Britax Boulevard ClickTight Review – Blend of Protection and Slim Design

Britax Boulevard Clicktight - purple car seat

Britax Advocate ClickTight

Overall Rating
4.1/5
Face Rear & Front

Though the Britax Boulevard ClickTight shares its branding and easy installation features with the likes of its little bros – the Britax Marathon and Advocate – that’s pretty much where the comparisons most parents focus. Because the Boulevard and the other two well-known Britax convertible car seats share a lot of similarities with slight differences. With a top 65-pound weight limit and up to 10 years of lifespan in its skillset, the Boulevard ClickTight is as good as most models in this group. So when you take into consideration the list of ultra-performance models that it competes with, there are better convertible car seats to choose from. Find out why – along with the 14 things you need to know about the Boulevard ClickTight in our thorough review.

*Price may change due to e-commerce platform and brand sales promotion.

Britax Boulevard ClickTight Review - Blend of Protection and Slim Design

Pros & Cons

The good and the bad

What is it best for

Who we recommend it for

Value for Money

Is it worth the price tag?

Design

Dimensions, weight, color, etc

Safety Rating

Crash tests, FMVSS213, SIP

Performance

Weight/height limits, airplane, etc

Installation

Install with LATCH or seat belt

Alternatives

Other car seats to consider

1. Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

2. Who Is It Best For?

Will the Britax Boulevard ClickTight Be a Good Fit For Your Child and Family?

Quick disclaimer – if you’re here looking for a budget convertible car seat, the Britax Boulevard ClickTight isn’t the one for you. This baby thing is very expensive and better suited to parents that have a good budget for a convertible car seat.

However, if easy installation is your top priority, you’ll be happy with the ClickTight technology built-in into the Boulevard car seat. That should be the easiest way to achieve a tight and secure installation – it’s the second innovative technique that is just following the rotating feature on my list.

As a pricey convertible car seat, it does provide a lot of impressive features like the 14-position headrest adjustment, 7-position recline option, two layers of SIP, and easy-to-clean machine washable fabrics. All these features make it a good option for loyal fans of the Britax brand who would want to pay the high price.

See also

3. Value for Money

Is the price tag worth it?

At $369.99, few parents are going to be claiming that the Britax Boulevard ClickTight is budget-friendly, But is it worth the outlay? It depends.

As we’ll see shortly after the comparison to the three Britax convertible car seats, it’s the highest priced but is designed with the pros from Marathon (narrow profile) and Advocate (SIP). 

The 18.5-inch width is relatively narrower than most convertible car seats on the market, making it good to fit in most vehicles and even do three across in large-size cars.

It has two layers of side impact protection – one layer more than Marathon and one layer less than Advocate. 

If you value these two factors a lot, then you may would like to pay the price for the Britax Boulevard. Otherwise, you can find the other two Britax car seats or some more affordable convertible car seats elsewhere, like the Graco Extend2Fit.

Britax Boulevard vs Advocate vs Marathon

Car Seats Comparison Britax Advocate Britax Boulevard Britax Marathon
Price $399.99 $369.99 $339.99
Weight limits (lb) RF:5-40 / FF: 20-65 RF:5-40 / FF: 20-65 RF:5-40 / FF: 20-65
Height limits (in) RF / FF: 49" RF / FF: 49" RF / FF: 49"
ClickTight Installation
Impact-absorbing base
Impact-stabilizing steel frame
SafeCell crumple zones
Side impact protection 3 layers 2 layers 1 layer
Headrest positions 14 14 14
Recine position 7 7 7
Width 20.5 inches 18.5 inches 18.5 inches
Car Seat Weight 30.5 lb. 29.4 lb. 28.5 lb
Machine-washable fabric
Cup Holder No No No

4. Design

Dimensions and Width

The Britax Boulevard ClickTight measures 18.5″(W) x 24″ (D) x 23.5″ (H). 

The 18.5-inch is absolutely not the narrowest on the market but still makes the Boulevard ClickTight a good car seat to fit stably in most standard-size vehicles. But it’ll be a bit challenging to install it in small cars. It’s not that compact because the space it’ll need can vary depending on the mode, headrest position, and recline angle. 

The height can be stretched from 23.5 inches to 29.5 inches if the headrest is adjusted to the top position while the depth can be extended from 23 to 24 inches if it’s at the most reclined position. specific model, but generally, it has a width of around 18.5 to 20.5 inches, a height of around 23.5 to 29.5 inches, and a depth of around 23 to 24 inches.

It’s always a good idea to measure the dimensions of your car’s back seat and compare them to the car seat’s dimensions before making a purchase. Additionally, some parents may find that a narrower car seat or a convertible car seat that is designed for smaller vehicles may be a better fit for their needs.

