ABC Show 2023 Day 3

Here we are: the 2023 ABC Kids Expo is in the rear view mirror, booths are packed up, and life is back to normal. Ha! It was great seeing friends again after so long, seeing carseats I’ve only seen online and seeing new carseats coming to market soon (😉), and feeling the electricity in the air of a trade show—they’re fun!

I’ll show you what I saw on the final day and talk about what’s trending.

Cybex

Cloud G/Cloud G Lux (watch for our review coming very soon!)

$399.95/$449.95
Outside the vehicle, has a full recline and extended leg rest position
Rigid LATCH installation
Built-in airflow channels in shell
Linear Side Impact (LSP)
Anti-rebound bar
Lux version features load leg, SensorSafe chest clip, and airflow vents in canopy

Aton G Swivel

$399
4-35 lbs, 17-32″
Swivels! Rear-facing only infant seat
11 position no-rethread harness
Anti-rebound bar
Standard LATCH (so, on a strap)
Euro belt routing
Static LSP, so caregiver doesn’t have to pull it open and close it
Built-in airflow channels in shell
Additional bases available for $269; compatible with regular Aton G base $119
Fashions all FR free
Coming June/July 2023

Aton G

$249
4-35 lbs, 17-32″
RFO infant seat (it’s the same as Aton G Swivel)
11 position no-rethread harness
Anti-rebound bar
Standard LATCH (so, on a strap)
Euro belt routing
Static LSP, so caregiver doesn’t have to pull it open and close it
Built-in airflow channels in shell
Additional bases available for $119; compatible with swivel base $269
Fashions all FR free
Coming soon (May)!

babyark

$990 pre-order/$1190 reg
4-55 lbs RF, 26.5-65 lbs. FF
No-rethread harness
Magnetic chest clip
Load leg and anti-rebound bar
Rigid LATCH
Top (ARB) opens as you install base to reveal SafeCoil steel coil windows
SafeCoil steel coils are tightly wound and release energy upon expansion during crash

See comparison before/after pic below

Carbon fiber and steel core
App instructs you in real-time step-by-step how to install base
3 types of foam, including D30 which is used in the protective gear of top athletes, race car drivers, and frontline military personnel
Zip off, FR free fashions
Coming early July!

Diono

Boosters shown:

Red: Monterey 5 iST $269.99
Yellow: Monterey 4DXT $199.99
Purple: Monterey 2XT $159.99

5 iST folds for easy carry through airports and can be stored in an overhead compartment in a commercial plane
The 4DXT has added side impact improvements over the 2XT and breathable side panels

All-in-ones all Radian-based

4-50 lbs RF, 22-65 lbs FF, 40-120 lbs booster
Rollover and Euro SIP tested
Booster shoulder belt guide on headrest

Purple|Navy: 3R SafePlus $249.99

Blue|Red (middle): 3RXT SafePlus $349.99

Adds ARB, cup holder, infant insert, memory foam harness pads

Grays: 3QXT+ $529.99

Top of the line, adds newborn harness pads & reg harness pads, Ultra Mat Seat Mat in box ($29.99 value), footrest ARB, side impact pod

WonderFold and Larktale

Stroller Wagons

WonderFold VW4 Bus $1599
WonderFold W4 Luxe $899
Larktale Sprout single-to-double $699.99
Larktale Caravan Coupe $499.99

Safety 1st

Summit Wagon Stroller $299.99

Carseat and Baby Gear Trends

There are some definite trends happening, which is fun to watch. Darren, Kecia, and I have been in the carseat world for literally decades now and it’s fun to watch what manufacturers design and how the general public pushes for change. The first trend was rear-facing carseats to 40 lbs. I know, I know. Then came the higher weight limit carseats with forward-facing weight limits to 65 lbs and higher—but that took longer because it’s hard to engineer it. Along the way were minor developments like no-rethread harnesses, lockoffs, belt tensioners, etc. This year . . .

See also Top 3 Car Safety Checklist

Rotating/swiveling carseats, obviously! Not every manufacturer has one or may have plans to design one. But these carseats have hit the US and Canadian market and have made their presence known! Now we’re seeing revolving rear-facing only infant seats (and for the love of all things chocolate can we decide on a standardized industry term for these rotating/revolving/swiveling things so we don’t have to keep using all 3?).

Why do I need a revolving infant seat, you ask yourself? That thought went through my mind as well.

You may want to leave the carrier behind and baby wear as you go for a walk at your location, such as a mall or outdoor trail
You have an older/heavier child that still fits in the RFO seat and want to leave the carrier behind in the car as you would a convertible/all-in-one
I’m sure there are others!

If you’re looking for a rotating convertible or all-in-one carseat, we’ve got you covered! Check out our Rotating Carseats Comparison article and as the infant seats hit the market, we’ll work on an article for those too.

Another huge trend is wagons. OK, so not technically carseats, but carseats and strollers go hand-in-hand, so we check them out as we tour the show floor and wagons are everywhere in all price points! I won’t claim to be a stroller/wagon expert, but from what I saw represented at the show, if you want a wagon that goes off-road, the BOB Renegade is the sturdiest. If you’re cruising around town and want something eye-catching, the WonderFold VW Bus (see above) is so cute! And of course, all the wagons in between are great at hauling your kids, stuff, and drinks in the adult cup holders.