The Britax Marathon Convertible Car Seat (Onyx) features easy installation, Side Impact Protection, and innovative details for your child's comfort and safety. Delivering both comfort and safety up through the preschool years, it fits children in the rear-facing position weighing from 5 to 35 pounds, and children in the forward-facing position starting at one year old and 20 pounds, up to 65 pounds. |
The Marathon
Convertible Car Seat
At a Glance:- Age/Weight Requirements:
In rear-facing position, fits children weighing 5 - 35 pounds; in forward-facing position, fits children 1+ years old weighing 20 - 65 pounds - Warranty:
6-year product life; 1-year limited warranty - Certifications:
Certified for aircraft travel in harness mode only
Ideal for: - Who:
Parents and caregivers - What:
Keeping children safe and comfortable in the car - Where:
Car, minivan, and SUV
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A rigid seat shell, deep side walls, and energy-absorbing foam lining protect your child's head, neck and body. View larger. |
 Side Impact Protection for Added Security
To keep your child safe, the Marathon Convertible includes Side Impact Protection, which is a system composed of the rigid seat shell, the deep side walls, and energy-absorbing foam lining the shell that work together to distribute crash forces, shield from vehicle intrusion, and contain the head, neck and body.Superior 360-Degree Protection to Minimize the Risk of Injury
The Marathon offers a variety of superior crash force management features to keep your child properly positioned and protected. First, the patented, energy-absorbing Versa-Tether has staged-release tether webbing, anchoring the top of the seat at two points to minimize forward movement. For growing babies, the tangle-free, five-point harness offers multiple harness heights for a snug, custom fit. For additional protection, the Harness Ultra Guard System (HUGS) reduces forward head movement, while both the EPS foam liner and base are designed to absorb energy. Superior Ease-of-Use for Safety and Convenience
Packed with perks for parents, the Marathon includes push-button lower LATCH connectors for quick, simple, and tight installation, and a front harness adjuster allows for easy loosening of the straps. Built-in lock-offs secure the vehicle seat belt and prevent the car seat from moving more than one inch side-to-side and front-to-back at the belt path. A small contoured base ensures a tight installation in all types of vehicle seats, while convenient holders keep harness straps out of the way while you're placing your child in the seat. The Marathon Convertible Car Seat is available in the following patterns: Onyx, Mariposa, Cowmooflage, Mossy Oak Limited Edition, and New Denim. The Britax Marathon Convertible Car Seat is backed by a one-year limited warranty. What's in the Box
One Britax Marathon Convertible Car Seat and manual.
Available in these styles. |
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 A Miracle! |
| Review Date: August 16, 2007 |
| Reviewer: M. Bostic, West Virginia |
This car seat was a life saver!
Our daughter is almost 4 months now and cried everytime we placed her in her infant seat, except on the day home from the hospital. We couldn't drive down the road without listening to screams - the only time we went anywhere was if she was asleep and often she woke up the minute we put her in her seat. My 8 year old and I would both sit in the back seat with her, it didn't matter. I read the reviews on this seat so we went to 2 different stores and placed her in the demo. She was fine. My mother offered to purchase it for us so we got it.
Sketptical?
I was skeptical, so I first took her for a 5 minute ride - no crying. The next day I chanced 15 minutes - still no crying. The third day we went to my mother's - a 40 minute drive each way. Within a week we were willing to try her on a 3 hour trip. She did great!
I think the key for us was my daughter can see out and doesn't feel confined like the infant seat. She spends most trips gazing out the window and quietly sucking her thumb.
Size
I've read people complain about the size, but it fits fine in our Toyota Prius and our Subaru Outback. In fact it actually allows the front passanger seat to be further back than our previous car seat with a base (Graco Snugride).
Buy Two!
We've had the seat now for 3 weeks and no crying! My husband asks me everyday "How was she in the car" and everyday I say "GREAT!" We bought a second one for the other car.
Installation
This is the easiest car seat I have ever installed, we use the latch system in the Prius and in my mother's car. IT is so much easier than the latch with the Graco seat. Using latch it takes only minutes to go from one car to another. In the Subaru we use the regular shoulder/seat belt (it's 8 years old so latch wasn't available). Which I still like better than the Graco.
It is quite expensive, but to us well worth it. If you're still reading this then you want this seat! (It doesn't feed hungry babies, so they may still fuss.)
A year late...