See also:

Portability

With a weight of 29.4 pounds, the Britax Boulevard Clickltight is on the heavier side compared to some other convertible car seats, like Graco Extend2Fit (19 lbs vs 29.4 lbs). This happens to all Britax car seats – they all come with a tank-like design and you can get this at the first sight for getting this impression. 

The steel-reinforced frame and multiple layers of safety features contribute to the weight of the car seat, but they also provide added protection for your child in the event of a crash.

While the weight of the car seat may be a consideration for parents who need to move it frequently or travel with it, it’s important to keep in mind that car seat safety should always be the top priority. The Britax Boulevard ClickTight is designed to provide a high level of safety and protection for your child, and the added weight is a trade-off for that level of safety.

That being said, if you are concerned about the weight of the car seat or need a more portable option for travel or frequent moving, you may want to consider a foldable or more lightweight car seat model

Cup Holder - None

You won’t believe this – the highly-priced Britax Boulevard ClickTight does not include a cup holder in the package. Luckily, the manufacturer provides an extra cup holder. That means, after paying $369.99 for the car seat, you’ll need to pay $27.99 more to buy one cup holder.

If so, the total cost would add up to almost $399.99 – the price you can get for the Britax One4Life. That’s why we find the One4Life is the most popular Britax car seat that supports both rear-facing and front-facing use, after all, it lasts longer for a top 120 lbs/ 63″ size limit for bigger kids after they exceed the forward-facing harness mode.

If you want a Britax car seat with a cup holder, the three convertible car seats, Marathon, Boulevard, and Advocate, are not the best option, I suggest you get the One4Life instead. 

The good point is that the cup holder is removable and can fit securely onto the car seat and provide a convenient place for your child to store drinks or snacks during car rides. It can be easily installed and removed as needed and is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

Color option

Okay, this is another point that would be impressed with the Britax Boulevard ClickTight. It provides 15 color options.

While most color options are not designed gender-specific, parents can always find one that suits their own and their kid’s tastes.

There are several options that we think are suitable for girls if you or your kid have specific preferences: purple, green, and vector. It’s a pity that Birtax does not provide a pink color for choice, if you want one, check our post on the best pink car seats.

Headrest and Harness - 14 Positions

The Britax Boulevard ClickTight has 14 different headrest positions, which allows you to adjust the headrest height as your child grows. The multiple headrest positions can help ensure a comfortable and secure fit for your child and can also help provide adequate head and neck support.

To adjust the headrest, you will need to lift the lever located at the top of the headrest and slide the headrest up or down to the desired position. When adjusting the headrest, the harness would go up and down as well. So you need to follow this rule:

Make sure that the headrest is positioned at or above your child’s shoulders, and that the harness straps are positioned at or just below your child’s shoulders in rear-facing and the harness straps are at or above your kid’s shoulders in forward-facing for a proper and secure fit.

The top harness slot position is as high as 19.4 inches, making it perfect for kids around 4 or 5 years old in this car seat.

Reclines - 7 Positions

There are 7 different recline positions available in Boulevard ClickTight. The more reclined a car seat allows the better fitting angle you’ll find for your growing kid!

When used in rear-facing mode, the Britax Boulevard ClickTight has 2 recline positions, which can help provide a comfortable and safe angle for newborns and small infants who are not yet able to sit up on their own. The recline positions are adjusted by moving the base of the car seat up or down to achieve the desired angle.

When used in forward-facing mode, the Britax Boulevard ClickTight has 5 recline positions, which is better for older children. The recline positions are adjusted by adjusting the angle of the car seat back using the recline lever located at the front of the car seat.

The recline positions can also help ensure a proper fit and reduce the risk of your child’s head falling forward, which can be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous during travel.

Infant Accessories

As an expensive car seat, how can the Boulevard not have extra accessories? 

The head support is designed to help provide proper head and neck positioning for your child, which can help reduce the risk of a head slump and provide additional side impact protection. It is adjustable, which allows you to customize the fit to your child’s size and shape.

The body support is designed to provide additional cushioning and support for your child’s back and torso, which can help raise them up to reach the desired harness slots for a perfect fit. It is usually used for small infants and is also adjustable and can be removed as your child grows.

Padding

It’s clear that the Boulevard ClickTight car seat comes equipped with thick padding to be comfortable for your child during travel.

The padding is made of soft, breathable materials, which can help keep your child cool and comfortable during long rides.

In addition to the padding, the car seat also has other comfort features, including adjustable head and body support, multiple recline positions, and multiple harness heights to help ensure a comfortable fit for your child as they grow.

