Chicco’s Fit360 Zip ClearTex Rotating Convertible Car Seat: Video Review

Wrestling a wiggly baby into a car seat is no one’s idea of fun, especially when you’re doing it rear-facing (as recommended until at least age two). That’s where rotating convertible car seats come in, giving your back a break and making everyday ins and outs way easier. Chicco’s latest model, the Fit360 Zip ClearTex, takes everything parents loved about the original and adds upgrades—like a zip-off, quilted seat pad for quick cleaning and a crash-tested rearview mirror.

Watch Julie, a Babylist parent of two, share four things to know about why this rotating convertible seat is easier to use and packed with perks for you and baby in our video, and then read on for all the details of this smart 360° car seat.  

1.  A 360° Rotation = Less Struggle

The 360° rotation on this seat is all about saving your back, your time and your patience.

Instead of awkwardly reaching in from the side to buckle your baby, you can turn the seat to face you. That means you’re securing the harness head-on, not blindly fumbling with straps from an angle. Once your baby is in the seat, Chicco’s magnetic buckle holders keep the harness open and out of the way. No more digging underneath your squirmy toddler to find a lost strap. (See it in action at 02:17 in our video.)

If you have second row captain’s chairs, some traditional rear-facing seats can block access to the third row. Since this seat turns, it keeps third row access open. 

Another cool thing: unlike some rotating convertible car seats that only swivel 180 degrees in a half circle, this one rotates a complete 360 degrees with just one hand. What does that mean for you? It means switching from rear- to forward-facing once your child is ready (which happens once your little one has outgrown the seat’s maximum rear-facing height or weight limits) is as simple as a spin—no reinstalling required. 

Since it works from 4 to 65 pounds (around the weight of an average eight-year-old), this car seat goes from infant to around seven or eight years old without having to reinstall it in a new direction.

Chicco Fit360 Zip ClearTex Rotating Convertible Car Seat

$479.99

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2. Easy Install With Built-In Checks and Balances 

Installing a car seat can be kind of nerve-wracking, especially if you haven’t done it before. But, Chicco earns rave reviews from parents for their easy install and detailed step-by-step instructions. The base can be installed with either the seat belt or LATCH connectors (which you can find in most cars manufactured after 2002). Unlike many other rotating convertible car seats, you can buy extra bases, which means you can switch this convertible seat in different cars, just like you would an infant car seat. 

If you use the seatbelt install, once the base is installed, there’s a self-tensioning lock system specific to this Chicco seat called LeverLock that helps pull all the excess slack out of the belt and tightens it in a way that removes any movement from front-to-back or side-to-side. (We show you how it works at 04:33 in our video.)

There’s also a handy seat removal tool that’s the only way to remove the seat from the base. Without that tool, the seat can’t go anywhere. (Pro tip: Chicco made everything you need to touch the color orange. So if you’re looking for where to squeeze, pull or zip, just look for the orange.) 

In addition, bubble level indicators confirm the angle of the seat is correct, and the ready-to-ride indicator turns green when the seat is correctly attached and in either a rear-facing or forward-facing ready-to-ride position.   If you need help with installation, there are instructions printed right on the side of the seat, in addition to a handy QR code you can scan with your phone to watch how-to videos. 

3. Everyday Details, Upgraded 

While you’ll find chest clips, headrests, harnesses and buckles in every car seat, Chicco took those basics and added small upgrades to help make things more comfortable for your baby—and more convenient for you, like the…

• Magnetic chest clip: Secure enough for toddlers not to be able to Houdini out of, but easier for adult hands to open and close. (See it at 2:00 in our video.)

• Spring-back crotch buckle: No fishing for the buckles—this one pops forward instead of getting lost beneath your baby.

• Buckle pockets: We mentioned this earlier, but it’s just gotta be said again: Magnetic buckle pockets help you tuck the seat belt straps and harness out of the way until you're ready to secure it.

• 15-position easy-adjust headrest and easy-flow harness: The headrest simultaneously adjusts the harness height, so there’s no rethreading the straps after a growth spurt.

  

• Crash-tested rearview mirror: Designed specifically for the Fit360 line of seats, this handy rearview mirror securely attaches to the seat base—no extra purchase or worry about an after-market car seat mirror turning into a projectile. (We show you how it works at 2:29.)

• Zip & wash seat pad: The full-length zipper allows you to remove the entire seat pad in one piece so you can de-crumb it and throw it in the washing machine, then zip it back on easily. See how handy it is at 3:45 in our video. (Also: the cup holders can go in the dishwasher. Old milk smell, no more!) 

  

4. Safety First, With Cleaner Materials  

This seat puts safety front and center, with smart engineering designed to help protect your baby—and it’s made with eco-conscious materials, too. The entire seat is GREENGUARD Gold Certified, meaning it’s been tested for over 10,000 chemicals and emissions. In addition, you’ll find ClearTex and dual-layer safety:

• ClearTex: ClearTex products are also free from flame retardants and certified for low chemical emissions, contributing to healthier air quality around your child.

• Dual-layer safety: A steel-reinforced frame, rigid shell, and energy-absorbing foam work together to cushion and safeguard your little one’s head and torso in the event of impact.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a car seat that makes everyday life with a baby just a little smoother, the Chicco Fit360 Zip ClearTex could be the one. The 360-degree rotation makes buckling in less of a struggle, the upgraded everyday details help with real-life parenting and the install process is reassuringly simple, even for first-timers. Add in safety-backed construction and cleaner, certified materials, and you’ve got a seat designed to support your family from the newborn stage all the way through the toddler years.

 This article is sponsored by Chicco. Babylist’s free site, apps and emails are made possible by our sponsors. We limit our sponsored content to relevant partners that offer products and services we believe in and use ourselves.