Britax offers an extensive line of infant, convertible, and booster seats.
Included in their convertible car seat line are the ClickTight car seats that feature the super-easy ClickTight Installation System. They're highly reviewed as some of the best car seats that Britax has to offer, but today we'll only be looking at a few.
In this article, we'll be reviewing the Marathon, Advocate, and Boulevard ClickTight models, and we'll compare their similarities and differences to help you determine which of these popular car seats will be best suited for you.
Britax Marathon vs Advocate vs Boulevard Specifications Compared
Header | BRITAX MARATHON | BRITAX ADVOCATE | BRITAX BOULEVARD |
|---|---|---|---|
Cell | 
| 
| 
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NHTSA Overall Ease of Use Rating (RF): | 5 stars | 5 stars | 4 stars |
NHTSA Overall Ease of Use Rating (FF): | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars |
Side Impact Protection: | SafeCell: formed by a deep energy-absorbing shell that protects your child from the most severe type of collision | 3 Layers: formed by an energy-absorbing shell, foam-lined headrest, and external cushions | 2 Layers: formed by an energy-absorbing shell and foam-lined headrest |
Impact-Absorbing Base: | compresses to reduce the force of a collision | compresses to reduce the force of a collision | compresses to reduce the force of a collision |
Impact-Stabilizing Steel Frame: | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Weight: | 28.5 pounds | 30.6 pounds | 29.4 pounds |
Width: | 18.5 inches | 20.5 inches | 18.5 inches |
14-Position, Quick Adjust Harness System w/ 2-Position Buckle: | no re-threading necessary | no re-threading necessary | no re-threading necessary |
Easy-Remove, Machine-Washable Cover: | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Child Height Limit: | 49 inches or less | 49 inches or less | 49 inches or less |
Child Weight Limit (RF): | 5 - 40 pounds | 5 - 40 pounds | 5 - 40 pounds |
Child Weight Limit (FF): | 20 - 65 pounds | 20 - 65 pounds | 20 - 65 pounds |
ClickTight Installation System: | safe and easy to use | safe and easy to use | safe and easy to use |
Plush Foam Padding and Fabrics: | for premium comfort | for premium comfort | for premium comfort |
Removable Infant Insert Pillow: | w/ a breathable design for added support and comfort | w/ a breathable design for added support and comfort | w/ a breathable design for added support and comfort |
Cell |
Major Similarities Between Britax Marathon vs Advocate vs Boulevard
The first and most obvious similarity between each of these models is that they all use the ClickTight Installation System that makes it super simple and easy to install your car seat. This installation method can be done in 3 quick steps, and it offers a convenient solution/alternative to the limitations of LATCH.
In addition to that, the Marathon, Advocate, and Boulevard are all manufactured with an Impact-Absorbing Base and Impact-Stabilizing Steel Frame that work together to offer superior strength and stability while also reducing the impact force caused by a collision.
The Marathon, Advocate, and Boulevard car seats are also equipped with a non-rethread, 14-position, Quick-Adjust Harness System that can easily be adjusted as your child grows.
Lastly, each of these models has a high rear-facing weight limit of 40 pounds, and a forward-facing weight limit of 60 pounds. This means that your child can ride in a safer position for longer, as recommended by the NHTSA and other Child Passenger Safety organizations.
Major Differences Between Britax Marathon vs Advocate vs Boulevard
One of the major differences between the Britax Marathon, Boulevard, and Advocate car seats are the layers of side impact protection. The Marathon only has one layer, offering minimal yet high-quality support and protection. The Boulevard comes with two layers, adding enhanced protection for your child’s neck and head. And, the Advocate is equipped with three layers of side impact protection, providing superior support and protection.
Another notable difference between these models is their price. The Marathon is the cheapest, which makes sense seeing as it only has one layer of side impact protection with minimal padding for child comfort and support. Although it has three layers of side impact protection, the Advocate is the second cheapest out of these models, and that can probably be attributed to its padding as well.
In terms of price and padding, the Advocate perfectly fits between the Marathon and the Boulevard. The Boulevard is the most expensive, and it’s ultra-padded to give your child the most comfortable car riding experience.
The Britax Marathon ClickTight utilizes the ClickTight Installation System to make installing your car seat easier and safer than ever before. It uses a deep foam-lined, energy-absorbing shell to create a single layer of side impact protection to guard your child against the impact force of a collision. As an added measure of safety, the Marathon ClickTight is also equipped with a patented V-shape tether that secures the car seat in place and minimizes rotation and forward movement in the event of a crash.
