Home » Reviews » Clek Fllo Convertible Carseat Review: Cool, Hip—Dare I Say, Royal?
Clek Fllo Convertible Carseat Review: Cool, Hip—Dare I Say, Royal?
Innovators in carseat coolness, Clek doesn’t disappoint with its latest to the convertible seat lineup: Fllo. Fllo will always be the princess to Queen Foonf, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t mighty in her own right. Both have abundant safety features to keep your child’s crown safe. Read on to find out what makes Fllo majestic in her own right.
Retails for about $70 less than Foonf; the Fllo is typically $379 or less at Amazon.
Use *both* lockoffs for both seat belt and LATCH installations; if a plastic button or other seat belt feature keeps the lockoff from closing, then use one lockoff.
Make sure the seat belt or LATCH belt is placed under both forward belt tabs in the belt path.
Leave the vehicle seat belt in unlocked mode; don’t pull the shoulder belt out the full length to switch the retractor to locked mode.
If you would like new rear-facing lockoffs for your seat, they are available for $5 shipping/handling through customer service and are easy to replace.
Place the crotch strap so it’s in the slot closest to and even with, or behind, the child. There should not be any space between the child and the crotch strap.
The longer length strap may be used in *either* crotch strap slot, though Clek does recommend a 22 lbs. minimum before switching to the longer length. This change is retroactive as long as the 22 lbs. weight minimum is observed.
The crotch strap must be routed through the same slot in the seat cushion as it routed in the carseat shell.
Clek has a new vehicle seat protector available called the Mat-thingy. It is approved for use with only Clek carseats and is a thin rubber mat that protects the seat bottom and “waterfall” only.
The steel anti-rebound bar (ARB) is used for rear-facing installations and is entirely optional (though required in Canada). It’s used to prevent rotation into the back of the vehicle seat in the split seconds after a crash has occurred. Some manufacturers use rear-facing tethers to accomplish anti-rebound—Britax, Diono, and Combi—but Clek feels the ARB is the way to go. In fact, the overall feeling in Canada is very against rear-facing tethers and pro-ARB and that’s one reason why Clek, a Canadian company, uses them.
Using the ARB does increase the amount of front-to-back space you’ll need for your rear-facing installation by about an inch and a half. Think of it as a kickstand that keeps your Fllo from falling into the back seat in a crash and it sticks out some. This, in turn, leads to more legroom—not a bad thing if you have a leggier or older child who needs the room. In fact, my models had room to fold their legs up criss-cross-applesauce and still didn’t touch my back seat. If you need the Fllo more upright, don’t use the ARB. You’ll still be pleased with the amount of rear-facing legroom. Or tweak the location of where it hits the back seat. There’s not just one way of installing it.
As I was thinking about how to write this portion of the review, I had to decide whether or not to compare the Fllo to the Foonf. As a parent, you may not be in the market for a Foonf or have never used one. On the other hand, they’re very similar so if you already have a Foonf and you want something like it but don’t want to sell a kidney to get it – just know that the installation of both seats is very similar. I’ll try to take it easy on the comparisons, but still give you a flavor for how they’re similar and different. If you’d like to read my complete Foonf review, it’s here.
Installation with the seat belt for rear-facing was easy and like the Foonf, I really preferred installing the Fllo with the seat belt rather than with LATCH. It was easier for me to pull the shoulder belt tight while pushing the carseat down than for me to pull the LATCH belt tight. For rear-facing, the seat belt is routed through either blue lockoff—only use one. The lockoff handles are long and provide extra torque for closing. The lockoffs have a tendency to pop open if there’s too much tension on the seat belt. If that happens to you (it did to me), loosen the seat belt just a smidge and close the lockoff again and it should be fine. Remember, as long as the carseat moves less than 1” when you tug at the belt path, it’s installed properly. Or, if you want, you can skip the lockoffs completely and lock your seat belt’s retractor instead.
Finding a rear-facing recline angle is taken to an art form for the Fllo. It has 2 recline level lines based on weight but as long as you’re anywhere in between them and your child is comfortable, you’re golden.
The anti-rebound bar affects recline angle, as does where you place Fllo on the vehicle seat. A tightly rolled towel can be used to get a proper angle as well, but absolutely NO POOL NOODLES are allowed. And don’t forget to flip that recline foot forward for rear-facing and back for forward-facing. Yeah, you will time and again. But don’t. When Fllo is reclined to the max recline angle, my front passenger seat had to be moved all the way forward. There’s no way it could be installed behind the driver in my 2011 MDX, but that’s also true of just about every rear-facing convertible seat I can recall installing in this vehicle.