5. Crash Tests and Safety Ratings

Is it safe to use Britax Boulevard ClickTight?

You won’t doubt the safety of the Britax Boulevard ClickTight car seat It has been tested and certified to meet or exceed federal safety standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States.

As a car seat sold in the US market, the Boulevard ClickTight has undergone a series of rigorous crash tests to ensure its safety and effectiveness in protecting your child in the event of an accident. Some of the specific crash tests that this car seat has passed include:

Frontal Impact Test

The car seat is placed on a sled and is subjected to a frontal impact equivalent to a vehicle traveling 35 miles per hour.

Side Impact Test

The car seat is subjected to a side impact collision equivalent to a vehicle traveling 38.5 miles per hour.

Rollover Test

The car seat is tested in a rollover scenario to ensure that it remains securely in place and provides adequate protection for the child.

In addition to these crash tests, the Britax Boulevard ClickTight also features a steel-reinforced frame, multiple layers of side-impact protection, and an impact-absorbing base, all of which work together to help minimize the risk of injury in the event of an accident.

More than that, the Boulevard ClickTight, and other several Britax car seats feature a SafeCell, which is really a crumple zone that is used to reduce and disseminate crash energy.

Side Impact Protection

The Britax Boulevard ClickTight features multiple layers of side-impact protection to help protect your child in the event of a side-impact collision. The manufacturer states that it has two layers of side-impact protection.

One layer of side-impact protection is provided by the car seat’s deep foam-lined headrest, which is designed to help absorb and disperse crash forces in the event of a side-impact collision. The foam lining is made of energy-absorbing EPP foam, which is a durable and lightweight material that can help minimize the risk of injury to your child.

Another layer of side-impact protection in the Britax Boulevard ClickTight is provided by the car seat’s external cushioned shell, which is designed to help protect your child from external impacts. The steel-made and cushioned shell also help to keep your child’s head, neck, and torso properly aligned and supported, which can help minimize the risk of injury in the event of an accident from either side.

6. Performance

Weight and Height Limits

The Britax Boulevard ClickTight car seat is suitable to accommodate your child of growth and development as long as they’re within the top 65 lbs/ 49″ size limit. As the car seat can be used in two car seat stages, we’d like to explain the weight and height limits for each one:

Rear-facing: In the rear-facing position, the Boulevard ClickTight is able to fit newborns and toddlers who weigh between 5 and 40 pounds, and whose height is up to 49 inches. The car seat must be positioned in the car seat facing the back of the vehicle, which is the safest position for young children. 

Forward-facing: Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing position – probably the 40-lb weight limit, the car seat can be converted to the forward-facing position, which is designed for children who weigh between 20 and 65 pounds and at most 49 inches tall.

In both stages, your kid is secured in a 5-point harness and you should always follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer in the car seat manual to correctly use the car seat, making sure your kid is protected in appropriate weight and height. 

From the data above, it’s obvious that the Boulevard ClickTight is a good car seat for extending rear-facing use. If you want to use it for tall babies to ride in rear-facing longer, it does the job, but not as well as those car seats with a 50 lb rear-facing weight limit, like the Graco Extend2Fit.

See also

Stage / Modes -1st and 2nd

The Britax Boulevard ClickTight convertible car seat can be used in three different stages/ modes as your child grows and develops:

Rear-Facing harness: 40 lbs/ 49″. In this mode, the car seat is designed to provide maximum protection for your child’s head, neck, and spine, which are still developing and vulnerable to injury in the event of a crash.

Forward-Facing harness: 65 lbs/ 49″.

See also:

Age Range

The age limits for each stage of the Britax Boulevard ClickTight convertible car seat can vary depending on the child’s individual growth and development, but here is an approximate age range for each mode:

Rear-Facing Mode: This mode is typically used for infants and young toddlers from birth to around 2 years old, or until they reach the height or weight limits for rear-facing mode, which is 40 pounds or 49 inches tall.

Forward-Facing Mode: Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing mode, typically around 2 years old or more, they can move on to forward-facing mode. This mode can be used until your child reaches the height or weight limit – 65 lbs/ 49″, typically good for kids around 4-5 years old.

It’s important to note that while age can be a rough guideline for transitioning between modes, it’s ultimately the child’s weight and height that should determine when to switch to the next mode. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations for each mode to ensure your child’s safety and protection while in the car.

See also

Airplane

Is Britax Boulevard ClickTight FAA approved for use on a plane?

The Britax Boulevard ClickTight convertible is FAA approved for use on a plane

But it’s heavy and a bit bulky, not easy to carry and transport in a busy airport. The 18.5-inch is comparably narrow to fit seats on the plane. If you do need one for air travel, we’d like you to pick up one from the best lightweight convertible car seats, or car seats that are portable or foldable.

