Britax Marathon Convertible Car Seat

by Britax USA

Product Features

• 5 pt. Harness with patented Floating HUGS system
• Built-in lock-off clips, Versa-Tether & Safe Guard Latch Connectors
• EPS and Comfort Foam for safety and comfort
• Birth (5 lbs)

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 22 x 20 x 19 inches ; 21.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 21.2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000IYYELY
• UPC: 652182057343
• Item model number: E9L06C4
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,677 in Baby (See Top 100 in Baby)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Marathon from Britax is a durable, convertible car seat that helps keep your child safe and secure in the car. Ideal for parents seeking premium comfort and a higher, forward-facing harnessed weight capacity, the Marathon fits children rear facing from five to 35 pounds and children forward facing from at least one year old and 20 pounds, up to 65 pounds. Both positions can accommodate a standing height up to 49 inches.

The Britax Marathon offers: HUGS system for maximum safety. Easy-to-use push-button release LATCH connectors. Five-point harness for a secure fit.

The Marathon's LATCH system is easy to adjust. (Crocodile color shown.) View larger.

An Easy-to-Adjust Design That Grows with Your Baby
The Marathon boasts an easy-to-manage design and enhanced features that can be safely used in cars with or without the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system. For one, it provides built-in lock-off clips that keep the seat tightly in place when using only traditional seatbelts at installation. Secondly, a simple handle pull allows the car seat base to be reclined when rear-facing, and soft padding and a stain resistant, removable and washable cover keep things cozy and stress-free.

In addition, the five-point harness system is made with strong polyester webbing, has tangle free straps, and fits snugly over your baby's shoulders, collarbone and hips to provide a secure fit. There are also four adjustable height positions so the seat can truly grow with your baby. Finally, the one-hand recline adjustment allows for proper positioning, which helps ensure your child's safety.

HUGS for Optimum Safety and Support
When it comes to safety, the Marathon truly delivers. First, the patented floating HUGS (Harness Ultra Guard) system exceeds U.S. safety standards by reducing forward head movement as it gently cushions the neck and chest with soft padding--a feature that's particularly important both in the case of an accident and during nap time. In addition, this system better distributes the webbing loads, reducing head movement and minimizing harness irritation on baby's neck in case of an impact. HUGS also reduces the chance of improperly positioning the chest clip.

Versa-Tether for Additional Security
Marathon also offers Britax's patented Versa-Tether, an anchor aid that provides additional security in the forward facing position for children weighing more than 50 pounds. The Versa-Tether fastens the top of the car seat to factory installed automobile anchor points, minimizing the possibility of a head injury in the event of impact. This system also allows for rear-facing tethering to help keep the seat consistently stable.

Weighing 16.5 pounds, and measuring 19.5 x 27.5 x 25.5 inches (WxHxD), the Marathon is also Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213 compliant, meaning it adheres to a strict set of quality control and safety standards, and is approved for airline travel. The Marathon comes with a 1-year limited warranty.

The Marathon is also available in the following colors: Onyx, Mariposa, Tan Swirl, Crocodile, Mossy Oak, New Denim, Cowmooflage, and Granite.

Product Description

The legendary Britax Marathon convertible car seat is renowned for safety, comfort and convenience and for the ability to keep your child in a harnessed child restraint up to 65 pounds. Unique features including a sculpted base, push button release LATCH system with patented Versa-Tether, and built-in vehicle belt lock-offs, make a tight installation in your vehicle quick and simple. The tangle-free polyester 5-point harness helps to effortlessly secure your child every day. The Marathon also offers a patented HUGS system, belly pad, and a plush & washable seat cover for that ultimate comfort experience for children rear-facing from 5 to 33 pounds or children forward-facing from 1 year old and 20 to 65 pounds.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

79 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Roundabout is a better seat for boys than the Marathon, May 8, 2007

By 

Justbooking - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This is a good car seat, with some observations.

Older children may not fit into the Marathon, as the base is too tall and they're likely to outgrow it in height way before they reach the 65 lb weight limit. In contrast, the Roundabout has a lower weight limit (to 40 lbs) and may be a better choice if you're transitioning from an infant seat.

The Marathon seat is shallow and the crotch strap is too short, especially for toddler boys. The Marathon measures 6 inches from the back of the seat to the base of the strap. The Roundabout is deeper, 7 inches from seat back to the base of the strap, which is perplexing. Why would Britax make the larger seat shallower, if it has to fit both infants and older children?

Second, the quick release of the Marathon is so easy to use (gently lift the metal part under the front flap) even a toddler can do it- if they fiddle with it they can loosen the harness while strapped in! Teaching the child the meaning of "no" and placing safety pins on the flap are possible solutions but not what one would expect on an expensive car seat.
It helps to tuck the excess straps between the BRitax and the car's seat.

Please note that some models of the Marathon have a flap with velcro that's easy to lift. The Marathon Greystone sold by Target has a slightly different flap (the metal clasp is still underneath but hidden by a flap that's sewn on the sides - not velcroed like the picture). This looks like an improvement, as most Marathon models have the velcro version. I don't know if the amazon model has this new flap.

The Roundabout has a different harness release system (button) and you need to press hard to release it which makes it more child proof.

Lastly, the Marathon and the Roundabout are handwash & drip dry only according to the owner's manual and care instructions attached to the seat.

It's a good seat for young toddlers, not so much for older ones, especially boys.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this seat!, March 4, 2007

By 

Gingi1976 (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Britax Marathon Convertible Car Seat, All-Star Blue (Baby Product)

Not too long after my son's second birthday I was rear ended and needed to replace my carseat. We had a Britax Roundabout (fantastic) but my son was quickly approaching the height/weigth threshold for that seat and developmentally we knew he was not ready for a booster seat. After being reimbursed by insurance we opted for the Marathon because of the higher height/weught requirements.

My family and I LOVE this seat. It's plush, comfortable, and my son loves the ball pattern. It was super easy to install (one thing I love about Britax ovewr Graco) and easy to move on those occasions when I need to give a carseat to someone else. When we were first in the market for a convertable carseat I resisted the Marathon because it was so big and in hindsight I should have bought this seat from day one. It grows with a child and after trying other seats it is most definately the nicest and the safest. We have a Graco comfortsport in my husbands car and there really is no comparison between the two.

The Marathon is expensive, but if you can afford it, a carseat is one of those kid items that you shouldn't skimp on because of the price. The Marathon is worth the price and above all else I know that my child is safe when in this seat.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I love it, just one safety caution., June 30, 2007

By 

M. LaSalle (PA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I have two of these seats and I love them. The latch system is incredibly easy to use and my son is very comfortable in the seat. I've had the seats for two years now. On two instances my son (at 26 months) reached down and opened the velcro cover over the strap release and has actually released the straps all the way while in the car... And, YES, each time he has been strapped in CORRECTLY (tight with no slack and only able to fit two fingers under the strap). There were a few other instances that week when he tried to do this again but we were able to stop him. Since that week, about six months ago, he now knows it's not safe to touch that part of the seat and he hasn't even tried to loosen it again. Even in spite of this, I love the seats and plan on using them until he outgrows them. I just want to let people know that even strapped in 100% PROPERLY, there is still the chance that your child can reach the strap release. No one can predict all the possible outcomes of the curiosity of a two-year-old. Don't keep blinders on...just because they aren't SUPPOSED to be able to, DOESN'T MEAN IT CAN'T HAPPEN. (This can be said about any product).

2115|RV5EDNXB8X1Q2;2115|R244AYCBONX6KM;2115|R1M2TF2FYZ7FG2;