The Graco Triride and Graco Slimfit are two popular options that parents often compare. While the Graco Slimfit boasts features like collapsible cup holders, an easy-to-use LATCH, and a more reliable 5-point harness system, the Graco Triride offers a more "compact" seat, lighter weight, and multiple recline positions. Can the Graco Slimfit hold up against the Graco Triride's features?
Graco Triride | Graco Slimfit | |
Rear-Facing Weight: | 5 to 40 pounds | |
Rear-Facing Height Limit: | Head must be at least 1-inch below the handle | |
Forward-Facing Weight: | 22 to 65 pounds | |
Forward-Facing Height Limit: | up to 49 inches | 27 to 49 inches |
High Back Booster Weight: | 40 to 100 lbs | 30 to 100 pounds |
High Back Booster Height Limit: | 43 to 57 inches | 38 to 57 inches |
Both the Graco Triride and Graco Slimfit have a rear-facing weight limit of 5 to 40 pounds, and they share a specific requirement that the child's head must be at least 1 inch below the handle.
In the forward-facing mode, both can be used for up to 65 pounds, but the Graco Triride can accommodate a child up to 49 inches tall, while the Graco Slimfit can accommodate a child between 27 to 49 inches tall.
They can both be used as highback boosters for children up to 100 pounds and 57 inches, with a minimum weight requirement of 40 pounds for the Triride and 30 pounds for the Slimfit. The Graco Triride also has a slightly higher minimum high back booster height limit requirement of 43 inches, compared to the Slimfit's minimum height requirement of 38 inches.
Graco Triride | Graco Slimfit | |
Width | 19 inches | 19.88 inches |
Height | 23.5 inches | 25.5 inches |
Depth/Length | 20 inches | 21.5 inches |
In terms of width, the Graco Slimfit is slightly wider than the Graco Triride, measuring 19.88 inches compared to 19 inches for the Triride. However, the Graco Slimfit's width can be reduced slightly by rotating the cupholder inward, making the seat slimmer.
When it comes to height, the Graco Slimfit is taller than the Graco Triride, measuring 25.5 inches compared to 23.5 inches for the Triride. This may be a factor to consider for parents with limited vertical space in their vehicles.
In terms of depth or length, the Graco Slimfit is slightly longer than the Graco Triride, measuring 21.5 inches compared to 20 inches for the Triride.
Graco Triride | Graco Slimfit | |
Do I need to use a pool noodle/rolled towel? | No | |
Easy To Install Rear-Facing | LATCH - Relatively Seatbelt - Yes | Yes |
Easy To Install Forward-Facing? | Yes | |
Easy To Uninstall? | Yes | |
Both the Graco Slimfit and the Graco Triride seem to be easy to install forward-facing and rear-facing. Neither requires the use of a pool noodle or rolled towel during installation.
Slimfit’s LATCH installation can be made more effective by pressing the car seat toward the back and giving the LATCH strap a sudden hard pull.
The Graco Triride has received praise for being easy to install, however, some parents have complained that it did not work well with their car's LATCH system or that it slid around too much. Additionally, it seems to use a hook-type LATCH system instead of the Slimfit’s newer push-on type.
Graco Triride | Graco Slimfit | |
Country Of Origin: | China | |
Steel-Reinforced Frame: | Yes | |
Five-Point Harness? | Yes | |
Side Impact Tested: | Yes | |
Approved For Airplane Use: | Yes | |
Easy To Buckle And Unbuckle? | Yes | |
Both the Graco Triride and Graco Slimfit have several safety features, including the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered™, steel-reinforced frame, EPS energy-absorbing foam, and meeting or exceeding the child restraint criteria for frontal crash tests under US FMVSS 213.
They are also both side-impact tested for occupant retention with a built-in 5-point harness system and rear-impact tested based on the European Rear-Impact Crash Pulse.
Additionally, they are both tested to Graco's RollSafe™ testing standard based on the European rollover testing procedure.
However, the Graco Triride has received some complaints from parents about the 5-point harness system not staying in place, while the Graco Slimfit does not seem to have this issue. This could be an important consideration for parents who prioritize the security and stability of their child's car seat harness.
Good Convertible Car Seats Of 2023
Consider narrowing down your options by focusing on those made with EPP or EPS foam for impact management. Both materials meet government safety regulations, but EPP foam is more elastic and less brittle than EPS foam, making it better at withstanding multiple impacts and regaining its shape.
Keep in mind that any seat involved in an accident should be replaced, regardless of the foam type.
Good Convertible Car Seats With EPP Foam:
Good Convertible Car Seats With EPS Foam:
Graco Triride | Graco Slimfit | |
Is The Material Breathable? | Yes | |
Seat Weight: | 18.45 pounds | 19.5 pounds |
Machine Washable Cover? | Yes | |
Roomy? | Yes | |
No-Rethread Harness? | Yes | |
Easy To Remove Cover? | Yes | |
Expiration | 10 Years | |
Comes With A Cup Holder? | Yes, 2 | |
Shoulder Harness Has Pads? | Yes | |
Headrest Positions | 10 | |
Recline Positions | 6 | 4 |
Both the Graco Triride and the Graco Slimfit have breathable materials, machine-washable covers, no-rethread harnesses, and shoulder harness pads. They also have a long expiration date of 10 years and come with 2 cup holders. Both car seats are roomy, have easy-to-remove covers, and both have 10 headrest positions.
The Graco Triride is slightly lighter than the Graco Slimfit, weighing 18.45 pounds compared to 19.5 pounds. However, the Graco Triride has 6 recline positions compared to the Graco Slimfit's 4.
There is an approximately USD 30 price difference between the Graco Triride and Graco Slimfit. The Slimfit is more expensive.
With the Graco Slimfit, you get
- 2 cup holders that can be collapsed halfway to create more space in your vehicle for a slimming effect.
- A push-on type of LATCH which is easier to use compared to Triride’s “J-hook style” of LATCH
- A 5-point harness system that stays in place once the child is buckled in
With the Graco Triride, you get
- A relatively more compact seat (out of the box)
- A lighter seat
- More recline positions
Do You Need More Help To Decide Between
The Graco Triride And Graco Slimfit?
What do you think?
I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Cheers!
Pitin
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