Clek Foonf Review

New Foonf for 2017

The updated version of the Clek Foonf has increased padding and protection around the crotch strap. This new padding is available for purchase separately from the seat to bring an older Foonf up to date. We tested the seat with the new buckle pad and found that the scoring remains the same. Below are photos of the buckle padding on the newer Foonf (below left) and the older version (below right).

Clek is derived from one of the world's largest automotive suppliers. Clek strives to create innovative and safe products that think outside the box from the usual gear. Their safety seats are manufactured in North America.

Performance Comparison

Crash Test

The Clek Foonf has a mixed bag of crash test data. The important thing to understand is that this seat, like all the others in the review and on the market, meets or exceeds the Federal safety guidelines outlined in the FMVSS 213, and so, therefore, are considered safe.

Data from sled crash testing is recorded from the head and chest sensors in the crash test dummies used in each seat during testing. Our testing is designed to the same specifications as those used by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in their testing for an accurate side-by-side comparison. Some seats have test results that seem to indicate that the seat offers an additional margin of protection with fewer G-forces than the average values recorded. Clek has G-force data for the chest sensor that is lower than all of the other seats we reviewed, and chest sensor data that is second to the highest in this review, but is still half of the maximum allowable amount.

The comparison charts below show the sensor data recorded for each seat in this review side-by-side for simple comparison.

The chart below shows the test data from the sensors in the test dummy for the Clek (shown in black), including the crash test data for the seat that has the least amount of G-forces recorded in the head sensor for additional information (shown in green).

The Britax Allegiance head sensor recorded a lower amount of G-forces in crash testing than any of the other seats in this review. The Clek has the lowest recorded G-forces for the chest sensor. You can see how this result compares to the competition in the chart below.

Ease of Install - LATCH

The Clek earned a perfect score for ease of installation.

It has a relatively unique (for the group) rigid LATCH anchor system that is ridiculously easy to use because it doesn't require any tightening.

Installation of this seat using the LATCH system forward-facing will leave you wondering why all seats do not offer a rigid LATCH design. Adjusting the anchors to pull out from the base is easy and the clips can be attached to the vehicle simultaneously, or one side at a time. Depending on your vehicle, both are easy, or one might feel better than the other, but whichever method you choose that is essentially the end of the installation process.

The photos above show the seat without the recline attachment (above left) and with the attachment (above right). This part is entirely separate and will need to be stored elsewhere when not in use (rear-facing attachment only); as will the anti-rebound bar.

Forward-facing is more straightforward and doesn't require any extra steps while rear-facing involves the addition of a base recliner and an anti-rebound bar, but either direction will leave you feeling like it was too easy and you must have missed a step, only you didn't. Rear-facing does not offer rigid LATCH but is still easier than most seats in this review. There is almost no movement in the seat with the rigid LATCH anchor, and it always feels secure no matter what car we tested it in (4 various models). The anti-rebound bar adds to the feeling of security, and it is the only seat in this review that did not tip toward the vehicle seat back when pushed because the bar makes this virtually impossible. Overall, we can't imagine a seat being easier to install.

Ease of Install - Belt

The Clek continued to impress in the ease of installation using the vehicle belt by once again earning the second-highest score.

The LATCH system was created to make installation easier and more foolproof, but with the Clek, even the belt installation is relatively foolproof and hard to mess up.

The downside to this seat is similar to some of the others in that the belt path is under the seat bottom and somewhat requires the seat to be dismantled. The pathway is in a different location depending on if it is forward or rear-facing, but both require moving seat part around to thread the belt. Installing rear-facing is done by pulling up on the seat bottom to thread the belt and access the belt lock-off. This process is relatively easy, and the bottom stays up, so you have a clear view and don't have any parts in your way. The belt lock-off is one of the easiest in the group to use, and our only caution is you will need to double-check that you have the belt as tight as it will go before you close the lock-off or you will have to start over. If you get the belt too tight the lock off won't close. Rear-facing is once again a little more convoluted, and it requires putting on additional parts, so you'll need to allow time and space for that.

Ease of Use

Ease of use is the one category where the Clek didn't shine as much as the competition in this best convertible car seat review.

