WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat New/Open Box

This car seat has made it to my top 2 list of the BEST Travel Gear for Toddlers! I own a travel agency and have a toddler who goes everywhere with me. As a full time traveler and a solo parent I need a car seat that is as compact as it is safe-enter the WAYB Pico! SIZE: After my usual research through endless rabbit holes of recommendations, I stumbled across this seat just before a cross country flight from Charleston to LAX. The first thing to catch my eye was of course its size when folded. The Pico has a very small footprint coming in at 18.9” H when folded, 22.8” H in its lowest use position, and 27.8” H in its tallest usage position. In its storage position it measures in at only 11.6” L x 14.5” W. A Compact footprint is this seats biggest advantage over any other seat on the market. Nothing comes close to the Pico’s storage size- which equates to what you’ll actually carry through the airport and on your travels. SAFETY: In terms of safety the manufacturer (also a a small business) states that the Pico passes “all safety testing according to U.S. standards regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).” There is a FAA approval sticker placed on the side of the seat in the event that you are questioned by flight crew when using the seat on an airplane. CONSTRUCTION: Material wise- the Pico’s main frame is crafted from lightweight aluminum alloy making it one of the lightest options on the market based on its size. For those who are looking for an environmentally conscious car seat, the manufacturer points out that there is no PU foam used to make the Picco, and minimal plastic components. The fabric of the seat contains a combination of polyester, wool, and WAYB’s AstroKnit™️ mesh- all of which help to make a seat that can handle the temperature variations of different cities while keeping little ones comfortable. While I haven’t had to wash the seat yet, it can be spot cleaned and some components can be removed and hand washed using warm water and wool-safe detergent. INSTALLATION AND REAL WORLD USE: As I mentioned earlier- I bought the PICCO just days before a cross country flight. It arrived the day before travel and I gave a quick glance at the instruction manual to practice how to fold and install the seat both on a plane and in a car. I am pleased to report that use in both situations is an absolute breeze! To begin- flight attendants were shocked that what came out of the backpack was actually a car seat as they’re clearly used to seeing parents lug (and struggle with) massive rigid seats in the cabin. Ease of use is critical for me when choosing travel gear as I have to be able to manage each piece without assistance. The Pico pops out of the optional travel backpack easily and one reverse fold maneuver has it in position to be placed on the airplane seat. After locking the red folding pin, the Pico is secured to the seat using the only the planes lap belt. Installing the seat on a plane took less than a minute with the longest step being extending the planes lap belt to thread through the guides located on the back of the Pico. After that it’s just a few comfort adjustments for the headrest and 5 point harness and you’re ready for takeoff! One of the things I love about the Pico is that using it on a plane does NOT affect the person in the seat behind you. I’ve seen other 5 point travel systems which require you loop a harness buckle over the back of the seat back behind the tray table- in full view of the person sitting behind you. The Pico keeps everything to itself which means no need for begging any pardons from other travellers. After you flight it’s as simple as unbuckling the seat belt, pulling the red folding pin, and placing the seat back into the backpack! On our first car use I installed the Pico into a standard SUV that picked us up at the airport. Insert more wide eyed glances from our driver who was just as shocked to see a car seat come out of a backpack! Installing the Pico into a car is about as fast as it is in a plane- with the main difference being the use of its integrated LATCH (and tether) for cars equipped with these features. If the vehicle is not LATCH equipped, WAYB includes additional instructions for installing with vehicle seat belts. Installation into our drivers vehicle took no more than two minutes with the majority of my time spent looking for the tether anchor in the dark. As a note- the Pico can only be used in a FORWARD facing position for all installation methods. This is important for those travelling with an infant as the seat is intended for ages 2 and up weighing 22-50 lbs and 30-45 inches in height. OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES: The Pico has options to purchase additional accessories to make the journey even smoother. I opted for the Carry Bag which is a backpack style that can be worn or placed on top of your luggage with an attached luggage sleeve. The bag features padded straps for comfort along with zippered compartments to stow small items along with the seat. I recommend keeping the small instruction manual in one of the pockets. With its top flap opening, inserting and removing the Pico was a breeze and can be done single handed. WAYB also offers a vehicle seat protector and cup holder. OVERALL THOUGHTS: I can’t say enough about Pico’s portability and ease of use! There is no other product on the market that comes close to the compact size and lightweight portability of this seat. While its compact size was a huge factor in my decision to purchase, it doesn’t appear to have come at the expense of safety which is even more important. If you’re considering this seat keep in mind this is a FORWARD facing travel seat. If your little traveller is under two or less than 22lbs and 30” inches, the Pico won’t be an option until they are a little older. Would I use this seat at home for regular daily use? No. I believe in keeping my kids rear facing for as long as possible. With that said, I have found the Pico to be the best option for TRAVEL- even with the requirement to use it forward facing. From my perspective the Pico was intended first to secure my toddler on an airplane, making the forward facing requirement far less of an issue. The ability to use it on trips to/from hotels and in ride shares makes it a far safer option for us than going without a restraint or using a dirty seat that I’m not familiar with and don’t know where it’s been (or if it’s been in an accident). LATCH/tether anchor integration makes this seat a breeze to install in a car and it’s a snap to thread the lap belt through it on an airplane. It’s light weight and one pull folding system make it a breeze for the solo travelling adult to unpack and install. Overall I give the WAYB Pico a 10/10 as my top pick for a Travel Toddler Car Seat!