I’ve always said that whoever invented winter didn’t have babies.
Going out for walks is a daily pleasure for us; barring temperatures dropping below, say, minus-25, we go out every day regardless of the weather. We’re like the postman.
But I would get soooo frustrated that it took 20 minutes to gear up and get out the door in wintertime. Venturing out in the car in the snowy season isn’t much easier. When The K Man was really little and still in his first (portable) car seat, colder weather wasn’t the hell it became once we had to install the permanent car seat, when we could no longer do all the fussing about indoors. Gearing up the two of them? It sucks the big old suck-suck.
But I digress.
While the JJ Cole Bundleme is a great alternative to a blanket in fall and spring (and also does a great job keeping the stroller seat clean), it just isn’t warm enough for the really chilly days we get here in Ontario between December and March – sometimes April. And, as a side note to parents considering purchasing a Bundleme: be sure to purchase the “toddler” size, even if it’s for your newborn. That way, you’ll get more than just one season out of it, and if your child is smaller-than-average, you might get three.
Not only is our Bundleme not warm enough for our winter walks, it doesn’t help us get out the door any faster either. Enter the 7 a.m. Enfant Blanket 212 evolution – described by its makers as “the ultimate baby bunting.” This is no lie. This is, without a do
ubt, one of the best investments we’ve made between both kids. And make no mistake – it is an investment; at about $200, you want to be sure that you’ll get enough use out of the thing to bring down your price-per-use (calculated by taking the total purchase price and dividing by the number of times you use or wear an item).
And this is precisely the reason I’m reviewing a winter item on the outskirts of spring: maybe, if you’re lucky, you can find the Blanket 212 evolution on sale right now.
The number one reason we bought the 212 evolution? It replaces the snowsuit. Yes, replaces! I just throw a light hat on my little one (if it’s extra cold, otherwise the built-in hood suffices) and strap her into her stroller, engulfed in this über-blanket. This allows us to get out of the house in less than five minutes, just as we do in the summer.
THE GOOD
- The man-made filler is as warm as down; seriously – don’t put anything heavier than a sweater on your babe if you’re using this bunting bag or he’s going to sweat his nards off
- It’s waterproof
- The whole thing can be thrown in the washing machine
- The hood is big enough that it creates a wind barrier across my baby’s face
- It has zip-on and -off extensions to make the blanket longer or shorter, depending on the infant/toddler’s height; and I should note that my very tall 3.5 year old successfully fit into the Blanket 212 evolution – with his boots peeking out the bottom – this past winter, making that four winters we’ve used this thing
- It has worked in four very different strollers (the Phil & Ted’s Sport, the UPPAbaby Vista, the Chariot Carrier Corsaire XL and the EasyWalker DUO), adapting perfectly with each
- It comes in a huge variety of colours and is a great-looking product
THE GAFFE
- The name. I don’t get it. Weird
- The little cords and zipper pullies that are located near the opening for my kid’s face often sit right in front of his eye line or, worse, sometimes annoyingly rub his wee face. As I suggested to the company myself via email a few years ago, this would be easily remedied with some cord keepers that just tuck them out of the way
- On days that are cool but not so brutal that you need to use the extraordinarily warm hood, it would be nice to be able to keep it zipped open and fold the flaps back on themselves (using something like Velcro) to keep them out of the way
- I wish the zippers were those nice, thick ones – these are skinny little things and sometimes catch the fabric
- The 7 a.m. Enfant folks seem to think this should last until a child is four years old; we came close. Perhaps the company will simply start selling extra extensions so that fans of the product can add on if need be?
- It does not work with any of our car seats
None of the gaffes are deal-breakers, though. The sheer ease-of-use and the efficiency it brings to my winter days make these small things not worth sweating.
THE GEARS
4/5
So…where can you buy it?
Erica Newton says
I’d love a review comparing the Evolution to the MEC stroller bag (down version). Having a hard time deciding between the two.
Mommy Gearest says
I wish I could, but alas — I don’t have babies anymore! I’m afraid this review is from some time ago when my bigs were littles.
Michelle Kwan says
Thank you for your review! It was very helpful. I was looking to purchase one but cannot figure out how I would put my child in it without needing the stroller to be indoors first. Ie, if I wanted to take a walk at a park but have to drive there first. How would the transfer from car seat (baby is 7 months old) to the stroller work without being exposed to the cold? Or does this bunting only really work if you’re only able to strap them in indoors?
