Britax Gen2 FlexFit+/Endeavours Rear-Facing Only Carseat Review
Britax continues to improve upon the B-Safe 35 design with the Britax Gen2 FlexFit+*. The Gen2 FlexFit+ has all the Britax basics: SafeCell Impact Protection in the base, two layers of side impact protection on the carrier shell, large canopy, and ergonomic handle. But it also adds a steel anti-rebound bar, which can reduce rebound rotation by up to 30% in a frontal crash, and the ability to install the carrier using Euro-style belt routing with the shoulder belt routed behind the carrier.
*The Gen2 FlexFit+ is tough to find as a stand-alone carseat due to supply chain issues. Finding it as a part of a travel system is much easier.
Weight and Height Limits:
- Rear-facing 4-35 lbs., AND 32” tall or less, AND child’s head is 1” below top of head rest
Gen2 FlexFit+ Overview:
- Complete Side Impact Protection – deep protective shell is designed to absorb crash forces
- 6-position no-rethread harness
- 2 crotch strap/buckle positions (before 11 lbs./after 11 lbs.)
- Energy-absorbing EPP foam
- Deluxe push-on style lower LATCH connectors
- Lockoffs for installation with seatbelt
- Dual recline angle indicators
- Steel anti-rebound bar on base that reduces rebound rotation by up to 30%
- SafeCell impact-absorbing steel frame base – these red cells compress in a crash to absorb crash energy
- Can be installed without base using standard or Euro-style belt path routing
- Ergonomic handle can be in any of the 4 locked positions in the vehicle
- Deep seat pan
- Extra-large canopy
- Smooth bottom base
- FAA-approved for use on aircraft
- 6 yr lifespan before seat expires
- Made in the USA!
2022 Gen2 FlexFit+ Fashions: Asher, CleanComfort Black, Cool N Dry (Bamboo, SafeWash), Drift (SafeWash), Jet (SafeWash), Midnight
All fashions made from Britax’s “SafeWash Fabric” are free of flame-retardant chemicals and safe to throw in the washing machine and dryer (read your owner’s manual)
Britax updated the B-Safe 35 in 2021 and gave it the Gen2 name. The interior seating area has been opened up, making it roomier for the child. There are also minor changes to the way the lower LATCH connectors are attached to the base and the recline angle indicator has a more concise window, as opposed to arrows pointing to where the indicator should be. There are 3 models, listed below:
B-Safe Gen2: Base model review here; MSRP $199.99
B-Safe Gen2 FlexFit: Adds no-rethread harness, headwings, body support, and Euro belt guide for baseless install; MSRP $249.99
B-Safe Gen2 FlexFit+: Adds no-rethread harness, headwings, body support, Euro belt guide for baseless install, and an anti-rebound bar to the base; MSRP $309.99. The Gen2 FlexFit+ is only currently available in travel systems due to supply chain issues.
Gen2 FlexFit+ Base
If you want to purchase additional Gen2 FlexFit+ bases to use in other vehicles, they are available separately for $149.99 in the U.S. and $179.99 in Canada. The Gen2 FlexFit+ base is also compatible with current B-Safe 35 and B-Safe 35 Elite models if you already own one of those seats. The Gen2 FlexFit+ base is NOT FAA-approved for use on airplanes but the carrier is.
Measurements:
No-rethread harness with 6 height positions: 5”-11 ½”
External widest point: 18”
Width of base at belt path: 13 3/8”
Width of base at widest point: 13 ½”
Internal shell height: 20 ½”
Crotch strap depth: 4”, 6”
Seat depth: 12”
Carrier weight: 11.2 lbs.
Installation
The anti-rebound bar may or may not make contact with your vehicle seat back and that’s okay. Britax doesn’t specify a distance that’s too far away for it to be ineffective. It’s covered with removable mesh to keep toes from getting caught underneath when your child’s legs are longer.
I’ve found that sometimes it’s easier to get a tighter install using the seat belt than the LATCH connectors. However, the lockoff can be tricky to slide the shoulder belt into, so I pull the seat belt as tight as I can, then pull the shoulder belt straight down before sliding it into the lockoff. I’ve found that in doing that, it helps keep the shoulder belt tight and makes it easier to slide the belt in the lockoff.
