout.
The Foonf will appear at Clek flagship retailers as early as June, 2012, possibly appearing in Canada slightly before or at the same time as USA retailers, depending on how the initial shipment is processed. Other retail outlets will be later in the summer. The price point for both countries is estimated to be around $449 for standard fabrics, $499 for premium fabrics. You do get a lot for the price!
Rear-facing, the Foonf installs with premium IMMI/SafeGuard flexible LATCH attachments with adjusters on each side. You can also install with a seatbelt of course, using built in lockoffs. The Foonf will not be rated for newborns, having an estimated minimum age of 6 months and minimum weight of 15 pounds. The bottom harness slot is around 10 inches torso height. The click-on recline wedge for rear-facing will provide a recline of at least 35 degrees in a worst-case vehicle scenario and will be more upright than 45 
degrees in some vehicles. The integrated head restraint is very similar to the one on the Oobr and is structurally re-inforced. That means a very generous height limit al the way to the maximum adjustment! We measured about 27″ of seated Torso height (to one inch below the top) at the maximum adjustment on the prototype and were told there would be one higher adjustment on the final version. The Foonf will probably be rated to 40 pounds rear-facing. There is a padded, clip-on anti-rebound bar system for use rear-facing.
We love rigid LATCH, and the Foonf offers this great feature when front-facing. It can be used to 48 pounds, possibly higher if future testing allows for it. There are 5 harness strap slots that go up to about 17.5″ tall on the prototype. Harness system components are also provided by IMMI/SafeGuard. It will be rated to 65 or 70 pounds forward facing. There are two crotch buckle positions, about 6″ and 7.5″. The seat is tall, but relatively narrow for 3-across possibilities. It measures 17″ maximum external to the dual-layer energy absorbing side impact protection both in the torso and head restraint. Inside width was about 11-12″ at the torso wings that flare outward for more room, relatively wide given the narrow external dimensions. There are very nice built-in lockoffs for front facing, too, and a separate closed belt path to keep seatbelt components from being uncomfortable to a child. There is a great front recline adjustment, 1 for Rear Facing, 2 for Front Facing.
The seat itself will weigh about 30 pounds and is very impressive in terms of safety. The base itself is a novel of technology, with an innovative crushable metal honeycomb insert to crumple and manage energy dissipation in a crash. The steel bars in the frame are also very sturdy. There’s no question this is a very solid child restraint in the heritage of the Oobr booster! Aside from safety, fashion is a guarantee with all the same fabrics that will be available on the Oobr. There will be a comfort insert and cupholders, too, though we did not get to see those. With the solid construction, a 9-year expiration should be no surprise! Like all Clek products, it will be 100% recyclable! Stay tuned to Clek’s Facebook page for more Foonf teasers!
Again, please keep in mind all these specifications are subject to change! We were very impressed with the prototype and are anxious to see the final version and try it in some vehicles! More photos of a new leather and Paul Frank cover soon! Please keep checking back here and on our Facebook Page for more updates! Apologies for typos; I’m in a hurry;-).
Check out our follow-up blog on Clek foonf, olli & oobr from the ABC Expo HERE.
Great, I could not see the pathway on the pictures online for the ff direction, and had a panicked moment.
Will the foonf have a seatbelt install option forward facing? And RF? I will need to have three across at some point in my car and I only hav 2 latch spots?
Yes, it can be installed by seatbelt in either direction, as it is a federal requirement.
@ Rachel – while I would certainly welcome a 55 lbs rf wt limit on the foonf, I think you may not realize the scope of what you’re asking for. North American seats are not Swedish seats. Swedish seats cannot pass FMVSS/CMVSS213 standards on the current test sleds. I know we generally like to see higher and higher limits but until you understand the realities of what you’re asking for I think it’s unfair to say that any new, innovative CR “…will simply add nothing to the US market”. Seriously, the seat isn’t even out yet and you’ve already decided that it will “add nothing” because most likely it will not be rated to 55 lbs in the rear-facing position?!
I’m sorry that foonf won’t be the right seat for your situation but that doesn’t mean it’s not going to be a great seat for many others.
I understand that you felt it was necessary to import an expensive non-US seat in order to meet your child’s needs. I also understand that the Radian has its quirks and doesn’t work well in some vehicles or in certain situations. Like everyone else, I would love to have more alternatives for special needs kids with poor tone who really need to be rear-facing forever, ideally. But 40 lbs gets the 95th percentile boy to age 3 and the 50%ile boy to age 5. 45 lbs would get those boys to ages 4 and 6 respectively. I’d be thrilled if clek could get foonf rated to 45 lbs rf but I’m just not seeing a justification for anything higher than that.
so disappointing to continually see 40 lbs. rear facing as the limit in this country. if it rear faces to 55 lbs, i am in love. i dont care about much else. I had to import a seat in order to get my son rear facing to 45 lbs. after the crazy stuff that happened w/ the Radian XT….this would have been very welcome news. Oh, and the price tag? $400 is much cheaper than the $600 i had to pay to import. Please let this be 55 lbs. rear facing or it will simply add nothing to the market in the US.
I don’t care WHAT it does forward-facing if it rear-faces to 55 lbs. Seriously. 😀
We did tell them that given the great platform, it would be nice to see high RF weight and height limits! Obviously, for higher FF limits, that leads to a much bigger and heavier product. A convertible that also has the capacity of a Frontier 85 is probably one of those seats that wouldn’t do any mode of operation very well, but who knows, maybe someone will make such a beast some day!
If they can make it 55 I will buy 2- and we’d have no need to illegally import Swedish seats any more!
Slightly higher limits would be fabulous. Clek does not disappoint so I have really high expectations for this seat.
Also curious if this seat will convert to a booster.
Thanks for the info!! Enjoy ABC!
Thanks for the update, Darren!
$449 … wow. Is this a convertible only, or does it convert to a booster seat as well?
I agree that a dedicated extended rear-facing seat is just what the market needs.
Looks like another great product from Clek! Loving the LATCH, click-on recline wedge, and padded clip-on anti-rebound bar system. It would be nice if it rear-faced to a higher weight limit.
Can’t wait for you guys to get your hands on one to try in real cars. Thanks again for everything you do!
hey, 40lbs rf is still pretty respectable… and 17.5″ slots is still good for a convertible seat.
not that I wouldn’t love some taller top slots, but if we’re going to ask for a higher rf limit… (CLEK PEOPLE… I hope you are listening… or Heather and Kecia and you guys… pass this on to them)… let’s see clek set another example (as they did with having latch on boosters) and get this sucker tested and approved for 50-55lbs rearfacing!
who even cares then about forward facing? we just leave the child rearfacing until they’re about age 5-7 and outgrowing the (and if we’re going to raise the top slots, let’s make them a nice 19″… because if you get that nice weight limit up, then you will only need them to be at/below the shoulders) foonf, they can move right to Oobr!
thanks for the update. You’re the best!
40 lbs only RF? Then it won’t be what we need. 🙁
And only 17.5 top slots?
If it were 45 RF and 20 inch FF top slots (or even 18), it could compete with the Radian and the Frontier85.
If you can’t take photos, can you at least draw us a picture? :-p And April, you say? I’ll have a 7-month-old and a 3-year-old then… Hmm…