Clek Liing Review

With headquarters in Canada, Clek is a North American company. They work to think outside the box to produce unique, stylish designs that are safer for children. Clek only offers safety car seats at this time.

Performance Comparison

Crash Testing

Crash testing results are where the Liing shines above all others and is what makes it our favorite for crash testing. With some of the group's best head and chest sensor results, it is easy to see why this seat is a standout.

The HIC and chest clip sensor data are lower than most seats (lower is better), proving it is a standout in this metric. The Liing sensor results are some of the lowest HIC results and the lowest chest-clip sensor results. This means fewer G forces were recorded on the crash test dummy. Every one of the safety seats in this infant car seat review should be considered safe because they pass the federal test guidelines. We ran our crash tests a little "hotter" than the federal standard and used a sled that mimics the modern car more closely. We were looking for seats that perform better than average, and there, for eight, offer a better margin of protection than other seats. If the budget allows, we believe the Liing does this, making it the shoo-in car seat for those who prize crash test results above all else.

Ease of Installation LATCH

No matter what installation method you choose for the Liing, it will be easy, but the LATCH method is by far the easiest with the Liing than other methods. Given the rigid LATCH connectors and lack of tightening needs, it is easy to see why parents are drawn to this straightforward option.

Installation is accomplished mainly by pulling out the connectors, lining them up with the LATCH anchor points in your car, and pushing them into the anchors. Once a connection is made, you push a little more to tighten. It doesn't have an anti-rebound bar, but it does have a load leg with a color change indicator.

Releasing the LATCH connectors is quick and easy with the red button on the top of the rigid connector you push to release.

Recline Adjustment

The recline adjustment method on this seat is unbelievably easy, and the central location means you can do it when the base is installed.

There are seven possible positions for this adjustment, which is more than most of the competition, so you are more likely to be able to find the right angle for your car. It has a bubble-style indicator to help you find the right position for installation.

Ease of Installation - Belt

The Liing gets a high score here, too, and it is super easy to install using the vehicle belt if your chosen location lacks LATCH anchor points. It has a color-coded pathway and a built-in lock-off and belt tensioner to help ensure you can achieve and maintain a tight fit. The belt path is visible, and you can easily see if the belt is twisted. You pull on the tensioner location first before using the lock-off, and there are indicators to let you know you've done it right. Tightening on the strap is simple, and the direction of the pull is intuitive.

The slots for the belt seem to cause some curling on the shoulder portion, but it didn't seem to affect the tightening or locking down of the belt. It only requires a slight tightening to get a snug feel. We didn't have to get in the car or use a knee to tighten. You can adjust the seat angle after installation, which is a plus and unique in this category of seats. The tensioner and lock-off, in our experience, work best with a swift motion instead of a slow press down. The seat was more stable in the test sedan, we think, because the SUV is a little more cushiony, and getting it tighter was more challenging.

Ease of Installation - w/o the Base

Installing this seat without the base is very easy, and it scores higher here in this metric than most of the competition. While it isn't the easiest installation method for the Liing, it is still very easy, and parents might want to consider it if they travel frequently.

This carrier uses the European belt path with color-coded indicators and a decal line for leveling. The pathway slots are large and wide open with easy access. The bright blue color keeps you on the right track, and you don't need to finagle with anything. The level line is not very long, and given that it is your only indicator and you're comparing it to the ground beneath the car, it would be nice if it were longer.

Also, once the shoulder belt is in place, you can't see it at all, making final judgment difficult. Overall, it is pretty solid when installed with a little wiggle. We liked that the handle position for driving is clearly indicated on the carrier, so you don't forget the correct position. Something we suspect most parents forget.

Ease of Use

The Liing is not as easy to use as some of the competition. It comes in below average for the metric and is generally disappointing for a high-priced seat.

Buckle

The shoulder strap prongs slide all the way down the strap, and the design on the Liing left us searching deep into the seating area to retrieve them. If they had some friction-causing design like metal inside the prongs, this wouldn't be a problem. The buckle button is a large oval and is textured with a dimple to make pressing easier. The prongs don't really pop out on their own. The single crotch strap position prevents moving it to get a better advantage on the buckle as your baby grows.

The chest clip includes a diagram with a white contrast to make it easier to see. The reminder of where to position the clip is nice, even if most parents won't need it. You have to press all the way down to release it, which means it requires slightly more pressure than the average clip and real attention to detail.

