Evenflo Shyft DualRide Review

Evenflo launched in Ohio in the 1920s! The first products were feeding-related, and now, more than 100 years later, they offer a much wider lineup of baby gear, from car seats and strollers to carriers and bottles.

Performance Comparison

Crash Testing

The Shyft performed slightly above average in our crash test metric. All of the seats in this review are presumed to have passed the federal guidelines and should be considered safe. We perform a slightly faster test that uses a sled that better mimics modern cars. We do this to find products that truly stand out compared to the average seat.

Our analysis considers the G forces recorded by each sensor and compares those results to the other seats in the review. The combination of the two scores creates our analysis result. The Shyft HIC sensor recorded higher G forces than the average seat (lower is better). While not the worst in the group, more than half of the seats had better results. The chest clip sensor results had lower g forces than most competitors. Only a few seats show better results. Together, the two sensor data results were considered average, balancing each other out.

Ease of Installation LATCH

The Shyft is easy to install using LATCH. Although it did not earn the highest score for the metric, it is one of the higher-scoring options in the group.

The Shyft has push-button connectors with release buttons that are easy to use. We prefer these over hook-style connectors. The LATCH belt uses the same lock-off as the vehicle belt, and it is extremely easy to close, even when the belt is super tight.

This seat has a steeper learning curve because it does so much, but most of it is learning what handle does what when removing the carrier vs. the carrier and stroller frame.

When it is installed correctly, it has a color-change indicator. It felt very stable, even with all the parts you don't find on a standard seat.

Recline Adjustment

The Shyft has five recline angle adjustment positions and a bubble level in the middle. The level is odd and, for the most part, seems useless, as it showed okay no matter what angle we had it in. The base has a squeeze lever to adjust the angle.

Ease of Installation - Belt

Installing the Shyft using a vehicle belt with the base is the easiest form of installation in the group. It earned one of the highest scores in the group for this metric.

The belt path is color-coded and easy to follow, with a built-in lock-off and tensioner. The lock-off is long and effortless to close, and once installed, the base feels solid with no movement.

Ease of Installation - w/o the Base

We suspect many will choose to install the Shyft without the base. After all, the real appeal of this kind of product is for urban life, which uses public transportation or ride shares where a base is not suitable.

In our test for installation without the base, the Shyft is only average. However, given that the hardest seat to install without the base scored significantly lower, we don't consider this to be a deal breaker.

The Shyft uses the European belt path, which includes the lap portion of the belt going across the lower portion of the seat and the shoulder strap wrapping around the back of the carrier shell. If the stroller frame is in place, you need to remove the larger wheels and connect them elsewhere (see the manual) prior to installation. It is an extra step, but it isn't as difficult as it is just one more thing to remember.

It has a line on a decal to check if it is level with the car, and the pathway is easy to use. However, getting the seat to feel snug and the belt tight is harder than with higher-ranking seats.

Ease of Use

Despite having more going on with this seat than competitors that do not include a stroller or SensorSafe chest clip, the Shyft was relatively easy to use. It earned an above-average score for this metric.

Buckle

The buckle is standard and easy to use. It has some padding around the crotch strap but doesn't get in the way when using it. The prongs that go into the buckle are an odd shape, but they work the same.

The chest clip is super easy to use and integrates with a “SensorSafe” app to help monitor your little one in the seat. The app sends push notifications to your phone that provide information like remembering the child in the seat, the clip being unlocked, and temperature alerts.

Harness Tightening/Loosening

The Shyft has a standard strap to tighten the harness and a button to release it. Neither is difficult to use, but the release button is hidden under the fabric in front of the crotch strap padding.

Harness Adjustment

The Shyft has a non-rethread adjustment where the headrest moves smoothly up and down. It has eight possible positions for the shoulder strap height and three for the crotch strap.

Carrier to Base Connection

While this seat and stroller combination has a lot going on, attaching the seat to the base is fairly easy. Whether the stroller frame or carrier is on the base, you can set the carrier on the base and click it in place.

