Marathon Car Seat by Britax at Magic Beans

For most parents, choosing Britax is an easy decision. Choosing which Britax is another matter entirely. The Britax Marathon is a convertible seat that accommodates babies weighing 5 to 33 pounds in a rear-facing position, and children over 1 year old, weighing up to 65 pounds, in a forward-facing position.

We love that the seat sits high up on the base, giving your child a great view of the world whizzing by. This seat will last most children from birth until they declare, “Mom, I’m too big for a car seat.” Because this is a large, deep seat, you may need to install it in the center position in smaller vehicles in order to leave enough room for the driver and front passenger to recline. Many cars do not have LATCH in the center seat, so a seat belt installation would be necessary in this case.

The Marathon’s safety features include the patented Versa-Tether™, built-in lock-offs, LATCH system, and EPS foam. The 5-point harness has four different shoulder heights that adjust at the back of the seat. A button in front allows you to fine tune the straps’ snugness, depending if your child is wearing a bulky coat on a short ride to school, or just their PJs for an overnight trip. The cover is removable and machine-washable, and the seat is aircraft-approved.

Spilling the Beans: Although the high seat is useful for playing “I Spy”, we’ve heard grumbling from a few second-time expectant moms about having to hoist heavy toddlers in to these seats.

Specifications:
Rear facing mode: 5-35 lbs, 49” or less height, 10.5”-16” seated shoulder height
Forward facing mode: 1 year and 20-65 lbs, 12” – 16” seated shoulder height

Dimensions:
Product weight: 17.5 lbs
Seat base/foot width: 19.5"
Seat height: 28"
Interior seat width: 11"
Interior seat back height: 22.5"
Bottom to lowest harness slot: 10"
Bottom to highest harness slot: 17.5"

Features and Benefits:
Premium push-button LATCH connectors for a quick, simple and tight installation
Patented Versa-Tether® anchors top of seat to minimize movement in a crash
Rear-face tethering for seat stabilization
Rear- and forward-facing recline for child comfort and positioning
Energy-managing protective foam
High density comfort foam gently cushions the child
Patented HUGS™ - Reduces forward head movement, cushions neck and chest
Lift-lever front harness adjustment allows for a consistently snug harness fit
Built-in lock-offs tightly secure the vehicle seat belt
Convenient belt holders - Keep harness straps to the sides while placing child in seat
Plush, washable cover with matching comfort and belly pads
Contoured base for a perfect fit in most vehicles