Picking out a car seat was one of the most intimidating tasks I completed as a soon-to-be parent.  I can remember how daunting it was knowing that your brand new bundle of joy would be protected by the piece of equipment you selected and how you weren't allowed to leave the hospital with your baby without first having a car seat properly installed.

Once Riley outgrew her rear-facing car seat, we received a hand-me-down from a friend, but it didn't seem very comfortable and it definitely wasn't convenient or well-designed.

Diono, formerly Sunshine Kids Juvenile Products, has recently released a brand new concept in car seats:  the 3-in-1 Convertible + Booster.  From just 5 pounds to 120 pounds, the Radian RXT is designed to be the only car seat you'll ever need.  Keep reading to learn more!

The Radian RXT from Diono is a highly versatile car seat that comfortably seats rear-facing children from 5-45 lbs., forward-facing children from 20-80 lbs. in a 5-point harness, then converts to a booster seat for children up to 120 lbs. It’s built for strength and safety with a steel alloy frame, reinforced sidewalls, adjustable head support and Diono's patented SafeStop energy absorbing harness.

EPS foam surrounds the child's head and body to provide complete side impact protection.  Their unique SuperLATCH system also makes installation super easy.  The Radian RXT is NCAP tested, which is the industry benchmark for verifying child seat performance in severe accident conditions, and the only car seat rated for LATCH use with a child up to 80 lbs.

The Radian RXT sits low on a vehicle seat for easy child boarding, and features memory foam padding and infant support pillows.  It's expandable sides and a longer seat bottom provide extra room and comfort for your growing child.  One cup holder is included, with the option to add up to 4 cup holders total.  In addition to all of this versatility, the Radian RXT folds flat for travel and storage, and offers amazing safety, comfort and convenience your child won’t outgrow.

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The Diono Radian RXT Convertible + Booster Car Seat weighs in at a hefty 24 pounds and can be carried using either the red carry strap, by the plastic side, using the shoulder strap or even worn as a backpack.  Because it can fold flat, it is perfect for taking along for use in another car, on vacation or even on an airplane.

The Radian RXT can be used as a rear-facing car seat for children ranging in weight from 5 pounds to 45 pounds, the highest rear facing car seat on the market today.  This is in agreement with the new revised policies of the American Academy of Pediatrics and NHTSA to keep children rear-facing to a minimum of age 2 and even longer, if possible.  The deep seat of the Diono Radian RXT will give larger rear-facing children more leg room too.

As for safety, the Diono Radian RXT Convertible + Booster Car Seat can't be beat!  This safety device boasts the following excellent protective features to ensure your child is secure in the unfortunate event of a car accident:

• Steel alloy frame and aluminum reinforced sides
• Safestop energy-absorbing harness system
• Adjustable head support, reinforced for complete side impact safety
• Energy-absorbing EPS foam panels on all sides
• Infant body support cushions

Personally, I love that the Radian RXT car seat is so easy to install...safely!  Most unsafe child seat installations result from a seatbelt not properly securing the seat.  In 2002, NHTSA mandated Lower Anchor/LATCH to simplify and improve car seat installations.  But limits in child seat design and hardware prevent Lower Anchor use with children over 48 lbs.  Diono developed SuperLATCH to compliment its steel frame reinforced, Radian car seats.  Radian with SuperLATCH allows installation using vehicle lower anchors for a child up to 80 lbs.  Seat belt installation is never required and top tether is never required either, even at 80 lbs.

Another feature I truly enjoy is that the Radian RXT has a neat cubby for everything.  You can store the tether, SafeStop, and lower LATCH connectors efficiently in their designated cubbies.  Organizational nuts like myself will rejoice at this design!

The Radian RXT is also all about bringing your child the most cozy car seat too.  They offer plenty of bells and whistles to get your tots to their destination in comfort and style:

• Memory foam padding for superior comfort
• 5 shoulder and 3 buckle positions for custom fit
• Expandable sides and longer seat bottom for leg support and comfort
• 12 height positions for adjustable head support
• 2 recline positions in forward-facing mode
• Sits low on vehicle seat for easy child boarding

This car seat even offers the ability to house four cup holders (one is included with the car seat itself), so that in addition to their own beverage, they could easily keep crayons, markers, small toys or snacks at the ready, making for one happy traveler.

Of course, if you happen to have a large family or one that's still growing, the Radian RXT can help you maximize the space available in your vehicle.  As you can see from the picture above, the Diono Radian RXT fits 3 across in most cars and offers more shoulder space too.

I have to admit that I am completely blown away by the seemingly endless list of features, comforts and safety innovations of the Diono Radian RXT Convertible + Booster Car Seat.  If you're in the market for a top-notch car seat that will not only grow with your child, but with your family as well, then I highly recommend the Radian RXT.  I can't think of another product that can provide this level of superior comfort coupled with unmatched safety!

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Disclosure:  I received the Radian RXT Convertible + Booster Car Seat from Diono in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. This product review is based on my own personal experiences with this item and is completely honest and objective.