Hi... silly question...I recently purchased a Britax Marathon but after reading further reviews it appears Evenflo Triump or even the Britax Roundabout is a better rated car seat. The Triumph and Roundabout only go to 40lbs. So what type of car seat would a child use once he/she hits weight/height of the convertible... a bigger convertible or a booster?
I think I am going to keep the Britax Marathon - everyone cannot say better things about Britax... safety, ease of use and durability. Thanks everyone!
Hi, Nicole. This might help you out a little. http://www.boosterseat.gov/
I just bought one for my 40# 3 year old granddaughter, but I can't think of the name. Sorry. It was one that is for children 40 to 80#, and has it's own harness for the smaller ones, and can be used with the seatbelts for the bigger ones.
Hope this helps.
"most" kids do go into a booster seat after they hit 40 lbs. However, there has been quite a bit of controversy lately over the fact that 5 pt harnesses are safer and 5 pt harness seats that go over 40 lbs are rare.
I have a Marathon and I think it is one of the best seats around because 1) it can be used rear facing up to a higher weight limit than most convertible seats (ie you can keep it rear facing after the child hits 1yr/20 lbs, which is much safer)
2) it fits more tightly in my car than any other seat ever has....it is seriously rock solid, and it is so easy to make sure you did it right
3) it goes up to 65 lbs, so you don't have to buy another seat for quite a long time.
I have a Triumph as well in my husband's car, and it is a good seat too, but I personally like the Marathon better and my son has always seemed more comfortable in it as well. I don't mind spending the extra money to ensure his safety, plus if I bought other seats I would have spent more money to keep upgrading seats anyway. I am most likely buying another one for my next child and may not even use a traditional infant seat if the weight limit goes that low.
The Britax Decathalon is rated very well and accommodates children up to 65 pounds.
I've seen quite a few excellent reviews on the Brit Mar - esp with their modified design? In any case, carseats with 5 point harness are safest, especially for children under 4 yrs of age who are at or under both 40 bs and 40 inches. There are only a few 5 pt carseats that are for the over 40/40 and Britax does make one. Many kids don't go over the weight and/or height before age 4, unfortunately my almost 4 yr old daughter is just at that point now. We researched and decided on the Graco Turbo Booster Seat.
Another vote for the Britax Marathon. Great seat, and like the other posters have said, it goes up to 65 lbs.
We agonized over this too, and ended up with the Britax Boulevard (we got a floor model with no box, so it was only trivially more expensive than the Marathon, and went to 65 lbs). I love how well designed the Britax seats are. Someone really thought about installing them, getting your kid in and out etc. I can't remember, but if the Marathon doesn't have one of those pull-thingies between your kid's legs to tighten the shoulder belts, I would try and get a seat that had that (that might be why we ended up with the Boulevard - can't remember for sure now). I *love* this feature. Either way, I've been incredibly impressed with our seat for the 2 months we've used it now.
i agree with andrea my daughter is over 3 now 34.5 pounds and 40 inches tall she still loves it and naps well in it
if i ever need a carseat in someonelses car i always transfer the marathon its the fastest easiest and most secure having a strap on each side to tighten is the key to me
love it
we also have the roundabout but she out grew it but when we bought the marathon for my suv the car my husband had the marathon was too big when rear facing but now wish we would have bought 2 marathons
Hi Nicole:
Our son is about one year ahead of your little ones. At the time, I spent much time researching car seats in North America and Europe - the European standards are much higher than ours. Based on what I learned, we purchase two of the Marathons and have been very pleased. The seat is easy to install and very comfortable to our son. I really love that the instruction manual is attached so that it is always an easy reference. Thank goodness we have not had to test it's reliability, but I can tell you that I do sleep well at night knowing that the Marathon has a long-standing reputation as the best of class in Europe for several years (and strong ratings in the US too).
Good luck!
M.
Nicole-
I recently bought my son the Britax Regent. This seat while it is costly $269.00 it will hold him up to 80 lbs. I bought it on line and got free shipping. (It is vey heavy) www.tinyride.com I love it!
Jackie
