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Chicco KeyFit Max ClearTex Infant Car Seat

An infant car seat with one mode: rear-facing harness 4 to 30 lb, up to 32 in.

At a glance

Fits children from 4 to 30 lb
Up to 32 in tall
Rear-facing harness only
Anti-rebound protection
Seat weighs 10 lb
17 in wide
6-year usable life
Certified for aircraft use

$249.99on chiccousa.com, as of 2026-10-07 05:42 UTC. Prices change.

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Chicco product page Manual

Specifications checked against Chicco’s US site and manual on September 17, 2026. Not hands-on tested. How I research

Who is the KeyFit Max ClearTex Infant Car Seat for?

The Chicco KeyFit Max ClearTex is a rear-facing infant car seat for babies from 4 to 30 lb and 32 inches or less, with the head at least 1 inch below the top of the headrest. It has a 5-position headrest that moves the harness, a base for LATCH or seat belt installation, carrier-only belt routing, and a 6-year life.

Reasons to consider it

A 32 in height limit with a 5-position headrest that needs no rethreading
A base that also accepts KeyFit, KeyFit 30 and KeyFit 35 carriers, per the manual
European belt routing, with a shoulder belt guide on the back of the carrier, for carrier-only installs
A canopy that Chicco rates UPF 50+

Things to weigh up

A 10 lb carrier and 8.5 lb base, per Chicco's specifications
A 28.75 in footprint, so check front-to-back room in your car
The manual's base instructions cover LATCH and a lap-shoulder belt only
The Fit 2 carrier must not be used on this base

My take on the KeyFit Max ClearTex Infant Car Seat

The KeyFit Max suits a family that wants an infant carrier rated to 32 inches with a harness that adjusts without rethreading. The trade-off is size: Chicco lists a 10 lb carrier, an 8.5 lb base and a 28.75 in footprint. The KeyFit Max Zip uses the same manual; Chicco's listing for it differs mainly in the canopy, which has zip-open mesh and privacy panels.

A research summary of Chicco’s published specifications and manual, read October 7, 2026. Not a hands-on test or a crash-safety rating.

Who the KeyFit Max ClearTex Infant Car Seat fits

This seat covers one stage. Chicco gives it a 6-year life from the date of manufacture, so check the date label before using a hand-me-down.

Rear-facing harness4 to 30 lb · Up to 32 in: The child faces the back of the car, which keeps the head, neck and spine supported in a frontal crash. Keep this mode as long as the child fits it.

A parent lifting a newborn beside an empty rear-facing infant car seat

What are the KeyFit Max ClearTex Infant Car Seat weight, height and age limits?

Chicco KeyFit Max ClearTex Infant Car Seat limits by mode
Mode	Child weight	Child height	Minimum age	Conditions
Rear-facing harness	4 to 30 lb	Up to 32 in	Not published	Manual: child's head must be at least 1 in below the top of the headrest; newborn positioner for 4-11 lb.

A child must meet every limit for the mode they use. The labels on your seat and its manual are the final word.

KeyFit Max ClearTex Infant Car Seat specifications

Seat weight: 10 lb
Width: 17 in
Depth: 28.75 in
Height: 24 in
Usable life: 6 years
Aircraft use: Certified for aircraftProduct page: FAA certified for aircraft use.
Carrier weight: 10 lb
Base weight: 8.5 lb
Recline positions: 6
Harness positions: 5
Crotch positions: 1
Max harness slot height: 10 in
Interior shoulder width: 10 in
Interior hip width: 10.5 in
Interior seat depth: 14 in
Max seated height: 20.5 in
LATCH type: SuperCinch
Seat belt installation: LockSure
Assembled dimensions (L × W × H): 28.75" x 17" x 24"
Assembled weight: 18.5 lbs.

How the KeyFit Max ClearTex Infant Car Seat installs

Lower anchors: SuperCinch LATCH. Check your vehicle manual for which seating positions have anchors, and switch to the seat belt once the child passes the anchor weight limit in the manual.
Recline: 6 recline positions. The recline angle is what keeps a young baby’s airway open, so set it before tightening the install.
Harness: 5-position headrest/harness height adjust. Check the harness height at each growth spurt: at or below the shoulders rear-facing, at or above them forward-facing.

Every install is a fit between one seat and one vehicle. Read both manuals, and use a free inspection station if anything is unclear.

An empty car seat installed on a back seat, seen through an open car door

Will it fit your car?

At 17 in at its widest, this seat is one of the narrower ones in its class and is a candidate for three across in many mid-size cars. It weighs 10 lb, which matters if you will move it between cars or carry it through an airport.

Check your vehicle manual for lower anchor positions and any head-restraint rules.
Rear-facing seats need front-seat room: try the install behind the driver before you commit.
Certified for aircraft use, so it can travel as a seat rather than checked baggage.

What features does the KeyFit Max ClearTex Infant Car Seat have?

6 recline positions
5-position headrest/harness height adjust
Anti-rebound bar (integrated)
SuperCinch LATCH

Colors listed in the US

Ebony, Legend, Lupine.

KeyFit Max ClearTex Infant Car Seat colors and prices

2 colors are listed on Amazon right now. Prices differ by color, so compare before choosing. The fabric is the only difference between them; the shell, harness and limits are identical. Prices were retrieved Nov 2, 5:02 AM UTC and can change.