If you are installing using the lower LATCH connectors, extend the 2 straps, attach the connectors to the lower anchor bars in your vehicle then pull on each center strap until the base is tight and doesn’t move more than 1″ from side to side when you test for tightness *at the beltpath*. After the base is tight, feed the slack in the center straps into the base and you’re good to go!
The carrier can be installed using the European belt guide on the back of the carseat just below the release handle, making the Gen2 FlexFit+ “rideshare ready.” The lap belt is threaded through the belt guides on top of the carrier and buckled, then the shoulder belt is wrapped around behind the seat and placed into the Euro belt guide. If your seat belt isn’t long enough to wrap around behind the carseat, don’t worry; you can still install the carrier the standard way with only the lap belt through the guides on top of the seat. Do NOT attempt to route the seat belt this way while the carrier is on the base.
Center LATCH installations with Non-Standard Spacing:
Britax only allows lower LATCH connector installation in the center seating position when the vehicle manufacturer has designated it as a LATCH location.
Inflatable Seat Belts
Britax has determined that the Gen2 FlexFit+ cannot be installed with inflatable seat belts found in some Ford, Lincoln, and Mercedes vehicles, and in some airplane seat belts.
Fit to Child
Fit for both my preemie and large newborn dolls was excellent. The harness adjuster was so smooth that I actually loosened and tightened the harness on both dolls more than was necessary “just because” (uh, CPST geekiness there).
Here is the fit on a 4-month-old who weighs 14 lbs. and is 24″ long.
Remember the magic number 11 because lots of adjustments must happen when a child reaches 11 lbs. At 11 lbs., remove the bottom “infant comfort pillow.” This is the insert cushion that the child sits on. Reposition the buckle to the outer buckle slot at 11 lbs. as well. Then, loosen the harness all the way and turn the carrier over. Remove the harness from the metal splitter plate (the instruction manual calls this piece the “harness yoke”) and place the end loops on the splitter plate.
Out-of-the-box harness setting for newborns – splitter plate (aka, “yoke”) attached to upper loops on webbing
Over 11 lbs. harness setting – splitter plate attached to loops at end of webbing which increases harness length
Gen2 FlexFit+ Stroller Compatibility:
Endeavors utilizes Britax’s Click & Go system to attach to any of their strollers. It is compatible with the Britax B-Ready, B-Agile, B-Agile Double Stroller, & the brand new B-Free stroller. Note: The B-Agile Double can only accept one carseat. With the Britax adapter bar, you can also make this carseat compatible with BOB jogging strollers but keep in mind that it is not recommended that you actually jog with your stroller when an infant carseat is attached to it. Compatibility with other stroller brands will depend on whether that manufacturer offers a Britax adapter.
Gen2 FlexFit+ Advantages:
- No-rethread harness with 6 height positions
- Narrow interior and deep sides provide excellent protection in side-impact crashes
- Impact-absorbing base with Safe Cell technology and premium lower LATCH connectors
- Steel anti-rebound bar that’s covered with mesh to keep toes from getting caught underneath
- Can be installed without base using standard or Euro-style belt path routing
- Lockoffs for simplified installation with seatbelt
- Fits preemies and small newborns well
- Smooth as silk harness adjuster
- Large canopy
- Easy to remove cover
- Quick and easy attachment to any Britax stroller with Click & Go system
- Instruction manual and labels are clear and easy to understand
- Made in USA!
Gen2 FlexFit+ Disadvantages:
(In fairness, these may not be a problem for everyone but I list some potential disadvantages that may be an issue for some parents.)
- Heavy carrier – weighs in at 11.2 lbs.
Britax has taken a very nice rear-facing only infant seat and upped the safety ante by adding a steel anti-rebound bar to the base and offering the option to install the carrier Euro-style when traveling without the base. The Gen2 FlexFit+ fits babies well, especially itty bitty ones, and is easy to use. Parents will like the sleek styling and easy installation.
For more information on Gen2 FlexFit+, and the B-Free + Gen2 FlexFit+ Travel System, visit the Britax website.
Thank you to Britax, for supplying the Gen2 FlexFit+ Infant Carseat used for this review. No other compensation was provided. All opinions expressed are those of CarseatBlog.