Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield vs Clek Liing: The Ultimate NYC Car Seat Showdown
Looking for the best infant car seat for your growing family? You’ve probably got both the Turtle Air Shield and Clek Liing on your short list. But which seat has the right features for your city lifestyle?
In this article, we’ll dive into both the Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield vs the Clek Liing and sort out how they differ and what their relative strengths are. Then you’ll have all the info you need to know which one is best for you.
Key Takeaways
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The Clek Liing is the better choice if you’re looking for something that’s longer lasting, easier to clean, and with a base that offers more recline options for a super safe ride. The Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield is the better choice if you’re looking for something that is seamless with your Bugaboo stroller, though the Liing is also compatible.
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Both the Clek Liing and Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield by Nuna come with excellent bases that feature load legs and rigid LATCH, have European belt routers for easy installation in taxis and Ubers, are lightweight and are FAA-compliant.
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The Clek Liing is slightly more narrow than the Turtle, meaning it’s easier to fit three across in the backseat. It also has the smallest front-back footprint, meaning more legroom upfront. It also offers a better value as is less expensive overall.
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Both the Clek Liing and Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield are compatible with a wide range of strollers by Bugaboo, UppaBaby, Joolz, and Stokke for instance.
Why This Comparison Matters
Before we compare the Turtle Air Shield vs Clek Liing, lets talk about why this comparison matters. Choosing an infant car seat in NYC is one of the most important decisions you’re going to make as a new parent.
Car Seats Keep Baby Safe In The Car (Duh!)
First, and most obviously, the infant car seat is designed to keep baby safe when traveling in a taxi, Uber, or if you’re a lucky New Yorker, your own car.
The Infant Car Seat Is An Essential Part Of Your Travel System
On top of that, the infant car seat is key part of what we call a “travel system” — which also includes your stroller. To make your travels a snap, you’re going to want to choose an infant car seat that is compatible with your chosen stroller(*), so that you can stroll and take a car, taxi, or Uber at will.
Basically, you’ll be using car seat adapters and will either take off the regular stroller seat and snap your car seat into the frame of your stroller, or as is with many lightweight strollers, just recline the seat and snap it onto the whole stroller itself.
By the car seat being portable (e.g. wheelable) like that, it makes the whole travel situation much much easier.
(*) A Note About Travel Systems
One thing to keep in mind, is that many New Yorkers have two strollers to manage different parts of their city life. One is the “primary stroller”, which is the larger stroller that has great comfort, a large underseat basket and big wheels for smooth strolling.
This is your everyday stroller, that can tote one, two, or three kids, can carry your Whole Foods haul with ease, and can navigate any weather, cobblestones, off roading, or whatever else adventure awaits comfortably for you and your little one.
The other stroller New Yorkers will have is the lightweight or travel stroller. This will have smaller wheels (the larger the wheels, the heavier the stroller), a lightweight frame, and a compact fold. It’s focus is on portability rather than comfort and you tend to “feel the road” a bit more.
Since we’re talking stroller-car seat compatibility for travel, we think that generally you should focus on your infant car seat working with your lightweight travel stroller, though if it is compatible with both, better yet!
OK, now that that’s out of the way, let’s dive into which the best car seat for urban parents between the Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield vs Clek Liing.
Design & Weight
Both the Turtle Air Shield and Clek Liing are lightweight car seats, but let’s see how they stack up size-wise.
Weight
Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield
The Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield is about 8.8 pounds (carrier only). It is 17.32” wide.
Clek Liing
The Clek Liing, on the other hand, is about 9 pounds (carrier only).The Clek Liing is also nice and narrow, just 16.9 inches wide, which makes 3-across possible and gives you more space in the backseat.
It also is designed to take the least front to back room in its class, meaning that you, in the front seat, get more legroom.
Why does the weight matter? Well, on one hand, if you have a travel system, your infant car seat will mostly be either in the car or rolling around while affixed to your stroller frame.
However, when transferring the seat from the stroller to the car and vice-versa, or if having to carry it up the stairs of a walk-up, a lighter car seat can be easier to manage. In this case the weight difference between the seats is pretty nominal.
Safety Features
When it comes to safety features both the Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield and Clek Liing have many. Let’s take a look.
Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield
The Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield by Nuna has a nice blend of safety and comfort driven features.
Length of Use
Although they say this can be used up to about 15 months, the length of use is really a question of baby’s size (height and/or weight). The Turtle Air Shield by Nuna can be used from birth (4lbs) to 30 lbs or 30 inches, whichever comes first.
RELX Base
The proper installation is key to an infant car seat’s safety. The RELX base features safety indicators so that you know that it’s safely installed and a base with 4 recline positions. It also has a load leg designed to absorb impact if in an accident — a key safety feature.
Side Impact Protection
The Turtle Air Shield by Nuna features Nuna-patented Tailor Tech™ memory foam for side impact protection and EPP energy absorbing foam within the seat to reduce impact.
Dream Drape For Naps
The Dream Drape is a popular feature for littles who love to nap on the go. It offers robust sun & UPF protection.
European Belt Router
When installing the infant car seat into a taxi or Uber, you can use the “seatbelt method” where you use the lapbelt across the front of the seat, and the shoulder harness around the back, weaving it through the European Belt Router. This will allow for a 2-point installation, making it a safer ride for baby.
Clek Liing
The Clek Liing is all about safety and practicality (while also being stylish) and has features to prove it.
Extended Use
One of the biggest deals we think for NYC parents is its extended use to 32lbs. The max size of the baby in the Liing is 4lbs-30lbs and from birth to 32”.
