2021 Chicco Fit4 All-in-One Review – Safety & Fit 4 Different Stages!

2021 Chicco Fit4 Review *Pic Heavy*

Chicco has a solid reputation for making carseats that are safe, easy to use and exceptionally easy to install. I’m happy to report that they continue this legacy with their newest seat, Chicco Fit4, an All-in-One that’s full of the thoughtful details and ease-of-use features that you’ve come to expect from Chicco!

Fit4 is available at Amazon, BuyBuyBaby, Target, and directly from the Chicco USA website. MSRP is $349.99.

2021 Fit4 Fashions:

There are a total of six Fit4 fashions to choose from but some of them may be exclusive to certain retailers. The review sample that I have is in the “Element” fashion which is currently available at BuyBuyBaby. Amazon carries Onyx, Carina & Stratosphere fashions. Target also carries those fashions plus one called Altitude.

You’re probably wondering what makes Fit4 stand out in a crowded field of All-in-One carseats? For starters, the 4-stage “FitKit” system features a series of inserts that provide optimal fit and comfort for each stage of your child’s growth and development. From infant to toddler to preschooler to big kid, Fit4 offers your child optimal comfort and protection as they grow.

The next major advantage of Fit4 is longevity – this seat is TALL which means more growing room before your kids outgrow it!  Last but not least, the SuperCinch force-multiplying system makes it possible for anyone, even an elderly caregiver, to get a rock-solid installation using LATCH.

 

Chicco Fit4 Specs & Features:

• Rear-Facing: 4-40 lbs., up to 43″ tall
• Forward-Facing: 25-65 lbs.; 54″ or less; at least 1 year old
• Booster: 40-100 lbs., 38-57″, at least 4 years old
• 10-year lifespan before expiration
• “FITKIT” System – a series of inserts that provide optimal fit for each stage
• SuperCinch LATCH tightening system with premium push-on LATCH connectors
• No-rethread harness (10 height positions)
• 2 crotch strap/buckle positions
• 2-position chest clip
• Lockoffs for rear-facing and forward-facing installations with seatbelt
• 9 recline positions
• Liquid bubble level indicator (for RF, FF & Booster mode)
• Harness, chest clip and buckle all store in the shell for booster mode
• Steel-reinforced frame
• Energy-absorbing EPS foam lines the sides and the headwings
• Smooth bottom base with won’t damage vehicle upholstery
• Flexible “CupFolders” are removable and dishwasher safe
• Machine washable fabrics
• QR code that links to instructions for the 4 stages
• Made in China
• MSRP $349.99

Fit4 Stages:

Infant: Rear-facing 4-16 lbs.

Toddler: Rear-facing 12-40 lbs. (remove the Stage 1 infant insert)

Preschooler: Forward-facing 25-65 lbs. (remove the Stage 2 inserts which are only for rear-facing)

Big Kid: Booster mode 40-100 lbs. and at least 4 years old (store the harness and the buckle, put the shoulder belt pad on the seatbelt).

Fit4 Measurements:

• Lowest harness height setting: 6.5″ with Stage 1 insert (measuring is subjective); 8″ without insert
• Tallest harness height setting: 18.5″ – 19″ (depending on how you measure)
• Shoulder belt guide max height (for booster mode): 21″
• Crotch strap positions: 4″, 6″
• Seat pan depth (legroom/thigh support): 14.5″
• Seat width at widest point: 19″
• Weight: 25 lbs.

Installation Comments:

Installing Fit4 with LATCH:

Fit4 comes out of the box with the LATCH connectors in the rear-facing beltpath and they are visible, not hiding in their latch storage compartment, which is smart. Getting a rock-solid installation with LATCH takes very little effort thanks to the SuperCinch force-multiplying system. Note – when you are tightening the “pull 2nd” latch strap on the SuperCinch side, you can either pull straight up or straight down. I find that in taller vehicles like pickups or large SUVs that it’s easier for me to tighten the latch strap by pulling it straight down. However, in vehicles that are lower to the ground, it’s generally easier for me to pull the strap straight up to tighten it.

Latch Comments: Weight Limits & Other Stuff You Need to Know

Rear-facing – the rear-facing LATCH weight limit is 35 lbs. Once your child reaches 35 lbs., you should install your rear-facing Fit4 with seatbelt using the lockoff.

Forward-facing – you can use the LATCH system in your vehicle (lower anchors and tether) to install the Fit4 forward-facing until your child reaches 40 lbs. If your child weighs between 40-65 lbs., install with the seatbelt using the lockoff. Always use the top tether strap if you have a tether anchor for that seating position.

