Thule's big guide to baby carriers & car seats

Sponsored by Thule

Understanding the world of car seats can feel like a jungle for parents-to-be. When should you actually use a child seat? What is ISOFIX? And when do you switch to a rear-facing car seat? Don't worry - we've put together a complete guide to car seats together with Thule!

Thule offers a clear modular system that covers your child's needs from newborn up to around 4 years of age with three main components: the Thule Maple infant carrier, the Thule Elm car seat and the Thule Alfi ISOFIX base. In this guide, we'll go through when and how to use them and what you need to consider about car seats - from start to finish!

Thule Maple baby seat - baby's first car seat

Baby protection Thule Maple  is intended for babies, from birth up to about 13 kg or around 15 months.

• Age & weight: 0-13 kg, from about 40 cm up to about 75 cm or 15 months.
• Assembly: Can be fitted with the car's three-point belt or on Thule Alfi-ISOFIX base (purchased separately). EasyDock technology makes it easy to dock the infant carrier from any angle, and the seat can be rotated 180° to make getting your baby in and out easier for you as a parent!
• Benefits: The Thule Impact Protection System encloses your baby in a secure capsule to reduce the risk of injury in the event of a crash. The car seat also has an ergonomic recline function that is easy to use when baby is sleeping, or you want to attach it with an adapter to your stroller.

Thule Elm car seat - the next step after the baby seat

Once your child has outgrown the baby carrier, it's time to upgrade to Thule Elm rear-facing car seat. It is a safe option for your child to sit comfortably, ergonomically and safely in the car!

• Age & weight: From approximately 9 months up to 4 years, depending on the child's height and weight limits set by Thule.
• Assembly: The Elm can also be mounted on the Thule Alfi ISOFIX base! It is easily done with EasyDock technology where you have a click-in installation and rotation. This means that you as a parent cannot install it wrong, but that when it is "clicked in", it is properly secured and your child can travel safely in the car. There is a small digital display on the seat that shows whether or not you have secured it correctly. Did you know that 60% of all parents do not fasten their car seat properly? Thule has made this easier for their customers by having a feature that makes it impossible to install incorrectly!
• Benefits: The Thue Elm has three recline positions: upright, resting and sleeping! This makes it easy to find a comfortable position for your child when traveling somewhere. The car seat has a Thule Impact Protection System, and a padded five-point belt, which provides strong protection but also high comfort for your child.

Thule Alfi ISOFIX base - simplicity and safety in everyday life

The common link between the infant carrier and the car seat in the Thule modular system is Thule Alfi ISOFIX base!

• Compatibility: Fits most modern cars equipped with ISOFIX attachments. If your car doesn't have ISOFIX, you can still fit both Maple and Elm with the seat belt, but you'll miss out on the added benefits of the base.
• Benefits: EasyDock technology and a rotatable docking plate make it easy to click the chair into place, even from difficult angles. The digital display, along with audio indicator, confirms correct installation. The base can be used with both Maple and Elm - making it a smart investment that accompanies the child throughout the car journey.

Are Thule systems suitable for all cars?

Most modern cars have ISOFIX attachments, making it easy to use the Thule Alfi base and thus increasing the likelihood of correct installation and safe travel. But even without ISOFIX, Thule car seats work - the infant carrier Thule Maple and the child car seat Thule Elm can be fitted with the car's three-point belt, even without the base.

However, it is always wise to check both the car's owner's manual and the Thule compatibility list before buying!

When do you change your chair - and which product do you use?

• From Thule Maple to Thule Elm: Change when the child reaches the maximum weight or height of the Maple (about 13 kg / about 75 cm). Alternatively, when the head protrudes over the edge.
• When to use the Alfi ISOFIX base? It is fitted once in the car and then used for several years, both as a baby seat and a toddler seat.
• When to switch to another solution? When the child has outgrown the Elm according to Thule's recommendations - usually around the age of 4 or when the maximum length or weight of the chair has been reached - a booster cushion or other belt seat may be required.

Thule's modular car seat system is made up of three key components that work together to make family travel safe and smooth: Thule Maple baby carriers for the very young, Thule Elm rear-facing car seat for toddlers and Thule Alfi ISOFIX base that simplifies both safety and use. With the right product, at the right time, and careful installation, you can travel safely - from your child's first car ride home from the maternity ward to everyday trips to preschool.