Clek Foonf Convertible Car Seat Review (DDL Gives a Foonf!)

So foonfing comfy

If you are a veteran reader of Dirty Diaper Laundry and it’s extensive selection of cloth diaper reviews, you may have heard me mention my youngest daughter, Autumn, and her rather surprising growth spurt once or twice. I had become accustomed to my first child, Harper, who wore 0-3 month clothing the first six months of her life and while she’s had some sweet little pinchable cheeks she has always been on the tiny side. When Autumn was born a pound heavier and outgrew her newborn clothes in a week I was a bit startled. She is now nine months old and has been pretty solidly in eighteen month clothing for a while. She jumped off the growth chart at the doctors’ office pretty early on (though she has always remained perfectly height/weight proportionate) and is just now beginning to settle a bit.

When I researched convertible car seats I was lucky enough to have an amazing community of kind and compassionate families local to me who shared how important extended rear facing truly is. The current recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is to keep your child rear facing until at least the age of two. If your child is within the height and weight limits of their seat while rear facing, it is suggested smart to keep him or her rear facing as long as possible, since this position best protects the most fragile parts of a young child’s body (their head, neck and spine).

Clek Foonf Review and extender rear facing

Seeing the rapid rate at which my youngest was growing, I had a sinking suspicion she would outgrow the limits of most car seats (rear facing usually tops out at forty pounds) and was so excited to see the Clek Foonf at MommyCon and learn that it would allow fifty pounds and up to forty three inches height. Even forward facing would work with this seat up to sixty five pounds and forty nine inches height, meaning my daughter can enjoy this plush luxury seat for years to come.

The first thing you notice about the Foonf is the design, these beautiful seats look like something from a high quality sci fi flick with a wink to the clean lines and understated beauty of mid century modern design. Along with a rainbow of bold and eye catching solid shades, Clek has also partnered with Paul Frank and even Tokidoki to offer fun and drool worthy prints.

The Foonf is big, no doubt about it. Measuring in rear facing mode at a whopping twenty eight point seventy five inches and weighing thirty six pounds, this is not a seat you would easily transfer between cars on a daily basis. However, with a surprisingly slim profile (seventeen inches at its widest) this seat still fits many smaller vehicles without issue. I tested it in a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee (my husband just upgraded), and a 1996 Toyota Tercel (yes, I drive a stick, yes, it still runs) and while the seat is quite high, it still fits in all three vehicles and is still easy to use. I was lucky enough to test it with both my girls (adjusting the belts is simple to learn and there is a very convenient pocket for the manual right in the body of the seat) and they really seem to enjoy having a clearer view out the window.

autumnclekfoonf-2

Another key feature that impressed me regarding the Foonf is the absence of brominated and chlorinated flame retardants. Clek uses Crypton® Super Fabrics which are GREENGUARD Select Certified and provide permanent protection against stains, moisture and odor-causing bacteria. As a mom who tests the limits of a wide variety of cloth diapers on her babies and has to deal with the occasional mishap, this material is a really big deal to me. I want safe fabrics on my baby’s skin at all times, not just in our home.

With Harper especially, I was able to note the superior strength of this seat. My local CPST (child passenger safety advocate) taught me that a properly installed car seat should not move more than one inch in any direction. My two year old can be very cranky after her naps, and attempting to belt her into a car seat to run an errand is like trying to wrestle an alligator. With her old seat I constantly worried about whether there was less than an inch of shift, she could rock the seat with her bucking and kicking. The Clek Foonf comes with an anti rebound bar to be used during rear facing installation, and while the chief purpose of this bar is to prevent the seat from rotating in the event of a collision, it serves additional purpose as peace of mind to help keep the seat stable during even the most epic toddler tantrums. Once she is buckled Harper calms down right away, pacified by the view and probably by the super soft plush material of the Foonf seat.

autumnclekfoonf-1

When researching seats I tried to consider our family budget and looked at price to see what seats would cost less. After looking into it I realized these lower priced seats were not actually a better value as I would need to replace them when my girls outgrew the limitations, and they also did not offer the features that I felt were most important. Pitching a big ticket purchase to your spouse is never easy, regardless of your financial situation, so I chose to consider it as I would other items we often pay more for. With purchases like a car, house, engagement ring, or even furniture, we tend to look at a “cost per wear/use” and are willing to set aside more for these items that receive frequent attention. From this perspective, the four forty nine you spend on a 2015 Foonf can be considered over a time period of several years. Add the new infant insert (called the infant thingy, which I find hilarious) for sixty nine ninety nine (less than most infant car seats which collect dust in your garage after a few months, and this can be easily stored in a compact footprint) and you have a seat that will take you from day one to sixty five pounds, and with a nine year life before expiration, it can be used for siblings as well.

I adore this seat for its beautiful design and colors, clear instructions, and soft materials. Everything about this car seat says luxury and style to me, and I am so thrilled to share it with you today. If you’re interested in a Foonf of your own (and who wouldn’t be?) stayed tuned for a giveaway to win a brand new Clek Foonf in Thunder!

Back to school Clek Sale

Just can’t wait? I don’t blame you. They are having an incredible sale now, starting on August 1st and running thru the 16th, take up to 15% off all Clek products! This sale will be valid on shop.clekinc.com (U.S.),http://shop.clekinc.ca (Canada), as well as thru participating retailers.

Wondering if there is a store near you that carries Clek? Find out by using their Retailer Locator! http://clekinc.com/retailers/ Don’t miss the chance at some great deals on your favorite Clek products! Ride On!

Clek and DDL want to give ONE reader a Foonf in the oh so sleek Thunder color palette!  You’re not dreaming and this is not a drill!  You’ll have 1 week to enter.  This giveaway is for US residents only for shipping reasons.  🙁 I know, sorry.

Enter to win a Clek Foonf Convertible US Only

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