Pros: Can use for a long time - children up to 65 lbs and 49 inches Cons: Bulky to install!
When my baby daughter was getting to heavy for me to carry her in her B
aby
Trend Latch-Loc Infant Carseat we knew it was time to go out and get a convertible carseat. At the time she wasn't yet a year old so she ...
Pros: Harness supposedly holds children up to 65 lbs and 49 inches (but doesn't!) Cons: Difficult to install and use, awful user's manual, overpriced, crotch strap too short
My oldest daughter was outgrowing her Evenflo Triumph convertible car seat but at only 2 1/2 at the time she still need a 5-point harness. Options at that time were limited and we ended up with a Britax Marathon. The Basics The Britax ...
Pros: 65 pound weight limit! Like the Roundabout, but larger. Cons: Price. It's HUGE!
Even though we're a two car family, ever since my boy outgrew his infant-carrier seat (at 3 months) we've been restricted to using 1 car because his larger seat simply wouldn't fit in my little sports car. That all changed last month when I purchased a ...
Pros: Safe, long lasting, high quality Cons: pricey, big
The Britax Marathon is the Mount Everest of car seats, both in terms of quality and size. Britax has a sterling reputation and I think the reputation is deserved. My overall experience has been a very good one. This is my third car seat purchase in 6 ...
Pros: Safety safety safety Cons: Expensive, bulky, alot of gadgets
As a mother of 2 boys, a daycare provider, a future pediatrician, a car accident victim and a mom still building her family, I have to be able to TRUST whatever my kids, my future kids, and my daycare kids sit in! No name brand loyalty here! I am not ...
Pros: high quality, safety, secure installation, higher height/weight limit keeps even big babies rear-facing Cons: expensive, limited selection and availability, leg straps squash baby's thighs, crotch pad comes off
When my son outgrew his infant seat at only 3 months (he was already 26 inches tall!) we initially purchased the Britax Roundabout. Like most of the reviewers on this site, we loved the Roundabout- but my son continued growing so quickly that by 5 months...
Pros: RF tether, great padding & soft cover, tall back/top slots, easy install/use Cons: Heavy seat (not a con really, it does feel very solid/sturdy)
I recently purchased the Britax Marathon for my 9-month old son. He is 20 lbs. 11 oz. and 28 in. long. He has at least 6 inches of head room in the Marathon, which means he'll be able to stay rear-facing for much longer. The Britax Marathon can be ...
Pros: Comfy, easy to use, easy to install, longest length of use, 5pt harness, LATCH equipped Cons: It is largER than most other seats...other than that, NONE!!!
As a mom of 2 lightweight boys and a daycare provider to another boy, I needed to be able to transport all 3 with me. My oldest is in a Britax Husky (click here for my review of the B
ritax
Husky) and my youngest is in ...
Pros: Easily installs, protective foam and front adjusting straps. Cons: For some, price. Very bulky on a plane. May not fit in some vehicle's seats.
I did a lot of research before buying a car seat. First off...this is a big car seat and may not fit rear facing in your vehicle. My husband and I installed it in the parking lot of Babies R Us and found it to fit great otherwise we would have marched it ...
Pros: Easy to install, should last until child needs a booster. Cons: Expensive, instructions could be clearer in places.
The Britax Marathon is a convertible car seat designed to be used either rear-facing or forward-facing depending on your child's height and weight. It is approved (in Canada,) to be used rear-facing with children 5 to 30lbs and less than 32" in height, ...
Pros: Unique higher-weight 5-pt harness, many safety and convenience features Cons: Price, and some quality control issues on early models
The Marathon is a unique carseat that's much better than its "little sister" the Roundabout in many ways. But in other ways it does not meet the high standards Roundabout owners are accustomed to. What is it, and why is it so special? The Mar ...
Pros: the safest most comfortable seat I've ever seen Cons: a bit pricey
This is a review of the Britax Marathon, a convertible carseat that can be used rearfacing when your child is 5-33lbs and forward facing when your child is 22-65lbs (or until the top of the ears are even with the top of the seat and/or when the shoulders ...
Pros: 5-point harness for children up to 65lbs, Safety features are outstanding Cons: Expensive
I already own 2 Britax Roundabouts and love them (they hold up incredibly well and my 10 month old baby is using them now). However, my 4.5 year old daughter outgrew hers around 2.5 years old. Britax didn't have the Marathon available immediately so we ...
Pros: goes up to 60 pounds, easy to install, good reputation, Versa-tether, comfortable Cons: price, size of seat
When I realized that our son was going to outgrow his "bucket seat" at 4 months of age, I started the mad task of researching "big boy" car seats. One of my friends highly recommended Britax, but I was really put off by the price. But, now I have two!! ...
Pros: Very safe, comfortable for child, easily adjustable straps, plushy cover, and comes in many colors/patterns. Cons: EXPENSIVE!!! Quite large, cheap foam under-padding, straps not easily removed to wash.
First off let me say this is by far the safest car seat for a child that also provides comfort. My review will not be as technical as others as my goal is to inform people of the dangers of some car seats that the Britax Marathon does NOT have. Simple ...
Pros: Safe, secure, and OH SO CUTE! Cons: Heavy and bulky
I have been using the Britax Marathon car seat for almost 8 months, and I have enjoyed every second of having this car seat. At the time of my purchase, my daughter was 10 months old, about 13 pounds, and 24.5 inches long. She was very tiny for her ...
