Britax Marathon ClickTight – Best 2-in-1 Car Seat with Easy Belt Installation

Britax Marathon ClickTight Convertible Car Seat

Britax Marathon ClickTight

Overall Rating
4.4/5
Face Rear & Front

Looking for a great budget Britax car seat but don’t want to miss out on premium features? Then the Marathon ClickTight could be precisely what you’re looking for. It features the company’s unique ClickTight technique along with the cheapest price among convertible car seats for newborns and toddlers.

Disappointingly, the Britax Marathon and its siblings don’t have a cup holder on any side of the car seat. That would be the possible biggest drawback.

Britax Marathon ClickTight Review - Easy Installation

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 Marathon ClickTight be a good option for your child?

If you’re after a child safety seat with easy seat belt installation and have a great budget for your child’s travel safety, the Britax Marathon ClickTight could be the option for you.

It’s a bit expensive on the market – compared to its primary competitors on Amazon – but its excellent quality, durable design, and superb safety features from the team at Britax make this a stress-free toddler car seat.

The combination of a 65-pound weight limit and 49-inch height limit makes it suitable for growing children before school time. 

It’s also ultra-friendly for busy parents, thanks to its ClickTight technique for simple three-step install and piece-apart design for easy taking off the cover for machine washing.

3. Value for Money

Is the price tag worth it?

The finish of the Britax Marathon is a sight for sore eyes, but that’s reasonably expected with a toddler car seat that is on the upper end of the mid-range in terms of price point.

It does what it needs to do, riding a child from day one to school age with superb safety and max comfort, but there are a few short-combings which make me question its value for money.

It’s really great with a few unique features like the ClickTight technique and the SafeCell built in the bottom and backrest. 

But on the most common features, from its reinforced-steel frame to the convenience of taking off the cover, its performance can be matched and, in some cases, outperformed by cheaper models like the Graco Extend2Fit and Chicco NextFit Zip, which are designed with their own unique safety features as well.

That’s why the Britax Marathon gets far less reviews than Graco Extend2Fit on Amazon, especially when you plan to have child safety seats on different motor vehicles.

4. Design

Dimension and Width

The Britax Marathon ClickTight is a solid and bulky toddler car seat. You’ll find this fact when you first look at its image.

It was designed with an 18.5-inch width. That’s quite a medium performance among the best-rated child safety seats.

It’s not the widest, not even as wide as the Graco Extend2Fit (19.5-inch) or Chicco NextFit Zip (19-inch), but not as slim as those options designed for fitting 3 across like the Diono Radian 3R (17-inch width).

However, this is a result of no cup holder on either side. From this point, the Britax Marathon was beaten by the other cheaper models#alternatives.

The same case happens in the depth. The Britax Marathon has a longer depth – up to 23 inches, which is 1.5 or 2 inches longer than Extend2Fit and NextFit Zip. 

The wider width and longer depth mean that Marathon will take up more space in the back seat, squeezing the space of the driver or front passenger and making it not suitable for small sedans. It’s better to install it in large SUVs.

The height of the Britax Marathon is up to 23.5-inch, as good as most average models to accommodate growing kids.

Portability

It seems Britax likes to design heavy-duty child safety seats. The Marathon is not an exception. It’s very heavy – up to 28.5 pounds, resulting in a low score – 5 out of 10 in the portability rating. 

All the parents find this fact that the Britax Marathon is a weighty thing, but they also consider it as proof that the Marathon is a sturdy and durable machine to ride their kids safely.

However, the 28.5-pound weight means that the Britax Marathon lacks the convenience to switch from vehicle to vehicle. But it’s not a big problem if you’re planning to have several child restraint systems installed in different motor vehicles.

Two Cup Holders

It’s a pity that the convertible car seat series from Britax do not feature cup holders, including the Marathon, Boulevard, and Advocate – the three most popular models. Only the premium models like the One4Life have two cup holders

However, we do suggest Britax add cup holders in the future models. They are great for holding drinks and snacks during car trips, even though you might purchase additional accessories to make up for this facility. 

Adding a cup holder on either side might increase the width of the car seat. But the Britax Marathon is not slim anyway. So this is the excuse. 

Attaching cup holders will increase the cost of a car seat, but the Marathon is almost $100 more expensive than other cheaper models.

This might be the primary reason that the Graco Extend2Fit is more popular and gets more reviews than the Marathon on Amazon.

6. Crash Tests and Safety Rating

Like all the other car seats for sale, the Britax Marathon meets or exceeds the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 213)

These standards are mandatory for all car seats to be sold on the US market. So does the 5-point harness for the side impact protection, which is required for all harnessed seats, including boosters with a 5-point harness.

More than that, the ClickTight install technique adds positive points to increase its safety ratings. As we know, correct installation means 99% safety. 