My daughter is 15 months now and the seat is still wonderful! We now have the seat facing forward and we still love this car seat. |
Amazing!
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| Review Date: March 2, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Mads, Oceanside, CA |
This seat is really great, I can't say enough good things about it.
First of all, my 7 month old son fits perfectly and rides so comfortably in it. He outgrew his carrier, and I wanted a safe, and snuggly seat for him to move into. He not only loves the look of the cow print (he smiles and laughs at himself in the Baby In Sight mirror!), but the fabric is so plush and soft. If you're going to get a top of the line model, I figure take advantage of the fun prints that are offered! It's great because it is so soft and lush, but he doesn't sweat in it at all, and he's a big sweater! The BRU exclusive fabric, Racer, looks chic, but is very rough to the touch down the center stripe.
Also, this seat was almost too easy to install. It was so simple, I felt like that couldn't possibly be "it". But it was! The LATCH connectors have clicks similar to seatbelts, and easy to pull straps - this was nothing like trying to install the base to my Graco Snugride. I'm confident that the seat is installed properly, and it's not difficult to remove and install quick in another car, if need be. The tether anchor was also much easier to hook up than I anticipated. It's a great safety feature that only Britax has. The seat is large, but does not take up the entire back seat, still allowing two other passengers to ride back there.
While the carrier was great for the early months, this is the absolute best for older babies, and kids. I would recommend Sleepy Wings or extra head support for newborns, however.
The Marathon is the way to go for durability, safety, luxury and longevity for your child. I guarantee that this is worth the extra money! I am forever a Britax customer! |
I love this seat!
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| Review Date: March 4, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Gingi1976, Phoenix, AZ |
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. |
Well Traveled
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| Review Date: February 1, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Book Mom, Blackfoot, Idaho United States |
My husband and I purchased this for our quick growing son when he was about 6mo old and hanging out of his infant carrier. I had done a lot of research on car seats and quickly found myself looking at the Britax models for their quality, safety, and reliability. We choose the Marathon specifically because it can hold a child up to 65lbs.
Yes, this car seat is larger and heavier than others, but I would not trade it for anything else. The seat fits very comfortably in the back of our Honda Civic and does not obstruct any views from the rearview mirror. We have traveled extensively with this seat it goes everywhere with us. We never, never have a problem getting it to fit correctly in any type of vehicle. The seat has been in old and new cars alike and it always fits quickly and more importantly correctly!
More important than my love for this seat is my son's. He loves the incredible views provided from the seat and the comfort as well. When he naps his head never falls forward or looks like it is in an uncomfortable position. He sleeps as soundly in the seat as in his bed. My son fits securly in the seat, yet it is large enough it makes him feel like he has space to move.
With all the travel and use this seat is cleaned frequently. I can't beleive how easy it is to disasemble and wash and you don't have to video tape yourself taking it apart to remember how to get it back together. I just can't say enough awesome things about this seat. I am so glad that I found this seat and would encourage anyone to take advantage of the many great and easy to use features. |
Worth every penny!
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| Review Date: August 12, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Jean Rhys, California |
| My 2 year old daughter has been in a britax marathon ever since she was 7 months old. After hours of research and asking around, I decided that this was a good investment for the safety of my daughter, although it is quite expensive compared to the other carseats in the market. We never had a problem with this carseat and my daughter always looked comfortable in it whether she's sitting up looking out the window or sleeping. I love the headrest on the sides that allows her to sleep in the car without her head bouncing around. After using this for over a year, I decided to move my daughter into a cheaper Eddie Bauer covertible seat so her younger sister can use her Britax. BAD DECISION!! I realized on the first drive that there is no car seat out there that beats this one. In less than five minutes, her head was bobbing around, padding was so horrible, her headrest was so stiff and upright that she was struggling to get out. I thought she was old enough to use cheaper brands comfortably but I now realize how good we all had it by using a high quality carseat. I'm now looking for a larger version (Britax Regent) for my daughter so my younger can use this one. Yes its a bit pricey but I truly truly believe that it's worth every penny considering the comfort and safety of our children. If you're hesitant about spending $100 more on a carseat, consider skipping one nice dinner out with your spouse and investing it instead on a Britax. I highly recommend it and there really is nothing out there that compares to this one. Once you use one, you'll see that there really is a difference. |
Excellent Product - Airplane Advice
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| Review Date: August 3, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Paul B, Meriden, CT |
| We have 2 of these and love them. We recently brought one with us to Europe with a Go-go Baby Travelmate attachment which made travel through the airports very easy. ALWAYS ask for and use the seatbelt extender, I didn't use it on one flight which was a Big mistake. The release mechanism went behind the seat when I tightened up the strap and it was (almost) impossible to open. Also expect to have the seat hand inspected at check-in. It only fit through the x-ray machine at one of the several airports we traveled through. |
The best carseat ever... and love the cowmoo print
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| Review Date: March 8, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Kat Penrod, Norfolk, VA |
we originally got the Evenflo Triumph V in Aztec, which is a great seat, but our baby girl is not like my second child, who was 30lbs at 1yr... she is long and slender like my oldest... so she would have outgrown the seat at 18mo for rearfacing and outgrown the seat altogether before being ready for a booster.