Pros: Comfy, solid, baby likes it Cons: Shoulder straps too high for infants, hard to "click" buckle
We have used the Marathon for one week. It's in our 1995 Subaru Outback Wagon in the rear-facing position, center-seat with a lap belt. Our baby is 3 months, 15+ pounds, and 24+ inches. He was never a fan of his infant seat, so we bought a Marathon and ...
Pros: Comfortable, up to 65lbs, quality, European made, safety, my baby loves it. Cons: Price, but well worth it.
My wife and I purchased the Britax Marathon in mid-September when it first came out. We went to Babies R Us to purchase it. However, they seem to be sold out everytime. Their suggestion was to special order it and it is guaranteed to come in within 7...
Pros: Relatively easy to use and adjust; excellent safety features; very comfortable seat Cons: Very large; quite expensive; directions not well written
When my son outgrew his infant car seat, he was only 5 months old, so we needed a car seat that would hold him rear-facing until he reached both 12 months and 20 pounds. After some car-seat safety research, we picked the Marathon because of its ...
Pros: Lots of nice extras, such as velcro to hold straps, extra padding, etc. Cons: A pain to install
Our three- month old son outgrew his infant seat sooner than we had anticipated which led us to Babies "R" Us to potentially purchase the Britax Roundabout. We happened to see the new Marathon and quickly rushed home see see if there were any on- line...
Pros: High quality. Very comfortable for child. Stable and secure installation. Cons: Belly pad slips off buckle when removing child. Floating hugs system doesn't slide high enough.
I purchased this seat for my two year old son, who will soon be 40 lbs. He was previously in the Roundabout, that our infant son will now use. The Marathon has all of the great features of the Roundabout, including a well padded and comfortable seat,...
Pros: Will accommodate a child from 5-65lbs in a harness. Very easy to install... Cons: A little expensive, but worth it!
Hi,
I am a nanny and watch many different aged children. In the past I have used Britax's Roundabout, Freeway, Super Elite, and Star Riser Car seats. So when I heard about the NEW Britax Marathon coming out I told myself I have to have one!
...
Pros: Easy to install, tether, velcro to hold straps, holds up to 65 lbs Cons: Expensive...absolutely worth it though
My 6 month old daughter is already over 20 pounds & 26 inches long. When she go to 17 pounds I did not feel comfortable putting her in the carrier anymore so we started our journey to find a new "Big Girl" car seat. We tried several different seats at...
Pros: Installs easy; Fits car well; Rock solid; Cool fabric;
Gives good feeling overall. Cons: No hook for tether when back facing. Belly pad = crotch pad.
I'm a father of a 7-month-old who outgrew her Graco baby seat. With winter clothes it was a tight squeeze even a couple of months ago. From my research it became clear that Britax Roundabout gets the best safety reviews anywhere you look. Britax ...
Pros: 65 lb. weight limit, Britax safety standards Cons: May be too large for rear-facing in smaller cars
To start, I will say: we own a Britax Roundabout as well as the Britax Marathon. When our 6 month old outgrew his baby seat, we purchased a Marathon for our 2 1/2 year old. The Roundabout was purchased in 2002, and like all other Roundabout owners, we ...
Pros: Keeps my daughter happy in the car. Cons: Expensive and kind of heavy.
We bought the Britax Marathon when our daughter was 2 1/2 months old. We fully intended to keep her in her infant carseat until she reached the weight/height limit but when she hit about 2 months old, she suddenly screamed every time she was in the car. ...
Pros: Good construction Cons: No adjustability in the crotch strap
We like others wanted a new seat which had a five point harness like our Evenflo Triumph. My daughter seemed to fit the Marathon when we tried it at the store. She is just 40 pounds and the seat should hold 65. I would like to see a 65 pound child ...
Pros: Super comfy; 5-pt harness; LATCH system; easy to install; easy to secure baby in it. Cons: NONE.
My son was just about ten pounds when he was born and 22.5 inches long. Not a small guy. I knew he was going to be big based on ultrasounds, so I didn't even mess around getting an infant seat with a measly weight limit of 20lbs, just to have to ...
Pros: good safety ratings, versa-tether feature Cons: straps that twist easily
We bought this as our second carseat when our son outgrew his Graco Snugride and overall have been very pleased with it. It had great ratings on the nhtsa website; it was one of very few with such a broad weight range that had good ratings for rear- and ...
Pros: The BEST quality and comfort. Highest level of security. Cons: NONE! He's getting out now! READ
UPDATE! HOUDINI CAN UNBUCKLE THE TOP! Joey will be 3 in December and is 39" and 35lbs or so...He's a big boy! As much as I love the fact that I don't need to be shopping for a bigger seat, I am very concerned that he can undo the chest buckle! We are ...
Pros: very comfy, plush seat cover. harness tightens/loosens easily. sits high. Cons: very tall. wish it had cup holders.
When my younger child was ready to be moved into the front facing position i decided that i wanted a seat that would have a weight limit above 40 pounds, because i want to keep my girls in a five point harness for as long as possible. Since i wanted both ...
Pros: Excellent for big baby rear facing, 65 lb. weight limit Cons: Pain to install, too big for center seat, price
This seat has excellent safety ratings, which was the initial reason I bought it. I was a little skeptical about the price but then I figured that in the long run it's definitely worth it. For one thing you can't put a price on your babies safety and...