The manufacturer boasts that the ClickTight enables all parents to effortlessly install the Britax Marathon in simple three steps – you may need a few more steps to install it with the seat belt system with the ClickTight feature on.

What does Britax Marathon provide to earn parents’ trustworthiness? 

This Marathon convertible car seat features the patented Britax safe cell impact protection system, which consists of a reinforced steel frame, energy-absorbing base, V-shaped tether to minimize seat rotation, and staged release stitches that slow and reduce forward movement in the event of a crash. 

It includes tons of padding that is made of EPS energy-absorbing foam in the backrest and base. This not only reduces the shocks but also provides the max comfort of a car trip in any road conditions.

Use The Tether as a Crash Indicator

The tether can indicate when the child seat has been in a moderate or severe crash and replacement of the child seat is necessary. 

IMPORTANT: Discontinue use of child seat if it has been involved in a moderate or severe crash, regardless of whether the colored stitching has been ripped. 

Figure 1 shows an example of a tether when the child seat is acceptable for continued use (provided the child seat has not been involved in a crash). The colored stitching will be intact. 

Figure 2 shows an example of when the tether has been damaged and is unacceptable for continued use. If any of the colored stitching has ripped, the child seat is no longer acceptable for use.

Impact Absorbing Chest Pads

IMPORTANT: Impact absorbing chest pads are highly recommended for forward-facing mode. Removal of chest pads is optional for rear-facing mode to ensure a snug fit for small infants. 

Removing the Impact Absorbing Chest Pads 

1. Loosen the harness. 

a. Press the harness release button. 

b. Pull both harness straps forward. 

2. Adjust the harness to the lowest position and unhook the harness straps from the yoke at the back of the child seat. 

NOTE: Do not pull on the harness adjuster strap after removing the harness straps from the yoke. 

3. Pull one harness strap through the harness slot to the front of the seat. 

4. Route the harness strap out of the comfort pad, chest pad, and the chest clip. 

5. Reroute the harness strap back through the chest clip and comfort pad, ensuring that the harness strap is not twisted. 

6. Repeat for another strap. 

7. Route the harness straps through the seat to the back. Ensure that the harness straps pass over the tube.

8. Nest the end of the left harness strap into the right. 

9. Slide the harness straps completely onto the yoke. Ensure that the adjuster and harness straps are not twisted and that the ends of the harness straps are securely attached to the yoke. 

IMPORTANT: Store the chest pads in a safe location when not in use.

Headrest and Harness

To accommodate a growing kid, the Britax Marathon was designed with a 14-position headrest.

The headrest is adjustable based on your kid’s growth. The 14-position is super friendly to provide better fitting, protection, and comfort to your girls or boys, than the Marathon’s competitors

A headrest is very important not just because it provides extra protection in case of a serious crash, but it upholds your kid’s head to keep steadily and safely in the car seat, no matter when your kid’s awake or asleep.

Made of breathable fabric, the headrests on both sides won’t make your kid sweat, even on hot summer days.

Reclines

This child safety seat has 7 recline positions. You can adjust the recline position with the help of the indicator to perfectly fit your child from infants to toddlers

Follow the below steps to adjust the recline position. It’s important to set the seat position BEFORE installing it on your motor vehicle.

 1. Pull the recline handle then rotate the child seat shell until the recline indicator ball is in the correct position for the specific installation (See Using the Recline Indicator below). 

2. Release the recline handle, then verify the child seat has locked into position. 

Using the Recline Indicator

It is important that the child seat be properly reclined.

1. For Rear Facing Installations.

Use the recline indicator on the child seat to help achieve an acceptable recline angle for: 

Infants and children with no head and neck control 

-recline indicator ball in the light blue section 

-older children with proper head and neck control – recline indicator ball in light blue or dark blue.

NOTE: If necessary, the proper recline angle can be achieved by placing a rolled towel or pool noodle in the vehicle seat right. 

2. Forward Facing Installations

-Use the recline indicator on the child seat to help achieve an acceptable recline angle, with the recline indicator ball in the green section.

6. Performance

Weight and Height Limits

Featuring a bottom weight of 4 pounds, Britax Marathon is very friendly for newborns, even preemies.

In terms of the top weight limit, the Britax Marathon should have its name on the top rank of best toddler car seats for a 2-year-old, thanks to its great rear-facing height limit. 

Its 40-pound weight limit is not as high as other child safety seats but still performs well to allow kiddos to face the backward for a long time until their second birthdays. 

Christina – one of my best friends, has this convertible car seat for her little 2.5-year-old girl who weighs 35 pounds for rear-facing right now. 

You don’t need to worry that your little boys or girls will outgrow the Marathon in height limit. It’s the same as the top height when using forward-facing – up to 49 inches. This might be the highest rear-facing height limit.

The Marathon comes with a 65-pound weight limit for front-facing riding. This means that it will be able to ride your child to preschool age at 5 or 6 years old.

