Evenflo Shyft DualRide Review: A Car Seat With Its Own Wheels?

Who is the Evenflo Shyft DualRide for?

The Evenflo Shyft DualRide is for parents who want to skip the stroller frame for the first year. It is a rear-facing infant car seat with wheels built in. You unclip it from the base, lower the wheels and push. Evenflo lists it at $599.99 with the base and a Carryall bag. That is more than many travel systems, but those come with a stroller you have to fold and lift. BabyGearLab called it a niche product best suited to urban families who walk and want to skip a separate stroller. It also suits families who fly, since Evenflo's answer on Target says it is approved for aircraft with the wheels attached. It is a poor fit if you want gear that lasts. The seat is outgrown at 30 lb or 32 in, per Evenflo, and then you will need a stroller anyway.

How does the Shyft DualRide ride and steer?

The Shyft DualRide rolls on small EVA wheels that are part of the car seat, so it rides more like a compact cart than a full stroller. Target lists the wheels as EVA, and the Evenflo answer there gives a handle height of about 40 in. Car Seats for the Littles called having wheels on the car seat a gamechanger and said the handle was tall enough for a 6 ft adult in their small sample. BabyGearLab focused on the car seat and did not rate pushing or steering. Babylist's summary of owner reviews mentions a wheel mechanism that can stick. Expect it to handle sidewalks, shops and airports well, and to struggle on grass, gravel or broken pavement. Think of it as a short-hop stroller, not one for long walks.

• Maneuverability7.2 / 10
• WheelsSmall EVA wheels built into the carrier (Target)

How big is the Shyft DualRide when folded?

There is no fold. In car-seat mode the wheels tuck up under the carrier, and Evenflo lists it at 18 x 29.5 x 26 in. The wheels can also stay on the base in the car, which makes the carrier lighter to lift. BabyGearLab lists about 20.1 lb for the carrier with its stroller parts and 10.5 lb for the carrier alone. Car Seats for the Littles weighed it at 19 lb with wheels and 9 lb without, with a 10 lb base, which together match Evenflo's 29 lb product weight. Lifting about 20 lb in and out of a high SUV is real work, especially after a C-section. There is nothing to put in the trunk, which is the main draw.

Is the Shyft DualRide comfortable and safe?

The Shyft DualRide is rated from 3 lb, with an infant insert for the smallest babies. Evenflo lists an upper limit of 30 lb and 32 in; BabyGearLab and Car Seats for the Littles listed 35 lb, likely for an earlier version. BabyGearLab found the fabric and padding soft and supportive, with an eight-position no-rethread harness, but said the canopy is small for something that doubles as a stroller. Some versions add an extended canopy. All trims carry SensorSafe, which alerts a phone about unsafe temperature, an unbuckled chest clip, a child left in the car or too long buckled in, per Target. Evenflo says it meets ASTM and all NHTSA requirements, and Target lists JPMA certification. BabyGearLab rated its crash results about average.

How much storage does the Shyft DualRide have?

Storage is the weak spot. There is no stroller basket. Instead, some versions come with a removable Carryall bag and a cup holder, per Target. Car Seats for the Littles said the bag would not hold enough for a full grocery run but would be fine for smaller trips or a day out. Neither Evenflo's listing on Target nor Babylist gives a capacity figure. Plan to carry a diaper bag on your shoulder.

How does the car seat turn into a stroller?

The Shyft DualRide keeps the wheels inside the car seat itself. In the car, it clicks into its base like any infant seat. At your stop, you lift it out, and the wheels drop down in one step so you can push it by the handle, per Target's listing. The wheels can also stay behind on the base, which makes the carrier lighter when you want to carry it inside. Car Seats for the Littles notes three ways to install it: on the base, without the base using the vehicle belt, and without the base with the wheels on. On a plane, Evenflo says to install it without the base. BabyGearLab found the seat had a learning curve because it does so much, and that removing the larger wheels is part of some installs.

Evenflo Shyft DualRide vs Doona+ Car Seat & Stroller vs Evenflo Pivot Xpand

Doona+ Car Seat & Stroller: The best-known car-seat stroller, lighter at 17.2 lb, at $550. Evenflo Pivot Xpand: An Evenflo stroller that grows into a double and takes Evenflo infant seats, at $439.99.

How we rated the Evenflo Shyft DualRide

Six criteria, weighted by how much they shape everyday life. Read our methodology.

1. Maneuverability 20%7.2
2. Fold & portability 20%8.4
3. Comfort & safety 20%8.1
4. Storage & practicality 15%6.3
5. Build & durability 15%8.1
6. Value 10%7.2

Weighted total7.6— Good

Evenflo Shyft DualRide full specifications

What to buy instead

• The best-known car-seat stroller, lighter at 17.2 lb, at $550.

  Doona+ Car Seat & Stroller

  7.7 — Good. 17.2 lb, folds to 26×17.4×22.4 in, $550.

• An Evenflo stroller that grows into a double and takes Evenflo infant seats, at $439.99.

  Evenflo Pivot Xpand

  7.6 — Good. 30.2 lb, folds to 33.8×26.5×23.8 in, $439.99.

• A light compact stroller for after the car-seat stage, at $199.

  Colugo The Compact Stroller+

  8.3 — Very good. 16.2 lb, folds to 22×17.6×10.6 in, $199.