Update: See our most recent blog on the subject: Chicco NextFit Convertible Updates – October 2013
Chicco USA has issued the following statement regarding the NextFit convertible:
Chicco is committed to creating state of the art products which meet the strictest safety standards and the ease-of-use features our consumers expect. The original shoulder harness pads used on the NextFit have been used in Europe for over 10 years with great success. However, after input from our U.S. consumers who have used the NextFit, Chicco conducted more testing without the harness pads and with a new harness pad design. The NextFit performed very well with and without the current pads, as well as with a new removable shoulder harness pad design. The new shoulder harness pads developed by Chicco for the NextFit are easily removable. All NextFit car seats, regardless of harness pad style, meet or exceed not only Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, but also Chicco’s internal safety standards.
All NextFit car seats manufactured after October 1, 2013, will have removable harness pads.
Consumers who wish to purchase these new harness pads, will be able to order them after January 1, 2014. To order, go to www.chiccoshop.com/gear/replacement-parts/ or contact Chicco Customer Service at 877-424-4226.
We don’t have a picture of the new harness strap covers yet but as soon as we do we’ll share it here.
*UPDATE: Below is a link to Chicco’s specific instructions on how to remove the harness strap covers. If you want to remove the harness strap covers on your NextFit model made prior to Oct 2013 you MUST follow these specific instructions for removal. Removing the pads in any other way could result in messing something up and possibly making the seat unsafe for your child. I’m not going to go into the “whys” right now so just trust me on this one!
These “replacement” directions were written prior to this update announcement so you can ignore the language that says “Never use your NextFit car seat without shoulder pads”. Just follow the directions on how to remove them, put the chest clip and buckle tongues back on properly and reattach the harness safely. *At the end of the process, once the harness pin has been fully re-inserted, check to make sure that the plastic tab is back in its original position preventing the pin from moving forward again.
http://www.chiccousa.com/nextfit/pdf/NextFit_Pad_Installation.PDF
There is also a video detailing the process on the Chicco website. Again, this is an existing video meant to detail the process of swapping out the current harness strap covers with identical replacement strap covers so you can ignore the language that warns you to never use this product without the harness pads.
http://www.chiccousa.com/nextfit/installation.aspx (the link to this video can be found in two places: on the left side of your screen under “Shoulder Pad Replacement Kit” or under the Rear-Facing Videos “Installing Shoulder Pad Replacement Kit”). Again, at the end of the process, once the harness pin has been fully re-inserted, check to make sure that the plastic tab is back in its original position preventing the pin from moving forward again.
I just want to add that we really love that Chicco listened to feedback from parents and caregivers and worked quickly to provide options and alternatives to NextFit consumers! Child preferences, parental preferences and situations vary widely so having various options (something to please everyone!) is greatly appreciated. 🙂
We are finally using our spare set — the Chicco Nextfit. DOM was August 2013, so it has the old hard rubbery pads. Are they required for rearfacing and/or forward facing? I ask specifically in each mode because our Diono pads are not required for rearfacing but is for forward facing. Thank you!
I got this carseat on my baby registry. Even though I’m just using it now (July 2014), it was manufactured in July 2013. I called Chicco and they are sending me replacement pads for FREE. Not a bad deal. Just wish that they were more open about this on their website. Luckily I found this thread!
@Liz – NextFits made during the month of October are supposed to have the new strap covers. Good luck!
I have a NextFit still in the box – manufacture date is October 2013. Will it have the new strap covers or not? I have read that the update includes those manufactured in October, but here it says after October.
@ Nichole – yes, you are correct that you can ditch the harness strap covers if your kid hates them. And technically you could cut them off if you’re certain that you will never want to use them in the future – just be really, really careful not to accidentally damage the harness as you cut them.
I got my car seat in October 2013, it has the old “non removable” shoulder pads. So I’m assuming now we can officially use these older model car seats without any shoulder pads at all? My daughters absolutely hate the big shoulder pads. It’s my only complaint about these seats. My girls get carsick very easily and those pads are a pain to clean! And if we aren’t going to use them, or at least buy the replacements with Velcro that don’t seem to have that awful rubber back…. Couldn’t I just as well cut off the pads rather than go through the hassle of removing all the other parts?
Where can you buy the Chicco nextfit with the new removable straps? I know its for the ones manufactured after Oct. But the boxes in the store don’t have a manufactured date.
Just another update, for those who haven’t seen yet. You can now order the replacement strap covers from the chicco site in the infinity/gravity color. I am hopeful the other colors will be available after the new year. http://www.chiccoshop.com/gear/replacement-parts/nextfit-shoulder-pads—-infiniti%2Fgravity/12793190200.html?cgid=gear_replacement_parts#utm_source=ChiccoUSA&utm_medium=WhereToBuy&utm_content=Parts&utm_campaign=ChiccoUSA&start=37&selected=bdhlaiaagYAi6aaadbGuES6gjj&cgid=gear_replacement_parts
Hi MamaBeanSquared – thanks for the update! If you’d like to send pictures you can email them to [email protected] Thank you!
Hello! I just found someone who recently purchased a nexfit that has the new covers! They look very similar to the current ones, but have velcro for easily removal and no more rubbery backing. I would love to share the picture but am not sure how to add it here… She also has not found any other differences, so it looks like that may have been the only upgrade/change.
I just wanted to give props to Chicco for listening to feedback from parents and caregivers and working quickly to provide options and alternatives to NextFit consumers! Child preferences, parental preferences and situations vary widely so having various options (something to please everyone!) is greatly appreciated. <3
Sweet! I actually really like the pads, but am curious what the new ones will look like. I may take off the covers for the winter since it seems to push M’s coat collar/zipper into his chin and he’s been bothered by that – not the covers themselves mind you – but what seems to happen now that we are using cold weather gear under those strap covers!
Thanks for listening Chicco!!
We’ve updated the update to include links to instructions and videos detailing the process of proper NF harness strap cover removal.
This seat is on the way to replace one that was in a crash (Britax). I LOVE this seat but ruled it out before because of the strap/covers. I decided to give it another go anyway so this news coming right now is like icing. I hope I get a freshly baked one. I think I would prefer to use it with the pads but it is nice to know I can take them off if I need to. Of course now I am wondering if the reason they are on sale everywhere is because people are trying to clear out the old stock with the old pads? I will definitely contact Chicco for clarification. I am so, so happy for this news.
@CAROLINADAISY – we promise to share any additional details as soon as we have them. I have no idea how much the new harness strap covers will cost once they’re available but it shouldn’t be that much. I doubt they’ll offer them for free but I really don’t know.
@JP – I can’t say for certain that this is the only change but this is the only info that we have to share at the moment so your guess is as good as ours! They do say that the current seats “performed very well with and without the current pads” so if you have some compelling reason to take them off – that will probably be allowed. But I don’t want to speak for Chicco so I suggest calling them next week to get clarification on that.
If you’re planning to remove the harness strap covers on your NF, just make sure you get the specific directions from them on how to remove them safely. Please do NOT attempt to remove them without understanding the very specific and only proper way to do so. HTH!
Can we get clarification from chicco that current seats can be used without the covers? And is there any chance that those of us with the earlier seats can get new covers for free or low price? I bought one the day they came out and those huge covers are definitely my least favorite feature. I’m hoping new ones will be a bit smaller and without the grippy backs.
Sweet! Does this mean there is no change to the seat, just the pads? So a seat made before the pads are removable can also be used without the pads? And then if you want the newer pads you can order them? I am so glad they listened! This is an awesome seat but those pads are a sticky point.