Britax Marathon Classic Convertible Car Seat Reviews

better than the last car seat

Overall

Rated 4 out of 5

We purchased the Britax Marathon convertible car seat once my son grew out of his bucket car seat. There are some features on this car seat that I really appreciate.

I like that the two buckles snap independently. It is so much easier to do one at a time, especially when you have a squirmy 11 month old. The harness adjusts very easily.

The seat is quite large, and almost feels too large for our mid-sized SUV. I am sure that as my son continues to grow, we will be thankful for the extra space. Once we are able to flip it around so that it is forward facing, I will move it to the middle seat and I think it will feel more roomy.

I do wish that there was a place to attach a hanging toy. ...

Great for Rear-Facing, But So BIG...

Overall

Rated 4 out of 5

We bought a Britax Marathon for our daughter - just like everyone else, we were sold by the great safety reviews from customers and Consumer Reports alike.

Although it was big and bulky, it worked like a charm while she was rear-facing.  The only issue we had from time to time was the "handy" velcro bits (to hold the straps in place while you get in/out) scratching her, or catching on clothing.

As soon as we turned it around, though, we all began to enjoy it less. 

It was still big and bulky, which now made it hard for her to learn to get in and out of alone.  It also is stubbornly reclining.  She wants to sit up, look out, and see the world "like a big girl," and...

Britax has the best carseats

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

We bought this carseat over a year ago and my daughter who is now 2 years old still sits in it just fine.  Its very easy to install and i have moved it from car to car and can install it very quickly and efficently and always know that my daughter is safe in her seat too.  I love all the different fabics that britax offers too.  I love this one that we have now and i know that when i have another child we will purchase another britax carseat.  I have also had to take apart this carseat more then once do to diaper accidents and wash it, its easy to dissassemble and then reassemble.  The carseat cover washes amazingly like its still brand new.  We used this seat r...

Keeps daughter SAFE and comfortable

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

We wanted to keep our daughter rear-facing in the car for as long as possible.  This meant that at 10 months, when she had grown too big for her infant carseat, we had to purchase a new seat that could continue to be rear-facing for a long time.  After researching many different brands and styles, the Britax Marathon Convertible Car Seat fit everything we were looking for.  It allows for children to be rear facing from 5-35 pounds, and forward facing from 20-65 pounds - both with a 5-point harness.  The fabric cover is very comfortable and has decent padding so the child doesn't feel like they're just sitting on a hard, plastic seat.  Installation was a breeze in our...

Great car seat, taking them from infancy to booster seat.

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

I really like this car seat. It has a wide range for weight so that it works for a newborn all the way up to 65 pounds!  The material is nice and soft and a good neutral color.  It has a five-point harness and is easy to fasten.  It works well for both rear and front facing positions and can be installed using the latch system or a seat belt.  It fit nicely into the seats of both my SUVs.  The cover is removable for washing (although it is NOT easy to remove and can be time-consuming to do).  I do wish they made the cover lined with a water-proof type backing (I don't know if anyone who makes car seats does this).  But trust me, you would want that too afte...

Buying the Britax Marathon has been totally worth it to have a s

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

When my son grew out of his infant carrier, I did a lot of research on car seats and eventually decided to go with a Britax Marathon based on its reviews for safety and performance. Now I'm so glad I went that direction! My son is now 3, and the seat has been a great purchase. This seat can fit a child from infancy until 60 pounds, so we've had no other need for a different car seat. It's durable and easy to clean no matter what gets spilled on it. It's easy to install and to switch off between vehicles. But probably the best feature is how comfortable it's been for my son. It has extra padding for when your child is smaller and needs more cushion around the head area. Plus, there's a fabric...

Comfortable, safe feeling Britax Marathon Convertible Car Seat

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

I bought this car seat from a random website and it was a discontinued print, so I was able to purchase it for much less than the full price.  It is a very expensive brand and seat.  It is a convertible, so it can be used for babies up.  I did not use it as a baby seat, so I cannot review that use of it.  I bought it when my daughter outgrew the infant car seat.  We really like this car seat in our Saturn Vue.  It is a SUV and she is the only child.  She sits in the middle seat and there is plenty of room.  This is, however, a very large seat.  When we have needed to put it into our other car, a midsized sedan, it is very cramped.  The front ...

The best Britax car seat ever!

