Updated: 2017 and 2018 Nuna PIPA lite and PIPA lite lx Preview
Ever wondered why after decades of popularity, infant carriers still seem heavy? With all the inserts and a canopy it’s like somehow the upscale models all feel close to 10 pounds. We’ve heard promises of ultra-light, carbon fiber designs for years, but they’ve never appeared. So what is the absolute lightest weight rear-facing only infant carseat carrier on the market in the USA for 2017? In September, it will be the nuna PIPA™ lite at only 6 pounds with canopy! It’s a hair over 5 pounds without canopy, and just under 7 pounds with both the full newborn insert and canopy.
The PIPA lite will be sold at independent Brixy affiliated retailers in the USA for $349. Nordstrom is now taking pre-orders for the deluxe PIPA lite lx at $399. It should ship by early December. Adding only half a pound, nuna gives the lx the awesome Dream Drape™ canopy plus upgraded Merino wool TENCEL™ blend knit fabrics with no flame retardants added! We’ve felt these new wool fabrics and they have a very premium, soft feel.
Here are the basics. The PIPA lite shaves just over 2.5 pounds off the fabulous PIPA. The lite lx is more than 2 pounds lighter than the original PIPA. Lightweight, high performance materials in the shell and foam liners allowed nuna to cut the weight considerably while claiming to have no reduction in crash testing performance! Notably, they use high strength aluminum and proprietary aeroflex™ EPP energy absorbing foam fused directly to a re-invented semi-flexible thin wall shell. That means no more breaking of the stiff, white energy absorbing foam layer found in most carseats. Both PIPA lite and lite lx are completely flame retardant free. Both lite models come with an all-new matching head and body newborn insert. The patented design with memory foam insert helps it to meet the enhanced European 129 safety standard. They also include an extra set of dye-free GOTS™ certified organic cotton newborn inserts and harness/crotch strap covers inside the box!
PIPA lite carrier specs:
- Weight limit: 4-32 lbs
- Height limit: up to 32″
- Inside depth: ~14″
- Inside hip width: ~9″
- Inside height: ~18″
- Buckle slot depth: 7″
- Harness slot heights: 6″, 7.5″, 9.5″
- Outside dimensions: 27.25″ x 17.5″w x 22.5″h
- Carrier weight: 5.3 lbs, 6.1 lbs with canopy
- Carrier + insert weight: 6.7 lbs with canopy
- Handle positions: 3
- Harness height positions: 3 (2 using insert)
- Expiration: 7 years
The lite models use the same steel-reinforced PIPA base as the original model. That includes the dual bubble recline indicators, load stability leg and belt lock-off system, plus the wonderful rigid LATCH attachments. LATCH guides are included in the box to help with installation.
This is a pretty amazing feat of engineering, to be honest. As with every single carseat design on the market, there are always tradeoffs and compromises.I think those with the PIPA lite are worth the reduction in weight! Notably, the lite and lite lx must be installed with the PIPA base. They feature a single, fixed crotch strap position. This is not a matter of cost. It turns out that carrier-only installation and extra slots in the shell require considerably more reinforcement to meet nuna’s stringent safety standards. That would mean adding significant weight back into the carrier design. For parents who must have either or both of those features, the original PIPA will still be available and is a little less expensive, too! The PIPA lite and lite lx were not initially FAA certified, but have since been certified for airplane use with the base. Owners of early production models can request a kit with a new manuals and labels to reflect this retroactive update.
Whether it’s the sleek, ultramodern design with leatherette handle or the 6 pound weight, I think the PIPA lite and lite lx will be great additions to the original PIPA that is one of our 2017 Recommended Carseats and an Editors’ Pick. You can find our full review of the original PIPA here. We will have a full review of the PIPA lite within the next month or so at CarseatBlog.
Updated October 18, 2017
I am told the PIPA lite is now FAA certified for airplane use with the base! Owners of early production retail models can call Nuna for a replacement label kit with aircraft instructions.
We know for some parents, installation without a base is an important feature. If you frequently use a ride-sharing service or taxi, you should definitely go with the original PIPA.
For many parents, especially the typical suburban families, installation without the base is something you rarely use, if ever. But to shave off 2.5 pounds is something you will LOVE every single trip! I have many clients that never used a base only install and some who refused to use it that way, even after I instructed them on how to do so. It’s all personal preference, of course. For some who buy a premium seat at this price point, you could buy one PIPA and one PIPA lite. That gives you a base for each car and you have the choice of a super lite carrier or one that offers a few more features:-)
Car seat design is a compromise and having lots of choices is a great thing! That’s why we love that nuna offers both the original PIPA and the PIPA lite. And we guess that somewhere down the road, having more experience with their new light weight design may allow them to bring back some of these features and still have a lighter design!