Which handle you use to release the carrier will vary depending on whether you want the stroller frame to go with the carrier or stay with the base. You cannot attach the carrier alone to the base alone; one or the other must include the stroller frame.

It is important to note that lifting the carrier and the stroller frame is 22 lbs. Once you add the weight of your baby it means you could end up lifting over 30 lbs to put the carrier on the base. If you have a taller vehicle or need to lift the carrier higher than your waist, you'll need to consider your ability to do so.

Handle

The handle has a center button to raise and lower the telescoping handle for stroller or carrier use. The pivot point on the sides of the handle includes buttons to press to rotate the handle from front to back. The handle has three positions, and it can be used in the car in any position in the United States (Canada is different). The handle is virtually the same height as the canopy, and you really can't move it and keep the canopy open. Once the handle moves past the canopy, they will move in unison. This is an annoying design flaw, in our opinion. Evenflo is aware of the problem, as their manual goes out of its way to tell you that you might need to push it down and under the handle.

Canopy

The canopy is easy to use, even if it is small. It opens easily and closes without falling behind the carrier shell.

LATCH and Manual Storage

The LATCH connectors attach under the base to keep them out of the way. A red finger pull releases them from the base. The pull is super easy to use, and we love the design.

The placement keeps them out of the range of little ones and other installation methods. The manual sits in the base with tabs holding it in place. This design is kind of a bummer because it means you won't have the manual nearby when using the Shyft as a stroller, especially in the beginning when you are still learning how to use it.

Comfort/Quality

The Shyft earned one of the highest scores for our comfort and quality metric, which is good considering its higher price.

Fabric and Padding

The Shyft has great padding that is plentiful and supportive. Perhaps it is a nod to how it performs for babies when used as a stroller, but it was a pleasant surprise to see so much, in stark contrast to many competitors. The fabric is soft with a softer newborn insert, and while not as soft as some, it is not coarse or rough in any way. The crotch pad is minimal, and the shoulder pads are almost too bulky, but overall, it looks and feels cozy.

Handle and Canopy

The handle has a nice rounded shape with rounded edges. The center grip is leatherette-wrapped. The canopy is on the smaller side, which is more disappointing than it would be on a standard carrier. Because it is also a stroller, little ones will be in it more frequently while out of the car, and therefore, we'd like to see more sun coverage.

Shell

The carrier portion's shell is fairly standard and easy to clean, with a self-contained smooth finish. However, the stroller components and joints make for a more complicated overall product than the standard infant car seat.

Weight/Size

The Shyft is a heavy seat because it comes with stroller components. This might not be a deal breaker because you don't need to carry it and can push it. But it is worth considering as you might need to carry it up steps if you live in an urban city walk-up apartment.

The Shyft weighs 20.1 lbs with the stroller components. We mention this first because we assume most parents will use it this way, which is why they bought it. The carrier alone without the stroller is 10.5 lbs. This is significantly lighter but still heavy compared to the competition.

Should You Buy the Shyft?

Maybe. This is not the seat for everyone, and if you can manage without a push stroller, we think you should look elsewhere as it is very expensive, and the crash test analysis results are only average. This is a limited-time product your little one will age out of in about nine months, making it a big investment with a shorter life. It feels like the best we've seen so far for a product of this type to fill a certain niche, but it isn't the best car seat. If you live in an urban environment and you might otherwise skip a car seat or absolutely need wheels to get from A to B without killing your back, this would be our pick over the similar Doona. However, a word of caution: this is a heavy combination, and while it will prevent you from lifting and lugging the carrier while strolling, you'll still have to carry it upstairs if your city apartment has them.

What Other Infant Car Seat Should You Consider?

We think there are better car seats in this lineup, and you can easily pair them with baby-wearing or a basic frame stroller to get better crash-test analysis results and a lower price over the Shyft. The Nuna Pipa RX has the best crash test results in the group and is less expensive; while you don't get the stroller component with the Nuna, we don't think this is a deal breaker if you don't need it. The Pipa is also a lighter-weight carrier and could be easier to manage on travel or in the city.

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