Differences Between the Britax Decathlon and Marathon

Child safety restraints are an important part of parenting, but choosing the right car seat can be confusing. Not only is there is an array of options out there, but cost can be a consideration. It may be helpful to research the differences between brands and types of car seats. The differences may be subtle, such as those between the Britax Marathon and Decathlon car seats.

Sizes

The Britax Marathon seat holds a child of up to 35 pounds, while the Decathlon holds a child of only 33 pounds. This may be a small difference, but the Marathon will hold your child for longer, whether for a few weeks or a few months.

Features

The Decathlon car seat includes an infant body pillow, while the Marathon does not. This allows the harness to better fit a smaller child and gives your baby more cushioning and extra comfort, which can be important during long drives. Both seats can safely hold a child as small as 5 pounds.

Design

The Britax Marathon car seat has more than twice the design and fabric options of the Decathlon. They share only one fabric option, which is Onyx.

Cost

In 2009, the price of the Decathlon car seat was $15 higher than the Marathon model, according to the Britax website.

Function

Both seats have side-impact protection and a five-point harness.

References

• Britax Marathon
• Britax Decathlon