Pros: Very comfortable for the baby. Snug secure fasteners. Plush fabric. Easy to adjust. Recline position. Cons: May not fit rear-facing in some vehicles. Price. Instruction booklet photos not accurate.
After a long a tedious research process and a peek at Consumer Reports, I decided to purchase the Britax Marathon for my 9 month old son. Safety being my main concern and his comfort. I sat him in the seat in the store at first. No complaints from him. ...
Pros: Installation EASY..It's secure, I know she's secure! Cons: If there is any, I haven't found them yet!!
Sure, it's not the lowest price car seat around. But you can't put a price on safety. I learned that the best car seat is the safest car seat, and the safest car seat is the one that is installed and used properly every time. INSTALLING (very tight ...
Pros: Very secure, easy to install and extremely easy to use. An excellent carseat. Cons: More expensive than others but in this case you really get your money's worth.
I recently purchased the Britax Marathon carseat. I had the Evenflo Titan 5. I liked the Evenflo carseat but was not completely satisfied. I did not like that the straps always twisted and that to tighten the harness snug enough I had to reach behind ...
Pros: best tested, peace of mind, best anchor system around Cons: more expensive than other models, only one recline position, no level indicator
When our baby outgrew his travel system carseat, we started shopping for a new convertible seat. Some friends turned us on to the Britax line, and we were impressed. Britax seats are far and away more expensive than other convertible car seats, but ...
Pros: Safe, comfortable, easy to install Cons: Price, doesn't fit in all vehicles
4 years ago when I was pregnant with my first son, I did a lot of research to determine the safest seat on the market. The Britax Marathon came out on top. It is rated for 5 to 65 lbs and up to 49” so can be used for a very long time. However, we have ...
Pros: Easy installation, Tall car seat, Overall high quality Cons: Crotch buckle strap is too short and non-adjustable, Expensive
The Marathon has many advantages but, in my opinion, has one MAJOR disadvantage. The crotch buckle with its strap is very short in length and not adjustable in length or position.
When placing our 3 year old son (he's about 35 pounds) in the...
Pros: Comfortable, 5 point harness, designs, durability, safeness. Cons: The price.
After my daughter was getting to big for her carrier seat, I searched the internet to find the "best" convertible carseat. Overall, there were a few that did live up to there expectations; however, I kept getting drawn back to the Britax Marathon. I was ...
Pros: Safety, safety, safety, high density foam. Cons: None
I just bought the Britax Marathon, we have owned the Britax Roundabout for about 2 years and my daughter loves it. It's easy to install, easy to use, the straps are great, and most of all, it's the safest seat on the market, by FAR! Most people I ...
I recently purchased the Marathon for my 2 1/2 yr. old son. He was previously riding in a Roundabout (which we also loved!). I initially purchased him the Starriser/Comfy booster. Although he met the weight requirement, he was far to young to have the...
Pros: "best" & "safest" on the market Cons: Difficult to install, poor instructions
This thing is a MONSTER if you have a small car. I'm pretty good at installing car seats. I've read everything I can imagine, been to inspection sites, and have been doing it for almost 2 years now, but I found this seat to be extremely difficult to ...
Pros: Very safe, easy to use, comfortable! Cons: More expensive than other seats (but you get what you pay for!)
We bought this seat after extensive research showed it was the safest on the market. I think my husband may have initially had some reservations about the price, but in the long run, a child's safety is very much worth it! My daughter reached the ...
Pros: Easy to install. Comfy. Built-in locking clips.
Cute fabrics. Cons: Big if you have a small backseat.
I was so sick of shopping around for carseats. By the time my 3rd child was born, we had been through 2 infant carriers, 2 convertibles and 3 boosters. A friend recommended the Costco Eddie Bauer, but others told me the straps got tangled easily. Going ...
Pros: Quality and reputation. Excellent for tall/big child. Safety reviews. Cons: Huge design flaw - child can get out of seat!
I loved this seat until I realized my 20 month old can reach down between his legs and pull up on the harness release lever effectively loosening the harness straps completely so that he can climb out!!! This is EXTREMELY UNSAFE - BEWARE! I could not ...
Pros: Washable, comfortable and safe Cons: price and size
I absolutely love this car seat. When we first looked for a seat I purchased the Eddie Bauer 3 in 1, because several of my friends had the seat. It was a nightmare for us, it shifted all over our car and it sat at an 90 degree angle. So I decided to get...
Pros: Great for taller children; accommodates greater height than most seats. Solid, comfortable, sturdy! Cons: Expensive (but the same as buying two seats for a taller child!)
This is a great seat for a larger-than-average child! We have two different seats, the Britax Marathon and the Evenflo Triumph, and while I like both, and feel both are safe and sturdy, the Marathon is better for several reasons. First of all, ALL ...
Pros: Good sturdy Carseat. up to 65lbs, good Company Cons: Pricey, bulky, very tall seat.
I recently bought the Britax Marathon in Electric Blue for my 6 month old son. This is by far one of the best car seat I have seen in a very long time. The quality alone makes it worth the price tag. I was lead to this product by it's rave reviews, but I ...
Pros: Haven't been able to use long enough to get pros, but easy to repair Cons: The shoulder belt lock-offs for forward facing non-LATCH cars is too brittle
We bought the Britax Marathon because our two year old was getting too large for the Britax Roundabout that he currently has, and because the Marathon has LATCH and our older Roundabout did not. We picked the Marathon because we were very impressed with ...
