The Mutsy Traveller is a Group 0 car seat, suitable from birth to around 9 months. This rear facing oval-shaped seat is not cheap (RRP £159.99) but offers a choice of three recline positions, including horizontal, allowing your baby to lie flat, which is thought to be beneficial for the newborn spine. A removable padded insert can be used until your baby is around 3 months, to create more of a nest.
The 3-point harness system and harness adjuster strap allow you to fine tune the fit for your baby and the Mutsy Traveller is secured in the car using the adult seat belt. Weighing 5kg, it isn't the lightest car seat on the market but the carrying handle makes it easy to transport from the car to the house and back again. An integral sun canopy provides adequate shade.
The Mutsy Traveller is available in three colours (Cargo Anthracite, College Green, Cargo Cream) and can be used with four of the Mutsy pushchair chassis to create a travel system (car seat adaptors are supplied). A raincover costs £13.00.
What we love
A rear facing lie flat car seat that uses only one seat in the car is truly unique. The easy-to-use ratchet system (simply lift up a catch at the back of the headrest) means that the car seat can be reclined with your baby on board.
Looks wise, the Mutsy Traveller appears to be robust and durable. The removable cover adds a touch of class and despite its comparatively heavy weight, it feels light and is easy to manoeuvre out of the car.
The fitting instructions are clearly displayed on the side of the seat, for when you get yourself in a pickle, as is the label explaining that the air bag should be turned off if using the seat in the front of the car.
What to look out for
To secure the Mutsy Traveller car seat, you feed the seat belt through two slots underneath the shell. The belt is then fed up into a slot at the back of the headrest. Sounds easy. It wasn't. Trying to do this with Minnie, 8 months, in the seat was impossible. I had to pull the seat out several times to look underneath for the slots - think threading a needle in the dark. Minnie saw this as a cue to grab my hair and not let go. Nightmare!
If you're using the car seat in the front of the car, in the fully reclined position, the passenger seat will need to be pushed right back to create enough space. If you use it in the rear of the car, the seat in front may need to be pushed as far forward as it can go, leaving the passenger with their knees around their ears. Not a problem if you have a bus.
The ratchet mechanism was temperamental. It required a fair bit of wiggling and often only one side reclined. The seat cover is hand wash only and the textured surface makes it hard to keep clean. It is also hard to remove.
Classed as a Group 0 car seat, this should see you through the first 9 months of parenthood. However, at 8 months of age Minnie's head was pushed against the sun hood and her feet were hanging over the end.
Who is Mutsy Traveller car seat best for?
Parents of young babies that like the versatility of lie-flat car seat.
The Mutsy Traveller car seat is a clever, lie-flat seat that faces rearward and so takes up less space than its rivals. For the price, the product should be faultless but the reclining system can be temperamental, it is difficult to fit and when upright doesn't allow much leg room.