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

We love this car seat. It is beautiful, soft, and easy to care for. I bought this for my daughter a while ago and we get so many compiments on it. The cushions are very soft, making it easy on my baby for longer rides. And, she looks very comfy in it. It is very easy to clean when the baby makes a mess. I simple take the cushion off and wash it. Most of the time it is something simple and we can wipe it off easy. My daughter has used this seat for over a year, and it is still in great shape. I also feel that this is a very safe car seat. The seat stays in place while we are going.The sides are tilted in, so if something were to happen the baby should be protected on the sides of her head.  The only con that I could think of it you have a smaller car with other seats, is that is it wide. It seems to take up about 1/3 more of the area/space then a lot of other car seats. Overall this car seats meets and exceeds my expectations.

comfortable seat for my children

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

I purchased my first Britax 4 years ago when I heard some car seat horror stories.  The Britax is number one in safety and my children are so very important!!  I have 3 Britax car seats and am very pleased with the quality and comfortability of them all.  This seat is wonderful because it is good for infants up to 65 pounds.  It can be rear facing and forward facing.  The material of the seat is amazingly soft and silky.  It cleans easily.  The buckles are sturdy and easy to use to fasten baby in and take baby out.  My children have never complained while riding in this seat.  Safety is very important.  These seats are a little more costly than other brand seats but the straps never get twisted and they are much safer.  They are totally work the extra money.  I have had other brand seats that the buckles always got twisted or were hard to buckle.  This seat is a great gift for someone having a baby.

Reviewer received a sample of this product.

This seat will last a long time and is a great value.

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

I bought this car seat in 2008 right after my son turned one.  The main reasons I purchased it are: 1) It was rated very highly on the Consumer Reports safety ratings that year (it has since fallen a bit, but still very good), 2) The upper weight limit is 60 lbs instead of the usual limit of 40lbs that I have found on other seats, 3) The Britax name is associated with quality, 4) All of the other moms I talked to who had Britax seats just raved about them.

I chose this particular model for both the color, as it matched our dark gray interior, and the price. The cover washes well and looks brand new after laundering.  The seat has been easy to use, and seems comfortable for my son....

A true life saver!!!

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

Before my daughter was born, my husband and I shopped for car seats for months.  We finally decided on a travel system.  The ride home from the hospital was one of the only rides that was peaceful for her and us.  She absolutely hated riding in her seat.  She screamed almost the entire time she was in the seat.  We tried several other seats and spent hundreds of dollars trying to find a seat that would be comfortable for her.  She was then diagnosed with reflux and we learned that the reason she screamed was because she was in pain when laying on her back.  Then along came the Britax Marathon.  I actually bought it without telling my husband because I ...

more expensive but worth it

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

My daughter outgrew her infant carrier around the 10 month mark. When looking into what new car seat to buy her I kept hearing such great things about the Britax car seats. They seemed so much more expensive than the others. However, after reading the reviews I decided to go for it and spend the extra money. I am so glad I did. This car seat will last my daughter until she is 60 pounds and ready for a booster. It is extremely well made and durable. THe cushions lift out and can be wiped down easily with a wet paper towel or cloth. This is such a nice feature. The cushions are comfortable for her and she likes being in her seat. It would be nice if the seat had a cup holder but, the straps to buckle her in are really easy to use and they stay put. Once in a while they get tangled and I have to spend a few minutes fixing them. My only complaint is that when used as a rear-facing seat it is hard to tighten the straps. 

I have THREE of these in my Sienna for a 5, 3 and 1 year old

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

When it comes to my children's safety, I won't compromise.  Thankfully my husband is of the same mindset.  After much research we decided upon the Britax Marathon and are up to three of them in our Sienna.  Our 1 year old is Rear facing and will remain that way until she's at least 2 and the other 2 are forward facing.  Why do we love the Marathon so much?  Britax stakes its reputation on safety.  They are KNOWN for their safety.  We found a great deal on a girlie marathon print for my son- guess what?  Its been a year and no complaints from him.  He rocks the brown and pink car seat.  Its safe.  5 pt harness, safety tested time and time again.  Its worth the extra money to know your child will be safe if something ever happens. 

you pay more for quality

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

It is true that a no-frills $40 car seat can perform just as well a more expensive Britax, but with the more expensive Britax you are paying for quality and comfort as well as ease of use. I certainly don't want to sit in a plastic box with a sheet over it everyday and the Britax Marathon ensures that your child has the most comfortable ride with lots of padding. I have said more than once that I wish I had a big Britax to climb into in the car! I feel that my child is extremely safe in this seat because of the excellent ratings it gets and the extra testings that the company does above the minimum that is required. I also like the side-impact protection. The seat seems confusing to install ...

Absolutely the BEST, most comfortable, safe and stylish!!!!

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

We have owned this exact car seat for 3 years now and absolutely love it. We love it so much that we just bought our son a black one as well. I have another brand convertible car seat for grandma and we both dislike it. I thought I could buy a less expensive one for grandma's car but never should have done that! The Britax Marathon has so many benefits. It's super comfortable. We drive to Florida from Michigan at least once a year and drive straight through the night. Both of our kids sleep in their car seats and never complain and/or are uncomfortable. Of course they get a little antsy from sitting but they sleep comfortably which is why we drive at night. I love this pattern and the fabric...