Harness Tightening/Loosening

Tightening the harness is made slightly more challenging thanks to the shoulder padding. You must push them down to avoid getting them trapped or prohibiting tightening. The release button is located inside a slit in the fabric and padding. It has a somewhat unfinished look to it, and bigger fingers might have a problem with the design. The button's deep inset from the edge also means you can't use your thumb if your index finger isn't strong enough.

Harness Adjustment

This harness adjustment is a rethread adjustment style. The larger headrest assembly makes you think it will be a no-rethread style, so it was disappointing that it requires rethreading. Also, as you rethread, the headrest tries to slump downward, which is annoying. The slots are of good size, and it is not hard to thread the straps through.

Carrier to Base Connection

We love an indicator to ensure proper connection, and this one has it. It is easy to miss as it is somewhat covered, but it does add nice peace of mind you did it right. We did not see a way to do this incorrectly. Attaching the carrier to the base is easy. Removal is sort of awkward as it is a two-point release where most are only one. It's not hard, and we suspect parents will get used to it quickly; it's just different than most of the competition. The higher than typical back can make the angle for removal strange and less ergonomic than the others we tested.

Handle

The handle joints are somewhat sharp on the edges, with no smooth curvature. As a result, the edges poke into your thumbs when rotating the handle. The adjustment buttons are kind of clunky and click-in to engage. The handle has three possible positions, and only upright is allowable when driving.

Canopy

While the handle design is somewhat disappointing, we think this design helps the canopy open and close smoothly without brushing the handle at any point.

LATCH and Manual Storage

The LATCH connectors are rigid and don't require a traditional storage location since they are not loose. They are attached to a bar that can slide back into the base when not in use. It slides easily in and out without a problem. The user manual stows in an open slit pocket on the foot of the base. This manual will not be accessible with the carrier in place or if you use the carrier without the base.

Comfort/Quality

One thing Clek seems to do well is quality. However, the Liing only scores slightly above average for comfort and quality. The handle design and some of the comfort features hurt its score in this metric, but it holds its own compared to some competitors.

Fabric and Padding

The fabric and padding are only average compared to the other seats in this review. It has the same fabric throughout. It is not super soft, but it isn't likely to chaff. The warning labels are closer to the legs than the head, which is a nice choice. The amount of padding isn't brag-worthy, but it is more than many of the less expensive seats and bounces back nicely. However, we'd love to see more comfort padding on this higher-priced seat. It also comes with an infant insert and shoulder and crotch padding.

Handle and Canopy

The canopy on the Liing is much bigger than the average seat when you unzip the extension. It has a midway point for average coverage and a zipper extension for more sun protection or privacy. It has a rotational joint that allows incremental opening or closing. The handle is a thin and narrow design that is relatively flat. This creates a lot of palm pressure, and we wish it were more friendly for carrying, especially given the above-average weight.

Shell

The shell on the Liing is sleek and smooth, with little opportunity for collecting gunk. However, after just a short testing period, this shell showed every bump and ding caused by moving it around and installing it. It isn't super noticeable, but it does look like a sheen difference. While this does not affect its functionality or safety, it's a bummer in this price range.

Weight/Size

This seat came in below the average for weight. We aren't really surprised, given that most Clek safety seats are typically heavy monsters. The Liing carrier weighs in at 10.5 lbs, which by Clek standards is practically a feather, but it isn't anything to brag about by infant car seat standards. While some seats come in closer to 12, others come in near 8 lbs. If you plan to lug your little one in their carrier often, then it might be a seat to avoid if you aren't used to carrying heavy things very far.

Should You Buy the Liing?

The CLek Liing is definitely a seat we'd recommend, especially if your goal is finding the option with the most impressive crash test analysis. This seat is high quality and offers load leg and rigid LATCH. However, it is expensive, which could make it a no-go if your budget is smaller. Also, it is a hefty seat and not one you'd want to carry around the city without a compatible stroller, which might be harder to find. Overall, if your budget fits and crash test results are the absolute most important metric to you, then the Clek is one for your shortlist.

What Other Infant Car Seat Should You Consider?

While we love the Liing, we recognize it isn't for everyone. If you want a great seat with impressive results in almost all metrics, the Chicco Keyfit 35 is one of our favorites. This seat is reasonably priced compared to competitors and features straightforward installation, and is easy to use. The crash test analysis results are better than average, and it is compatible with far more strollers than the Clek (adapters sold separately).

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