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
Header | Chicco Nextfit Sport | Britax Marathon ClickTight |
|---|---|---|
Cell | 
| 
|
NHTSA Overall Ease of Use Rating (RF): | 4 stars | 4 stars |
NHTSA Overall Ease of Use Rating (FF): | 4 stars | 5 stars |
Side Impact Protection: | 2 Layers of DuoGuard: formed by a deep rigid shell and EPS energy-absorbing foam | formed by a deep anergy-absorbing shell |
Impact-Absorbing Base: | Cell | compresses to reduce the force of a collision |
Steel-Reinforced Frame | Steel-Reinforced Frame | Impact-Stabilizing Steel Frame: offers superior strength at the connection point to the vehicle |
Weight: | 25 pounds | 28.5 pounds |
Width: | 19 inches | 18.5 inches |
9 Position Headrest | w/ padded, no-rethread harness | w/ 2-position buckle |
Machine-Washable Fabrics | Machine-Washable Fabrics | Easy-Remove Cover: machine-washable |
Child Height Limit (RF): | 43 inches or less | 1-inch below top of headrest |
Child Height Limit (FF): | 49 inches or less | 49 inches or less |
Child Weight Limit (RF): | 12 to 40 pounds | 5 to 40 pounds |
Child Weight Limit (FF): | 22 to 65 pounds | 20 to 65 pounds |
LATCH System: | SuperCinch Multiplying Tightener and Premium LATCH Connectors: w/ click-on attachment and push-button release | ClickTight Installation offers an easier way to install without the limitations of LATCH |
Seatbelt Installation | LockSure Belt-Locking System: achieves a tight fit w/ LATCH or vehicle seatbelt | Compatible w/ Seatbelt Installation |
Padding: | including the side impact protection | Plush Foam Padding and Fabrics: for premium comfort |
Cell |
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.
The Nextfit Sport is designed to be the next step in your child’s car seat experience while surrounding them in comfort and safety. It’s equipped with a nine-position headrest with a padded harness that can be easily adjusted to comfortably fit your child’s growing height without rethreading the harness. For secure and easy installation, the Nextfit Sport features a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener that works together with the premium LATCH connectors to provide secure and accurate installation with your vehicle’s LATCH system. It also comes with a LockSure belt-locking system that’s made up of integrated lock-offs for easier installation with your vehicle’s seatbelt.
The Nextfit Sport surrounds your little one in safety and security with two layers of DuoGuard Side-Impact Protection that’s formed by a deep shell and EPS energy-absorbing foam that’s reinforced with a steel frame.
Other features include:
Pros
Cons
The Bottom Line
The Nextift Sport is an ideal car seat that’s designed for use after your child has outgrown their infant car seat. What’s special about this car seat is the LATCH tightener and LockSure Belt-Locking System that ensures that both LATCH and vehicle seatbelt installation are easier and secure. While the Nextfit Sport seems a bit pricey, these added safety and installation features definitely make it worth it.
As the name suggests, the Marathon ClickTight utilizes Britax’s patented ClickTight Installation System that makes installation easier without the annoying limitations of LATCH. To use it, simply thread the seatbelt through the indicated path and click the seat shut. It’s that easy! The Marathon ClickTight also comes with a single layer of side impact protection that’s formed by a deep foam-lined, energy-absorbing shell that provides the ultimate protection in a collision. In addition to that, it also features SafeCell Impact Protection that’s comprised of an impact-absorbing base, impact-stabilizing steel frame, and a patented v-shape tether that limits forward movement in a crash. All of these features work together to ensure that your child receives the maximum safety.
The Marathon ClickTight is equipped with a Quick-Adjust 14-position harness and a 2-position buckle that can be easily adjusted without rethreading the harness. There are also seven recline angles available with an automatic level indicator to help you install the car seat at the proper and most comfortable angle.
Other features include:
Pros
Cons
The Bottom Line
The Marathon ClickTight is a very popular Britax car seat that’s designed to provide the ultimate safety and security for your little one. Its utilization of the ClickTight Installation System is what sets this car seat apart from the rest. So, not only is it very accommodating and safe for growing children from infancy, but it’s also very easy to install with convenient features that make it well worth its price.
Conclusion
The Nextfit Sport and Marathon ClickTight are both highly reviewed convertible car seats that are rigged with enhanced safety and installation features.
Although both are designed to make installation easier and more secure, I would recommend the Marathon ClickTight.
Don't get me wrong, the Nextfit Sport holds its own in comparison to the Marathon ClickTight, but what gives the Marathon its edge is the fact that it can be used from birth until it's time for your child to transition to a belt-positioning booster. The Nextfit, unfortunately, doesn't have the capabilities to be used from birth.
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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