Center LATCH installations: Fit4 does NOT allow center latch installations with “Non-Standard Spacing” so you can only take advantage of the easy LATCH installations with SuperCinch if you are installing in a dedicated LATCH seating position with standardized spacing (11″).

Moving the LATCH strap from the rear-facing beltpath to the forward-facing beltpath: Open the LATCH storage compartments on the sides of the seat. Make sure both sides of the latch strap are fully lengthened. Shimmy and slide the latch strap into the forward-facing beltpath. Shut the latch storage compartments.

Installing Fit4 with seatbelt:

If you aren’t using the lower LATCH connectors – store them in the little compartments on the sides of the seat.

Rear-facing installation with seatbelt is a little more challenging than using LATCH simply because you have layers of padding on top of your beltpath. Getting your hand underneath all of that and threading the seatbelt through the beltpath isn’t horrible but it takes a little patience. Having small hands definitely helps. Once your seatbelt is buckled, you pull it tight and slide just the shoulder belt portion of the seatbelt into the lockoff. If you are using the lockoff (and you should always use the lockoff if you are installing with a lap/shoulder seatbelt), locking the seatbelt at the retractor is optional. It’s not necessary (as long as you have used the lockoff correctly), but it’s not bad or wrong to lock the seatbelt at the retractor in addition to using the lockoff on Fit4. Note: in the picture below I removed the cupholder so you can see the seatbelt in the rear-facing lockoff better.

Forward-facing installation with seatbelt and tether is relatively easy which is good news because you can’t install Fit4 using the lower LATCH anchors once your kid weighs more than 40 lbs. The lockoffs on Fit4 aren’t really obvious so make sure you understand what and where they are. Again, after sliding the shoulder belt portion of the seatbelt into the lockoff, locking the seatbelt at the retractor is optional.

Fit4 in Booster Mode: 

When your child is ready to transition to booster mode, you store the harness, chest clip and buckle under the cover in little cubbies made specifically for this purpose. Next, you can attach the lower LATCH connectors and the tether (this is optional but if you are using the Fit4 in a seating position that has LATCH then you probably should take advantage of this option). Adjust the height of the booster to optimally fit your child, adjust the recline angle to make sure your bubble level is in the right zone for Stage 4, then add the shoulder belt pad to your seatbelt. Easy peasy! Honestly, it’s easy enough that it wouldn’t be a problem to switch back and forth between harness and booster modes if you were using one seat for different kids.

Fit-to-Vehicle:

Fit4 installs very similarly to a Chicco NextFit and this is excellent news because the NextFit installs well in almost every vehicle. Fit4 doesn’t take up a lot of room rear-facing as long as you don’t need the maximum recline angle required for stage 1. For older babies and rear-facing toddlers, Fit4 can be installed more upright in the rear-facing position which then creates more legroom for the adult sitting in the front seat.

I did run into some issues installing Fit4 in the center of my Hyundai Tucson with seatbelt, but I can’t blame the carseat for that. The center seating position of that small SUV is very narrow and has a detachable seatbelt that comes from the ceiling. It’s a problematic seating position. However, in the outboard positions of my Tucson, as well as in my minivan, it was all sunshine and rainbows.

Fit-to-Child:

I’ve tried multiple children ranging from 14 lbs. to 75 lbs. in the Fit4 and every kid fit beautifully.  Even the 4 pound, 17″ preemie doll fit really nicely with the stage 1 insert and the chest clip in the more narrow position.

Preemie Doll – 4 lbs., 17″. Great fit! Pictured with Stage 1 newborn insert.

3-month-old, 14 lbs., 23″. I tried him with and without the stage 1 newborn insert and he definitely fit better without it. Pictured below with just the stage 2 inserts and the chest clip in the more narrow position.

15 months, 22 lbs., 31″ with Stage 2 inserts and chest clip in wider position.

2 years old, 28 lbs., 34″ with Stage 2 inserts

4 years old, 39 lbs., 41” with Stage 2 inserts

6 years old, 37 lbs., 43″ in Stage 3

50 lbs., 48″ tall in Stage 4 – Booster Mode

75 lbs., 55″ tall in Stage 4 Booster Mode

QR Code/Crash Replacement/Inflatable Belts/FAA Approval:

• The QR code label is awesome! Just scan it with your phone and it automatically takes you to a site with info, links to videos and links to the online instruction manual.