The Marathon ClickTight is also designed to grow with your child. It’s equipped with a 14-position Quick-Adjust harness system that makes it easy to adjust the harness as your child grows. It also features 7 recline angles and comes with an automatic level indicator to ensure that your baby rides in the safest and most comfortable position.
Pros
Cons
What makes the Britax Marathon ClickTight stand out is its simplistic yet high-quality design that earned a 5-star rating in both the rear-facing and forward-facing position. I believe it’s best suited for parents who are interested in Britaxs’ line of ClickTight car seats and want the most affordable option. It’s adequately cushioned and comes with the same top-rated features as the Advocate and Boulevard.
If you decide that this is the car seat, I would suggest investing in Britaxs’ Head and Body Support Pillow to ensure that your child is comfortable every time they go for a ride.
To make installing your car seat quicker and easier, the Britax Advocate ClickTight comes with a ClickTight Installation System that reduces installation to three simple steps. It’s safer and offers a convenient solution to LATCH limitations. In addition to that, the Advocate ClickTight is equipped with three layers of side impact protection, including an energy-absorbing shell, quick-adjust headrest protection, and side cushions. Together, these features protect your child’s head and neck from the impact force of a collision.
The Advocate ClickTight is engineered with an Impact-Stabilizing Steel Frame that greatly enhances strength and stability, and it has a patented V-shape tether that keeps the car seat in place and minimizes forward movement in the event of a car crash. The Advocate is also equipped with a 14-position Quick-Adjust Harness System that’s designed to grow as your child does, and it can be easily adjusted without re-tethering the harness, saving you time and energy.
To ensure that your child is seated at the proper angle, the Advocate comes with an automatic level indicator and seven recline angles that can also maximize your child’s comfort. It’s heavily padded and clothed in a machine-washable cover so that clean up is quick and easy.
Pros
Cons
The Britax Advocate ClickTight car seat provides your child with the ultimate comfort and support. It’s best suited for parents who are willing to pay a pretty penny for a car seat that’s designed for comfort, just as much as it’s designed for safety. It’s a very high-quality device and comes with enhanced features that set this car seat apart from the rest.
For example, it has three layers of side impact protection. It’s easy to use and install, but keep in mind that the Advocate is the heaviest out of the models we’ve discussed. That’s something you may want to consider if you’re always out and about with your family.
The Britax Boulevard ClickTight comes with the ClickTight Installation System that makes it easier to install your car seat accurately and safely. It’s equipped with two layers of side impact protection that are comprised of an energy-absorbing shell and quick-adjust headrest protection.
The Boulevard also uses SafeCell Impact Protection that consists of an Impact-absorbing base and an Impact-stabilizing steel frame that works together to enhance your car seat’s overall stability and strength and minimize the impact force of a collision. In addition to that, the Boulevard also comes with patented V-shape tether that drastically reduces forward movement in the event of a car crash.
The Boulevard ClickTight is equipped with a 14-position Quick-Adjust Harness System that can easily be adjusted without re-tethering the harness so that it grows as your child does. It has seven recline angles to ensure that your child is seated at the proper and most comfortable angle. To be sure that your recline angle is correct, the Boulevard also comes with an automatic level indicator. It’s ultra-padded and clothed in a machine-washable cover that can be easily removed without removing the harness.
Pros
Cons
The Britax Boulevard ClickTight is heavily padded and comes with two layers of side impact protection. It’s best suited for parents with a high budget who are looking for a high-quality Britax car seat that’s very easy to use. The Boulevard comes with enhanced features like the Quick-Adjust Harness System and automatic level indicator that make it easy to adjust the car seat so that your baby receives the ultimate comfort.
Besides its heavy padding, I wouldn’t say that there’s anything specific that makes this car seat stand out. Keep in mind that it’s heavy and that it doesn’t come with a cup holder, so you’ll have to buy one that’s compatible with your seat.
Wrapping Up
The Britax Marathon, Advocate, and Boulevard are some of the most popular ClickTight convertible car seats that Britax has to offer. They're high-quality, highly rated, and they're equipped with superior features that provide enhanced safety, comfort, support, and stability. These models are also compatible with the Britax anti-rebound bar, a safety accessory that can be used as an added measure of protection against the impact force of a collision. If you're looking for a car seat that's long-lasting and worth the money, then the Marathon, Advocate, and Boulevard are a good place to start.
With two kids of my own, I’m passionate about child safety! I’m a research nerd who’s on a mission to make the world a safer place for kids – starting with car seats!
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