Cosatto Troop Car Seat Review

At the rate my little man is growing, it won't be long until we need to update his carseat, so when Cosatto offered to send us a Troop, their new group 1,2 and 3 seat, I couldn't resist checking whether it was cosy enough for a 9 month old as well as spacious enough for a 12 year old.

Cosatto have been one of our favourite baby brands since we first discovered them all those months ago.  Dylan and Archie have quite a selection of Cosatto high buggies, car seats and high chairs and I fall in love with every new collection they bring out.  We have been testing the Troop in the funky pablo design and I have to admit that I love it even more in the flesh.

With a white base and colourful triangular design, this car seat was designed to stand out and we get comments from everyone who spots it.  The seat can easily be attached to the car using the Isofit systembut it is perfect for occasional use too as rather than strapping the carseat in with the seatbelt and then using the 5 point harness, both actions are combined into one with the use of the impact shield.

The impact shield is used for younger passengers and slots into the chair keeping the child incredibly secure.  Some have been sceptical about it as a 5 point harness is the norm, but I have to admit it feels more secure than a traditional carseat and there is no way that sea is going anywhere if it is strapped in properly!  Dylan loves having somewhere to rest his arms and seems very comfortable in there.

For an older child, the impact shield would be removed, and the seat belt used over the seat.  To make the seat usable for an older child, there is an easy handle at the back of the head rest that when pulled up, raises the head rest and broadens the shoulders leaving lots of space.  I haven't tried the seat with an older child yet but I can see that this will last Dylan for many more years!

The seat feels well padded, soft and secure and I would be confident using it for Archie when he progresses from his infant seat in a few months time.  Despite Dylan being an incredibly chilled little man, I can already see that Archie is raring to go and he will be the one climbing up the curtain poles in a few short months.  One of the great features of the Troop is that even a little monkey wouldn't be able to escape the shield, unlike a harness and all the time the impact shield is on, they will not be able to unbuckle their own seat either, which would make me feel a lot safer.  

On the smallest setting at 23 months

The only real issue I have had with this seat is that it is quite big and I do struggle to get the seatbelt round i sometimes although there has never been an occasion where I couldn't manage it.  The list of pros is pretty impressive though:

-Side impact protection

-washable covers

-2 position seatback recline

-5 headrest positions

-gorgeous design

-works from 9 months all the way to 12 years

-free 4 year guarantee

-easy to use

- works in all cars

I would definitely recommend this seat for ease of use and the practicality of not needing to upgrade every few years as your little one grows.  Although it is quite big, it is this aspect that offers the great fit and extra protection so it is well worth it.

Disclaimer:  I was sent this car seat for the purpose of this review 

but all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.