Graco had some very exciting new products to show off at the 2016 ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas!
I’ll start off with the Graco 4Ever Extend2Fit All-in-One. I’m going to suggest shortening this very long product name and just call it the “Graco Everything” because this seat will have… well, everything! This new model is based on the current 4Ever 4-in-1 platform but adds the unique legrest extension panel and 50-pound rear-facing weight limits found on the Extend2Fit model. Winner, winner, chicken dinner! 😀
This model will be widely available in the first quarter of 2017. MSRP $349.
4Ever Extend2Fit Specs & Features:
- Rear-facing: 4-50 lbs.
- Forward-facing with harness: 22-65 lbs. and up to 49″ tall
- Highback booster: 30-100 lbs. and 38-57″
- Backless booster: 40-120 lbs. and 40-57″
- 4-position leg extension for rear-facing comfort: adds up to 5″ extra legroom!
- No-rethread harness with 10-position headrest
- Adjustable base with 6 recline positions (3 for rear-facing, 3 for forward-facing)
- Bubble level indicator
- Steel reinforced frame
- Energy-absorbing EPS foam
- Premium push-on lower LATCH anchor connectors
- Dual integrated cup holders
- 10-year lifespan before expiration
 
 
Graco SlimFit 3-in-1:
We also wanted to give you some info on the Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 model, which is already available at Babies R Us. It retails for $229.99, but is often on sale for under $200. SlimFit is essentially a Graco Milestone (rear-facing, forward-facing, highback booster) with modifed cupholders. These new cupholders swivel to give you the option of saving a little more space in a tight squeeze or 3-across situation. Compared with the Milestone model, SlimFit is about 1.5 inches narrower when the cupholders are swiveled. That might not seem like a lot but every millimeter counts when you are trying to fit a carseat in a tight situation and 1.5″ can sometimes make the difference between success and failure. You can find more details (including measurements) of the Graco Milestone on our complete review HERE.
SlimFit 3-in-1 Specs & Features:
- Rear-facing: 5-40 lbs. and top of head is 1″ below red adjuster handle
- Forward-facing (with harness): 20-65 lbs and 49″ or less
- Highback booster: 30-100 lbs. and 38-57″
- No-rethread harness with 10 position headrest
- Adjustable base with 4 recline positions (2 for rear-facing, 2 for forward-facing)
- Steel reinforced frame
- Energy-absorbing EPS foam
- Premium push-on lower LATCH connectors
- Single cup holder
- 10-year lifespan before expiration
We currently have a Graco Extend2Fit and love it. However the straps will only tighten from the back, I am assuming this will be difficult once we forward face her. I would also like to have a seat that will be a high back booster, my only question on this seat is if the straps are easily adjusted from the front and if they fabric is breathable?
Kaitlin, the E2F’s harness is tougher to tighten the lower the headrest is because there’s only one set of harness slots. As the headrest is lower, the friction is higher on the harness. So the higher the headrest (as the child grows), the easier the harness will be to adjust. The 4Ever E2F has a different style of harness routing on the back which is smoother, so it should be easier when the child is smaller.
Each fabric fashion is a bit different so it’s hard to say if it’s breatheable. I think in general they are.