Babies generally grow out of the height before the weight (and whatever dimension they bust, you have to move to the convertible car seats, which are bigger, heavier and more cumbersome).
So, for NYC the name of the game is to be able to use the infant car seat as long as possible. The Liing offers two additional inches of growth so long as your baby doesn’t outgrow the max weight in the meantime.
Rigid LATCH + Load Leg
The Clek Liing offers a load leg like the Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield and affixes to the car via Rigid LATCH - which is basically metal-to-metal installation which is ideal.
7 Recline Positions For Perfect Angle
The Clek Liing offers even more recline positions (7 in all) with the base, meaning you can always get the perfect angle when you install the car seat. As it’s super important to get baby at the right angle when you travel, this is a great additional feature!
Side Impact Protection
The Clek Liing also offers side impact protection like the Turtle Air Shield.
European Belt Router
The Clek Liing also offers the European Belt Router, allowing for a super safe 2 point baseless installation using the seatbelt. This is key to safely taking a baby in Ubers and taxis!
Stroller Compatibility
Turtle Air Shield by Nuna
Seamless with most Bugaboo strollers using an adapter. It is compatible with the Bugaboo Butterfly (2022 model), Bugaboo Butterfly 2, Bugaboo Donkey, Bugaboo Donkey 2, Bugaboo Donkey 3, Bugaboo Donkey 5, Bugaboo Dragonfly, Bugaboo Fox, Bugaboo Fox 2, Bugaboo Fox 3, Bugaboo Fox 5, Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew, and Bugaboo Kangaroo.
Because this seat is “Maxi Cosi Compatible” it will also work with a host of non-Bugaboo strollers as well.
Clek Liing
Compatible with most premium strollers including Bugaboo, UppaBaby, Joolz, Yoyo, and Cybex using the Uppa Baby x Clek car seat adapter (just for Uppa car seats) or the stroller brands' adapter. The list is long: Needless to say, it works with pretty much every stroller we sell.
Fabric & Sustainability
Turtle Air Shield
The Turtle Air Shield is made with premium mesh and features a breathable canopy. It also features a merino wool mix baby insert for added comfort.
Clek Liing
All fabric options for the Clek Liing are flame retardant free and PFAS-free. In addition, Clek offers a seat in Mammoth Zip made of natural merino wool.
One of the best fabric-related features is that all of the Liing models have fabric that will zip off for cleaning. This is a huge benefit, as removing fabric to clean your seat has traditionally been tricky. Clek makes it simple!
Real-Life NYC Use Cases
Both car seats are light, offer side impact protection, load legs, rigid LATCH, and the European belt router for safe installation in an Uber or taxi. So that in mind, why would a NYC family want one or the other?
Turtle Air Shield
Best for Bugaboo loyalists. If you want the most seamless look and feel, this ultra light car seat is the perfect pick. Also, if you want to give your baby the ultimate napping on the go experience, you may be swayed by the dreamy dream drape.
Clek Liing
This is the best pick for families who have a car or will use the car seat in several cars with the base, as the base is the best & safest in our opinion thanks to all the recline positions.
It’s also the best if you expect your baby to be tall or you’d like the extended use of the infant car seat as many NYC families do. The fact that it allows for 32” child vs a 30” child might buy you several months before you have to make the switch to the convertible seat.
It’s also a good pick if your child spits up or gets car sick — as its simple zip on and off fabric makes it much easier to clean. Speaking of fabric, the flame retardant and PFAS free materials are another compelling reason why one might choose the Liing.
Price & Value
Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield
The Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield by Nuna will set you back $649. It’s a great seat that carries on the Bugaboo design aesthetic.
Clek Liing
The Clek Liing ranges from $499.99 to $549.99 depending on the material you choose. The more expensive model (Mammoth Zip) is made from merino wool. Ultimately the Liing has longer use and offers a bit more bang for the buck.
Final Verdict: Which One Is Right For You?
Which is the best infant car seat for NYC parents? When it comes to Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield vs Clek Liing, you now have all the facts.
For Bugaboo stroller owners, you may go for the Turtle Air Shield as it’s easy and seamless (though the Liing is also compatible).
For those who want a car seat that is most cross compatible with a great base that has more recline options and easier to clean fabric, then the Clek Liing is a great choice. Also, as we said, the Liing is the pick if you want extended use of the infant seat.
Want to see them in person and walk through this decision with a Babesta stylist? No problem. Pop on over to Babesta — NYC’s destination for curated baby gear. Whether you’re deciding on the best car seat, stroller, high chair, travel crib, glider, bassinet, crib, layette, or any other baby gear, we have your back.
As we say, don’t lose your cool shopping the baby market. Shop Babesta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Clek Liing and Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield FAA approved?
Yes, the Clek Liing and Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield are both FAA approved. This means you can take them onto the flight and install them in the seat using the lapbelt on your flight.
How long can I use the Clek Liing and Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield by Nuna?
You can use the Clek Liing and Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield by Nuna until your child either is heavier than the maximum weight or taller than the maximum height. Whichever dimension is outgrown first, it’s time to move on to the convertible car seat.
The Clek Liing can be used from 4lbs-30lbs and up until the baby is 32”. The Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield can be used from 4lbs-30lbs and up until the baby is 30”.
Where are the Clek Liing and Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield made?
The Clek Liing is made in Canada. The Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield is made in China. Note that “made in” does not mean that all parts originate in a location, however assembly is done in that location.
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