Chicco Nextfit Sport vs Britax Marathon Clicktight: Features, Pros & Cons, and How to Choose

This article will review the Chicco Nextfit Sport vs Britax Marathon ClickTight convertible car seats, two of the most popular models from each brand.

The Nextfit Sport and Marathon ClickTight are both designed to make installation easier while surrounding your child with enhanced safety and comfort features. In this article, compare and contrast these features, and I'll provide a thorough breakdown of each car seat to give you clear idea of what each seat has to offer. In doing this, hopefully we can narrow down your choices on which car seat you feel will work best for you!

Chicco Nextfit Sport vs Britax Marathon ClickTight Specifications Compared

Major Similarities Between Chicco Nextfit Sport vs Britax Marathon ClickTight

While the Nextfit Sport and Marathon ClickTight are both very popular convertible car seat models, they don’t share that many similarities. In fact, the only similarity between the two is that they both have a maximum weight limit of 65 pounds. Now, let's get into what sets the Nextfit Sport and Marathon ClickTight apart from one another.

Major Differences Between Chicco Nextfit vs Britax Marathon

A major difference between the Nextfit Sport and Marathon ClickTight is the type of side-impact protection they use. The Nextfit Sport is equipped with two layers of DuoGuard Side-Impact Protection that’s formed by a deep rigid shell and EPS energy-absorbing foam. To enhance its strength and durability, the shell is reinforced with a sturdy steel frame.

The Marathon ClickTight, on the other hand, is made with only a single layer of side-impact protection that’s formed by a deep foam-lined shell and designed to protect your child’s head and neck in a collision. In addition to that, the ClickTight’s side-impact protection is backed by SafeCell Impact Protection that’s comprised of an impact-absorbing base, impact-stabilizing steel frame, and a patented v-shape tether that secures the car seat in place and eliminates the forward movement during a crash.

Another difference between these models is their harness systems. The Nextfit Sport comes with a 9-position headrest and a lightly padded, no-rethread harness that can be easily adjusted to accommodate your chid’s growing height. Conversely, the Marathon ClickTight is equipped with a Quick-Adjust 14-position harness and a two-position buckle that lets you easily adjust the harness as your child grows. With its 14 harness heights, it’s better suited to fit taller children.

Another difference I’d like to point out is the base of each car seat. After doing substantial research, it seems like the base of the Nextfit Sport is a standard base with a nine-position ReclineSure Leveling System to ensure that your little one is seated at the proper and most comfortable angle. The Marathon ClickTight, however, comes with an impact-stabilizing base that compresses to reduce the force of a collision. Its base features seven recline angles with an automatic level indicator that helps you achieve the best-angled installation for your child.

Lastly, the Nextfit Sport is equipped with premium LATCH connectors with a click-on attachment and button-release to create a smooth transition from vehicle to vehicle. It also features a built-in side path to help you reposition the LATCH strap when you transition to the forward-facing position. The Marathon ClickTight utilizes Brtiax’s famous ClickTight Installation System that makes it super easy to install your car seat without the limitations of LATCH. With this system, installation can be done in just a few simple steps.