Britax Marathon REVIEW – The Good, Bad & Ugly

It was an uneventful drive for our friends and their 13-month-old daughter. Then they skidded out of control…

This can happen to anybody. The only thing to do is believe that all the safety equipment will keep you and your family safe.

Our friends were coming home from a long road trip. The driving was smooth, and their little one was asleep in the car seat. Then the unthinkable happened.

A turn was coming up, and they didn’t see the danger. There was a big puddle on the side of the road. The tires filled with water and the car continued heading straight, not taking the turn. They tried to take on the bend, but it was futile. The car didn’t budge.

Look:

The crash was horrible. The SUV was wrapped around the tree. It was an absolute wreck. I’ve seen pictures of the car at least what was left of it. That big SUV turned into twisted metal.

The family survived. The parents had many cuts and bruises. The little one was unharmed. They decided then and there to buy the same car seat.

Yes, guardian angels are looking over you. Also, make their work easier by getting your little one in the safest car seat you can.

Let’s get this Britax Marathon ClickTight review started. If you stick with me until the end, I will tell you the pros/cons. Some of them are unexpected, to say the least.

Who is the Britax Marathon ClickTight Convertible Car Seat?

This car seat is for parents who want the most secure car seat available. It’s super easy to install no muscles required.

It will give you peace of mind every time you see your little one in this car seat.

What can the Britax Marathon ClickTight car seat do for you?

Have you ever wanted a car seat that can be installed after watching just one video? Well, finally, the Britax Marathon answers this call. Thanks to the Clicktight tech, you’re set.

The first time when I’ve installed it, I needed like 10 minutes. With a bit of practice, it’s done within five. Best of all, I don’t have to call my husband for help.

I didn’t even know how bad it was with other car seats. Guess what you will not need towels or pool noodles to get it leveled. Not to mention, no insane yoga poses just to get that thing to click.

The car seat has a narrow profile. Many parents said that it’s the best narrow car seat on the market. You can do three across with ease.

By just looking at your little one sitting in this seat, you will have peace of mind. They are comfortable and safe at the same time. The best way to compare the Britax with other brands is by saying that others are like bicycle helmets, and the Marathon ClickTight is a motorcycle helmet. They don’t compare.

You can’t go wrong with this one.

You may also like: [Revealed] Smallest Convertible Car Seat

Britax Marathon shortcomings

The perfect car seat hasn’t been invented yet. This Britax might look perfect, but it still has flaws. Let’s see if they are a deal-breaker for you.

This car seat is pricey. The good part is that you will be able to get a lot of mileage.

It’s heavy and huge. It will be difficult to install in compact cars. Since the frame is made out of steel, you can expect it to be heavy.

It comes with the super easy Clicthight technology. For newer cars, it will be a breeze to install. If you happen to have an older model, you will need a lot of patience. The installation is not that intuitive.

The head cushion is not good enough. There’s not sufficient padding because many parents complained that their kid’s head slumped after they have fallen asleep.

The straps are hard to clean. You can’t remove them, so spot cleaning is your only option. This won’t normally be a problem if the child doesn’t throw up. If they do, then…

This would be the fault of the Britax car seat. If you’re still with me, let’s get to the next section.

How To Get The Most Out Of Britax Marathon ClickTight Convertible Car Seat?

When you get this seat, you have to decide where you want to install it. The safest spot is in the middle of the car. It’s true that for some, this is not possible. So do pick the second safest place, which is behind the driver.

The installation is easy. Just watch the training video, and you will get it done in no time. There are times when you question if it’s tight enough. Well, there’s no bad install with this seat. There are indicators which will tell you exactly if it is good enough.

If you want to be extra safe, then you can ask for a second opinion from a licensed professional.

Besides security, it is easy to clean. No matter the mess, you can remove the fabric and wash it.

Conclusion for the Britax Marathon Review

As you have seen, this is a secure car seat. If the baby was unharmed in that crash, then it will protect your little one as well. It’s heavy, but that’s a compromise you will have to do if you want the safest car seat. Besides this, it has a narrow profile, so three across is doable.

