Amazon.com Product Review
The First Years Via Infant Car Seat was developed with both baby and their caregivers in mind. Children have a comfortable ride, while adults will appreciate the convenient, stress-free features. This seat comes with a stay-in-the-car seat base, and includes built-in lock-offs and color-coded belt paths. The Via is compatible with The First Years' Wave, Indigo, and Wisp strollers.
 | The First Years
Via Infant Car Seat
At a Glance: - Features patented Rebound Energy Management Handle system
- Built-in lock-offs and color-coded belt paths simplify installation
- Includes a stay-in-the-car seat base
- Adjustable harness needs no rethreading
- Can be used with the base up to 35 lbs. and up to 22 lbs. without
- Weight Requirements: 5 to 35 lbs.
| |  | |
Features easy-to-remove padding for quick and convenient car seat cleaning.
View larger image. |
(Left to right) Click to see Via in
Elegance, Spiro Navy, and
Abstract O's color. |
Safety Features Offer Peace of Mind The Via is side-impact tested to International standards. It's ideal for infants from 5 to 35 pounds with the base, and features a deep shell with double-wall construction for extra support. The Via can also be installed without the base for use up to 22 pounds. For added security, its patented Rebound Energy Management handle helps manage the rebound energy inside the car in the event of a crash.
Easy-to-Use Features Provide Caregivers with Convenience The Via's one-hand adjustable five-point harness means you never need to rethread. A stay-in-the-car seat base make installation easy, while an easy release at the base of the seat makes detaching a breeze. Its dual-side angle indicators and four position stay-in-the-car base allows you to insert the seat properly, so you can achieve the ideal position. The Via also features built-in lock-offs, LATCH system, and color-coded belt paths for fast seat installments.
Seat Design Details Add Comfort for Infants With large interior dimensions and an easy-off, easy-to-clean pad, the Via features a comfortable, infant-minded design. Its innovative comfort carry handle with oversized elbow padding makes it simple for caretakers to tote. As an added bonus, its exclusive Information-frame handle provides a discreet and confidential spot for storing important contact or medical information.
The Via Infant Car Seat is compatible with the First Years' Wave, Indigo, and Wisp strollers.
What's in the Box Via Infant Car Seat and instruction manual.
View larger image. |
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
(20 customer reviews) 11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
MIXED FEELINGS...,
September 7, 2011 S.POLO. "S.POLO" (sac, ca) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The First Years Via Infant Car Seat, Elegance (Baby Product)
Purchased this car seat before it was available through Amazon so returning this product is impossible. The car seat is nicely made with a lot of new features that I haven't seen with other common brand car seats before but these new features might bother some people and it might be a great thing. Bothers me a lot which is why i give it a 3.
1. if you don't have an extra base, which isn't available until November I think (I waited long enough for this car seat to release), latching the seat belt is 2 extra steps more than I'd like to deal with or trying to get a baby out of the car while it's 100* outside. The bright yellow latches have to be pulled, place the seat belt in, snap back in. The yellow latches are hard to pull and might break a nail (for women), and if your baby is a light sleeper like mine, he/she is guaranteed to wake from the tugging and snapping close noise. So what we have to do is switch the bases every time we use a different car... can become...Read more
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Has potential, but...,
September 25, 2011 TwinMom (Grosse Pointe, MI) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The First Years Via Infant Car Seat, Abstract O's (Baby Product)
I bought this car seat (sight unseen) after finding that it had super high safety ratings on the national highway safety and transportation website. Had I seen the product in person, I would have realized that it would not work for me.
Here are my problems:
1. The seat is enormous and much heavier than competitors. I cannot imagine hoisting this seat with a baby in it into my high-riding auto. Even more so as baby gets closer to the weight limit.
2. The seat is not compatible with my stroller. I'm not sure how often I'll use the snap-in feature, but I want the option. With this car seat, you HAVE to buy the companion stroller to snap-in.
3. As previous reviewer mentioned, the canopy is pretty small. Since I didn't use it, I don't know if it just looks small because of the size of the seat. Or, if it will actually not work well to shield baby from the sun.
I would recommend seeing this seat in person before buying. There...Read more
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Easy to use, 5 point harness..,
February 8, 2012 SMB - See all my reviews
This review is from: The First Years Via Infant Car Seat, Abstract O's (Baby Product)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I've owned a couple car seats. I bought the Britax Chaperone, have the B-Safe for our second car (which the Chaperone does not fit in) and now the First Years Via. The Via is pretty large, but comparable to the Chaperone/B-Safe. The base is easy to install using the latch system, and I really like the 5-point harness (no re-threading!). It scores high with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - 5 stars.
It is well cushioned and roomy which attributes to its bulk/heaviness. I have never been one to carry my daughter around in her car seat, so honestly - it does not bother me. If you foresee yourself carrying around the car seat often you should know that this seat is made for up to 35lbs, it is larger and heavier then say the Graco Snugride and that may sway your decision to purchase it. If you're like me and only seem to lift car seats in and out of the car you really shouldn't have an issue.
My daughter sleeps best in her car seat (she's one...Read more