The base is NOT allowed to hang over the edge of the seat cushion at all so keep that in mind if you have shallow vehicle seats. If you encounter this issue try ditching the ARB and/or installing the seat more upright to get 100% of the base over the vehicle seat.
For forward-facing, the seat belt is routed through a single red lockoff on the side opposite of the buckle. Don’t forget to attach the top tether to an approved vehicle tether anchor! Using the tether isn’t required when installing the Fllo with a 3-point lap/shoulder seat belt, but it *is* required when installing forward-facing with the lower LATCH connectors or using just a lap belt. Tethering provides such an enormous safety benefit that you should always try to position the forward-facing carseat in a spot with a tether anchor if possible. If you install the Fllo using a lap/shoulder seat belt without using the tether AND your child is under 40 lbs., you MUST use the belly pad. Aw heck. Use the tether, eh. And the belly pad. As with most tall carseats, I removed my vehicle’s head restraint so it didn’t interfere with my installation and push the carseat forward. You may be able to turn your vehicle head restraint around so you don’t have to worry about losing it.
There are two separate LATCH weight limits with the Fllo. Once your child reaches these weight limits, you must switch from using LATCH to using the vehicle seat belt for installation.
For rear-facing installation, the Fllo has one flexible LATCH strap and the connectors are the deluxe push-on style connectors. There are designated storage areas under the seat pad to store the LATCH connectors and a spot on the shoulder harness access panel to store the tether strap when not in use.
If you install the carseat with the lower LATCH connectors for forward-facing, you must switch to using the seat belt when your child reaches 40 lbs. Clek requires use of the top tether in conjunction with LATCH for forward-facing use.
Clek does NOT allow center LATCH installation where the seating position is not designated as a LATCH seating position and where lower anchors are spaced more than 11” apart.
The tether is NOT to be used in the rear-facing position. Use the top tether whenever the carseat is installed forward-facing, whether installed with the vehicle seat belt or the lower LATCH anchors. When Fllo is forward-facing, attach it to a vehicle manufacturer-authorized tether anchor whether you’re installing with LATCH connectors or seat belt.
The Fllo does very well fitting a wide range of kids from 14-65 lbs. In January, Clek will offer an Infant Thingy insert to take the rear-facing weight range down to 5 lbs. (watch for an upcoming Infant Thingy mini-review!). Because of the clean, modern lines, it’s a roomy seat for the biggest kids and they appreciate it. You can see in the pictures that there’s plenty of room for my 4 year old rear-facing models and loads of legroom. My 3 year old forward-facing model had another harness slot to go before outgrowing by height.
Sullivan is 3 (only a few weeks from turning 4) and weighs 48 lbs.
It’s hard to believe there’s any padding on the Fllo because of the clean lines and narrowness of the carseat, but it’s there. Somehow Clek has managed to make the Fllo have not only one of the narrowest outside measurements on the market, but it also has roominess on the inside AND it’s comfortable to boot. I asked my models how comfy the seat was. They loved it because it was roomy and “comfy” and they loved that they could buckle themselves in. I couldn’t get any more out of them—hey, they were 4 and 5. I love that they can practically eat the cover because it’s free of brominated and chlorinated flame retardants. And you know some kids like to gnaw on covers ;).
Keeping the cover clean should be easy. With the Crypton fabric, spills should wipe up fairly easily. The fabric on the seat cushion is removable and the seat back cover is as well. To remove the seat back cover (“jacket”, if you want to be cool), you’ll need a standard sized phillips head screwdriver and a little fearlessness to know that you aren’t going to break the sides as you yank them off, then snap them back on again. It’s time-consuming and something you’ll only do because the Fllo has been doused in something truly foul. Of course, you’ll follow the directions that Clek sends you. Fortunately, Clek has their Fabric Cleaning + Stain Remover Kit, which includes a product for cleaning protein-based messes and one for dye-bases messes. The cleaning kit works well and leaves the fabric very fresh-smelling. The 2015 Drift fashion is not a Crypton fabric and is priced accordingly, though all 2016 fabrics are Crypton fabrics. According to the Clek representative, it has not been tested yet to know whether or not it is free of the same chemicals as the Crypton fabric.