It’s important to note that airplane seat belts are designed differently than those in cars, so you may need to use a different installation method or a different belt path than you would in a car.

Before traveling, it’s recommended that you contact the airline ahead of time to confirm their specific requirements for using this car seat on the plane, and to make sure that the car seat you plan to use meets their safety standards. You should also consult the car seat manual for specific instructions on how to install the car seat on a plane.

Lifespan

How long is Britax Boulevard ClickTight car seat good for

The Britax Boulevard ClickTight has an expiration date of 10 years from the date of manufacture. The expiration date is typically stamped on the bottom or side of the car seat, and it’s important to note that once the expiration date has passed, the car seat should no longer be used, even if it appears to be in good condition.

Car seats have an expiration date for several reasons. Over time, the materials used in the car seat can break down and deteriorate, which can compromise the car seat’s ability to protect your child in the event of a crash. Additionally, as safety standards and technologies improve, newer car seats are developed with better safety features and performance, which can make older car seats less effective and less safe.

Parents should always check the expiration date on the car seat and replace it as needed to ensure their child is properly protected while riding in the car. If you are unsure about the expiration date or have any questions about car seat safety, it’s recommended that you consult the car seat manual or contact the manufacturer directly for guidance.

See also:

Warranty

The Britax provides a one-year limited warranty for the Advocate ClickTight car seat, starting from the date of original purchase. The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service.

The warranty does not cover damage caused by misuse or abuse of the car seat, normal wear, and tear, or damage caused by accidents or collisions.

7. Britax Boulevard ClickTight Installation

Before starting to install the car seat, you may where to put it. The center of the back seat is probably the safest position to install a car seat.

If possible, install the car seat on that spot. If that seat is not applicable for a proper installation, for example lacking a shoulder belt, either seat on the side would be safe. You may choose any of them based on your family’s and kid’s needs.

Installing the Boulevard car seat is the same process as installing the Advocate ClickTight. So you can check the Advocate car seat installation for reference.

The only difference is the LATCH weight limit.

  • Do not install rear facing with lower anchors for a child weighing more than – ADVOCATE: 30 lbs (13.6 kg) – BOULEVARD: 35 lbs (15.8 kg)
  • Do not install forward-facing with lower anchors for a child weighing more than – ADVOCATE: 35 lbs (15.8 kg) – BOULEVARD: 40 lbs (18 kg).

Britax Car Seat Manual

You should always read the user manual before starting to install and use it for riding your child. 

The Britax Advocate ClickTight manual is stored in a small storage slot behind the cover of the car seat, but you can always find the online user manual on its official website, or download the PDF here.

8. Specification and Comparison

Brand 
BrandBritax
Type 
Suitable forNewborns, toddlers
PositionsRear-facing and forward-facing
Design 
Portability (1-10)7. Slim fit but heavy duty
Weight (pounds)29.4
Weight limits (lb.)5-40 for rear-facing, 20-65 for forward-facing
Height limit (inch)49” for RF & FF
Dimension20.5″ x 23 x 23.7″ WDH
Cup holderNone
Performance 
Age RangeBirth-4~5 years old
Stage1st, 2nd
InstallationLATCH and seat belt
Headrest Positions14
Recline positions7
AirplaneYes
Lifespan10 Years
Extra FeaturesClickTight, SafeCell

Britax Advocate vs Nuna Rava

Car Seats Comparison Britax Boulevard Nuna Rava
Price $369.99 $550
Weight limits (lb) RF:5-40 / FF: 20-65 RF:5-50 / FF: 25-65
Height limits (in) RF / FF: 49" RF / FF: 49"
Installation ClickTight Simply
Side impact protection 2 layers 3 layers
Headrest positions 14 10
Recine position 7 10
Width 18.5 inches 19 inches
Car Seat Weight 29.4 lb. 27.2 lb.
Machine-washable fabric
Cup Holder No Two

*About the height limit for rear-facing: The top of the head must be 1” (2.5 cm) below the headrest adjustment lever.

What other convertible car seats should you consider?

9. Alternatives

Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat

Graco Extend2Fit

Why is it better than the Britax Boulevard ClickTight?
Why is it worse than the Britax Boulevard ClickTight?
CYBEX Sirona S 360° Rotating Car Seat

Cybex Sirona S

Why is it better than the Britax Boulevard ClickTight?
Why is it worse than the Britax Boulevard ClickTight?
Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat

Chicco NextFit Zip

Why is it better than the Britax Boulevard ClickTight?
Why is it worse than the Britax Boulevard ClickTight?