Compare KeyFit Max ClearTex Infant Car Seat colors side by side
Compare colors	Legend/BlackNo listing	Lupine/PurpleCheck price
Price	Not shown	$249.99
Availability	Not available	In stock
Price checked	Nov 2, 5:02 AM UTC	Nov 2, 3:56 AM UTC

Prices and availability shown are accurate as of the time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What to know before you live with it

Installing the base

Lift the recline foot adjuster and raise or lower the base until the bubble falls between the arrows. With LATCH, loosen the straps fully, attach both connectors to the anchor bars, and pull the strap while pressing the base down. With a lap-shoulder belt, route it through the belt path on the side of the base, remove the slack, and slide the shoulder belt into the lock-off on the side opposite the buckle. Do not pull on the belt after that. No more than 4 inches of the base may hang past the vehicle seat edge.

Source: Chicco KeyFit Max Infant Car Seat product manual (PDF)

Carrier-only installation with the shoulder belt guide

Without the base, the lap belt goes through the seat belt guides on each side and must be locked. The KeyFit Max adds a shoulder belt guide on the back of the carrier. With the belt unlocked, pull the shoulder belt around the back, thread it through the guide, then switch the belt to locked mode and remove all slack. The manual says the vehicle belt must be long enough for this, and not to use a seating position where the belt will not lock.

Source: Chicco KeyFit Max Infant Car Seat product manual (PDF)

Headrest, harness and handle

With the child seated against the back, the straps should be at or just below the shoulders. To change height, take the child out, loosen the harness, turn the carrier over, squeeze both buttons on the height adjuster plate and slide it to one of 5 positions until it locks. The head rest insert wraps around the headrest edges and the newborn positioner is for 4 to 11 lb only. The handle releases with a button on one side and has carrying, stationary and rocking positions.

Source: Chicco KeyFit Max Infant Car Seat product manual (PDF)

Washing the seat pad

Chicco's care note asks owners to limit friction on the seat pad to prevent pilling, keep it away from hook and loop fasteners on clothing and shoes, and close any hook and loop before washing. The fabrics are machine washed separately in cold water on a delicate cycle with mild detergent, with no bleach, and hung to dry. The harness is spot-cleaned and never machine washed. Chicco links videos for removing and replacing the soft goods.

Source: Chicco KeyFit Max ClearTex Infant Car Seat product page

Is the KeyFit Max ClearTex Infant Car Seat recalled?

No campaign in the current NHTSA child-restraint data names this model family, and I have not run a separate review for it. Check your seat’s model number and date of manufacture before use.

NHTSA recall search · Recent car seat recalls

KeyFit Max ClearTex Infant Car Seat: common questions

What are the KeyFit Max weight and height limits?

The manual gives 4 to 30 lb and 32 inches or less, and the top of the head must be at least 1 inch below the top of the headrest. Reaching any one of these limits means the seat is outgrown.

Chicco KeyFit Max Infant Car Seat product manual (PDF) (opens in a new tab)

How heavy and how big is the KeyFit Max?

Chicco lists the carrier at 10 lbs and the base at 8.5 lbs, with an assembled weight of 18.5 lbs. The assembled dimensions are 28.75 in long, 17 in wide and 24 in tall.

Chicco KeyFit Max ClearTex Infant Car Seat product page (opens in a new tab)

Which carriers fit the KeyFit Max base?

The manual says to use only KeyFit, KeyFit 30, KeyFit Max or KeyFit 35 carriers with the KeyFit Max base, and not the Fit 2 carrier.

Chicco KeyFit Max Infant Car Seat product manual (PDF) (opens in a new tab)

Can I take the KeyFit Max on a plane?

Yes. The manual says it is certified for aircraft use on forward-facing aircraft seats only, with the lap belt through the seat belt guides on each side and all slack removed. Ask the airline about its policy first.

Chicco KeyFit Max Infant Car Seat product manual (PDF) (opens in a new tab)

When does the KeyFit Max expire?

The manual says not to use it if it is more than 6 years old. The Do Not Use After date is on the label underneath.

Chicco KeyFit Max Infant Car Seat product manual (PDF) (opens in a new tab)

What is the difference between the KeyFit Max and the KeyFit Max Zip?

Chicco rates the Max Zip for 4-30 lbs and up to 32 inches, with the same 10 lbs carrier, 17 in width and 28.75 in depth, and links the same KeyFit Max manual. The Zip's canopy adds a zip-open mesh panel and a zip-open privacy shield.

Chicco KeyFit Max Zip ClearTex Infant Car Seat product page (opens in a new tab)

Answers refer to the model and manual version on this page. Check the instructions supplied with your seat.

Before you buy

Weigh and measure your child. The limits above are the manufacturer’s, and a child has to meet all of them for the mode they will use.
Confirm the exact version. Colors, retail exclusives and model numbers change limits more often than you would expect; Chicco lists 3 colors of this seat.
Read the manual before you buy, not after. It is linked above and holds the fit rules, the install methods and the expiry.
Check recalls by model number and date of manufacture, and register the seat with Chicco so you hear about the next one.

Sources

Other Chicco infant car seats

Model	Top child weight	Seat weight	Width	Usable life
KeyFit Max ClearTex Infant Car Seat (this seat)	30 lb	10 lb	17 in	6 years
KeyFit Infant Car Seat	22 lb	9 lb	16.75 in	6 years
KeyFit 30 ClearTex Infant Car Seat	30 lb	9.5 lb	16.75 in	6 years
KeyFit Max Zip Infant Car Seat	30 lb	10 lb	17 in	6 years