Authentic Graco SlimFit All-in-One Automobile Seat Overview
UPDATE: We have now a separate assessment right here for the ultra-slim SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 mannequin. The SlimFit3 LX mannequin is even slimmer than the unique mannequin because it was particularly designed for 3-across conditions, nevertheless it’s additionally dearer than the authentic Graco SlimFit mannequin on this assessment.
A typical challenge that folks and caregivers encounter with their automobile seats pertains to area within the backseat. Whether or not it is because of a small car, a rising household, or car limitations, having sufficient area for a number of automobile seats in your backseat will be a difficulty.
The unique SlimFit 3-in-1 was launched a few years in the past with area points in thoughts. This slender and reasonably priced Slimfit mannequin is meant to unravel at the least a few of your carseat area woes and never break your checking account within the course of. Let’s take a more in-depth look!
SlimFit 3-in-1 Specs
- Rear-facing: 5-40 lbs. and prime of head is 1″ beneath crimson adjuster deal with
- Ahead-facing (with harness): 22-65 lbs. and 49″ or much less
- Excessive-back booster: 40-100 lbs. and 43-57″ and at the least 4 years previous
SlimFit Options
- No-rethread harness with 10 place headrest
- Adjustable base with 4 recline positions (2 for rear-facing, 2 for forward-facing)
- Metal strengthened body
- Power-absorbing EPS foam
- Premium push-on decrease LATCH connectors (LATCH restrict: little one weight of 45 lbs.)
- Twin cupholders which will be rotated away to save lots of area
- IIHS Greatest Guess Booster Match Score
- Ten-year expiration date
- Made in China
- MSRP $219.99 (though at present on sale for 25% Off)
SlimFit Measurements
- Lowest harness top (with toddler insert): 7″
- Highest harness top: 18”
- Tallest booster top: 18.75″
- Crotch buckle positions: 5″, 6.25″, 7.5″
- Inside seat width: 12″
- Widest exterior seat width: 18.5″ (at wings, though for those who use each cupholders it’s wider on the armrest space)
- Widest level throughout armrest space: 17″ (each cupholders retracted) or 19.75″ (each cupholders prolonged)
Comparability of SlimFit & SlimFit3 LX Fashions
The unique SlimFit is similar to the Graco Milestone, with some minor variations. You possibly can see the pink Milestone (pictured beneath) and the Slimfit subsequent to it with its twin cupholders swiveled in. They’re so comparable, actually, that I used to be skeptical about whether or not the SlimFit actually provided any extra benefits over my beloved Graco Milestone. Might I actually match a SlimFit someplace that I couldn’t match my Milestone? Might I discover a seat that I cherished much more than my Milestone? I’m comfortable to say that I feel I’ve!
Graco Milestone (left) and Slimfit (proper).
Set up
To begin with, the set up of the SlimFit could be very straightforward, identical to my beloved Milestone. The directions are straightforward to grasp and the seat options premium push-on LATCH connectors.
I shortly discovered that there’s a helpful tab on the SlimFit cowl and it’s straightforward to entry the rear-facing beltpath.
Entry to SlimFit rear-facing beltpath
The SlimFit has 4 recline positions: two for rear-facing, 2 for forward-facing. In my Subaru Impreza, I used to be in a position to set up it rear-facing in both of the 2 recline allowable recline positions, though the extra upright place was virtually too upright in my car, in response to the extent indicator.
I used to be in a position to set up the SlimFit rear-facing and nonetheless match comfortably within the entrance seat however I’m solely 5’4″ — your mileage might range, in fact.
Ahead-facing, the SlimFit put in simply with both the seatbelt or LATCH.
LATCH Weight Limits
Ahead-facing LATCH weight restrict: 45 lbs.
Heart LATCH installations with Non-Normal Spacing:
Graco permits LATCH set up within the heart seating place provided that the LATCH anchor bars are spaced 11” aside. Which means the middle seating place MUST be a devoted LATCH seating place or a type of uncommon autos the place the spacing is *excellent*.
Inflatable Seat Belts
Graco has decided that the SlimFit CAN be put in with inflatable seat belts present in some Ford Motor Firm autos.
There aren’t any points when utilizing the seat as a belt-positioning booster.