Harness

The Clek buckle isn't the greatest, but it isn't the worst either. The Clek is stiff in comparison, but not as stiff as some of the group. The chest clip is marginally better, and while not our favorite, it doesn't cause pain to operate and fingers of just about any size will be able to manage it without difficulty. Tightening and releasing the harness is relatively easy with a button that is hidden and deep near the foot of the seat (below left), but still reachable and easy enough to find and use. The strap to tighten is also located at the foot of the base and pulls smoothly.

The Clek does not have a non-rethread adjustment option. This feature is a shame given that the seat costs so much and has an adjustable headrest (above right) like those models that do have a no-rethread harness. The harness rethreads with a double hook in the back and threads through slots in the back of the seat shell. It is a little harder than some of the other rethread seats because the shell is thick and the seat is heavy. The shoulder straps have six height positions and two crotch positions to help ensure a proper fit.

LATCH Storage

The forward-facing LATCH is rigid and retracts into the seat base when not in use. The rear-facing connectors store under the seat bottom cushion which pops up. The tether clips to the back of the seat, and the strap rolls up and comes together with hook and loop closure. The LATCH storage does keep the straps and clips out of the way.

Cover

The fabric on this seat is not supposed to be removed and is spot clean only. While the material fits the seat bottom and back nicely with a look we liked, it is unfortunate that you can't launder it in some way. The fabric is a material that Clek says is resistant to spills and stains, but it remains to be seen how well this will wear over time.

Comfort/Quality

The Clek impressed us with its assembly and the innovative design features that help make it a unique seat.

The fabric on the Foonf is like none other in the group. It is soft and plush, and it seems like the passenger would be less likely to sweat in this seat as the fabric feels breathable. The fabric is GreenGuard Select Certified Crypton fabric that Clek claims provide permanent protection against stains, moisture, and odor-causing bacteria. It is also the only seat to claim to be free of brominated and chlorinated flame retardants. The padding under the fabric is a very firm foam covered in thick fabric. The foam is not cushy and comfortable in a traditional sense, but it still feels like it would be comfortable in a similar way to a high-quality mattress. We could not feel any bumps or ridges under the seat, and there is no infant insert with the Foonf.

The shell on the Clek is a hard plastic surrounding a metal frame. It is mostly smooth and self-contained with a little bit of open webbing on the lower portion that might be harder to keep clean. The seat has a tidy look with everything in its place and nothing swings or flails about when you move it. The foam on this seat is Expanded Polypropylene (EPP). This foam is less brittle and stiff than the more commonly used Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam and is more environmentally friendly and doesn't off-gas; we prefer the EPP foam over the EPS for these reasons. All foam areas on the Clek use EPP with the exception of the backrest which is polyurethane.

The Clek has a very nice overall fit and finish that looks good compared to the majority of seats. It has the look of a tailored piece of furniture as opposed to a slipcover look shared by much of the competition. The fabric is somewhat fuzzy by design, and we wonder how well this will wear over time, but it looks nice when new. The seat bottom has no protruding edges or sharp corners that could potentially damage the vehicle seat.

Weight

The Clek is the heaviest monster in the group. As much as we love this seat, we can't help but remark honestly on how stupidly heavy this seat is. With the angled bottom, steel frame, and anti-rebound bar for rear-facing installation, this seat is over 38 lbs.

For forward-facing, it is a bit lighter at just under 34 lbs. None of the other seats in the review come close to being this heavy. The Foonf, however, is one of the narrowest seats we tested at 17 inches wide. This width somewhat makes up for the heft of this seat, but on the bright side, you shouldn't have to move it often. It also means you can potentially fit three across in most vehicles if you need many safety seats in the same car. However, keep in mind the Clek seats are bulky from front to back, and rear-facing could take up more space in a vehicle than other convertible options. With this in mind, we recommend buying from a retailer with a generous return policy like Amazon so you can make returns if the seats don't fit in your car as expected.

Should You Buy the Clek Foonf?

This high-quality seat has a steel frame and unique design compared to much of the competition. It is easy to install, has an anti-rebound bar, and is comfortable. This seat is heavy but narrow, has some better crash test results, and has a super simple non-rethread height adjustment. We like the rigid LATCH and that it can sit facing backward longer, up to 50 lbs. All these factors make the Foonf a seat we'd recommend to a friend. On the downside, this seat is ridiculously heavy and not one you want to use on travel or if you need to move it frequently. Also, it is expensive, and it may not be a fit for all budgets.

What Other Convertible Car Seat Should You Consider?