Pros: COMFY, SAFE, up to 65 LBS, Velcro to hold straps Cons: Price, Crotch Strap adjustment, hard to install rear-facing without LATCH.
This is a great seat! I started out with an Graco, which my infant grew out of. Then I wanted to buy a convertible seat and bought another Graco model. Big mistake! The retaining buckle (you know the one in the back of the seat that ties all the ...
Pros: exceptionally safe, accommodates 33lb rear-facing, luxuriously soft and comfortable, velcro-strap holders, no extras to buy Cons: very large seat, no snack holders, a bit pricey
This car seat is quite exceptional. Britax is the car seat offered by Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche. Receives exceptional reviews regarding safety, durability, and length of service. The only seat I know of that accommodates a child over 20lbs in a rear ...
Pros: SAFEST, need I say more Cons: Maybe too big for small babies
Our friends baby died in a car accident because she was in a combination car seat. The car seat broke away from the base part and the car seat flew through the window. From that point on we knew we wanted a stationary car seat and we did our research. ...
Pros: Easy intallation, comfy, safe, recline, up to 65lbs instead of 40. Cons: Expensive, straps for chest buckle take some breaking in to be easy to move
I've searched for ever...tried 6 other car seats before Britax; I think I stores really got sick of me. I have researched and went to 5 different stores, asked everyone I see with a kid, people said these were too expensive. Given, they are pricey... ...
Pros: Non-twisting straps, easy to install, easy to get baby or toddler in and out
Cons: Wish they had more "boyish" fabric choices
I had an evenflo carseat for my son and he hated it, it was a hand me down from my older son. It had the bar that comes across in front. He screamed everytime I put him in it. So I couldn't take it anymore, I did a lot of searching around and finally ...
Pros: Comfortable padding and fabric, ease of use for parent, safety ratings Cons: Maybe the price, but nothing else so far
We bought a Britax marathon after trying the Evenflo Titan 5. While the Evenflo was rated #1 in Consumer reports, their ratings didn't include things like comfort for child and ease of use by parents. I found the seat to be greatly lacking in both of ...
Pros: The safety Cons: It's huge and won't fit much cars.
My research for a convertible car seat started early since my infant was on the tall side. I had narrowed it down to the Roundabout and the Marathon. Since the baby had to sit facing the rear, I wanted a car seat that would fit in my car (Mercedes C- ...
Pros: Durable, easy to install and clean, and has plush fabric. Cons: The price is not a con since it is used daily.
I have had a Britax since my son was 9 months old (will be four in August) and I never hesitated to get one for my daughter (will be two in August). This seat is extremely sturdy and easy to remove to clean. While it is big, it is very easy to secure ...
Pros: Longer straps, padding at the buckle, HUGS helps reduce strap twisting Cons: NO cupholder
Recently we bought this carseat for my daughter when she turned 4. I wish I had bought it when she was first born. When my daughter turned 4 we put her into a booster seat like alot of parents, without realizing how dangerous these really are. When we ...
Pros: The straps never get twisted. The seat is well padded. Cons: The crotch and the leg straps are too tight.
I've had Britax Marathon since my son turned 1 year old. Anyone who owns this carseat I'm sure is generally satisfied with its quality. The seat is well cushioned that it's ideal for long distance trips and the crotch cushion is an added comfort. As ...
Pros: fairly easy to install, lots of cover options, harnesses up to 65lbs! ,very comfy Cons: Price is a little steep, top tether can be confusing and hard to adjust.
I've owned the marathon for a couple of months, it was purchased after my 4th Dorel seat broke in less than a year. I figured the price tag on a Marathon that WOULD last a few years is better than paying $100 a year on car seats that break. It was pretty ...
I absolutely love the durability and safety features in the seat. At the time of purchase I debated between the Roundabout and the Marathon. Both seemed to have very similar features, but the size limits were (in my opinion) drastically different. ...
Pros: They are safe,sturdy and very comfortable.The side support is a plus. Cons: Very large and heavy. Once you install it you don't want to move it.
When I had to move my twins from infant carriers I really researched. And by far for safety, I felt more comfortable with the Marathon more then any other car seat I saw.Though they were quite pricey ($500.00 for 2)I couldn't put a price tag on my children safety. Now after 3 1/2 years it is time to get them something new,But I feel like I got my moneys worth. They are just getting to tall for the Marathons. After much more research it looks like I will be going with another Britax model. With my children only being 4 yrs. old I still want to see them in 5 point harnesses. The Britax Regent seems my best bet.
Pros: Everything as stated above!!! Cons: none just wish it was a little bit more affordable to everyone!!
This is a great car seat. After purchasing a crappy carseat, that I took back, I decided to do research online. I came across the Britax. We went o babies r us and fell in love with it!!! A very sturdy and safe seat. I will say this much, it is a big car seat. It also has alot of padding which others ones don't!!! With the latch system it locked on so good that it could have been part of my van seat!!! These are sort of pricey, but how much do you put on your childs life?!!!! I would recommend this seat to everyone!!! The seat cover does wash up nice in the washer too!!
I bought the Britax Marathon carseat because I wanted a safe, easy to use seat that would last for years. Previously used a Roundabout when my daughter was younger, but needed a second car seat. The Roundabout is in our 2nd car and we use the Marathon in our primary vehicle. The Marathon is extremely easy to use. The five-point harness works like a dream (no matching up the lower piece before inserting into the buckle). The straps don't twist and tangle like cheaper brands we have tried. The latch system is terrific. It makes it very easy to move from vehicle to vehicle for those of you who may lend car seats to grandparent or others. Between the latches and the tether, this seat does not budge in my car (no shifting whatsoever). My daughter is average size at 3 years and fits very comfortably in the seat. One major advantage for her is that it sits high enough for her to have a birds eye view out the windows.
