Hello Jolie Padded Car Seat Bag with Wheels Review

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Hello Jolie Padded Car Seat Bag with Wheels – Review

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Hello Jolie Padded Car Seat Bag with Wheels

The Hello Jolie car seat bag is the only one I have found which is fully padded and has 4 wheels to transport it easily. It is made of approximately 1cm thick padding with a strong water resistant nylon cover and quality zips. It feels very similar to a soft suitcase material like the one pictured.

As an added bonus, each Hello Jolie car seat travel bag comes with a luggage strap to attach to your suitcase

This car seat bag also comes with an internal strap to stop the car seat from moving around too much. It has a convenient and easy access opening plus plenty of room to fit other lightweight items in.

The base of this car seat travel bag has a firm base, which works with the weight of a car seat evenly dispersed, but like any bag, if you fill it with extra items, make sure they are lightweight in order to avoid overloading it. Storing light items such as nappies/diapers and soft toys can save you space in your suitcase.

For more information and to check latest prices see here.

Measurements:

Dimensions: 23.6 x 20.1 x 8.3 inches

Weight: 5.5 pounds

Useful car seat and car seat bag travel information

I have personally seen what can happen to bags and how travel strollers, pushchairs etc can be thrown around carelessly by some airport baggage handlers. My father used to see it all the time as an aircraft engineer too.

Do you need a bag to check a car seat?

No, you don’t need a bag to check a car seat (and many car seats are transported from A to B quite safely), however, you may want one. As mentioned above some baggage handlers can be quite rough, even with items that have a ‘fragile’ or ‘handle with care’.

Whilst your car seat is likely covered by your travel insurance, it can take time organising a replacement which could restrict your movements and plans. (Tip: Take a photo of your car seat or stroller before your travel so you can show insurance companies the condition pre any damage.)

Using a car seat bag can mean you can store some extra items to help pad it out, like diapers/nappies, a cuddly toy etc. (This way, you get a little bit of extra baggage, but shhhh, keep that quiet!)

Important stuff to know before you pack your car seat

If you are flying with a baby or a toddler, and plan on using your car seat abroad, first please do check if it meets that countries rules and regulations. e.g UK and EU car seats are approved for use in the UK and Europe only. Read more about car seat laws around the world here.

Most UK car seats are NOT legally approved for use in the USA, Canada and Australia  AND vice versa. More details about this are in the link above. Hiring or buying at your destination might be the best option.

(If you are intending on using your FAA or aviation approved car seat on the flight, then you will need to purchase a seat for your infant.)

However, if you are all set to go, and you have decided to take your own car seat with you and either check it in immediately or gate check, my best advice is DO invest in a car seat travel bag and a stroller travel bag.

Does a car seat count as a checked bag?

No, a car seat does not normally count as checked bag when you are flying with an infant. A car seat can usually be brought on board in addition to your normal baggage along with a stroller or pushchair on the majority of airlines at no extra charge.

Most airlines allow both of these items, whereas some budget airlines will only allow one, although this is rare.  For more details on what airlines allow infants for cabin and hold baggage see this useful infographic in this post on cabin sized strollers.

Can you gate check a car seat?

Absolutely, but if you are not using your car seat, you may as well check it in with the rest of your luggage to save lugging it around. Alternatively, a car seat gate check bag can be used to help protect it.

What does gate check mean?

Gate check means when an item is taken from you at the gate, rather the check-in counter and then put into the hold of the aircraft. Gate checking is particularly useful for strollers being used at the airport, but if you are using a car seat as part of your travel system at the airport, you may want to gate check your car seat.

In terms of the meaning in relation to a bag, a gate check car seat bag is just another name for a car seat travel bag, and likely got the name due to people gate checking strollers in a bag.

Where do I collect my gate check items from?

This can vary, some airports will have all gate checked items on the same baggage belt as the rest of your suitcases. Others will put the items on the ‘Oversize Baggage’ labelled carousel. 

Why padded infant car seat travel bags are better

I recommend padded car seat bags for air travel, over just a normal bag. Although you could pad a jumbo laundry or storage bag with nappies/diapers like mentioned above, it would be tricky to cover the entire car seat.  A non-padded car seat bag only really helps keep a car seat clean, but offers little protection.

A padded car seat travel bag will offer better protection from over zealous bag handlers. However, even if your car seat looks in great condition after the flight, please do look underneath the car seat cover to check if the polyesterine shock absorbing material is in tact, with no cracks before using.

It is always worth asking around friends if they have one you can borrow, as it is not an item you will use frequently. Some airlines can provide you with a strong plastic bag which can be used as a car seat airline bag or for other items. However, again they don’t really protect items, but do help keep them clean.

To compare other padded car seat travel bags for flying see here.

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