Car Accident...must replace seats

[aclee]

I was rear ended twice in less than a month with the second accident being pretty bad. The insurance company is now replacing my seats. They haven't asked what we had (Evenflo Triumph Advanced) and I'm buying new seats and getting reimbursed. I bought the other car seats because they rear faced for a long time, but now my guys are all forward facing (almost 4, almost 5, and 5) so I'd like to buy something that forward faces only, and goes up to a high weight in the 5 point harness. I'd also like something with a smaller width/base than the Evenflo, which we affectionately call the "pod" because it's so wide. I am thinking about Radians, but wanted to get everyone's opinions!

Thanks!

[Computermama]

Normally I'd recommend the fronteir, but they're kinda beastly. The secure kid seats have good reviews, anyone know how wide they are?

[solarbabies]

The secure kid seats are narrower than the frontier. But not sure how narrow. Do you have to get 3 across or do you have a 3rd row?

[aclee]

I'm in a minivan, so we have room, but eventually my husband will be getting some kind of SUV, so we'd need to fit three across there. I have plenty of space in the minivan, I'm just wanting seats that are more versatile than "The Pods". Are Radians no longer recommended? It's been a few years since I looked into seats. Last I knew (and thought) they were narrow, and great seats. I'll go check out the other two you mentioned on Amazon. Thanks

[jjordan]

Radians generally aren't recommended if you're only using them to forward face, because the booster function of the radians is not terrific, whereas other combination seats are better for that. Since you are replacing Evenflo Triumph Advance seats, I'd go with Evenflo Secure Kid (300 or 400), Graco Nautilus, or maybe Harmony Defender 360 seats since they are what I would consider to be comparable, price-wise.

When the time comes for 3 across in dh's new vehicle (what kind of time frame is "eventually"?), I might consider narrow boosters for the older two rather than planning to move seats around all the time. Sort of depends on how old/heavy/mature the kids are when the new vehicle comes into use, how often it is used, etc. But I wouldn't want to buy seats now with the intention of using them in a 3 across unless you're getting the new car very soon and the kids will be riding there at least half the time.

[Bubbasmom]

We have the Britax Frontier. It doesn't seem too big and has good safety ratings.

[Sweet_Fantasy_Fox]

I'd get Radians and keep them harnessed and ff if that's what you want to do. My kids all use Radians, my oldest is 10 now but used his until he turned 8, my dd1 is going to be 8 next month and still fits in hers with room and is FF, my 5 year old is in his FF and then my baby is in hers RF. I really love these seats.

[jackyl08]

The Frontier is nice, but since there are no safety ratings, all seats are equal. The Frontier is much larger than the other combo seats. I have the Secure Kid 400 and it's nice. My oldest is two days older than your youngest and finds it comfy. She does have head slump when she sleeps, though. We have no slump in the Frontier. The Nautilus is nice as well. For the price of the Radians, you could get three Frontiers or three Recaro Prosports or pretty much anything.

[luvsviola]

Radians are narrow. For an older kid, I wouldn't buy one. I'd look at Nautilus, Secure Kid, and if insurance was paying and you have room, Frontier, and have DH wait to get a new car til kiddos are boostered.

[aclee]

Just wanted to follow up that we got three Frontier 85's and so far we love them! Thank you!