Pros: Holds child up to 65 lbs & very easy to install Cons: Price
I have 3 kids and my back seat is a row a carseats. Because of this, my oldest daughter who was just at 40 pounds at 5 years old technically could have gone into a booster seat. However most all boosters require the use of the vehicle seat belt to secure the child in it.
Since I had 2 other kids in child seats, my 5 year old could not reach the seat belt to secure herself because of the other seats in her way. After much consideration I decided that I would purchase this seat because it would hold her to 65 lbs and had the 5 point harness.
She loves it and it was by far the EASIEST carseat to install. It took my husband less than 10 mins to get it secured in the car and her strapped in. It was well worth the money we spent.
Great seat but I have problem with rear facing by daciesmom ,Oct 20 '03
Pros: The safest seat available. My daughter loves it and seems very comfortable. Cons: Expensive (but worth it)! Too big for rear facing. I can't reach my daughter.
I love my Britax Marathon carseat. It is easy to use and I feel that my baby is safe. One of my favorite things about the seat is that the seat belt can be passed over or under the fabric. My second favorite thing is the built in locking clips. I haven't used the LATCH belts yet. But I like that they have sewn in storage pockets under the cover so that they are not hanging around loose. My only problem with the seat is that I can't get to are see my daughter because the seat is so big. I have a mid size car and when the seat is in the middle of the back seat rear facing, I can't see my daughter or hand her things like her noo noo or toys. I love the seat but I don't think that it is a good choice for rear facing babies unless you have someone willing to ride in the back seat everywhere you go.
Pros: Safety ratings, ease of use, velcro for straps... Cons: Can we say price? OUTRAGEOUS, but worth it!
This is the best seat we purchased. Although it is EXTREMELY pricey, I am so glad we purchased this seat. My son grew out of his infant carrier at 5 months and we needed a seat fast. After doing all the research on car seats and seeing comparisons of babies in actual seats, we chose this seat. My son is a wide/large body infant and fits PERFECT in this seat. Although now he can kick the back of the regular seat in the car because he is long! The straps velcro to the side for easy grabbing and I don't have to worry about the straps tangling in themselves or the buckle turning around. It was fairly easy to install because our vehicle doesn't have LATCH. The manual had to be cut off the car seat, not fond of that even though there is a storage spot for it on the back of the seat. The tether stores nicely as did the LATCH since we can't use it. You don't even know it's there. It comes in so many colors and fabrics (so you can get one to match your car!) This is just a great seat.
Pros: comfortable, safe, easy to install, easy to adjust Cons: bulky
I have owned three Britax car seats and have loved all of them but this one is the best! I was recently rear-ended at 50+ MPH. My passenger and I both had severe whiplash but my 35 lb three year old who was seated securely in her Marathon had no injuries. After the accident, I didn't hesitate to replace the old seat with another Marathon.
I have used the Marathon in seven different cars and several airplanes and it has installed securely and easily in every situation. My daughter loves the fun prints and is always comfortable and happy to be buckled into her seat.
It is a bit larger than other booster seats or car seats but after having my daughter safe through two accidents, the size is definitely worth the peace of mind.
Pros: Love it! Great overall product! Safety is worth the price! Cons: probably too tall for rear facing installation in most compact cars
After having the Roundabout I went for the Marathon for my growing son. It is taller than the roundabout and similar in functions. I wouldn't trust any other brand after comparing the sturdiness and rock solid "attachment" to my car after installation. If you can figure out how to get it in correctly then it absolutely won't move. Installation is a bit difficult, but so are all the other carseats. Check out cpsafety's website for great tips on all installations! I love the velcro to hold the straps back and the soft cover and padding are very nice. My only problem is the padding at the buckle gets stuck underneath my son when he gets in. If only it had a little velcro attachment there then I would say it's perfect! I think I will sew some on myself to solve the problem.
Pros: Easy to use, comfortable, light weight. Cons: None
This is by far my favorite carseat. It is so easy to install/uninstall. It is big and comfortable for my son. It is so easy to use. I highly recommend this to anyone who is moving out of the infant carseat.
Pros: EASY to install, comfortable seats, nice fabrics Cons: TOO EXPENSIVE
I owned an Evenflo car seat before this that I got as a present for my baby shower. It was fine but when we got in a car accident our car seat needed to be replaced. After recommendations from my friends, I purchased the Britix Marathon. I've had it a year and half and I love it. I think it's very easy to install after installing dozens of car seats in our car (from friend's children) and my own this is by far amont the easiest AND safest to get tightly in there AND it stays tight.
Also, my daughter is SO comfortable in it. She loves riding in it and now that she is two I buckle the bottom and she does the chest clips. Also, she sits higher up then other car seats and can easily see what's going on. I now have a 5 month old that's about to out grow her Snugride Car seat and I'm purchasing another Britix Marathon. I love them. To me it's worth it being way over priced.
Pros: Comfortable, 5-point harness, easy to install with the 'latch system' Cons: Maybe a little hard to 'click' the buckle.