Crotch Strap Adjustment: There are two crotch strap positions located approximately 4” and 6” from the back of the seat. The strap adjusts by turning it sideways and sliding it forward or back. There are 2 separate crotch strap lengths sewn together to the buckle (picture below); this way you don’t lose a buckle when your child grows larger. It’s a rather ingenious design. The longer crotch strap length can ONLY be used for a child in the outer slot position. Make sure you don’t put both strap anchors into the slots at the same time. Yes, it can be done. No, don’t do it.
Of note, the buckle pad must always be used until the child reaches 22 lbs. It also must be used if you install Fllo with the lap/shoulder seat belt forward-facing without the tether and your child is under 40 lbs. Be careful not to lose it as you remove the seat cushion to install the anti-rebound bar.
Drink Thingy cupholder (optional accessory- sold separately): May be used on either side when Fllo is installed rear-facing using LATCH. When installing using the vehicle belt, the cupholder may only be attached on the side of the seat the buckle is closest to. When using the Drink Thingy with a rear-facing seat, install the seat first, then attach the Drink Thingy according to instructions.
9 Year Expiration and Crash Guidelines: The Fllo has a 9-year expiration; the date of manufacture sticker is on the lower back of the seat. Clek specifies to replace the carseat after any crash.
Airplane Certification: The Fllo is FAA-approved for use in aircraft. The sticker with the RED text stating that it is approved for use on aircraft is on the bottom of the seat and if you’re using it rear-facing, the rear-facing foot will be covering it. That’s a good thing to note if you travel with the seat so you can be prepared to show airline officials if they ask.
It also is a heavier restraint, so if you do travel with it, you’ll want to use a luggage cart or the Clek Weelee to avoid having to carry it. *A note about the Weelee: *I* fit in the Weelee! This is not your ordinary carseat storage bag for sure.
If you click on the 4 arrows in the upper right corner which are visible after clicking on this graphic, you will see the graphic in full size. Alternatively, you can right-click and save it.
Assembly: Like the Foonf, using the Fllo rear-facing takes a methodical approach. This isn’t a carseat you can pull from the box and think you can assemble and use without reading the directions.
Must manually adjust harness height. I’d like to see a no re-thread harness adjuster on a carseat in this class.
As you can see, there are advantages to being a princess. Princess Fllo has the flexibility of the flip foot instead of Foonf’s recline base, which reduces visibility problems for drivers, the option of using the anti-rebound bar (required in Canada), and the option of using the rear-facing lockoffs for seat belt installations. Need 3-across? Not a problem since Fllo is so narrow on the outside and roomy on the inside (and won’t cost the price of a used car to get it). The Crypton fabric seals the deal, especially if you have messy eaters or potty trainers in your car. Fllo doesn’t have rigid LATCH connectors like Foonf, but the deluxe push-on style LATCH connectors are easy to use and when stored, you don’t even know they’re there. Now your coach can truly travel in style with your prince or princess on board!
Thank you to Clek for providing the Fllo for our review. No other compensation was provided and all opinions expressed in this review are those of CarseatBlog.
Any idea why these are so poorly rated on consumer reports? Also, has anyone heard that the Fllo is less safe than the Foonf if it is not in the center position?
We were all set to buy a fllo, then I signed up for consumer reports. The Fllo & the Foonf are the lowest rated car seat out of 25 seats! I thought I was buying safety at the highest end. Now I’m terribly confused how to interpret all of this information about safety.
It’s more padded, but I don’t know how to quantify it because it’s so upholstered. You can feel it most definitely, but it’s not cushy.
Hi, for Forward facing, do the different recline options of the Foonf make it less upright and more comfortable for kids to sleep than the Fllo?
The FF recline does make it a little easier to sleep in the Foonf, but it’s not something you can do on the fly.
What do you mean it’s not something you can do on the fly? Can’t you just install the seat at recline #2 and leave it like that?
Yes, you can install it on recline 2 and leave it. What I meant was that you have to install it that way; you can’t decide in the middle of driving to reach back and recline it.
I was wondering how these seats perform rear-facing during a crash. Everything I read is all about how great they are forward facing.
Why Should you not to use the seat belt lock off and the seat belt locking mechanism together?
