Evenflo Shyft DualRide Rear Facing Only Car Seat Review
(Last Updated On: March 12, 2023)
Evenflo Shyft DualRide
When our friends at Evenflo let us know that there was a new rear facing only car seat on the way, I was definitely ready to take on the challenge of reviewing it. I didn’t know much about what was headed my way, but imagine my great surprise when a car seat that’s also a stroller arrived on my porch! I offer a special shoutout to the neighbor from my Buy Nothing group who happened to be picking something up at the same time this seat was delivered and asked if my wife and I were expecting another child.
Evenflo Shyft DualRide
Anyway, I had no idea what to expect from this car seat, so the “it’s also a stroller” bit was quite a surprise. I may have even muttered something about being sent a travel system until I took a close look at the box and saw that it actually contained something kind of amazing — the Shyft DualRide is a lightweight stroller and a car seat all in one!
There is indeed a similar product on the market today. Where the Shyft DualRide differs is that I have a hard time spelling the name correctly, plus a few other key things. The handle extends to a very comfortable length for the caregiver in stroller mode, it includes a cupholder for the caregiver (it attaches to the handle in stroller mode), the wheels can remain installed with the base if you only want to carry the carrier portion around, wheel wells, and some of the trim levels include a stroller bag. Similar items are available on that other seat, there is an extra charge for each item. I also found the Shyft DualRide quite easy to install, found that it fit all of our models from preemie to 16 month old doll well, and was easy to use.
CSFTL Quick Stats
Weight range: 3-35 poundsHeight range: 15.7 – 32 inches tallInfant insert rules: required between 3-6 pounds, optional for children who weigh more than 6 poundsNewborn harness loopsHarness covers optionalNo rethread harnessQuick Connect lower anchor connectors3 crotch buckle positionsSensorSafe is available on all trim levelsFAA approved (unfasten Sensor Safe chest clip during takeoff and landing)Carry handle positions: stroller mode (1), Infant Carry Mode (2), Storage (3)Handle rules in the vehicle: any locked position in the United States, position 2 in CanadaParent cupholder for use in stroller modeBaseless install with the wheels on or without
Measurements
Lowest harness height with insert: 5 inchesLowest harness height without insert: 6 inchesHighest harness height: 10 inches3 crotch buckle positions: 3, 4, and 5 inches from the back of the seat panWidth at widest point: 17.5 inchesFront-to-back: roughly 30 inches on the base (this measurement will vary slightly when the base is installed)Carrier weight without wheels: 9 poundsCarrier weight with wheels: 19 poundsBase weight: 10 pounds
Using the Stroller
Evenflo Shyft DualRide
We’re not Strollers for the Littles so strollers don’t get a lot of coverage around here. Since this car seat is also a stroller, we feel obligated to take a look at it. We do think strollers are a great thing.
I’ll provide some basic guidelines since the wheels can be attached to the car seat but confirm everything in the manual before heading out for a stroll.
Remove the carrier and wheels from the base by squeezing the lower handle on the back of the carrier, then pulling up on the carrier handle. The wheels will extend at this point.
The carry handle must be in position 1, stroller position, when the seat is used as a stroller. Squeeze the oblong button on top of the handle, then move the handle into the correct position. Press both handle rotation buttons and rotate the handle into infant carry position (position 2) to move back to the vehicle.
You can also leave the wheels attached to the base and carry just the carrier around. I can’t see too many scenarios where this is the preferred method but here’s how: with the carrier (and wheels) on the base, squeeze the upper handle and pull up on the carrier handle, the carrier will come off, leaving the wheels on the base.
Wheels are Handy
I often find myself lugging car seats around while I’m writing reviews. I cannot stress enough what a gamechanger it is to have wheels on the car seat. For the many times I moved the seat between the house and the car or between my house and someone else’s house, I treasured those wheels each and every time I deployed them. I’d imagine that caregivers who are moving an actual child AND this car seat will find them even more convenient than I did.
Storage Bag
Evenflo Shyft DualRide storage bag
2 out of the 3 trim levels of the Shyft DualRide includes a storage bag for use in stroller mode. It cannot be used when the seat is in the vehicle. As stroller storage bags go, it’s fairly large and it attaches easily to the seat. It wouldn’t hold enough stuff for a full grocery run but would be fine for smaller trips or just a day on the town.
Cupholder for Caregivers
I’ll confess that it took me a minute to figure out why a rear facing only car seat would have a cupholder. But then I realized that it’s for the caregivers. Because coffee is important.
Folding the Stroller
Evenflo Shyft DualRide release handles
Pick the stroller up from the ground and squeeze the lower release handle. Lean the stroller toward the front wheels and press down until the stroller folds. You will hear a click when it is securely folded.