We saved up our money to get her the Marathon, because I knew it was the seat that would get her to age 5-7yrs.... I had wanted to get it when she was 2mo and hated her carrier, but my mom was buying the seat and wouldn't buy britax because of the price.
it installs like a dream, is solid as a rock, and the straps don't twist... she's so comfy and it feels more plush than the evenflo seat did... and the cover is so soft.
she's barely on the 2nd set of straps... she was using the 2nd set for two months in the triumph before we got this new seat.
I tried my 4' tall 5yr old in this seat and he would still have 2" above his ears in this seat... so I know that it will last my daughter longer, since she is only in the 50 % for height... my son is in the 96th %.
we love this seat and I would recommend it to anyone.
Kat |
Our personal crash test
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| Review Date: January 19, 2007 |
| Reviewer: S. Davis, Boise, ID United States |
| Both of our children have been in Marathons since they outgrew their infant carriers and we have been extremely happy with both seats. We have found them to be far more user-friendly than other seats we have used and even though our daughter is now able to use a booster seat, we continue to keep her in the Marathon. Convenience aside, mom ran a red light and t-boned a Montero last month. The Montero was totaled, our tank-like Range Rover sustained over $8K in damage. Our son was in his Marathon and when Mom turned around to make sure he was okay, he gave her a big toothy grin. Not one single peep or tear from the little guy! When insurance offered to replace the seats, we went straight back to the Marathon. |
Stellar Carseat
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| Review Date: January 23, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Jen in Texas, Austin, TX |
I bought this carseat as a replacement for the Graco Snugride that my son outgrew at 4 months. He always liked his Marathon, but now that he's over 1 year and facing forward, he's really happy - this seat allows him to sit high enough to see outside the car. It must be very comfortable too, because he regularly falls asleep on long trips.
The installation is easy and very secure. Just connect the LATCH connectors, put your knee in the seat, and pull the straps to tighten. Connect the tether to the tether point that most newer cars now have, tighten that strap, and you're done. The only down side - this seat is built for kids up to 65 lbs, so it's VERY large. It probably won't fit in some smaller cars, but I was able to install it in my CR-V and in a RAV4 (both centered) with no problem at all. Both of these small SUVs still have room for 2 smaller adults in the back seat with the Marathon installed.
A couple of tips for airline travel - the seat is approved for airline use, but the LATCH connectors won't work. If you install the seat using the airline seatbelts and tighten the belt properly, you won't be able to operate the latch to free the seat when you arrive at your destination (I learned this the hard way!). To make life easier, ask for a seatbelt extender when you board the aircraft. Use the extender to connect the two halves of the seatbelt through the back of the seat. Then you can tighten the belt to properly secure the seat and still release it easily when it's time to disembark.
Second tip - this seat is a backbreaker if you have to carry it through an airport to make a connection. Instead of carrying it, get a luggage cart and attach the seat with a bungee cord. Now, put the kid in the seat, strap him in, and leave the stroller at home.
Oh, and get the seat at Traveling Tikes - about $40 cheaper. |
A literal life saver
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| Review Date: February 22, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Kevin Clark, |
| My 16 month old daughter was riding in one of these when the truck she was in, a Dodge Ram, rolled over repeatedly at highway speed. My wife was cut and bruised and her mother suffered fractured vertebrae. My daughter literally was not scratched. She didn't even have red marks or scrapes where the straps went across her shoulder. This seat is as good or better than you have heard. It is worth every penny. Plus, Britax replaces accident-damaged seats for free. So we're on our second seat and yet we've only had to pay for one. Great seat, great company. |
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