Age Range

The Britax Marathon is a great toddler car seat that is suitable for newborns from day one to big kids up to 7 years old.

Newborn babies, even preemies can fit well in this car seat for its 4-pound weight limit, which is good for 98% of infants. 

If you’re living or traveling in the states with the official regulations that a toddler under 2 years old should stay rear-facing, you’d be happy with the Marathon.

The 40-pound top weight and 49-inch top height completely satisfy your needs to ride your little girls or boys under that rule.

Stages

The Britax Marathon is able to ride your child through two car seat stages: rear- and forward-facing. That’s the first two of the four car seat stages according to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administrative).

In these two stages, a 5-point harness is mandatory for riding a toddler to keep them stable and safe.

Airplane

Is a Britax Marathon ClickTight car seat allowed on planes?

Yes. The Marathon is certified by the FAA for use in aircraft. 

But it’s not a good idea to take it for air travel to have the toddler fly with you. It’s heavy, weighing up to 30 pounds.

Looking like a tank, it’s hard for both moms and dads to take the Marathon from home to the airport, even with a solid car seat travel belt.

If you insist on taking it for air travel, keep in mind to follow the user manual to install it with the seat belt.

There is only a lap belt on the plane, you’d better call the airline to make sure this car seat can be installed on their planes before onboarding.

Aircraft For rear-facing aircraft installation

1. Recline this child seat and place it rear-facing on the aircraft seat. 

2. Slide the aircraft lap belt into the rear-facing belt slots over the cover with the CLICKTIGHT in the closed position. 

3. Ensure the lap belt is not twisted, buckle, and remove all slack.

For forward-facing aircraft installation

1. Place this child seat forward-facing on the aircraft seat in the upright position.

2. Slide the aircraft lap belt into the forward-facing belt slots under the cover with the CLICKTIGHT in the closed position. 

3. Ensure the lap belt is not twisted, buckle, and remove all slack. 

NOTE: For further instructions on securing your child and adjusting fit.

Lifespan

How long is Britax Marathon ClickTight car seat good for

The Marathon comes with a lifespan up to 10 years from its manufacture day.

This is very commonly seen among toddler car seats that are designed to grow with your child. It should be the greatest longevity for a child’s safety seat. 

But you should pay attention to this – the lifespan starts from the car seat’s manufacture date, not the day you purchase it. 

So the real use time should be shorter than 10 years. However, you should not worry about it being used for a short time. After all, The age range is only 7 years and your kid probably outgrows this car seat and needs a booster.

Warranty

The Britax Marathon indicates in the user manual that this convertible car seat is warranted against defective materials or workmanship for one year from the date of original purchase.

It’s required to provide proof of purchase to claim for this warranty. And Britax will, at its option, provide repair or replacement components for this product.

To make a claim under this warranty, you must contact Britax Consumer Services at 1-888-427-4829 or 1-704-409-1699, or write to the manufacturer using the address on the back cover of the user manual.

Advanced tip: 

You should complete the registration within (30) days of purchase. You may also register online at us.britax.com/registration.

7. Britax Marathon ClickTight Car Seat Installation

Before starting to install this car seat on your motor vehicle, remember to adjust the reclines  to a perfect position

Rear-facing Installation for Britax Marathon

Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation (Preferred Method)

1. Open the CLICKTIGHT. 

a. Press the dimple on the CLICKTIGHT dial. 

b. Rotate dial clockwise until CLICKTIGHT releases and lifts to open. 

2. Attach the anti-rebound bar, if included.

3. Recline the unoccupied child seat and place rear facing on the vehicle seat. NOTE: Ensure that no more than 3 in. (7.5 cm) of the base hangs over the edge of the vehicle seat. 

4. Slide both the lap and shoulder parts of the vehicle belt into the rear facing belt slots. 

5. Buckle the seat belt. NOTE: Ensure the vehicle belt is not twisted.

6. Remove slack from the lap part (a), then the shoulder part (b) of the vehicle belt.

7. Hold harness straps up and away from the seat while closing the CLICKTIGHT. NOTE: A click helps confirm the CLICKTIGHT is secure.

Check List

  • Logo on the CLICKTIGHT dial has returned to a horizontal position. 
  • All connections are secure and the vehicle belt is not twisted. 
  • Vehicle belt is locked as directed by your vehicle owner’s manual. 
  • Child seat base is flat on the vehicle seat and is parallel to the vehicle seat.
  • Anti-rebound bars are properly installed (Select Models).
  • Recline indicator ball is within the allowable blue section for the size of the child and that is no more than 3 in. (7.5 cm) of the base hangs over the edge of the vehicle seat (see page 25). 
  • Child seat cannot be moved front to back or side to side more than 1 in. (2.5 cm) at the belt path. If the child seat is not secure, repeat installation or use a different seating location.

