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Clek Foonf Review

Clek Foonf Review
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Overall Score
Ease of Install - Latch
Ease of Install - Belt
Ease of Use
Comfort & Quality
Weight & Size

Bottom Line

Clek Foonf is one of the most popular convertible child car seats, although it’s very costly. However, the cost is equal with excellent safety features of the seat. Also, its long useful life ensures that you get maximum value for your money.

What We Like

  • Excellent safety system
  • Innovative protection against stains
  • 3-Across installation is possible
  • Effortless forward-facing installation
  • Extra-secure installation

What We Don't Like

  • High price
  • Heavier than the Clek Fllo

It’s not easy to find a perfect 2 in 1 car seat that can serve children as they grow up. This is because many related car seats promise a lot but deliver little. However, you can always look up to us for reliable car seat reviews. We have undertaken an extensive review of products, and here we present the Clek Foonf review for your consideration.

Overview of the Clek Foonf

If you’re searching for a child car seat that comes with unique style, luxury, comfort, and advanced safety, read on! Clek calls the Foonf “mother of all seats.” From our review, this moniker isn’t unfounded. Even the Clek Fllo car seat that came two years later can’t measure up to the Foonf.

Looking like a tank, the seat is designed with crumple technology for utmost child protection. With the Rigid-LATCH, the forward-facing installation is effortlessly easy and very secure. It’s smooth, 3-position recline makes the ride comfortable for your baby.

Every Clek car seat comes with high safety technologies. The Clek Fllo, for instance, uses the EACT safety technology. The Foonf, on its part, uses a more advanced REACT safety to provide maximum child protection in case of a crash. It limits the amount of impact energy that reaches the child, thus cushioning them. The system has all rights reserved, making it unique to Clek seats.

The Clek Foonf width is enough to accommodate babies comfortably. At the same time, it’s narrow enough to allow for 3-fit across. Also, its long life means that you can pass the Foonf from one child to another!

To ensure that it remains clean, the Foonf comes in GREENGUARD Select Certified Crypton Super Fabrics. The fabrics protect your seat against odor-causing bacteria, stains, and moisture relieving your great effort in cleaning it.

See also: Best Convertible Car Seats

Things to Consider before Buying a Clek Foonf

Whenever you set out to purchase any product, there are a few things you often consider. Children’s car seats are no exception. Most people would love to buy a car seat is:

  • easy to install
  • fits children perfectly
  • safe and comfortable
  • easy to clean
  • “grows with children”
  • affordable

In other words, these items may not miss on your list of considerations:

  • Type of installation
  • Height-weight range of your child
  • Age
  • Safety
  • Ease of cleaning
  • Expiry period
  • Price

Child fit is something you must consider first. The Clek Foonf is popular because it has a wide range of weight and height. But how do you know whether or not you’re the ideal customer for this seat?

In the rear-facing position, it is ideal for babies who can sit upright unsupported. But they must be in the weight limit of 14-50 lbs with a height range of 25-43 inches.

In the forward-facing mode, the ideal child is one who weighs between 22-65 lbs. The height range in this mode is 30 – 49 inches. The recommended age in the forward-facing position is at least 2 years.

The Clek Foonf offers excellent comfort and safety to children. It’s quite easy and very secure to install using the rigid LATCH. This is what makes many people prefer the Foonf to the Clek Fllo. The seat doesn’t require much effort to clean.

However, it’s quite unfriendly for families on a tight budget.

Key Features of Clek Foonf Car Seat

In this section, we write about how to install the seat, its design features, how to clean it, and its price.

Installation and Setup Process

In both its rear-facing or forward-facing mode, you can install the Foonf either using the LATCH or the vehicle belt. Before embarking on the installation process, always go through the product manual and follow the guidelines.

Rear-Facing Installation Using the LATCH

Use the Foonf rear-facing as long as your child weighs less than 25 lbs.

