Britax Marathon Convertible Car Seat, Bridgeport

Comment: I have a 3 & 2 year old and originally purchased just one before 12/07, then when I had the other child wanted the same one to match in the car. I love the print, it's fun & different. Aside from the cuteness of the CowMooFlage, knowing that Britax is safely caring for my boys in the car is a HUGE deal. I love Britax & spending the extra money on the product is worth every penny.

Comment: Love Britax brand, easy to use, top-rated for safety and this is the second one we've owned. Only drawback of the Marathon is the location of the belly pad and buckle, you have to reach under and between your child's bottom/legs to pull it out so you can buckle them in, I wish it was placed a little further forward. This is a minor complaint compared to all the good things about it and I wouldn't trade it for anything else. Love it and I always recommend it to all the moms I know. My cousin has 2 for her girls and I always see them in other people's cars.Great seat!!!

Comment: Yes they are excellent. After 5 years of experience with these seats the best features are:

1. They are easy to attach securely with belts or latch anchors, and they are easy to remove. They are quick to buckle/unbuckle. You will take your child in and out hundreds of times. When your child is choking or throwing up, you will want to get them out right now.

2. The kids are relaxed and comfortable in these seats, they often nap in them. When I bring the seats inside to switch the covers, they want to sit in them. They do not cry in their car seats. My son cried in his infant carrier, not in his car seat.

3. The covers and straps are removable and washable. You can order an extra cover from the Britax parts site, on ebay, or on Amazon. An extra cover is handy for washing or if your second child is a boy and your current cover is a lovely yellow with flowers. Straps can also be purchased on the Britax parts site. The seat has pockets to stow the latch anchors and rear retainer strap when not in use.
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4. This seat is aircraft approved. Britax seats are the only ones i have ever seen on an airplane. Seats used onboard must be certified for aircraft use. On our last flight there were 6 or 7 britax marathons. They are heavy and unwieldy to carry through an airport, but we have brought these car seats every time we travel, and every time the kids have been content and slept. They will often sleep in their car seats in the car, but a sleeping 1 1/2 year old on a long flight .... priceless.

The distance between Sydney, Australia and Los Angeles, California is 7487 miles. It takes overnight, 14 hours. Our 1 year old slept for 7 1/2 hours straight and took a 2 hour nap in her own seat.

5. This seat will last. You will probably want an infant carrier for a few months for the convenience of taking a sleeping infant in and out of the car, but this seat can be used from birth to 49 inches tall/65 lbs. Then you will need a booster seat instead. Our 5 year old is still in her marathon. The covers have faded some in 5 years, but the seats themselves still look new.

6. The seat has been crash tested by the manufacturer.

Additional info for parents flying with small ones: Children under 2 can ride in your lap if you can hold them that long. If you choose not purchase a seat/ticket for your child (under 2), you may still bring your car seat onboard if there are seats available (check with your airline). Reclining the aircraft seat loosens the car seat and is a big help in getting it unbuckled again. You may check your car seat and umbrella-style stroller at the gate (check with your airline). You can also bring a small amount of baby food/juice/milk/water onboard for your baby (check current TSA rules). ID may be required for your little one, and passports take a long time to get, even the expedited ones.

Comment: I originally had the Chicco carseat/stroller combo set for my infant but she soon passed over the 22lb limit and I had to immediately upgrade to a larger convertible seat. I read a ton of reviews and found Britax the best around... then it became a hunt for the best price. I found this unit on Amazon and saved almost $89 for this one alone! I got lucky since I Have a girl and the pink one was less then all the rest.
It was super easy to install, very easy to get her in and out of the car. The only complaint is that it is a big tall so you have to duck to get into any SUV i have been in. But its ok for now; as she gets older she may have to bend a bit more.

I have only used it rear facing so I can only rate it based on this, been an awesome seat and I would recommend to anyone. I have recommended it to several friends which one did purchase the same but in blue for her son.
We both love our seats!

Comment: This is our first baby and simply love the Marathon. It is big and a little heavy, but quality is top notch. Would not carry my little girl in anything else.