We bought this seat when our baby outgrew his first car seat. He sat in it backwards for a few months before he turned one and we faced it forwards. We love this seat. He seems much more comfortable in this one than the grandma's seats. My favorite thing is how the straps have the cushioning around them so they don't cut into his neck. Also, their is velcro that holds the straps 'open' so it is easier to get him in. We definitely recommend this seat.
Pros: Very safe. Very cushy. Cons: Large size makes it hard to fit into small cars.
my son is now 7 months old and we got this carseat for xmas. I got the Faux Paws cover and I have to say it is toooo awesome! its soft and safe and its easy to install. I have a minivan and it is a bit big, but my son loves it. He grew out of his infant carrier at 5 months old. He was way too long for it. He has to much room to grow in this carseat! I love the no twist straps and the little belly/leg cover thingy. The strap covers are awesome, makes it so the straps dont cut into his little neck and gives him a place to rest his head. I have to recommend this carseat to anyone who is looking! It may be pricey, but its worth it for all the safety features. its got the extra foam and super padding.
Pros: Love this seat for an infant or a toddler. Cons: It is a bit more in upfront costs than other seats.
We splurged and got the Marathon for our 4month old son when he was already outgrowing his infant seat. We wanted a seat that would grow with him and wouldn't have to be replaced any time soon. The Marathon was the best choice out there. While it was a bit on the pricey side it really wasn't if we would have gotten it for him from the start. We eventually bought a second one for our then 3yr old and now have a 3rd one for our second car. We will be getting a 4th one for out other vehicle as well. It goes up to 65lbs so we will more than likely not need another carseat. The seat is comfortable for a small infant yet my toddler fit in it just as comfortably. It was a tad larger than the other convertable seat we had for our toddler but the harness system was much easier to use than other seats we have tried so well worth the little extra space. It is easily buckled in our van and if we had "Latch" system it would be even easier still.
Pros: Comfortable, durable, easy to use, safest car seat on the market. Cons: Large, expensive, can be difficult to instal in some smaller cars.
We've had this car seat for one whole year now and it's been absolutely problem free. The material stands up to repeated washing and is plush enough to be comfortable but strong enough to resist stains quite well. The five point harness is strong and secure and very easy to adjust. Unlike other car seats that require freakish manual dexterity or strength to adjust the straps, the Marathon's flip latch is incredibly easy to use. The soft plastic guides and padded guards are very functional. We use the LATCH system in our VW Passat and the car seat is incredibly stable even on semi-rugged terrain. I cant say enough about this car seat....it's wory free. Best of all, you can use it until your kid is like 5 or 6! Well worth the extra cost! Highly recommend it.
Pros: easy to use. easy to install. Reclines. Very secure. Cons: Price. No canopy to shade from the sun.
This is a wonderful carseat. It is easy to use and install and my daughter is very happy and comfortable in it. The straps don't tangle, and the carseat is reclining so my daughter's heads doesn't slump forward when she falls asleep. It is very pricey, but worth it.
2-year old outgrew this seat by couchspud ,Aug 19 '05
Pros: Straps are sturdy and do not easily become tangled.
Chair seems comfortable. Cons: The height of seat is not proportional to width needed.
I had invested in this carseat because it was touted as a convertible seat that would take the child past 50 pounds.
It was fine when my child was younger, but he is now 24 months old and about 31 pounds. His shoulders are tight in the seat. There's plenty of head room for height, but not for his width...he's not even overweight for his height.
I have to now go shop for another convertible seat or a 5-harness booster. He's still too young for a regular booster seat.
My investment in this seat did not pay off. If you really want to buy a Britax, I would suggest the Roundabout. My son actually borrowed this seat, and although it looks smaller, his body fit better in it.
So, if you are purchasing this seat because you think it'll accommodate a large child and save you money in the long run, you may be mistaken.
Pros: Safe, Secure and comfortable Cons: Absolutely none.
I was involved in a bad car accident and both of my children ages 2 and 3.5 were secured in the Britax Marathon carseat. My mini-van sustained 15K+ damage to the front and as soon as the shock of the accident wore off, both of my children were running around playing without so much as a mark on their body or a whimper. I, on the other hand was not as lucky. I do not think my children even budged an inch in these seats. $269 seems like a small price to pay for that kind of peace of mind. The carseats look fine, but I am purchasing two more Britax Marathon carseats to replace the ones in the accident.
p.s. These seats are bigger than others, but they offer your child a better view while riding in the car.
I bought this product because all of my research indicated that it was the safest car seat. Imagine my surprise when I looked in the rearview mirror and saw that my 12 month old was fastened only by her chest buckle. Thinking that I had not fastened the straps securely, I pulled over and fastened them again, only to watch her push the button and release them. I called Britax. They informed me that they did not have a button cover for this model and there was nothing they could do. I called the NHTSA and they told me that safety regulations only required the straps to stay fastened until released, even if the baby released them. I would highly encourage anybody thinking of buying a Britax to make sure the model has a button cover first.
Comfort means sleep for a fussy girl, peace for the rest of us by momofgift ,Oct 04 '04
Pros: Sturdy, comfortable, fits older/bigger children Cons: Pricey, bulky
The peace and quiet outweigh the cost. Is there another product out there that may have done the trick? Maybe, but I am glad my daughter is finally able to nap on car rides. From day one, she cried and never napped peacefully while on car rides. The crying subsided after 3 months, but she never really napped for long. After purchasing the well cushioned Marathon model, we have been amazed at how peaceful the car rides have been, and for a non-napper, car rides now serve as nap time as well. Had I known what difference it would make, I would have bought one a long time ago!