We have reached the end of the Britax Marathon ClickTight Review. I hope this article helped decide if this is a good fit for you. Do get them fast because stocks are limited.

If you have this Britax seat, do share your experience with us. If you want me to review a different one, let me know below.

Catch you next time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Which is better Britax Marathon or boulevard?

Between the Britax Marathon vs Boulevard the Britax Boulevard is the better one. The Boulevard has two layers of side impact protection while the Marathon ClickTight only has one layer of side impact protection. The Advocate is a pretty good car seat too, you can read the Marathon vs Advocate comparison too.

Related: The best britax convertible car seat article

Can the Britax Marathon be used as a booster seat?

The Britax Marathon ClickTight can’t be used as a booster seat. It’s a convertible car seat so there’s no way to remove the back or use it above 65 pounds.

How long is a Britax Marathon car seat good for?

The Britax Marathon ClickTight car seat is good for 10 years from the date of manufacture.

How much does the Britax marathon clicktight convertible car seat weight is?

This convertible car seat weighs 27 pounds. The weight range is 5-65 pounds. With more than enough legroom. The height and weight limits are 65 pounds and 49 inches.

What is the clicktight technology for Britax convertible car seats?

The clicktight technology helps you install the car seat faster and better. All you have to do is pop open the seat in forward facing or rear-facing mode and feed the seat belt or the latch system through. Close the seat and you’re done. The clicktight system makes ease of use possible. The click tight installation system is revolutionary.

Who do these britax car seats serve?

First of all they serve infants because it’s an infant car seat. You can install it in rear facing mode so it’s a perfect infant car seat. It caters to toddlers since it’s a convertible car seat. Make sure you install it in the back seat.

What kind of safety features does this Britax marathon clicktight convertible car seat?

This convertible car seat offers side impact protection. The anti-rebound bar is a life saver. Also you need to attach the anti-rebound bar after you get it out of the box. There are multiple safety features but I only mention a few of them. The side impact protection is an absolute must and the Marathon clicktight seat has 1 layer. The marathon car seats have high safety standards. For all parents the car seat safety is super important. The infant insert is for babies under 11 pounds. With crash protection, you’re getting seat rotation on long car rides. There’s sufficient foam padding. You can choose the right recline position for your child. These car seats come with many car seat color options. The marathon clicktight has high safety ratings.

How do you install the britax marathon clicktight convertible car seat?

You can install it forward facing and rear facing. You can use the latch system or the vehicle seat belt. The clicktight system speeds up the seat installation process. Make sure you check out the manual before you start the process. Before you get started make sure you read the instruction manual for seatbelt installation (seat belt installation). The latch weight limit (anchor weight limits) is 65 pounds according to the latch regulations. The clicktight installation makes the install a breeze no matter if you use the latch straps (latch strap) or the seat belts. The main belt component is the lap belt which has to be fed through the belt path. The latch anchors make a click sound when they connect. In most newer cars you will be able to find the latch anchors. For a better angle you can use a pool noodle. Before you get started always read the user manual. Check the tether components: tether extenders, tether strap, tether connector strap.

What kind of features does this clicktight car seat have?

It’s one of the top rated convertible car seats you can go with. The ease of use can be highlighted. There are multiple recline positions for this convertible car seat.

What would be a good alternative for the Marathon Clicktight car seat?

For the marathon clicktight car seat these would be good alternatives: Britax boulevard clicktight infant seat, Britax advocate clicktight, maxi cosi pria, recaro pro and other Britax clicktight infant car seats. The Britax advocate clicktight has 3 layers of side impact protection while the Britax Boulevard clicktight has only one. Otherwise, the Britax Clicktight car seats are easy to install. The clicktight installation is a breeze.

How comfortable is the Marathon clicktight made by Britax?

There are multiple recline positions to choose from. There’s a level indicator and harness indicator for the right install. The crotch buckle and crotch strap is adjustable and can be released with the crotch button. The head rest is comfortable thanks to the wide shoulder width. Other things to check out are the: harness straps, harness position, crouch area.

Britax or Maxi Cosi car seats? Which one is the better one?

Britax is a better car seat choice in most cases.

Last Updated on October 28, 2023 by Brian Beasley