Britax Marathon Forward-facing installation

Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation (Preferred Method)

1. Remove the tether from the tether storage compartment and retainer tabs and place it up and over the child seat back. 

2. Place upright forward facing on the vehicle seat. NOTE: Ensure that the base of the child seat is flat on the vehicle seat and no more than 3 in. (7.5 cm) of the base hangs over the edge of the vehicle seat. 

3. Open the CLICKTIGHT. a. Press the dimple on the CLICKTIGHT dial. b. Rotate dial clockwise until CLICKTIGHT releases and lifts to open. 

4. Slide both the lap and shoulder parts of the vehicle belt into the forward-facing belt slots. 

5. Buckle the seat belt. NOTE: Ensure the vehicle belt is not twisted and buckle the seat belt. 

6. Remove slack from the lap part (a), then the shoulder part (b) of the vehicle belt. 

7. Hold harness straps up and away from the seat while closing the CLICKTIGHT. NOTE: A click helps confirm the CLICKTIGHT is secure. 

8. Attach the tether to a designated anchor (see vehicle owner’s manual) and remove slack.

Check List

  • Logo on the CLICKTIGHT dial has returned to a horizontal position. 
  • All connections are secure and the vehicle belt is not twisted. 
  • Vehicle belt is locked as directed by your vehicle owner’s manual. 
  • Child seat base is flat on the vehicle seat and is parallel to the vehicle seat. 
  • Recline indicator ball is within the allowable blue section for the size of the child and that is no more than 3 in. (7.5 cm) of the base hangs over the edge of the vehicle seat. 
  • Child seat cannot be moved front to back or side to side more than 1 in. (2.5 cm) at the belt path. If the child seat is not secure, repeat installation or use a different seating location. 
  • Excess top tether webbing is contained within your vehicle and secured. 
  • The anti-rebound bar is removed.

Securing Your Child

IMPORTANT: Impact absorbing chest pads are highly recommended for forward-facing mode. Removal of chest pads is optional for rear-facing mode to ensure a snug fit for small infants. 

1. Make the proper adjustments to the harness and buckle. 

2. Loosen the harness. a. Press harness release button. b. Pull both harness straps forward. 

3. Open the chest clip. a. Press tabs. b. Pull apart. 

4. Release the buckle and attach the harness straps to the harness holders. 

5. Place the child in the child seat. NOTE: Ensure the child is positioned upright in the child seat and not slouching. Their bottom must touch the child seat, and their back must rest flat against the back of the child seat.

6. Position the harness straps around the child. IMPORTANT: Adjust the harness to fit the clothes the child is wearing. Remove bulky coats, jackets and/or sports equipment before putting the child in the child seat.

7. Fasten the harness buckle. Proper connection is confirmed with a click after inserting each buckle tongue. 

8. Check for proper harness height and pull any excess slack up to the child’s shoulder area before tightening. 

9. Pull the harness adjuster strap to tighten the harness. IMPORTANT: The harness should have a snug fit around the child. A snug strap should not allow any slack. It lies in a relatively straight line without sagging. It does not press on the child’s flesh or push the child’s body into an unnatural position. You should not be able to pinch excess. 

10. Fasten the chest clip and place at armpit level.

Britax Marathon User Manual

Reading the user manual should be the first and most important thing when you get the car seat.

You can easily find it in the pocket behind the cover, or 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, and preschoolers
PositionsRear-facing and forward-facing
Design 
Portability (1-10)5. Bulky and heavy
Weight (lb.)30
Weight limits (lb.)4-40 for rear-facing, and 20-65 for a 5-point harness
Height limit (inch)49” for rear-facing and forward-facing
Dimension23 x 18.5 x 23.5 inches (DxWxH)
Cup holderNo
Performance 
Age Range0-7 years old
Stage1st, 2nd
InstallationLATCH and seat belt
Headrest Positions 14
Recline Positions7
AirplaneYes
Lifespan10 Years
Extra FeaturesClickTight for easy installation, V-shaped tether, SafeCell

Britax Marathon vs Advocate vs Boulevard

Car Seats Comparison Marathon Advocate Boulevard
Price $339.99 $389.99 $399.99
Weight limits (lb) RF: 5-40 FF: 20-65 RF: 5-40 FF: 20-65 RF: 5-50 FF: 20-65
Rear Facing Weights Up to 40lb Up to 40lb Up to 50lb
Layers of Side Impact Protection 1 3 2
ClickTight Installation
No-Rethread Harness Positions 14 14 14
Recline Positions 7 7 7
Energy Absorbing Base
V-Shaped Tether

9. Alternatives

What other car seats should you consider?

Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat

Graco Extend2Fit

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

Chicco NextFit Zip

Why is it better than the Britax Marathon ClickTight?
Why its worse than the Britax Marathon ClickTight?