Britax Marathon Convertible Car Seat

by Britax USA

Product Features

• Convertible car seat rear facing 5 to 35 pounds
• Side impact protection distributes crash forces
• Higher forward facing seat capacity
• Tangle free, five point harness with four harness heights
• Premium push button latch connectors

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 25.5 x 19.5 x 27.5 inches ; 16.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 21 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000GECKZS
• UPC: 652182054861
• Item model number: E9L06D5
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,497 in Baby (See Top 100 in Baby)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Britax Marathon is a convertible car seat ideal for parents seeking premium comfort and a higher, forward facing harnessed weight capacity. The tangle free, five point harnesses with four harness heights ensures a snug and secure fit. Premium push button latch connectors provide a quick, simple and tight installation. Unique features include the patented versa tether for energy management, and rear and forward facing recline for child comfort and positioning. The Marathon fits children rear facing from 5 to 30 pounds and children forward facing from at least one year old and 20 pounds, up to 65 pounds. The Marathon is made in the USA with U.S. and global components. Britax ships all convertible car seats with the lower LATCH connectors stored underneath the cover.

Product Description

Keep little ones safe and comfortable during trips with this quality car seat that can be adjusted to two positions (rear- and forward-facing) depending on your child's development.

Features:

• Rear-facing position holds up to 33 pounds; forward-facing holds up to 65 pounds
• Patented Versa-Tether
• Comfortably fits larger, older children
• Removable, washable fabric cover
• Patented HUGS system
• Belly pad for comfort and protection
• Built-in lock-offs
• Sculpted base for a perfect fit
• Flexible buckle LATCH system
• Comfort foam and EPS protective foam
• Tangle-free polyester 5-point harness
• Belt holders keep belts aside for boarding
• One hand recline adjustment

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).

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