Follow these simple steps:

  1. Recline the seat fully and fix the rear-facing base to its bottom.
  2.  Remove the seat cushion to attach the Anti-Rebound Bar.
  3. Open the rear-facing belt lock-offs and ensure that their portions are not blocking the rear-facing belt path.
  4. Retrieve the rear-facing LATCH belt from under the seat cushion and lengthen both of its sides.
  5. Route it through its belt path, ensuring it’s centered and put it beneath the forward belt tabs.
  6. With the rear-facing belt path toward your vehicle’s seatback, put the Foonf in the vehicle seat. Ensure that the vehicle seatback is upright and locked.
  7. Fasten the LATCH connectors to the lower anchors securely. Always connect one LATCH connector to the vehicle’s lower anchor.
  8. Adjust the seat to ensure that the rear-facing level reference line is parallel with the ground.
  9. Push down on the seat center and then pull the LATCH belt’s free end to tighten it to secure the car seat. Do the same for the opposite side of the belt.
  10. Confirm that the seat is secured correctly and install the seat cushion.

Rear-Facing Installation Using Vehicle Belt

Follow these steps if you want to install the seat using the vehicle belt:

  1. Recline the seat fully and install the rear-facing base.
  2. Remove the seat cushion and attach the Anti-Rebound Bar.
  3. Place the car seat rear-facing on the vehicle seat. The belt should be compatible with the Clek Foonf.
  4. Open the rear-facing belt lock-offs, ensuring that their portions are not in the way of the belt path.
  5. Adjust the Foonf to a position where the rear-facing level reference line is parallel with the ground.
  6. Guide the seat belt through its rear-facing belt path but beneath the forward belt tabs and buckle it. Ensure that the crotch strap doesn’t lie below the vehicle belt.
  7. Tighten the vehicle belt by pressing down the center of the Foonf and pulling the shoulder section of the lap/shoulder belt.
  8. Close the belt lock-offs. Ensure that the all the lap/shoulder belt is under the forward belt tabs and the rear-facing belt lock-offs.
  9. Check your installation and confirm the rear-facing level reference line and install the seat cushion.

Forward Facing Installation Using LATCH

Clek highly discourages this method if the child weighs above 35 lbs.

The steps to follow are:

  1. Remove the Anti-Rebound Bar and the rear-facing base.
  2. Recline the Foonf to position 1 or 2 by pulling out the recline handle and rotating the seat.
  3. Extend the rigid-LATCH connectors fully.
  4. Remove the tether hook from its storage location, lengthen the top tether belt, and put the tether hook in the seat.
  5. Set the Clek Foonf on the vehicle seat with rigid-LATCH connectors and secure the connectors to the LATCH lower anchors.
  6. Ensure that rigid-LATCH connectors are correctly connected to the LATCH lower anchors. The LATCH lock indicators will show you by changing from red to green.
  7. Adjust the Foonf to ensure that it fits snugly against the back of the vehicle seat.
  8. Fix the tether hook to the top tether of the vehicle and pull firmly on the strap’s free end. Pull until the top tether is snug.
  9. Check the seat to verify your installation.

Forward Facing Installation Using Vehicle Belt

  1. Remove the Anti-Rebound Bar and the rear-facing base if they are attached.
  2. Adjust the seat to an appropriate recline position.
  3. Retrieve the tether hook from its storage and put it in the seat of the car seat.
  4. Set the Foonf on the vehicle seat is forward-facing.
  5. Take the vehicle belt through its belt path, ensuring that it’s not between the back of the seat and the harness, then belt it.
  6. Tighten the belt to secure the Foonf Fix the tether hook to the top tether of the vehicle and then pull firmly
  7. on the strap’s free end. Pull until the top tether is snug.
  8. Confirm your installation by trying to pull the car seat. It should not move more than an inch sideways or front and back.

Recommended Age Range for the Foonf

Clek Foonf convertible car seat can serve children with a wide age range. However, it can’t accommodate newborns without an infant-thingy. So, what’s the age range for this seat?

In the rear-facing mode, Clek recommends children who can sit upright unsupported. They should weigh between 14 – 50 lbs with a height of between 25 – 43 inches.

In the forward-facing mode, the recommended age is 2 years and above. The child’s weight should be between 22 – 65 lbs with a height of between 30 – 49 inches.

Design of the Foonf

Clek Foonf is designed to guarantee maximum comfort, convenience, and safety. Let’s explore some of its key features that meet these ends.

The Rigid-LATCH installation system makes the forward-facing installation not only simple but also firm and secure. It’s so firm that you can easily think that Foonf is part of the vehicle!

