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In our Clek Foonf review, we look at a convertible car seat made by a company whose motto is “We make tanks, not recliners”.
The Clek Foonf is made from steel and magnesium, and yet is only 17 inches wide – which means it combines strength with a compact size.
Here’s a quick rundown of this model’s features:
Now let’s get into the details:
Clek Foonf Overview
The Clek Foonf is the latest edition of the Foonf car seat. There are improvements from numerous previous models, such as harness straps with a much better fit.
Installing the car seat in the front-facing mode is simple and quick due to the latch system. The type of fabric selected for the seat offers permanent protection from moisture, stains, and bacteria known to cause unpleasant odors.
Expiration
Clek Foonf Video Overview
Clek Foonf Specs
Clek Foonf Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
Rigid latch for the forward-facing mode | Crotch strap is adjustable with two lengths for larger children | Merino cover is 100 percent wool, with b=natural flame resistance |
Lockoffs are built-in for both forward and rear-facing modes | Energy absorbent foam lines the headrest | 17, 14 1/2, 13, 11, and 9 1/2 inch harness slots |
Sub-structure is rigid due to the steel and magnesium construction | Steel rods connect the foam to the frame of the seat | Shell height is 26 3/4 inches when the headrest is extended fully |
Collision rebounds are limited with an anti-rebound bar | Both the outside and inside of the car seat are lined with energy absorbent foam | Four and six-inch crotch strap positions |
Three reclining positions | Children a maximum of age four are appropriate for the extended rear-facing mode | Widest area at the child's knees is 17 inches, with 16 1/2 at the shoulders |
Available in seven different covers such as exclusive Tokidoki prints | The Clek Foonf offers one of the narrowest convertibles available | Width of the shoulders is 12 inches |
Q-tether prevents the car seat from rotating in the direction of the vehicle floor | Crumple Technology safety System consisting of an aluminum honeycomb for crashes | Depth of the seat is 12 inches |
Approved to use with inflatable seat belts from Ford | Fabric is waterproof, bacteria-resistant, and easy to wipe clean | Forward-facing seat weight of 33.7 pounds |
Rear-facing sear weight 36.4 pounds including the anti-rebound bar | ||
Clek Foonf Features
Safety Features
The tether performs similar to an infant, rear-facing car seat equipped with a path for the Euro belt or a load leg. The rebound or forward energy is limited to keep the child safer. Approximately one-third of the energy resulting from a collision is rebound energy.
When the child is in the rear-facing position, the car seat helps prevent rebounding in the event of a side-impact or frontal crash. The Q-tether additionally improves the installation of the Clek Foonf because the car seat fits evenly and firmly into the flattest portion of the vehicle seat.
Design Features
Installation Features
Usage Features:
Who is the Clek Foonf Most Appropriate For?
If the parents purchase the infant insert, the car seat is appropriate for babies a minimum of five pounds. Children between 14 and 50 pounds, with a height range of 25 to 43 inches are also suitable for the Clek Foonf in the rear-facing mode. The top of the child's head must remain a minimum of one inch under the top of the headrest for safety.
Children between 20 and 65 pounds, with a height range of 30 to 49 inches are suitable for the car seat provided the head is a minimum of one inch under the top of the headrest. The weight of the seat in rear-facing mode is 38 pounds, and 33 pounds in forward-facing mode.
What is Included with the Clek Foonf?
The car seat includes built-in lockoffs for the forward and rear-facing modes. Parents should consider the following accessories sold separately.
Pros and Cons of the Clek Foonf
Pros
Cons
Clek Foonf Installation
Four-Part tutorial installation videos are available at:
Clek Foonf Manual
A link to the manufacturers manual is available at:
Clek Foonf vs Clek Fllo
VS
Both the Clek Foonf and Fllo are convertible car seats providing both style and safety. Crumple technology in the form of an aluminum honeycomb is offered with both models. If there is a collision, these zones will help prevent the force of the crash from reaching the child by absorbing the collision energy. The Clek Fllo became available a couple of years later with excellent safety features.
Both models offer latch connectors for easy installation. The Clek Fllo is less expensive, lighter, and a bit more compact than the Foonf. The Fllo does not have the recline mechanism or rigid latch of the Foonf. Both models offer parents a sub-structure of magnesium and high-strength steel, a narrow width, modern and clean design, an anti-rebound bar constructed of steel and Canadian manufacturing.
The Foonf is not as compact as the Fllo, sitting roughly 1.5 higher. Both the Foonf and Fllo are the same narrow width, much narrower than the majority of convertible car seats. The anti-rebound bar for the Foonf is required for the rear-facing mode. The anti-rebound bar is optional for the Fllo. This means the Foonf may be safer, but the Fllo offers a better fit for smaller vehicles.
The weight of the Foonf is greater due to the recline mechanism and latch connectors. The Fllo also has a plastic bottom. The anti-rebound bar is steel in both models, increasing the weight of the car seat for rear-facing installations. A base must be attached to the Foonf for the rear-facing mode. In the forward-facing mode, the Foonf weighs 33 pounds, and the Fllo 25 pounds.
In the rear-facing mode, the Foonf weighs 38 pounds, and the Fllo 25 pounds. Both models have the same weight and height limits in both the forward and rear-facing modes. Purchasing the Infant Thingy accessory is required for both models to accommodate babies a minimum of five pounds by providing additional support for the body and head.
One of the best features of the Clek Foonf is the latch system included for the forward-facing mode. Parents can be assured of a safe convertible car seat with the purchase of either model.
Baby Gizmo's Clek Foonf Review
The Bottom Line
Described by other sources as “the mother of all car seats,” the Clek Foonf has earned that title with its steel-reinforced premium build. It is also one of the most expensive car seats on the market.
Consumer Reports has given the Foonf its highest rating for its rigid (Forward-facing only) Latch and push on Latch connectors to change to rear-facing. CR also rates this seat low due to its weight and its lock-offs that break easily because they are hard to open and close. Another problem is that the manual storage location is not obvious and there is no picture to show how to secure a child properly.
Clek Foonf (click image for more info)
That doesn’t mean this isn’t a great car seat. Its rigid lower anchors for forward-facing, anti-rebound bar, superior weight capacity, and easy installation means the Foonf is built like a tank but feels like a Porsche. If you make a lot of long road trips with the family, this is definitely worth a look. Plus, if you need to seat a child over 35 pounds, this is your only safe option.
With two kids of my own, I’m passionate about child safety! I’m a research nerd who’s on a mission to make the world a safer place for kids – starting with car seats!
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