Some people might think I’m crazy to spend $250 on a car seat when I could go down to Walmart and get a booster for my 6 year old for $20. However, I’m very particular about the car seats I put my kids in. Why? Because should I ever get into a car accident with them, I don’t want to wish they’d been more secure.
Unfortunately, my fears have a basis. There are numerous stories all over the internet about how seat belts used with boosters have failed when they were needed the most – in the middle of a car accident. Someone I know lost their 10 month old baby because the car seat belt failed when their car lost control and rolled.
Because I never want to worry about it while I’m driving, I’ve researched all kinds of car seats and their safety. I’ve learned that keeping a child in a 5-point harness for as long as possible is the safest thing to do, and only two car seat brands allow for this feature in their car seats. Those brands are Britax and Sunshine Kids.
I decided to buy the Sunshine Radian 80 car seats. I felt they would keep my girls nice and safe up until they are 80 pounds. Most car seats have weight limits of 40 pounds and then want you to move your kids into a booster. The Sunshine Radian keeps them safest in the 5 point harness for double the normal weight limits! They also have some other great features as well.
Sunshine Radian car seats have internal steel frames. – Unlike other car seats, there’s no plastic to deteriorate in the hot sun.
Rear-facing and forward-facing – these car seats are convertible so they work for both infants and booster seat aged kids.
Stylish – you can’t beat the cute patterns they have for little girls’ seats.
LATCH – I love the fact that you can harness these seats directly to your car without depending on the car’s seat belt system. Seat belts unfortunately have been known to fail far too often.
Transportable – while the Sunshine Radian 80 seats are heavy due to the strong steel frame, they do fold up nicely and transport easily like a backpack. This feature is pretty neat if you have to do airline travel.
Not bulky – these car seats are narrow enough that you can actually fit three of them side by side in most cars. That feature alone is worth a lot!
I never regret buying my Sunshine Kids Radian 80 car seat. My kids are in one of the safest car seats on the market and comfortable to boot. The extra money was definitely worth it!