Its headrest is conveniently adjustable to provide a perfect fit for your growing child. It provides a comfortable protective shield for babies to rest their heads as they take naps during the ride. It has deep side-wings lined with two layers of energy-absorbing EPP foam. This provides maximum protection against side-impact.

The seat’s padded EEP foam cushion is easily removable, and its cover is washable by hand. It is the hallmark of the Foonf’s comfort and convenience.

The Clek Foonf also has a very smooth recline with 3 recline options. This makes the child’s ride more comfortable.

Also, Clek doesn’t use chlorinated flame retardants in its car seats. This is to ensure that the potentially carcinogenic compounds do not compromise your little one’s health.

The Foonf is a relatively narrow seat measuring slightly below 17 inches wide. This is great because it makes 3-across installation possible. If not, it leaves enough room adult passengers or even your pets.

With the Clek Foonf C-Zero Plus Performance Collection, technology your child seat remains clean for a long time. It’s GREENGURAD Gold Certified, providing high resistance against bacteria that cause odor as well as hydro-stains. The C-Plus Performance fabrics are also impervious to moisture. This is great in improving not just cleanability but also the durability of the seat.

This car seat also comes in a wide variety of colors to suit children’s personalities, tastes, and preferences. Check out the product specs section for the Foonf colors.

Safety Features – REACT Technology

Children car seat manufacturers always strive to adhere to all the set safety standards in their designs. Clek’s Foonf is one of the safest car seats on the market.

For the advanced safety of the Foonf, Clek uses an innovative REACT safety system. REACT is an acronym for Rigid-LATCH Energy Absorbing Crumple Technology. It protects children the same way the crumple zones in cars work. It cushions babies against impact energy during a frontal collision. Its forward-facing and rear-facing safety performance are similar.

The seat’s Anti-Rebound Bar is meant to prevent the Foonf from rebounding in case of a head-on collision when the seat is used in rear-facing. It can also prevent the seat from rotating in case of a side-impact collision. The Anti-Rebound Bar also creates about 2 inches of extra legroom that the child may need in rear-facing as they grow.

With excellent crash test results, the Clek Foonf meets and exceeds the applicable standards, namely the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213.

However, your child’s safety depends mainly on how well you use the Foonf. Always follow the guidelines and instructions in the user guide before installing the seat.

Some helpful safety tips for the Clek Foonf include the following:

  • Don’t exceed child specifications in terms of height and weight limit.
  • Always install on the back seat of your vehicle.
  • In the rear-facing mode, always use the Anti-Rebound bar and the rear-facing base.
  • Always use the seat rear-facing as long as your child is less than 2 years.
  • Never use the seat without its headrest.
  • Always ensure the vehicle seat back in which the Foonf is placed is upright and locked.
  • While securing your child in the seat, always provide the correct position of the crotch strap.

Cleaning the Clek Foonf

How do you go about cleaning your dirty Foonf? Clek designed this seat to make it effortless and straightforward for you to clean it! Let’s start by showing you how to take care of its fabrics.

  1. If the dirty spot is dry, just try to scrape or brush off its residue lightly and then wipe the surface using water.
  2. In case it doesn’t clear away, apply a mild detergent to the area with a light mist.
  3. Rub on it using a soft brush starting from its edge to the center.
  4. Give it a little time, say a minute or two, for the detergent to work.
  5. Remove the spot with clean water, or you can simply blot is using a clean, soft towel
  6. If it clears, rinse the fabric using lukewarm water and a clean, soft white cloth to blot.
  7. If it doesn’t clear, repeat steps 2-5 until the fabric is free from the spot.

As easy as that and your fabrics are done!

Cleaning the plastic parts of the Foonf is so easy. Simply wipe them clean using a soft cloth with soap and warm water.

As for the harness, surface-wash its straps using a damp cloth with water and mild detergent. How about the buckle? Just rinse it under warm water but never use lubricants or detergents on the buckle.

Be sure to protect the labels while cleaning the seat. The labels contain important information about the seat.

Price of the Foonf: You’ll Break the Bank!

We found the Clek Foonf to be a high-end user seat. It retails roughly in the range of $460 – $500. If you’re getting it from Amazon, you’ll have to pay extra costs for shipping. This prohibitive cost pushes the seat out of reach for many families on a tight budget.

