My infant carseat expires in about 3 months… not quite enough time to use the old seat for my new baby. So I’ve been surveying the aisles of Babies R Us, Target, and the like for a new seat.
And, really, if I’m going to get a new seat, I might as well get a travel system to make life easier, right? The Bertini B5 catches my eye time and again at BRU, and not just because its also in my garage. With its sharp-looking fabric of black and white with yellow piping, its certain to be a set you give a second look to as well. (Please, go to the store and take a look yourself, or see my image of the stroller here. Its so much a sharper look in person.)
We’ve tested out the B5 carseat in 3 cars, making sure it fits with ease. (According to Car Passenger Seat Tech Dr. Laura Jana, this is extremely important when selecting a carseat. Always ask to take it outside to your car(s) and make sure its a comfortable fit.) Surprisingly, I could fit the Bertini, a Britax Roundabout and a Britax Marathon 3-across in the second row of my Honda Pilot. The squeeze was extremely tight, but it was doable. In the VW Routan (image here) which I recently tested, I found it difficult to install, but not so much because of the B5’s LATCHs, more because the LATCHes are difficult to access in the Routan. It also fit nicely in our Honda Accord, though only 2 seats will fit in there.
A feature I love in the B5 is the ability to keep the handle in the upright position. This isn’t something all seats do (read your instruction guide because all seats are different) and with 3 kids any little step you can avoid (like clicking the handle down) is a bonus.
The seat features EPP ProTech foam (energy absorbing) and adjustable stay in car base which uses either LATCH and tether. As well you can strap the seat directly into the car. And while it provides more legroom than the average seat (allowing for longer babies and longer use than many seats), it also comes with an insert for smaller babies. The seat has been tested and approved for babies 4 to 35 pounds.
The stroller, which is approved up to 50 pounds, offers a large seat base, huge basket, and an easy-to-collapse one handed release. The highlight to the stroller? It stands upright and clips in the baby seat simply by placing the carrier onto the stroller.
July 8th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
I also Love this travel system, I have a question though. We live in the high desert and the teps are in the 100 degree and sometimes higher. will the black color absorb more heat that another color and in the stroller the same concern. I would appreciate your thoughts on this concern.
Grandma in waiting
July 24th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
I have the same question. I live in Florida and i will be a first time mommy March of next year. I love this travel system but im worried it will get too hot. any thoughts?
July 25th, 2009 at 8:30 am
I can’t really comment on how hot one would feel in a black stroller, its all relative. I’d recommend that you go to your local BRU and check it out yourself. They’re likely to let you take it outside and see how you feel.
August 24th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Hello,
I just registered for this Travel System but I could not register for more bases since it is so new. Any idea where I can purchase another base since BRU does not carry them seperately yet? Thanks.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Sorry, I don’t have an answer for you. I’d recommend you contact Bertini directly: http://www.bertinistrollers.com
September 8th, 2009 at 9:20 am
The Bertini B% Valencia Travel System is beautiful, but beware that it is not an original Bertini made product. It is made from Cosco which has had terrible reviews for product safety and particularly has been know to put revenue numbers before infant safety by not reporting product defects when found out. I really wanted to get this system because of the design, ease of use, large storage bin and because it can hold an infant up to 35 lbs….but the lack of safety ratings coupled with Cosco’s terrible history have turned me away. I’m going with a Graco SnugRide32 system instead. I also heard that the Chicco KeyFit30 was outstanding in product performance and safety.
If you did already by the B5, I heard that you can call Cosco directly and order a base from them for around $35. Sorry, I don’t have the phone number.
September 11th, 2009 at 8:52 am
I have a question. Does the carrier seat fit onto a standard shopping cart? My husband is 6ft8 so we may likely have a monstrously long child and I would love to get a carrier we can use for a long period of time. I looked into the snugride32 but found out it doesn’t fit on a cart. I love the Bertini but would like to know about the cart issue. It’s not that big of a deal, but it sure comes in handy when you are trying to grocery shop : )
September 14th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
We purchased this travel system a couple weeks ago and love it. The one con was that it does not collapse down as small as other systems so if you have a small trunk it might be an issue. The carrier does not fit on grocery carts. The phone number to order an extra base is 1-800-544-1108. You will need the model # and manufacture date of your stroller when you call. It’s $30 plus shipping.
October 1st, 2009 at 2:14 pm
just for your information…we bought this model for the looks, but it is really an eddie bauer model under the cover.
i needed an extra seat base, i had to order the eddie one.
so if the black color is a concern, check out the tan eddie bauer version.
December 4th, 2009 at 10:48 am
My Wife and I bought this at Baby’s R Us. This is actually an amazing system. No tangled straps, good side protection, the stroller has enclosed compartment for car keys, etc. It actually gets inquiries about it when we are out at the zoo, grocery store, etc. with it. Baby is snug as a bug and strapped in good too. Sorry to sound like a commercial, but we also have a toddler and his car seat pales in comparison. Now with that said, we are also looking for an extra car seat base and having trouble finding some definitive cross reference of the cosco brand.
December 9th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
It’s really interesting to follow your articles.
December 21st, 2009 at 12:41 pm
To get an extra carseat base for this system, call 1-800-544-1108. You need the model number before you call (Cosco direct)
This system is beautiful, just beware its a newer system and they don’t make it easy to get extra parts for!
December 31st, 2009 at 5:26 am
I just got the travel system on sale today for 199. I am looking for the extra base also. I did not know if it fit in a basket buggie at the store or not but the look is great and I have only read positive reviews. They dont sell them at many places that is the downer.
January 8th, 2010 at 12:18 am
I purchased this system and wanted to buy the snap and go, the graco version or some other mini infant car seat stroller just for getting in and out of the house to the car (I live in an apt building w/ a garage. The stroller it comes w/ is too big to keep in the entry way). The B5 car seat doesnt fit in those strollers. Has anyone found something that does?
January 10th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Where did you find out that the Handle can be left in the upright position? I looked in the manual and didn’t see where it said either way!
January 10th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
I’m sorry, I no longer have my press information. But I’m fairly certain it was in the press materials. Contact Cosco or Bertini (my understanding is that Cosco created the item in the US as a manufacturer for Bertini, though I could be mis-explaining this one) for more information.
January 13th, 2010 at 11:20 am
thank you so much… this website has been very helpful. we are currently registered at bru for this travel system and one of my friends recently alerted me to the problem of finding a second base. i have learned that they recently discontinued making/selling the eddie bauer base that is compatible with this system. so the number to order a base at cosco was a great help and relief! it is true that they have not sold many of these strollers and it is not super popular (probably due somewhat to price?), but i have to tell you that is one of the main reasons my husband and i were drawn to it. i love the look and since we are not finding out the sex of our baby it was so nice finding a stroller system that wasn’t green. i am greened out!!! plus it is on sale right now at bru for $199!!!
January 28th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Lindsey, did you find a base? If you did, what number did you call?
Thanks.
February 8th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
this website was so helpful.. i wanted to add that my husband and i bought this carseat about a month ago and love it even though our daughter isnt here yet we already installed it… It does fit in a corolla but is a very tight fit you have to move the passenger seat up quite a bit! the color is stunning and ive never seen anyone else with it! good luck