PTPA just announced today it’s Latest & Greatest Spring 2012 Campaign Winners.  All these products were tested by parents and got the stamp of approval.

I had the opportunity to evaluate the Recaro ProRIDE Convertible Car Seat and Recaro ProSPORT Combination Harness Booster Seat. Prior to the evaluation, I was not very familiar with the Recaro brand because I’ve never owned one nor did any of my friends mention this brand when I was looking for a car seat.

While the Recaro company has been around since 1906, they introduced their first lightweight car seat into the market in 1998. With the company being around so long, I was actually surprised that I did not know much about the brand (Especially, since I feel like baby products are my expertise).

What’s interesting is that I’ve tried or owned almost every brand out their on the market, so when I was evaluating these car seats, I had a good sense of how they compared to other products.

Let me begin with the Recaro ProRIDE Convertible Car Seat.  This convertible can be used rear facing from 5-35lbs and forward facing from 20-70lbs and height under 50 inches (less than 22.5 inches for rear facing).  So for the average child, you will be able to use this car seat for a very long time.   In California, a child must be 8 yrs of age or at least 4 ft 9 inches tall (57 inches) to sit without a car seat.  If the child is over 8 yrs of age and not tall enough for the seat belt to fit properly, they must ride in a booster or car seat.

The seat itself is really built to last. I call it the “tank.” It looks indestructible and even when my 115 lb frame sat on it, the seat did not budge. I wouldn’t be surprised if it were bullet proof because it just looks that strong and sturdy. The car seat is 20.5lbs, so a little heavier than the Britax Marathon 70 which is 18lbs. However, when you do a side by side comparison, while very close, the ProRIDE offers a bit more.  Price: $299.

Features Included (directly from Recaro’s website):

• Side Impact Protection – RECARO’s Side Impact Protection is designed to distinctly protect 5 vulnerable areas of a child in a side impact collision – their head, neck, face, torso and pelvis.
• EasyAdjust Head Restraint – The turn of a knob positions the head restraint to properly fit the child, which ensures optimum safety and comfort.
• SoftTouch Head Restraint – Head restraint is padded with real automotive “PUR” foam for added comfort and safety.
• EasyAdjust 5-Point Harness – Harness and head restraint are adjusted together so no re-threading is necessary to properly position the harness shoulder straps to the child
• QuickPull Front Adjust Harness – Convenient frontally located harness adjuster allows for no-hassle harness adjustment
• TrueLock Belt Lock-Off – Lock-off mechanism locks the vehicle seat belt in the belt path for optimum safety in the forward-facing position.
• CoolMesh Air Ventilation – The mesh insert combines with RECARO’s unique air circulation system to promote airflow through the ProRIDE, keeping your child cool and comfortable.
• EPS Foam – Expanded Polystyrene “EPS” foam absorbs crash force energy through the ProRIDE  for added protection.
• ErgoShell Structure – The ProRIDE’s ergonomic shell is designed to offer child occupants the comfort qualities RECARO seats are known throughout the world for.

• Premium push button LATCH system
• Built-in LATCH storage system
• Convenient harness storage pockets
• Soft Harness Pads
• Premium rear-facing recline lever
• Universal Top Tether system

Compared to my Marathon, I actually preferred this car seat because it offered more features.  However, I could not see myself traveling with this car seat because the weight is at 20.5lbs and I can hardly maneuver my way through an airport with my Britax.  For the family car, this car seat is perfect.

Now to the Recaro ProSPORT Combination Harness Booster Seat.  This combination car seat falls in between the convertible car seat and the booster.  At first, I didn’t understand why there would be a need for an “in-between” seat since you could technically move from the convertible to a booster.  But after thinking, it really made sense.

If you are a parent who started their baby off from an infant car seat which are the ones you can carry by hand or attach to a stroller, you can graduate to this combination harness booster seat and skip the convertible all together.  The minimum weight for this combination seat is 20lbs and 27inches in height, so by the time the baby is ready to get out of their infant car seat this would be the next step up.  What’s great about it is that once your child moves into the combination car seat, they could use it until they can sit in an adult seat on their own because it accommodates up to 120 lbs and up to 59 inches (you can save money in the long run).  Price : $299.

Features Included (directly from Recaro’s website):

• Side Impact Protection – RECARO’s Side Impact Protection is designed to distinctly protect 5 vulnerable areas of a child in a side impact collision – their head, neck, face, torso and pelvis.
• EasyGuide Belt Guides – Whether in Harness or Booster mode each belt guide is color coded so you can easily identify the proper belt path and positioning of either the LATCH strap or vehicle seat belt.
• EasyAdjust 5-point Harness – The harness adjusts with the head restraint. No re-threading is necessary to properly position the harness shoulder straps to your child.
• ErgoShell Structure – The ProSPORT’s ergonomic shell is designed to offer child occupants the comfort qualities RECARO seats are known throughout the world for.
• SoftTouch Seat Cushion – Ample soft cushioning in the seat of the ProSPORT ensures a comfortable ride.
• EPS Foam – Expanded Polystyrene “EPS” foam absorbs crash force energy through the ProSPORT for added protection.
• QuickLift Head Restraint- Convenient lift lever allows easy positioning of the head restraint to properly fit your child.
• Multi-Purpose Storage Pockets – Convenient built in storage for snacks, juice boxes, small hand held electronic devices and other storage needs.
• QuickFlip Recline System – Recline mechanism offers quick and easy adjustment to properly fit the ProSPORT to your vehicle.

• Premium push button LATCH system
• Built-in LATCH storage system
• Universal Top Tether system
• Soft Harness Pads

Both seats are the sturdiest seats on the market.  Although, they are a tad bit heavier, in the end I feel that the additional weight is due to all the safety features the seats offer.  The convertible offers the highest weight limit in today’s market (utilizing a 5-Point Harness in a Convertible Car Seat).  The combination seat has the highest harness capacity (using a 5-Point Harness System) and weight limit available (when used as a Belt Positioning Booster Seat), as well.

These car seats are definite winners!!