However, this shouldn’t scare you! It’s worth the sacrifice since it’s a 2 in 1 seat; you won’t have to buy another one as your child grows up. Moreover, the superior comfort, safety, and convenience that come with it are worth paying top dollar.

Product Specs

  • Product Name: Foonf
  • Product Brand: Clek
  • Weight Rear Facing: 38 pounds
  • Weight Forward Facing: 33 pounds
  • Height Rear Facing: 25.5-28.5 inches
  • Height Forward Facing: 28-32.5 inches
  • Package Dimensions: 30.5 x 18.5 x 17 inches
  • Package Weight: 46.6 pounds
  • Child Weight Limit (Rear-Facing): 14 – 50 pounds
  • Child Weight Limit (Forward Facing): 22 – 65 pounds
  • Child Height (Rear-Facing): 25 – 43 inches
  • Child Height (Forward Facing): 30 – 49 inches
  • Age Rear Facing: Able to sit upright alone
  • Age Forward Facing: 2+ years
  • Color: Assorted (snow-berry, aura, ten-year blue, thunder/cloud, pitch black, mammoth, full moon, tokidoki reef rider, and carbon).
  • Expiration Date: 9 years from the date of manufacture
  • Warranty: 1+ 2-year warranty

Competition: Famed for Style and Safety but More Costly than Related Seats

The Clek Foonf is a great car seat. However, it costs quite a lot; therefore, many families may find it unfriendly. What cheaper alternatives can you turn to? Let’s take a quick review of a few options.

Britax Advocate ClickTight Convertible Car SeatThis is a convertible car seat that features a ClickTight installation system. It serves children from infancy until they attain 65 pounds. The Clek Foonf cannot help infants below 14 pounds unless you use an infant insert (which you must buy separately). Unlike the Foonf, which has only 3 recline positions, the Advocate ClickTight comes with 7 recline positions. For safety, the Advocate comes with three layers of energy-absorbing material to protect babies against side-impact. It’s also easier to install compared to the Foonf. It has the auto-level indicators to help you achieve an accurate angle of installation. Although the Britax Advocate ClickTight costs somewhat lower than the Foonf, it’s still on the high-end. Its retail price ranges from $345 to $370. That said, it’s an excellent alternative to the Foonf.

Graco 4Ever 4-In-1 Convertible Car Seat: This one comes in a steel-reinforced frame to provide strength as well as durability. Its InRight LATCH attachment gives you an instant attachment with an audible click that assures you of a secure installation. At 24 pounds seat weight, it’s lighter compared to the Britax Advocate and the Clek Foonf. It has a wider child weight range compared to the Foonf and the Britax Advocate. The recommended minimum weight is 4 pounds, while the maximum weight is 120 pounds. It can be used in rear-facing, forward-facing, high back, and backless modes. It’s also secure and comfortable. It comes with 6 recline positions for comfort while the TrueShield side-impact technology provides safety to your child. Retailing between $330 – $350, the Graco 4Ever 4 in 1 is also an excellent alternative to the Clek Foonf.

Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat: Made from durable materials, this car seat will serve your child for a decade! It has the same child specifications as the Graco 4Ever 4 in 1. It features an EasyClick LATCH system that provides a rock-solid installation that is very firm. You can use this seat in forward-facing, rear-facing, or as a belt-positioning booster. Weighing just 22 pounds, the Evenflo Tribute is the lightest of them all. It’s conveniently easy to shift it from one vehicle to another if needed. In terms of pricing, this seat is one of the cheapest convertible seats on the market. It retails roughly in the range of $203 – $210. It’s therefore ideal for families on tight budgets.

The Final Verdict: Clek Foonf Review

Based on our review, the Clek Foonf car seat is classy, safe, comfortable, convenient, and long-lasting. Its REACT safety system is revolutionary. Because of its creative safety design and cleaning technology, the seat is costly. If you’re on a tight budget, the Foonf is not your right option.

There are other alternatives on the market that are equally safe and comfortable but at a lower price. We have done our part in the review. The call is now yours to make. If you’re looking for a class on top of safety and comfort, go for the Foonf. Otherwise, you have other alternatives to consider.

See also: 14 Best Car Seats to Buy Right Now

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