Britax Roundabout or Marathon???

[laurajetter]

I'm researching convertible car seats as my son has almost outgrown his Graco Snugride. After first consulting Consumer Reports and then user reviews, I had just about decided on the Britax Roundabout, very pleased with all of its features.

However, I then found out about the Britax Marathon, which aside from a couple very minor differences, is basically the same carseat, just a little larger with a larger weight limit (65 lbs vs. 40 lbs for the roundabout). The Marathon didn't get as superb of ratings from Consumer Reports, but they were still very good. I like the higher weight limit of the Marathon, but the seat is bigger and heavier than the roundabout. I have a Toyota Echo, so I'm worried it may be tight; we'll see when I try it out at the store.

So now I am trying to figure out which one I should go for, provided they both in fact would fit in my car. Aside from the size issue, what did you like/dislike about these two carseats? Does anyone have experience with both of these and can provide me with your opinions (good or bad) to help me decide which one to get?

Thanks in advance!

Laura

 

[Bob Slydell]

We've got two Roundabouts. Got them with our first son and they're still like new (well, after a few washings of the fabric ) and we're using them for DS#2.

The 40 pound limit wasn't a problem for us -- DS#1 is now 5 1/2 (in a booster seat) and he still only weighs 38 pounds.

 

[becka]

We have one of each. We ended up going with the Marathon for DS after he outgrew his infant car seat. We actually had gone to the store to buy a Roundabout and didn't even know about the Marathons because they were new at the time. There really is no difference between the seats except the size. I am glad we went with the Marathon because even though my son is just about to turn 4 and just hit 40 pounds I would still prefer him to stay in a 5 pt harness car seat rather than a booster. If we didn't have the Marathon I would either have to buy one for a short time to use or more than likely he would have moved to a booster which I don't feel is as safe.

When DD came around we ended up getting her a Roundabout because it was cheaper and we figure that by the time DD would outgrow it DS will be out of the Marathon and she can use that one.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

We had a Roundabout for DD and loved it. DD graduated to a booster at the beginning of the year just as DS was growing out of his infant carrier. We bought a Marathon for DS and keep the roundabout in DH's truck.

I have a Ford Explorer and yes, it is a tight fot for a rearfacing seat and the passenger seat because the carseat has to be in the reclining postion. I cannot move the passenger seat back at all. However, I am not cramped and have plenty of room in the front and have done several 4 hour trips like that.

I like them both, but went with the Marathon mostly for the weight limit. I also like how the seatbelt adjusts better than out Roundabout. And I feel like the design is better for sleeping. DS seems much more comfy sleeping in his than DD ever did sleeping in hers. That's probably just a personal thing though.

 

[joeymom]

We've got 2 Marathons and love them. I went with the Marathon because I expect to get more use from it than the Roundabout. My daughter is just about 4 and weighs 32 pounds. She would definately be too tall to still be using the Roundabout and isn't heavy enought for a booster so I am happy that I didn't have to buy another seat. I would be concerned about the rear facing Marathon in your car, though...it will be really tight. Maybe you try to install in the center to give yourself a little more space.

 

[laurajetter]

We've got 2 Marathons and love them. I went with the Marathon because I expect to get more use from it than the Roundabout. My daughter is just about 4 and weighs 32 pounds. She would definately be too tall to still be using the Roundabout and isn't heavy enought for a booster so I am happy that I didn't have to buy another seat. I would be concerned about the rear facing Marathon in your car, though...it will be really tight. Maybe you try to install in the center to give yourself a little more space.

I think I might be leaning toward the Marathon, so I REALLY hope it will fit in the middle of our Echo's back seat. It already is a tight fit with the infant car seat back there; I don't know how the convertibles proportions compare to the infant carrier as far as fitting in the back seat.

I mean, I obviously know that overall it will be bigger, but perhaps maybe the the convertible will not extend backwards much farther than the infant car seat already does. I'll keep my fingers crossed, because now I really want one!

Laura

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

I have one of each. We went from the Graco Snugride to the Roundabout, then I bought a Marathon after a 2nd child when I needed to move him up from the infant seat. The only differences are slight, including how the tension strap is adjusted. I actually prefer the Roundabout for ease of use (slightly), but my daughter's head would be above the top of it now, even though she still qualifies weight-wise. I would probably just go straight to the Marathon and skip the Roundabout if you intend to keep your kids in carseats past the 4 yr/40 lb limit anyway. Another option, if you are looking at forward facing ONLY, is the Husky, unless you need one that is airline approved. The Marathon can be either forward or rear facing, and lifts a lot off the seat (like the Roundabout) while the Husky sits lower and is only approved for forward facing. Just a thought in case you want to check those out.

Either way, I can assure you that NO car seat is easier to use than the Britax's. We have some spares made by other companies (plus the ones in grandparent cars) and there is no comparison. I hate all the other carseats, but love my Britax ones!

 

[lulugirl]

We have one of each, both are great seats.
My kids are chunky monkey's, so the Marathon has a slight edge due to the higher weight limit.
You really can't go wrong w/ either IMO.