The Britax Marathon Convertible Car Seat is very popular among parents and for good reason-the seat provides a multitude of safety features such as harnesses, padding and safety locks. It is considered among the safest and most convenient car seats. But, like most high quality products, it comes with a high price tag, which deters several potential customers. However, the safety, comfort and durability arguably make the cost one worth paying.
FEATURES
5 out of 5 points
The features of Britax car seats provide high levels of comfort to child passengers, while maintaining child safety in the event of a crash. The seats feature both rear and forward reclining positions, allowing children to rest while traveling on longer trips. Britax car seats are constructed with high density foam, and they allow for maximum comfort and cushioning of the child. The contoured seat base allows the seat to fit well in almost any vehicle, making it convenient for families with multiple vehicles. Another convenient feature is the reversible fabric which allows for an alternate look, or provides a quick solution to a stained seat.
The Britax seat also features a 5-point safety harness which keeps children snug and secure and eliminates the hassle of tangles. There are five straps on this harness: two located by the shoulders, two near the hips and one at the crotch. In addition to eliminating tangling and harnessing children tightly, the harness eliminates the risk of seat ejection in the event of a crash.
SIZE
5 out of 5 points
The seat is meant for children up to 49 inches tall and 65 pounds. The weight requirements differ based on whether the seat is rear facing or forward facing. For a rear facing seat, the child must weigh between 5 and 35 pounds. If the seat is to face forward, the weight requirement is between 20 pounds and 65 pounds. In order for a child to be positioned facing forward, he or she must have a shoulder height of at least 12 inches.
SAFETY
5 out of 5 points
Britax seats feature latch connecters found on the lower portion of the child seats. These allow the adult to attach the seat to a latch anchor in almost any vehicle. This is an important safety feature because it prevents children from being injured by keeping seat movement to a minimum, thus limiting child movement in the event of a crash. Another important safety feature of the Britax child seat is the energy-absorbing Versa-Tether. This is a strap that attaches to the latch connectors, and secures children into the car seat. Having a child tethered with a reliable strap such as the Versa-Tether limits movement of the child’s head, protecting him or her from injury. An additional seatbelt with a built-in lock-off also restrains the child and keeps him or her protected in the event of a car crash. Built-in lock-off seatbelts prevent the car seat from sliding around in the car, clamping the seat into a safe position. They are referred to as “pre-crash” positioning devices because they typically take the brunt of a crash and may become damaged-this is a good thing because it leaves the regular seat belt to take over and restrain the child, while in ordinary circumstances the seatbelt would be damaged and the child may sustain injuries.
COMFORT
5 out of 5 points
In many products, extended safety features often lead to discomfort for the child. This is not true of the Britax convertible seats. Many of the features described earlier are built with the child’s comfort in mind, which is why the car seats include dense foam padding near the head, and seat. The harness safety straps are designed to stay snug and smooth, so as not to disturb the child. The plush cover and padding leaves the child feeling content, as does the recline adjustments made effortless by the adjustable seat base.
DURABILITY
4 out of 5 points
The Britax Marathon is also a very durable car seat. It is built to last from infanthood until early elementary school. As such, it is built from high-quality materials. Features such as washable covers also aid in keeping the seat looking good for a long time. The one downside to this level of durability is that it makes for a rather heavy car seat. Some consumers have complained that it is overly bulky and very difficult to transport. Also, while the seat itself lasts a long time, the foam padding often wears thin after extensive use, requiring parents to purchase new covers for children. This possible expense should be considered when reviewing and comparing various car seats.
CLEANING
5 out of 5 points
The reversible covers make the seat extremely easy to clean. The covers are hand-washable, and many consumers claim to have successfully washed the covers in a washing machine. However, the company advises hand-washing only, as machine-wash could damage the padding. If washing is not able to be completed immediately, it is very easy to turn the reversible cover inside out so that the child has a clean seat to sit on until the parents are able to wash the cover.
STYLE
4 out of 5 points
The large variety of seat covers provides for a huge assortment of great styles. There should be a style to fit even the most fussy mother or father. Seats come in all colors, and many have patterns such as flowers, animals or cow hide. Also, since the covers are reversible, there is always a second look for the seat! The base of the seat is somewhat bulk, and less sleek looking than the Britax competitor’s car seats. But the bulky style is worth it considering its necessity in providing a host of safety and comfort features. Overall, the Britax is a nice looking car seat and will never be an eyesore.
The Britax Marathon is a reliable, durable, stylish, and most importantly, safe product. While many consumers are deterred by the higher cost (up to $300), many consider it a price worth paying, for it remains top-notch in the safety it provides to young children, a quality that is worth the cost.