Set up Subsequent to Different Seats
With solely two youngsters, I don’t routinely have to do a 3-across, however I do admire the flexibility to put in seats side-by-side now and again. This enables a 3rd grownup to trip within the car, if wanted. I appreciated having the ability to set up the rear-facing SlimFit within the heart after we went on a street journey with a tall grownup journey companion. Since we’d be switching drivers, it was necessary that neither of the entrance seats had been too cramped. I used to be not going to be switching the automobile seats round each time we stopped at a relaxation cease. Placing the SlimFit within the heart seating place meant that both of the entrance seats may very well be adjusted to a secure place for my tall pal.
Whereas the SlimFit undoubtedly matches properly subsequent to different seats, it’s not a assure that it alone will resolve your area challenge.
A rear-facing and forward-facing SlimFit may match side-by-side very properly. In reality, as you’ll be able to see within the image beneath, they puzzle collectively so effectively that in my car they didn’t even contact each other.
Once more, all of those configurations had been carried out in my Subaru Impreza, which isn’t precisely recognized for its spacious again seat. In some bigger autos with extra room to work with, the choices for different seats could also be extra diverse.
Match to Little one
The SlimFit options an optionally available physique assist that can be utilized to offer a greater match for newborns and smaller infants. The physique assist is required if the child’s shoulders are beneath the bottom harness setting however is optionally available for bigger infants. There may be additionally a detachable headrest pillow and harness strap covers, each of which haven’t any necessities to be used. My youngsters didn’t just like the harness strap covers and didn’t want the physique assist, so we eliminated these. Each of them preferred the headrest pillow and located it to be good and soft for sleeping.
My 4.5-year-old is 33 kilos and 39 inches, so she doesn’t meet the minimal weight or top necessities (40 lbs. & at the least 43″ tall) for utilizing the Slimfit as a booster. She nonetheless rides in a 5-point harness anyway and we’re in no hurry to maneuver her to a booster. Nonetheless, I did strive her within the seat with simply the seatbelt to see how the belt match was. We didn’t drive anyplace however listed here are a number of pics. The belt match was first rate, however she is unquestionably too small to make use of the seat in booster mode.
Changing Between Modes
Transferring the LATCH strap from the rear-facing beltpath to the forward-facing beltpath is pretty straightforward and handy. The seat has one LATCH strap which slides below a metallic bar. Here’s a video exhibiting the way to transfer the LATCH strap from the rear-facing beltpath to the forward-facing beltpath (and vice versa). The video demonstrates how to do that on a unique Graco fashions however the course of for shifting the LATCH strap is the precisely the identical on the unique SlimFit.
The harness elements on SlimFit shouldn’t have to be eliminated whenever you change the seat to booster mode. To transform the seat to booster mode, slide the buckle tongues and chest clip items collectively, then retailer them within the handy storage compartment below the duvet.
If you happen to had the SlimFit put in forward-facing with LATCH, you’ll be able to even make the change to booster mode whereas the seat remains to be put in. Graco means that you can safe the SlimFit with LATCH whereas utilizing it in booster mode so long as the set up doesn’t intervene with entry to the seatbelt buckle.
Care and Upkeep
The SlimFit cowl is comparatively straightforward to take away and is machine cleanable. The duvet is hooked up principally with clips and elastic bands and the removing is kind of intuitive. Only for enjoyable, earlier than watching any movies or studying the directions for removing, I timed myself eradicating the duvet. It took me 2 minutes and 15 seconds and didn’t trigger me to tear something or throw a tantrum. Re-attaching it wasn’t tough both, though within the meantime it’s a must to be sure you don’t lose the little white plastic anchors whereas the seat cowl is within the wash.
Conclusion
The Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 is a compact, versatile, reasonably priced seat that matches all kinds of youngsters. It provides all of the necessary options like a no-rethread harness, a number of recline positions, premium push-on LATCH connectors, a harness that could be a breeze to tighten and loosen, plus twin cupholders! The low profile design makes it straightforward to load and unload your little one, and ultimately makes it simpler for them to climb out and in on their very own. The SlimFit additionally scores an IIHS Greatest Guess Booster Match Score.
The unique Graco SlimFit is simple to put in and use appropriately in all modes of use. General, you gained’t discover a higher automobile seat for this worth!
Up to date February 2024