• Chicco seats should be replaced after any crash (call customer service if you have questions about your situation)
• Installation with inflatable seatbelts (found in some Ford/Lincoln/Mercedes Benz vehicles) is NOT allowed. Use LATCH if possible or move Fit4 to a different seating position that does not have an inflatable seatbelt.
• FAA-approved for use on a plane with the 5-point harness (you can’t use any booster seat on an airplane). The FAA approval language is shown below (in red) and can be found underneath the seat along with the label that lists the model number, date of manufacture and expiration date.

Fit4 & NextFit Comparison:

Fit4 is obviously taller and has lower sides because it’s designed to be used as a booster, unlike the Chicco NextFit which is just a convertible seat. Other than that, the seats are pretty similar. They are both about the same width and they both install easily in most vehicles.

Fit4 Advantages:

• Fits a wide range of children very well – from small newborns to big kids in booster mode
• 2-position chest clip provides optimal harness positioning on small babies and big kids alike
• Great seat for extended rear-facing (for kids under 40 lbs.)
• Very tall top harness height setting should get most kids to the point where they are big enough and mature enough to transition to a booster
• Super easy installation with LATCH using SuperCinch
• RF & FF lockoffs for seatbelt installations
• 9 recline positions practically guarantee a perfect recline angle in almost any vehicle
• Easy to tighten and loosen harness straps
• Harness straps are not prone to twisting
• It doesn’t take up a lot of room rear-facing (especially if you don’t need the full recline for a newborn). This makes it a good option for smaller cars and for tall parents who may need to have the front seat all or most of the way back.
• Premium fabrics with extra padding for comfort
• Harness and buckle store in the seat when Fit4 is being used in booster mode
• Can use LATCH in booster mode
• Cover and inserts can be machine washed in cold water (delicate cycle, mild detergent, hang to dry)
• Smooth bottom base won’t damage vehicle upholstery
• Instruction manual is clear and well-written
• QR code links to concise information

Disadvantages:

(In all fairness these aren’t necessarily problems but I list them here to inform potential consumers of specific Fit4 issues)

• Heavy & bulky
• Due to regulatory LATCH weight limits, you must switch to a seatbelt installation once the child weighs more than 35 lbs. rear-facing or more than 40 lbs. forward-facing (not a big deal since you have lockoffs for easy seatbelt install but not quite as easy as using LATCH with SuperCinch)
• Rear-facing installation with seatbelt is not as easy as a LATCH installation. It’s harder to thread the seatbelt through the beltpath with the Stage 1 & Stage 2 inserts in place. And since Chicco does not allow center LATCH installations with non-standard LATCH spacing, you will likely need to use the seatbelt to install Fit4 in the center seating positions of most vehicles (unless you are lucky enough to have dedicated lower anchors for the center).

Conclusion:

All-in-One carseats continue to be an extremely popular choice with parents so I wasn’t surprised when Chicco launched the Fit4. I just crossed my fingers and hoped that the Chicco wizards had worked their usual magic. Thankfully, the wizards did not disappoint and I hope they all get a raise, a new wand, and an extra week of vacation time for their efforts.

For parents who prefer to skip the infant seat but are worried that a convertible won’t be a good fit if their newborn is small or arrives early, Fit4 will offer peace of mind. Even if you are using, or plan to use, an infant seat first and then transition to a convertible once the baby is a little older – the longevity, ease of use, and easy installation features of Fit4 make it a great option.

It’s hard for me to pick my favorite Fit4 features because there are so many things about this seat that are awesome but I do love a seat with a smooth and easy harness adjustment “like buttah” and Fit4 definitely earns that badge. It’s also nice that you have recline options in each stage (as long as you stay within the zone of the angle indicator). Even in booster mode, you are able to have Fit4 reclined a bit as long as you are within the range dictated by the angle indicator. Also, there is one feature that you probably won’t appreciate until you transition from rear-facing to forward-facing. That’s the point where you will shed the Stage 2 inserts that basically cover the entire seat. And when you peel off that layer, you will have a beautiful, clean, like-new seat underneath! If you don’t have kids yet, you might think that’s not a big deal but trust me after a couple of years of use, it’s going to be a significant bonus to have that fresh start with your trusty Fit4. 🙂

We have a video here comparing the Fit4 to the Chicco NextFit Convertible:

For more information on Fit4, check out the official Chicco webpage: https://www.chiccousa.com/fit4/

 

Thank you to Chicco for generously providing this Fit4 sample for review. The opinions and comments are entirely those of CarseatBlog.