Hi Beth. Clek specifies to use one or the other. The new lockoffs on the new seats are very good at holding the seat belt tight so there shouldn’t be any issues. One reason to not lock the seat belt retractor is that it may cause the carseat to start tipping as the shoulder belt pulls tighter over time.
decided on the Clek foonf, my issue is with the model year. i noticed amazon is selling models from 2014-2016. I do know that Clek has a 9 year expiration, so does that mean purchasing a new 2014 will have only 7 years left? besides the expiration and the noted newer features, the prices of the 2014 are at times higher?
Amazon has had it as low as $450 this year, so I would personally look at buying a newer model.
I’m dreaming of a clerk this earth day! We turn of lights in rooms we’re not in, cloth diaper, recycle, reuse before we recycle (i.e. Wash sandwich bags), use reusable bags, conserve water, shop at and donate to second hand stores…every day we do our part to protect our earth!
Great review! The best feature of this seat, which was not mentioned in the article, is the fact that it is manufactured in Canada. For consumers that hate purchasing overpriced junk manufactured in China to dubious standards (almost all other child seats fall into this category), this seat is an excellent option.
It’s hard to say if there will be a big difference, as a lot depends on how upright it is installed and on your vehicle as well. We do have a comparison guide, but it is only an estimate as your vehicle and installation will vary: https://carseatblog.com/22818/ . Neither one is among the most compact models if you are short on front seat legroom.
Thanks for the reply, the comparison guide is so useful, after went thru it, I believe the Britax CT Boulevard fit better on my car, but to be honest I like Clek fllo more…..
If you ever have a larger vehicle in the future, there is an optional anti-rebound bar available for the Britax convertibles. I’m not sure how much front seat leg room it would cost you, perhaps only a little. The Fllo is quite narrow, maybe it will install rear-facing in the middle seat, such that the top of the carseat fits between the front vehicle seat backs? That may give you more legroom up front also.
Hi Nancy. Are you in Canada? The Fllo requires the ARB in Canada (I’ll make a notation of that in the review), but it’s optional in the U.S. How heavy is your child? If over 22 lbs., it can be installed at the more upright recline level. Push the front seats up all the way and stand behind the seat and push on it as you tighten either the LATCH belt or seat belt.
I was just in a Mazda 3, but didn’t think to look in the back seat–I made my dd ride back there, lol. Did you try installing the Fllo in the center of the back seat?
If you’re looking for a new vehicle anyway, I’d start with determining the type of vehicle you want: sedan vs. SUV, for instance. Look at safety ratings at both http://www.nhtsa.gov (scroll down) and http://www.iihs.org. Then look at where you want to place your carseat, and any future carseats, and when you go test drive, take the carseat and try it out both RF and FF. With the ARB, that requires knowing beforehand how to whip it off and on pretty quickly, so you’re not getting frustrated trying to get it installed while someone stands around waiting. Some to consider would be the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, Honda Pilot, Volkswagen Passat.
HI- We have a Foonf and absolutely love it. Now we have a set of twins and want to stay with the Clek line for our next two purchases, but are looking to the Fllo to save a little money. We saw today that Babies R Us has the Fllo in “noir” color. I can’t find mention of that color ANYWHERE else. I’m trying to determine if that is a Crypton fabric. Any ideas?
Hi Jessica. It is a Crypton fabric special for BRU. BRU likes their fashions to not appear anywhere else .
We have a Clek Fllo and have been very happy with it! We were just recently in a car accident (rear-ended) and I need to buy a new seat. Any idea when Clek will come out with a 2016 Fllo? It has been about a year since we purchased our original Fllo. I don’t want to buy another 2015 when I assume they will be coming out with a 2016 soon! We are currently using a seat out of my husband’s car so that we don’t have to use the one involved in the accident.
Sorry to hear you need a new Fllo, Mary. Hope no one was hurt!
I contacted my person at Clek and she said the best she knows is that the 2016 models are coming out at the beginning of the year. We may know more at the ABC Show in the middle of October, so stay tuned for our updates from the show.
I am in the same situation as Mary. Any news on the Foonf?
Riona, the Foonf is on the same timeline as the Fllo, so expect it around the first quarter of next year. The countdown is on for the ABC Show, so we’ll hopefully know more about their timeline in just over a week!
How did the ABC show go? Any more news on 2016 models for both fllo and Foonf?