Mommy Gearest says
It’s honestly been so long since I’ve used it that I don’t remember! But I know we put them in it indoors first. Not sure if that was because that was the only option! Sorry!
lucie says
Hi I am thinking of buying the 212 for stroller and car seat use… However I have heard that it is NOT safe for use in the car seat despite what it says on their website and the fact that you can remove the back piece so there is no fabric between the babies back and the straps…. Do you know anything about this? I don’t want to have to buy two different buntings (one car seat and one stroller) and the blanket 212 seems like the best one for cold Canadian winters- thanks!!!!
Mommy Gearest says
Hi Lucie – while I personally never used the 212 in the car (only for stroller walks), I don’t see why if you removed the back and just used the front as a blanket that it could be dangerous. BUT what probably happened is one moron ruined it for everyone by suing and creating the need for the warning. I obviously can’t advise you to skirt the law or the requirements made by any manufacturer, but I’d say that common sense should be taken into consideration. I am also selling my red one (in excellent shape!) if you’re interested and live anywhere near me.
Heather says
Darn, I was going to purchase it specifically for our car seat which is a recarro. I will buy and try and if it doesn’t work, return.
Mommy Gearest says
They actually make a car seat-friendly version. I believe it’s called the Igloo!
C says
The name? 212 is the area code of Manhattan…NYC
Mommy Gearest says
Ah ha! Although I thought the product was from France…?
Sara Shorthouse says
Hi! My son just turned one and I’m looking into something like this. We walk my older son to and from school so I am looking for time savers. Is there just a toddler version you would recommend? Would also love it if it could fit over the car seat. Have you seen the versions put out by MEC? If yes, what do you think of them? We live in Montreal, winters are cold, snowy and windy! Thanks so much!
Mommy Gearest says
Hi! I used this until my son was 4…and he was a TALL 4 year old. His boots just stuck out the bottom in the end. Perfect for toddlers! It will not fit over the car seat BUT can be zipped completely in half and you could use it like a blanket over your child in the car seat. PERFECT for cold Canadian winters!
Audrey says
Hi, thank you for this post 🙂
I´m torn between buying the blanket 212 and the Arctic Bundleme. The prize difference is huge (2 for 1 if you go for the Bundleme) but I don´t care if I´m getting my money´s worth. My main concern is the durability (have read bar reviews on Amazon) and how long it will last the baby length wise. The 7 A.M. page does not give up measurements on the blanket but Amazon says 36 inches. The same goes for the Arctic bag, nothing on the page but Amazon says 40 inches. What troubles me is that the Arctic bag specifies it´s up to 3 y old but the Blanket 212 up to 4 y old. You can see the discrepancy. I´ve also read that the Blanket was made longer in 2010 than it is today so using it up to 4 y old seems like a big stretch. Have you compared your Blanket to the newer models in terms of length and durability?
I live in Iceland so I´m not in a position to take a look at these products myself, but have to relay on reviews online. I will be traveling to the States in October so I will have to have made up my mind by then 😉
Mommy Gearest says
Hi Audrey. I own both so I can tell you that the Blanket 212 is definitely longer (once you factor in the extra insert that comes with it). I used it with my very tall children until age 3.5 and by age 4, my son’s feet stuck out the bottom (so I just put boots on him). However, with the BundleMe, you can’t have their feet stick out the bottom, so it doesn’t last as long. I would be happy to sell you both of mine if you like! You could have them shipped to your residence in the USA when you arrive. Let me know!
Audrey says
Hi, could you send me an e-mail with pics of the blanket (212) and price 🙂 (audurvill@gmail.com)
Brooke S. says
You can find this on sale right now at Belly Dance Maternity. It is $113 and they just ran a 12 hour 25% off sale which made it $84.75 plus $9 shipping. Total $93.75. The sale will be over before anyone reads this, but you can always call and ask for the discount again. Sometimes it works!
Mommy Gearest says
Are you sure it’s the 212 Evolution? It’s normally $200 full price…? Some of their other blankets are less expensive, but they aren’t as versatile (i.e. lasting until a kid is 4). Let me know – I’m curious!