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Safety 1st Crosstown Slim
The Safety 1st Crosstown Slim is a narrow, inexpensive 3-in-1 convertible car seat. We do think it has some drawbacks, but it could be a good option for some families.
- You need to fit 3 across.
- Your child is below the 50th percentile for height.
- You need a rear-facing seat that is compact from front to back.
- You want only to buy one seat ever.
- You want to use this seat from birth.
- You have a higher percentile child.
- It is lightweight.
- Narrow
Our Review of the
Safety 1st Crosstown Slim
The Safety 1st Crosstown Slim is a narrow, inexpensive 3-in-1 convertible car seat. We do think it has some drawbacks, but it could be a good option for some families.
Our recommendation: From 2+ months until the seat is outgrown (5/6)
A 3-in-1 car seat that can be used rear-facing, forward-facing, and in high-back booster mode
From 2 months old
Stand Out Features of this Car Seat
It is lightweight.
This seat only weighs 14 pounds. In combination with its no-rethread harness, this makes it a great option for people who travel via airplane, ride shares, and/or taxis, as it’s easy to transport.
Narrow
It's only 17" wide.
Seat is good for you if
You need to fit 3 across.
Since this seat is only 17″ wide, it can fit 3 across in some vehicles. It doesn’t have any ease of installation features, so it’s not as easy to install 3 car seats with this seat, but it is doable. See our blog here for more narrow car seat options and our YouTube video.
Your child is below the 50th percentile for height.
The highest harness height is only 15.5″ tall, while many other seats in this category have harness height straps that are over 17". Harness height is one of the indicators of how long a seat will last. However, if you have a child who is below the 50th percentile in height, this harness height may be adequate to get them to a safe booster age. The highest belt guide position on this seat is only 18″, so it lasts about two years longer than the harness mode. Even a lower percentile child will need a backless booster once this seat is outgrown.
You need a rear-facing seat that is compact from front to back.
Once the child can sit unassisted, this seat is very compact front-to-back.
Use caution if
You want only to buy one seat ever.
This seat has a 52″ standing height limit for the booster seat mode. We’ve found that only around 50% of kids can pass the 5-Step Test at 57″, so far fewer would pass at 52″, likely 0% of kids. While this seat will still last for a few years, purchasing another booster will be necessary.
You want to use this seat from birth.
With the lowest harness setting having a measurement of 7.75 inches, we can assure you that most newborns are not going to fit in the Safety 1st Crosstown Slim car seat. We do think it would work for most babies by around 2 months of age. We suggest an infant car seat instead.
You have a higher percentile child.
The highest harness height is only 15.5″ tall, so if you have a child with a long torso, this is not the best seat for you. This is relevant because you need the harness to come from even with or just above their shoulders when forward-facing. Many other seats in this category have harness heights that are 17+ inches. The highest belt guide position on this seat is only 18″, so it’s not long-lasting in the high-back booster mode either.
Quirks to be aware of
Forward-Facing Minimums
All Safety 1st seats now say that your child must reach one of the rear-facing limits before turning the child forward-facing. For this seat, that means the child must be 40 pounds OR 40" OR you can't position the harness in a way that gives them at least 1" of space between their head and the top of the car seat.
Rear-facing installation
Whenever possible, the Safety 1st Crosstown Slim should be touching the vehicle seat in front of it. But you need to check your vehicle owner's manual first because some vehicle manufacturers do not allow that.
Child Fit Information
Our almost 5 month old model is now 16 pounds and 24 inches tall. She's using the second lowest harness height in this picture. Based on her fit in other seats, we can say with near certainty that she would not have fit in this seat from birth as the harness would have likely been coming from above her shoulders.
Installation Information
Airplane Use
The Safety 1st Crosstown Slim is an FAA-approved car seat, so you can find a label with red lettering on one of the stickers that says so. At just 14 pounds, it is a lightweight option. If traveling internationally, you will need a locking clip in order to do a seat belt installation. Contact the car seat manufacturer for a free locking clip. We have a video here of how to use a locking clip.
Videos
SITS Bottom Line
The Safety 1st Crosstown Slim is a lightweight, compact car seat. At just 14 pounds and FAA-approved, it’s a good choice for air travel, ride shares, or taxis. Its narrow 17-inch width makes it a viable option for three-across configurations in some vehicles. While the lower harness and belt guide heights limit its longevity, it can work well for children below the 50th percentile for height. However, larger or longer-torsoed children may outgrow the seat sooner. Although not suitable for most newborns, it fits well for babies around two months and offers a compact fit front-to-back once a child can sit unassisted.
Similar Car Seats
Specifications
Safety 1st
Product Information
Weight: 14 lbs
Width: 17"
Highest Harness Height: 15.5"
Rear Facing Limits
Height: 19-40"
Weight: 5-40 lbs
Head Height Rules: at least 1″ below the top of the headrest
Lower Anchor Connectors Weight Limit: 40 lbs
Forward-Facing Limits
Height: 34.4-49"
Weight: 30-65 lbs
Head Height Rules: ears must be below the top of the headrest
Lower Anchor Connectors Weight Limit: 55 lbs
No Back Booster Limits
Highest Belt Guide Settings
18"
High Back Booster Limits
Height: 43.4-52"
Weight: 40-100 lbs
Head Height Rules: ears must be below the top of the headrest
Other Important Details
Newborn Fit
Unlikely to work as the lowest harness height is 7.75", which will be above the shoulders of most newborns
Expiration Limit
10 years
Crash Replacement Policy
replace after a moderate to severe crash
Harness
no-rethread
Lock-off
no
Vehicle Seat Protector
This brand allows a thin towel between the child car seat and the vehicle seat.