We have Audi Q5 and we have both Foonf and Fllo car seats. I am using Foonf in the Audi and my husband has Fllo as the second seat in his van. Both car seats are installed rear-facing. Foonf fits in Audi just fine, very secure. I like it installed behind the drivers seat but I am a short person so if we travel together with my husband and both plan driving we install it behind passenger seat.
Audi Q7 is bigger car so you may have more room in the back. My daughter likes the seat, she can see out of the window and that keeps her entertained on the longer rides. She is tall for her 18 month but has plenty of room in the Foonf.
Hi! Would the clek fllo fit in the middle seat of an Audi Q5?
Elle, I can’t say for sure because I’ve never installed one there before, but you’d have a better chance with it fitting without the anti-rebound bar.
We have an Audi Q7, would the Foonf of Fllo bet a better option for us. We have a 16 month old son that is 100 percentile so a roomy seat is definitely a plus for us. Thanks!
I just wanted to add that my LO (33 month old – 38 inches/35lbs) does not like the seat at all. She does not think it is comfortable at all. I bought it to be used as the primary seat and move our other seat (Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 5 70) to the secondary car, since this one is rated for rear facing slightly longer (weight and height). However, we are using this seat as the secondary seat since we could not return it to the store that it was purchased from. Definitely less comfy then the Peg Perego, should have just purchased another one of those. Just wanted to share another perspective. Thanks for the review.
Karen, do you have an update? Do you still like the Peg better? I have a peg for my car but was thinking about moving it to my mother’s car and getting a Clek for mine. Not sure it will fit in my car though! Does your daughter like it anymore since you left the review?
I have the Clek Fllo and have been very happy with it. My only issue to date is that I am having a difficult time getting a tight, LEVEL install on leather seats. I am using the Fllo in a 2012 Toyota FourRunner in the center seat, rear-facing. The seat seems to be tight without much wiggle room when I install it, but it ALWAYS starts to lean (tip?) towards one side. I am at a loss about what to do. I have installed and re-installed it a gazillion times now. Happy to send pics if someone can help me.
Hi Julie. Yes, I have seen that video and I’ve used that technique for installing RF convertibles for years. The only problem with pulling the seat belt so tight on the Fllo and Foonf like she shows is that with the “old” lockoffs, they have the tendency to pop open. A little bit of slack in the belt will still yield a tight installation because of the design of the lockoff yet keep the lockoff closed. I’m glad you’re able to get a great installation using this technique!
The new 2016 lockoffs shouldn’t pop open at all.
How does EACT compare to REACT? Good alternative for those without lower anchors?
I’m honestly confused by a restriction on pool noodles but allowing towels. What gives there?
I’m also interested to know what measures the crotch pad improved. It seems like they’d want to make it non removable so it can’t get lost if it’s so important?
@KQ, since I don’t know the answers to your questions, I asked Trudy (Clek rep) to drop by. As soon as she gets a chance, she’ll be by to give you everything you need.
@KQ – EACT and REACT are performing the same function in that they are absorbing some of the energy of a collision for a forward-facing child so that the child has a longer period of time to stop moving and experiences less force. They are designed differently so far as how they engage – in other words what triggers the energy absorption to begin, so EACT has full benefit with the vehicle belt, whereas REACT requires that the rigid LATCH connectors be used in order to get maximum benefit. (Be it by LATCH alone or LATCH plus vehicle belt.) For families who plan to only use the vehicle belt, the Fllo would be a better choice due to the EACT.
So far as the crotch buckle pad, it needs to be removable in order to take off the seat cushion. It also becomes optional at 22lbs so we wouldn’t want it to be permanently attached in the case of bigger kids who don’t like buckle pads. While Foonf/Fllo are rated starting at 14lbs, we still test both seats with the newborn dummy. The crotch buckle pad being required is primarily an issue of it being needed to properly secure the newborn test dummy. As you probably know, there are no injury measurements that can be taken from the newborn dummy, so I really can’t predict measurements. When we test with the 12mo dummy that is approximately 22lbs, we test both with and without the crotch buckle pad. So that’s why it becomes optional at 22lbs.
We have a Clek Foonf and find the crotch buckle pad often coming off when taking our daughter out. Recently, we lost it. Is there a way to obtain a replacement? I don’t see it on the Clek website.
Ben, contact Clek’s excellent customer service for help.