Why is a safe child car seat important?
Automobile accidents are no rare occurrences and sadly, deaths of children by car accidents are pretty high. In 2017, in the United States alone, 675 children, none older than 12 died due to automobile crashes. Approximately 116,000 children were badly injured. And 35% of these children suffered because they were not properly buckled up.
So it is not always the rash driving that causes the casualties, the car seats are a major cause too. If it is not properly installed or is defective, the result can be quite dangerous and in most cases, fatal. According to an NHTSA survey done in 2004, it was found out that 72.6% of these car seats were not properly installed. A probable cause is the inability to understand manuals which are often confusing.
Britax Brand: An Overview
Britax had different kinds of seats that you need you to know about. They are infant car seats, booster, and convertible ones. These seats are for newborn babies right up to the time that they are as tall as 63 inches. The different models are there to help you with children of different age groups at different stages of development.
But it is important to note that of all the models, Britax Boulevard and Britax Marathon are absolutely the best. However, between the two, Britax Marathon Vs Boulevard, which one should be better for your child is something you need to know more about. It is very important to have a car seat for your baby which has good ratings and reviews and can be trusted completely. That is the best protection you can provide for your child in a car. And according to baby car seat reviews, you need to look no further than Britax for the best ones for children in the market. They are an award-winning Car Seat Company and are very easy to use, but don’t compromise on the quality and safety precautions.
Britax is for everyone who gives priority to safety. Even the Royal Family trusts no one but Britax when it comes to their children. Both Princess Charlotte and Prince George drove home in the Britax car seat after their birth.
But the most important question is when it is Britax Boulevard vs Marathon, which one should you buy?
What is the Britax Marathon?
- Easy installation: patented click tight makes car seat installation as simple as buckling a seat belt
- No rethreading, ever: 14 position harness, 2 position buckle for a comfortable Fit as your child grows
- Relax and recline: 7 recline positions ensure comfort and the best vehicle installation angle
- Surrounded in safety: a layer of side impact protection, steel frame and impact absorbing base
- Fits: rear facing 5 to 40 pounds and forward facing 20 to 65 pounds; dimensions: 23 x 18.5 x 23.5 inches (LxWxH); Shoulder Width 16 inch
Britax is best known for its safety car seats for babies and Britax Marathon is one of the best convertible car seats.
Babies need to stay in these seats till the age of four, after which they grow out of it. So the Marathon comes in a rear-facing position for 5-40 pounds and a forward-facing position for 20-65 pounds for up to 49 inches tall. If you compare Britax car seats, Marathon might be a little short.
Key Features:
- Clip style LATCH anchors: It has a seven-position recline which will let you level the baby’s seat properly. The indicator will let you know if it has been installed properly- an added benefit. And while the child is there, the recliner of the seat cannot be readjusted. To do that you will have to uninstall it, which might seem like extra with, but it is a safety precaution and hence is quite helpful.
- ClickTight system: Britax marathon ClickTight is a V-shaped tether which maintains the stability of the seat by connecting to a LATCH anchor at three back of the seat. This system also helps secure the seat belt when your child exceeds 40 pounds because then you can’t use the LATCH anymore.
- No-rethread adjustment: This system allows twelve positions which you can adjust according to your child’s growth.
Overall Pros and Cons
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| You cannot mess with the position of the seat while the child is in the seat | Not applicable for taller kids because the shoulder limit is 16.95 inches |
| The seat cover is easy to remove | Cannot add an anti-rebound bar |
Britax Boulevard
- Easy installation: patented click tight makes car seat installation as simple as buckling a seat belt
- No rethreading, ever: quick adjust 14 position harness with click and safe snug indicator gives a click sound when the harness is tight
- Adjust accurately: harness indicator gives an audible click when you’ve pulled to the proper tightness
- Surrounded in safety: 2 layers of side impact protection, steel frame and impact absorbing base
- Fits: rear facing 5 to 40 pounds and forward facing 20 to 65 pounds; dimensions: 23 x 18.5 x 23.5 inches (LxWxH)
The Britax Boulevard offers seats of rear-facing position for 50 pounds children and a forward-facing position for 2-65 pounds for children.
Key Features:
- LATCH: Britax Boulevard LATCH is extremely easy to you. It has a seven-position recline so you can position the seat properly.
- ClickTight: Britax Boulevard ClickTight helps stabilize the car seat by connecting with the LATCH. It is also helpful when your child has outgrown LATCH and needs to use seat belts.
- Click & Snug harness indicator: It ensures that the harness around your baby has been properly adjusted and positioned.
- No-rethread: It has 14 positions and will allow you to adjust the harness as your child grows.
Pros and cons
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| Indicator ensures that the seat has been properly installed | When it comes to Britax Marathon vs. Britax Boulevard, Boulevard is on the pricier side |
| Easy to use | |
| Be it Marathon vs. Boulevard, both seat cover can be removed and washed easily |
Britax Marathon Vs Boulevard Comparison
To know more about which model is better, read our Britax car seat comparison section.
Here are the main differences between the Britax Marathon and Boulevard:
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| PRODUCT WEIGHT | 28.5 lbs | 29.4 lbs |
| LIMITATIONS | Child weight (rear):5-40lbs Forward-facing: 20-65lbs. Child standing height: 49in. Shoulder height (rear):9-16.75in. (forward): 12-16.75in. |
Child weight (rear):5-40lbs (Forward): 20-65lbs. Child standing height: 49in. Shoulder height (rear):9-16.75in. (forward): 12-16.75in. |
| CLICKTIGHT OPTION | Available | Available |
| SAFE CALL IMPACT PROTECTION | Available | Available |
| RE-THREAD HARNESS | 10 position harness and 2 position buckle | 10 position harness and 2 position buckle |
| AUTOMATIC LEVEL INDICATOR | Available | Available |
| EASY REMOVE COVER | Yes | Yes |
| NHTSA EASE-OF-USE RATING | 4 star | 4 star |
| DIFFERENCES: | ||
| SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION | Not Available | Available |
| MAX SEATED HEIGHT | 16.95in. | 18.65in. |
Our Verdict
Britax has become the most beloved children’s car seat brand and with 16 models and excellent amenities, it is not difficult to understand why. All its different features like the Click & Safe Snug Harness Indicator and anti-rebound bar screams safety. It is a brand every parent can trust their children with.
