[Amber76]

Hi, everyone. I know carseats have been talked about before, but I have a specific question for anyone who owns a Britax Marathon or Boulevard. DS is going to be 1 soon, and although he could stay in his Graco SafeSeat for quite a bit longer (it works up to 30 pounds and he's only 19), we want to get him a "big boy seat" for his first birthday in April. I am leaning toward the Boulevard, but I read a few reviews that kids hate them because of the side impact protection that keeps them from seeing out the windows. Anyone have any input about the Bouldvard or the Marathon and why one is better than the other? TIA!

ETA: We plan to keep DS rear facing at least until he is 2 or hits the 35 pound mark, so we really want a convertible and that's why we didn't consider several others.

[DPline]

My son is in a Boulevard and loves it. He was 4 when we got it, so I can't speak to a younger child in it or rear facing, but he doesn't have issues with seeing past the side impact wings. My daughter loves it to and always has to ride in it when DS isn't with us. (She is still in her Roundabout at age 5 because she is so tiny!) I would go to BabiesRUs or wherever and try your son in it if you haven't.

Good for you for keeping your son rearfacing! That is awesome!

[ana-mom]

Both my girls are in Marathon carseats. They don't know anything different so I can't give you any idea how they feel about them.

[lisam00]

My daughter is in a Britax Wizard which was the first incarnation of the side impact seats. We used it rear facing until she was two then turned it front facing. We're still using it and she's 4. She is comfortable in the seat and has never complained about the seeing around the "wings".

Lisa

[CEB]

I think you will be fine with either one. We went with the Marathon and are quite happy. DS likes to see look around when we are driving (and it helps us play games to apss the time - like look for yellow cars etc). As I recall the Boulevard was more expensive and at the time we were making the decision we did not see the value. Still, I am sure if we bought the Boulevard we would be happy too.

[Theslaws]

Another one to consider is the Sunshine Radian - ooh wait, you may not be able to do it rear facing. But it has great reviews and our older daughter loves hers!

[DPline]

Originally Posted by CEB

I As I recall the Boulevard was more expensive and at the time we were making the decision we did not see the value.

It is funny you mention that because the only reason we ended up with the Boulevard is I found it on clearance because it was a discontinued color/fabric. I would have gone with the slightly cheaper Marathon if not for the good deal.

[annaguat]

We have marathons for our girls. slightly higher top slot and were concerned about the wings on the Blvd. Both are excellent seats though. Anna

[adcollins]

I ask about your car because the Marathon is a really tall car seat. I have a sedan and I'm short to boot so the Marathon in its proper position turned out to be a problem for me. I ended up putting a smaller Britax Roundabout in my car. My daughter seems pretty happy and comfortable in it (but she doesn't have anything to compare it to either).

Anne

[DPline]

Originally Posted by adcollins

I ask about your car because the Marathon is a really tall car seat. I have a sedan and I'm short to boot so the Marathon in its proper position turned out to be a problem for me. I ended up putting a smaller Britax Roundabout in my car. My daughter seems pretty happy and comfortable in it (but she doesn't have anything to compare it to either).

Anne

Just keep in mind that the Roundabout maxes out at 40 inches and 40 lbs. My DS#1 outgrew it in height at age 3. DS#2 outgrew it at age 4.5. DD# is 5 years 3 months and I honestly think it will expire before she outgrows it. So it really depends on the size of your child whether the Roudabout is a good investment.

[cborsa7]

We have both. DS hates the Marathon compared to the Boulevard . The marathon sits higher (straighter) than the boulevard does, enough to make him a little uncomfortable. I'm sure this will be a kid by kid thing too. I personally also care for the boulevard much better than my Marathon and it seems safer with the side impact protection. I do think both seats are great though and as I said, it really depends on the child. I don't you'll go wrong with either.

[Amber76]

Originally Posted by adcollins

I ask about your car because the Marathon is a really tall car seat. I have a sedan and I'm short to boot so the Marathon in its proper position turned out to be a problem for me. I ended up putting a smaller Britax Roundabout in my car. My daughter seems pretty happy and comfortable in it (but she doesn't have anything to compare it to either).

Anne

We have a Ford Expedition, so I don't think the size will be an issue! Thanks for the info, though, because it probably wouldn't work in my sister's small car if she needs to watch him. Since I already have an Eddie Bauer one that I used for her daughter, I'll give that one to her instead of trying to switch the Britax out.

[mom2sofia]

If you can afford it go for the boulevard. My friends son has a brain injury from a side impact collision. He was still in his seat thrown form the car and the doctor told me his injury came from the side impact not the throw from the car. He likened it to shaken baby and said it is not an uncommon injury, so please everyone, if you can afford it buy seats with SIP. Ok I will get off my soap box now.

[Amber76]

Originally Posted by mom2sofia

If you can afford it go for the boulevard. My friends son has a brain injury from a side impact collision. He was still in his seat thrown form the car and the doctor told me his injury came from the side impact not the throw from the car. He likened it to shaken baby and said it is not an uncommon injury, so please everyone, if you can afford it buy seats with SIP. Ok I will get off my soap box now.

This is what I was thinking too-my sister and niece died in a side-impact accident, so I thought the boulevard looked like it has more protection. (Although the marathon has the side impact protrection icon on it, too. The Boulvard has "true side impact protection" instead.)

[annaguat]

For those looking for side impact protection on car seats. Other seats with wonderful side impact protection are the Recaro Signo and the Sunshine Kids Radian, both can rear face and are higher harnessing. Anna

Originally Posted by mom2sofia

If you can afford it go for the boulevard. My friends son has a brain injury from a side impact collision. He was still in his seat thrown form the car and the doctor told me his injury came from the side impact not the throw from the car. He likened it to shaken baby and said it is not an uncommon injury, so please everyone, if you can afford it buy seats with SIP. Ok I will get off my soap box now.