Pros: Easy to install
Safe, comfortable and easy to clean Cons: I don't think there are any.
This seat is fantastic. We bought it for our fast growing 2 yr. old and it was the best purchase we ever made. It fits fantastically in our Chrysler Town & Country. He loves it, it's very comfortable and most importantly SAFE! I love that it will hold him in a 5pt. harness so long. A product you won't regret buying
TERRIBLE CRASH TEST RESULTS FROM CONSUMER REPORTS by foodee ,Apr 05 '05
Pros: Lots of fabric colors and bells and whistles. Cons: Huge drop in overall ranking in Consumer Reports (see detailed review for more info.)
I just purchased this car seat based on Consumer Reports' top rating. Now, a few days after my purchase, Consumer Report has issued a new report concerning Marathon's poor performance with the LATCH system. See the report at http://www.consumerreports.org/main/content/display_report.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=579525&bmUID=1112710646446#. I am shocked and dismayed that Britax has not used similar procedures to test out their car seats and fixed the problem. They were probably sitting on their laurels for far too long.
So, I regret purchasing this product and wished that I had purchased the Evenflo Titan V instead.
Hopefully, Britax will recall and replace this defective product soon.
safe and great for road trips! by epinionatedmom ,Sep 30 '04
Pros: loaded with safety and comfort features Cons: heavy and very big
I bought this car seat (with the Arctic Cat cover) for my daughter when she was 10 months. She is 2 1/2 and seems to find it very comfortable. When on road trips, she sleeps great in it. It is, however, HUGE and not easy to take on the plane. Since she has been 2, we typically rent a car with a carseat when we fly, but she can't seem to sleep or even relax in other car seats.
Most importantly, when problems were found with the straps on some of these seats, I was immediately sent a notice and a repair kit.
Pros: Rear-facing to 33lbs, Rear-facing tether (no other US app seat has that), QUALITY!!! Cons: Price(but worth it) & belly pad slips off buckle(but not a safety issue)
I traded in my Costco Alpha Omega for this awesome seat. I had no idea I'd love it so much. The straps NEVER twist (like my AO did) and the quality is awesome. I love the extra safety features. Especially the rear-facing tether option. After seeing some crash-test footage of a forward-facing toddler(under 33lbs) and a rear-facing toddler, I decided that I much prefered the safety of keeping him rear-facing as long as I could. The rear-facing tether is so much safer and no other US approved seat has that option.
Pros: Easy to adjust, keeps looking nice after months of use, has sturdy straps Cons: Hard to fish the seat belt through in the rear position -- it cuts you!
We've owned this seat for about 6 months, and have been very pleased with it. The straps don't get twisted (like they do in our son's Cosco), and the velcro strips work very nicely to hold the straps out of the way while loading our daughter.
It is also very easy to adjust the tension on the straps. I realize that the mechanism is fundamentally the same as most care seats--push a button and pull the strap--but it just seems easier to do on the Britax than on some others. The straps seem to slide more smoothly.
The seat cover material is very comfortable. I obviously haven't spent much time in it, but I wish I was sitting on something like that in the driver's seat.
The only drawback--not that it affects us very often, is the difficulty sliding the car's seat belt through the seat in the rear-facing position. The padding is very tight through this area and the plastic edges on the seat scrape your hand when you try to push or pull through the slots in the side. I end up removing the seat cover, which is, fortunately, easy to do.
Pros: Seems to have high-quality components. Cons: Difficult installation
Absolutely THE most physically difficult thing I've ever done and I am a former Army officer. Forget it if you are using belts; if you tighten the seat adequately, you cannot fasten a mandatory clasp. If using the Latch system, the base of the seat is wider than the points to which the belts latch, making it extremely difficult. I am typing this 2 hours after beginning my installation. NEVER again would I use this product. Mom-in-law has an Evenflow Triumph and it is much easier to install. Were it not for the Marathon's higher weight limit (65lbs), we would have purchased the Evenflow (40lbs).
THE BEST CARSEAT EVER!!!!!!!!!! by rbhfmom ,Feb 01 '05
Pros: Has the best safety ratings, EASY to use, superb comfort for child, JUST THE BEST Cons: There is not one single con to the Britax Marathon!
This is a gift from heaven! I received the carseat as a shower gift from my aunt who is a CHP officer and I knew that when she bought it, it was the way to go. When my son was born, he was nearly 8 lbs and 22 1/2 inches long. Well, by three months he was 28" and nearly 18 1/2 lbs. The Britax accomodated this like a dream. This seat is a bit larger, but i think that that is a good feature. I like the fact that there is weight to the seat and that it wont just float around the seat like other carseats. We now own two marathons and my son is 2 and 3' 5" and 38 lbs. and the seat is still the best way to go. These seats have the best safety rating so for the reviewer who complained that she "got stuck" with the Britax, she doesnt understand the magnitude of safety and comfort for the child. Maybe she should get unstuck and buy a buy something that suits her, regardless of her child's needs. BRITAX MARATHON IS THE BEST!!!!!!
SEAT RECALLED--FIX DELAYED & DELAYED by stringtheory ,Sep 27 '04
Pros: Looks good as non-functional sculpture. Cons: Recalled--can't use it. No "fix" in sight.
