Graco ComfortSport Car Seat Review

I have five children and have had a number of different carseats over the years.  I have never been rich but always wanted the best I could afford for my kids, I have invested a lot of time and effort into researching all kinds of child care products trying to invest as wisely as possible.  Over the years I have found that price does not reliably convey quality in infant care products- this is certainly the case with the Graco Comfort Sport.

The Comfort Sport was very affordable, when I purchased in 2006 I paid less than $70 at KMart.  One of the main reasons I chose the Comfort Sport of similarly priced convertible models was it did seem like it would be more comfortable, i.e. the cushioning in the cover was thicker.  Another feature I liked was the similarity in the 5-point harness adjustment mechanisms to the Britax Roundabout I have had since 2000.  It is easy to adjust the strap tension, very important in cold climates where you are frequently dealing with coats and buntings.  It is also easy to adjust the shoulder strap position as your baby grows. 

Originally this seat was to be used as a secondary carseat for baby#4 when she outgrew her infant-only carrier seat.  I still had the Roundabout I had been given for baby #1 and was extremely happy with it as the primary seat in the van but I needed another to put in my station wagon, as my husband would drop the kids off at daycare in the morning and I would pick up them up in the afternoon. I was in nursing school at the time and just could not scrape together the money for another Roundabout, especially since at the time we thought we were "done" having children and wouldn't have the hand-me-down opportunities we did with the first Roundabout. The height and weight limits of these seats are pretty much the same, both can handle a 5 lb newborn rear facing up to a toddler of 40 pounds forward facing, giving you several years of use per child.  The Britax is an excellent seat and I still highly recommend it to anyone who can afford it but after having the Comfort Sport for two years now and comparing the cost difference ($250 vs. $70) I can say the Comfort Sport is now my favorite. 

My husband was in an auto accident just before Thanksgiving and we had to destroy the Britax because it was involved in the accident.  We have five children now and so will need a replacement when #5 is too big for the infant carrier seat and #4 will need another year out of the Comfort Sport before she's ready for a booster.  I have been so pleased with the Comfort Sport that we will be purchasing a second one to replace the Britax.  Incidentally, the van was totalled but nobody was hurt, hooray for modern safety equipment!

The Comfort Sport cover does machine wash very well in cold water, I used Gain detergent and the regular cycle with no problems, (always line dry carseat covers!)  The cover is a little complex looking because of the slots for the straps but it has well positioned velcro closures that make removing and replacing the cover pretty easy and self explanatory.  I wouldn't want to remove it every day but if you have a diaper blow-out, there's no need to panic. 

The straps on this carseat are also good quality like the Britax- they are thicker making them less prone to twisting, they are also non-slip unlike many of the other budget carseat models out there.  When you look at carseats, stay away from models with the super pliable, shiny finish straps, they may look like they are softer and would be more comfortable for baby but in my experience they are also the ones most prone to twisting and slipping, you want the straps to stay flat and the clips to stay properly positioned for safety. Also, do not wash carseat straps other than spot cleaning with a damp cloth, you don't want detergent chemicals or  wrenching action in the washer to weaken these important safety devices.

Installation is easy with latch, I have also used the Comfort Sport in an older pre-latch car with ease, the openings through which you thread the auto seatbelt are large, my dad and I both have big hands and have no problems installing this seat quickly and easily.  The Comfort Sport has a "kick stand" on the back for car seats that have a lot of slope to them, I have used this seat in a Chrysler Town and Country minivan, a Mercury Sable station wagon, and older Mercury Villager minivan and now a Chevy Suburban SUV, I haven't had to use the kickstand in any of these passenger-minded cars, If you have a sub-compact or a sports car this feature may be beneficial to you.  The Comfort Sport has a leveling bead on the side to help you determine if you have it properly positioned, it's really very user friendly. 

The ComfortSport came with a removable cup holder.  I really don't like to let the kids eat /drink in the car so this wasn't a "selling point" for me but I know it is important to some.  I like that it slips off because I have to put three carseats adjacent to each other and having less junk in the way is a plus.

The Britax Roundabout did have some features the Graco lacks that I will miss- the recline ability, the built in lock-off auto belt clips for use in older cars and the plastic frame seemed  a little more "heavy-duty" but again, for the cost the Graco Comfort Sport is just unbeatable.  If you are looking for something practical, reliable safe and budget friendly I can highly recommend the ComfortSport, you won't be disappointed.