That’s one extra thing to deal with. “I didn’t want to wrestle with a travel bag, especially since I was traveling alone and doing a lot,” says CR’s Angela Lashbrook. “I bought a seat for my child on every flight, so I used my car seat on the plane. Not getting a bag for the stroller was a bit of a risk, but there was no damage to it that I could see. Absolutely fine.” “The items are actually easier to carry without the bag, so we put it on at the last minute before gate control,” says Gulati-Gilbert.

There is a limit to how much damage protection a car seat or pushchair can offer. A quality bag may withstand dirt, dust, and water, but Emily A. Thomas, PhD, CR’s in-house director of automotive safety, cautions parents against relying on a bag to protect their baby gear from structural damage.

“Car seat bags are best for either easily carrying your car seat through the airport or checking/checking your car seat,” says Thomas. “The bags are usually nylon bags and they can protect your seat from dust and dirt. Since you plan to put your child in the seat, I like to have it covered if I check my seat so it doesn’t get messy when handled, moved all over the airport or on the conveyor belt.”

Pieroni says she was concerned about potential damage to her car seat and stroller that would render them unusable at their destination, and that she needed to worry about finding a new stroller and/or car seat down the road.

If your car seat is damaged in transit, your warranty may cover repair or replacement, even if it wasn’t covered by a bag, Dilts says, but you should check with your car seat manufacturer to confirm the limitations of your warranty. Still, it’s cold comfort if your car seat is damaged on the road and you’re suddenly stranded a mile from home. “If it is damaged on arrival during the journey, the warranty would only help after my travels and I would still be able to replace the damaged item,” says Pieroni.

Gulati-Gilbert takes things a step further when she travels: She leaves her more expensive stroller and car seat at home. “We chose to buy a cheaper car seat and travel trailer so that we wouldn’t have to worry about travel damage and warranties, says Gulati-Glibert.

Bottom Line: Don’t expect a bag to protect expensive strollers and car seats from extreme turbulence or mishandling.