This seat has been recalled and the "fix" (new strap) is nowhere to be found. They promised to send it out in late August and now claim late September. No way to check to see if your particular fix-it kit was even sent. So don't buy this seat if you actually want to use it. It should be seen as a piece of sculpture---something to be viewed but not used. Customer service started out cordial but after a month delay, they are surly. I bought this seat---what a mistake. Mine is unused---and I have to replace it with a seat that is safe.
Everyone loves it in my family by rickerpoo ,Nov 26 '04
Pros: Harness up to 65lbs, comfortable, head stays straight up not slump to the side Cons: expensive and bigger but worth it for my kids
When we found out that I was pregnant again, we didn't want to spend a lot of three different kinds of carseat. I wanted an infant carrier cause its just easier. But this is perfect for us considering we had an older child who was 40lbs but 39inches. and the other seats he didn't like so I have let him use this until the baby outgrows the carrier. I feel safer that he is in a harness and not a shoulder strap. Getting the carseat in wasn't hard for us, and we have an oldsmobile alero and older blazer. In both the carseat doesn't move. Its high enough for my older boy to see everything unlike the booster seat that he also has. We have only had it forward facing but we love it so far. But his head never tips either no matter how he has wiggled around.
Pros: Seat appears to be comfortable to my son Cons: ABSOLUTLY HATE how it fit in my car! Would not recommend!
I did not care for this seat. It was VERY difficult to install in my SUV (We have a Lexus 300). No matter how hard my husband and I tried we could not get it placed properly. My son did fit in the seat well and the padding appears to be nice. But, I was so uncomfortable with the placement that I returned the car seat. I originally went to the store to purchase the Britax Roundabout. The store was out of stock on the Roundabout and the salesman convinced me to buy the Marathon instead (It was in stock). That was a mistake! Maybe other people will like this model but I was unhappy with it.
Nothing but good things to say!! by tweekes12 ,Jan 21 '06
Pros: High quality, Washable seat cover, straps adjust with seat in place, comfortable for child Cons: MINOR Con: Bulky when in a rear-facing position.
I am so happy I spent the money on this seat. I bought two, one for each car. So many friends have complained about other seats: Straps twist, Straps don't adjust, child complains about being uncomfortable, seat has to be replaced because child outgrew before they were ready for booster (Britax Roundabout). I have no complaints about this seat. Well worth the money!! What could be more important than your child's safety in a car???
I don't know what other people are talking about when they complain about the manual and the seat being difficult to install. I've installed it both with and without LATCH and in an airplane with no problems.
Pros: Cushioning, safe, sleek look Cons: installation...not any worse than any other carseat.
My son is big for his age, and when he grew out of the infant carrier, I was left to buy a montage of new car seats for him. One for my car, one for Daddy's car, One for autie's car and one for grandma's car. I bought this one figuring it has a great reputation, and it definitly does!!! Out of the 4 that I bought, this was the most comfortable, has lots of cushioning... easiest to clip him in and easy to recline. To get it installed was a little bit of a hassle, but what carseat isn't? A+++ all the way.
Pros: comfortable, stylish, safe, plush upholstery, easy to use Cons: expensive
I own two car seats. One is an Eddie Bauer convertible car seat and the other is this one, the Britax Marathon. I love the Marathon. There is absolutely nothing that compares on the market. It costs a little more, but I think that the cost is justified. It is incredibly easy to use, safe, reliable. It doesn't budge once it's installed and it's remarkably easy to install. It is very easy to level and does so without having to use a towel, pool noodle, or any other aid recommended for other seats. I find with other seats, when the child falls asleep, his or her head falls forward into a very awkward looking position. In this seat, baby can sleep comfortably. There are too many good points to mention here.
Pros: looks comfortable, safety when younger child is in it Cons: the accessible strap between the legs for the child to loosen up the straps....VERY UNSAFE....BEWARE
Overall we love the Britax Marathon, my son is now 27 months old and has been in this car seat since he was 13 months old. Yes it is much bigger than the other car seats out there, but he looks very comfortable in it. Here is the problem that we are now facing....he can reach down and loosen up the strap in between his legs, which loosens the harness straps over his shoulders, so he can lean forward and even get out of it if he wanted to. Have tried to call Britax to make a complaint and they said there was no way a child can loosen it. Well he can and if he can so can other kids out there. Now he thinks its a game to loosen the straps. We are very concerned, when you spend this kind of money on in investment for our child's safety, you expect the product to be perfect, and this one is not. I just thought you all should be aware!!!
Pros: ?? Cons: Not easy to install in the center seat position of our 2005 Honda Pilot.
Ok, we bought this car seat because of a friend's recommendation and it's high safety rating. However, we are unable to install the seat in the center of our back row seat. We have a 2005 Honda Pilot. The center seat belt comes from behind and overhead. When we install the seat using that seat belt, the seat pitches forward and is not stable on its base. The seat does install safely in either of the side seats but we want the seat in the center position. Any hints?
Pros: Nice color. Good for people that live where it is warm. Cons: Seat belts too short. 33 pounds with a coat not much to grab.
This is a horrible carseat for the money you pay. The company stinks. My granddaughter is 33 pounds and with a coat on the belts are very short. Britax told me to remove her coat. No way!!!! In New England you can't wear a sweater. Are they nuts? Well, if I buy another car seat it won't be a Britax. Watch out there customer service stinks..
We are unfortunately out of stock in this fabric.Product Features: • Britax - 2005 Marathon Convertible Car Seat Tan Microdot • Converts from rear-f...More at Albee Baby
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