Locking the Stroller
Push both brake levers down to lock the stroller into place. Push them both up to unlock it.
Washing the Cover
The manual includes some pretty complete instructions on how to remove the cover for washing. If you’ve ever found yourself stumped when it comes to removing/putting on a car seat cover, you’ll know how valuable this section of the manual can be.
Installation
Without the Base, Wheels Attached
Evenflo Shyft DualRide ready to install without the base, but with the wheels
You can install the Shyft DualRide without the base in two ways — with the wheels attached and without the wheels attached. If you install the seat with the wheels attached, the two front wheels must be removed and inserted into little holes on the bottom of the base. This was definitely not obvious to me at first so I wanted to be clear about it here.
Remove the wheels by pushing the grey button on the center of each wheel to release them from the stroller frame. Then, insert the wheels in the holes on the bottom of the carrier
Remove carrier but not the stroller frame. Squeeze the upper release handle while lifting up on the carry handle. Stroller remains connected to the base.
To remove carrier and stroller frame, squeeze the lower release handle while lifting up on the carry handle.
Evenflo Shyft DualRide baseless belt guides
The Shyft DualRide has some very nice, easy to see and access belt guides. That made installing it without the base pretty darn easy. To install without the base, collapse the stroller then remove the two largest wheels and attach them to the underside of the carrier.
You can also install the Shyft DualRide without the base and without the wheels. It’s effectively naked at this point. Remove the wheels from the carrier, then place the Shyft DualRide on the vehicle seat with the harness facing the rear of the vehicle. Thread the vehicle seat belt through the belt guides, buckle the seat belt, then route the shoulder portion of the belt around the back of the seat. If the retractor has not engaged by this point, pull the shoulder portion of the seat belt all the way out until it clicks, then let it retract back into the vehicle. Press down on the carrier to remove more slack from the belt, then check your work by giving the seat a firm handshake at the belt path. It should move no more than one inch at the belt path.
Installation with the Base
The base has a very easy-to-use lockoff that made installation fairly simple.
Fit to Child
We were so pleased to see that, like Evenflo’s other rear facing only car seats, the Shyft DualRide has a 3 pound minimum weight. We were equally jazzed to see that it fit our 16 month old doll well. It’s possible that caregivers could get quite a bit of use out of this seat!
Preemie Doll
Evenflo Shyft DualRide preemie with infant insert and shoulder pads
The premie doll weighs 4 pounds and is 17 inches long. We’ve come to expect that Evenflo seats will fit the tiniest of passengers well and the Shyft DualRide did not disappoint! With the infant padding in the seat, the doll has a great fit.
Newborn Doll
With the infant insert
Evenflo Shyft DualRide preemie with infant insert and no shoulder pads
Our Huggable Images newborn doll weighs 7 pounds and is 17 inches long. Here we have the infant insert in place but have removed the shoulder pads.
Without the insert or shoulder pads
Evenflo Shyft DualRide newborn doll no infant insert or shoulder pads
We also tried the fit on the doll without the infant insert or shoulder pads. Our doll looks equally comfortable in this setup as well.
8 Months Old
Evenflo Shyft DualRide 8 months old
CSFTL’s newest model is an 8 month old charmer who dressed to impress for his modeling debut! He weighs 19 pounds and is 28 inches tall. He absolutely nailed the “smile for the camera” moment and the seat fits him well. Those giant shoulder pads make a lot more sense for a bigger kiddo than they did on our preemie and infant dolls.
Evenflo Shyft DualRide 8 months old plus awesome dog
He’s got plenty of room to grow and his dog Sailor was happy to join the party.
16 Month Old Doll
Evenflo Shyft DualRide 16 month old doll
When I see a combination stroller/car seat, I hope that families will be able to use it for a long time. This type of seat requires a slightly higher investment than a basic rear facing only seat would require so I was also stoked to see that our 16 month old doll fits in the Shyft DualRide with some room to grow.
Important Information: Where to Find
Evenflo Shyft DualRide date of manufacture label
Date of Manufacture label: the Shyft DualRide expires xx years after the date of manufacture. The label is found on the bottom of the base. There’s also a label on the bottom of the carrier.
FAA approval: the Shyft DualRide is approved for use in aircraft. The label is located in the carrier.
Evenflo Shyft DualRide manual storage
Manual storage: the manual stores on the frame of the carrier.
Overall Thoughts
The Evenflo DualRide Shyft DualRide was a genuine surprise to us. It’s a handy little thing — the wheels make going places a breeze! Most importantly (from our car seat-focused perspective) it installs without issue and fit all of our models well. We can’t say enough good things about this seat.
