Britax Marathon CT
The big news in the carseat world is that Britax is introducing a new line of convertible carseats with their patented, ultra-simple seatbelt installation system. These models with ClickTight are new designs from the ground up and have some important other differences too.
*Update: Our complete review of the Britax Boulevard with ClickTight is now posted here: Britax Boulevard ClightTight Convertible Review: Sometimes Things Just Click
The current “G4” Convertible lineup will continue to be sold at present price points alongside the somewhat more expensive ClickTight models. That is great news because the Britax G4 convertible models have a great LATCH installation system and fit into small spaces very well. Check out our review of the Britax Advocate G4 and stay tuned for our full review of the Britax Boulevard ClickTight next month. So, you know about ClickTight, but here’s what a lot of advocates and parents really want to know. First, when can you get one? Britax plans to begin shipping to stores in the first week of September, with product appearing on many virtual and brick&mortar shelves by mid-to-late September. And second, what are the height limits?! Are they a “gamechanger” or a dud? The new Britax Marathon ClickTight is only modestly taller than the current Britax Marathon G4. The top harness slot height increases from 17.5″ to 17.7″ and the top seated shoulder height from 16.75″ to 16.95″. The overall standing height limit is 49″ tall. The rear-facing height limit will also increase somewhat, to about 25.5″ tall to a point 1″ from the top of the head restraint. That point was just below the red adjustment handle at over 26.5″ tall. Somewhat taller than the Marathon G4, with the main addition of the great ClickTight installation system. (Editors note: Measurements updated for production model). Now the BIG news: The Britax Boulevard ClickTight and Advocate ClickTight get a significant height increase! The top harness slot height increases from 17.5″ to 19.5″, among the highest for current convertibles. The seated shoulder height increases from 16.75″ to 18.65″ tall in the top adjustment. The standing height limit is also 49″ tall.
Click To Enlarge
Perhaps the biggest news of the day, these two models will no longer use the top of the outer shell as their reference level for rear-facing height limits! That limit will now reference 1″ from the top of the inner head restraint “shell” instead. That point is defined as roughly 1″ below the red adjustment lever for the harness height adjustment. Please keep in mind that these are approximate measurements from a final prototype, but the estimated usable rear-facing height limit should be almost 28″ tall for the Boulevard and Advocate with the head restraint in the highest position. Bam! (Editors note: Updated for production models. We measured about 29″ to the bottom of the red level for maximum height adjustment, so one inch below that gives a 28″ usable rear-facing seated height limit to the top of the child’s head). Other notable changes? They all have an new 7-position recline system with an automatic level indicator. The Marathon gets a 12-position harness height adjustment, while the Boulevard/Advocate have a 14-position adjustment. All have two crotch strap positions, similar to current G4 models. The Pavilion G4 model is being phased out, and the Click & Safe harness tension adjustment system will now be standard on all Boulevard models. These new ClickTight convertibles are a lot heavier than the G4 models, due to the ClickTight system and steel reinforced shell. They are a little bigger as well, so they won’t be as handy for travel than the non-ClickTight G4 models. And, of course, there new fashions! Stay tuned for video and more photos later today. You can also find our comparison to the current G4 models.
Britax Boulevard ClickTight Fashions
Britax Convertible Features Comparison (Information may change). Scroll bar at bottom: 
Pre-Order Britax ClickTight convertibles at Amazon.com
Pre-Order Britax ClickTight convertibles at Albee Baby
Can the Splash color be purchased in stores or must it be ordered directly from Britax?
You can find our full Britax Boulevard ClickTight review here: https://carseatblog.com/30080/
These look very much like the new Britax Maxway and Maxfit (without the ARB of course)!!! I love the look and this technology is so great for people like me that don’t have latch, but also don’t have switchable retractors. Gone are the days of the dreaded locking clip!!!!
So with the variable recline, does that mean no more pool noodle. I was about to purchase the Chicco Nextfit because I didn’t like the pool noodle install and my old marathon is way too upright rf. So is would this new Boulevard be comparable to the Nextfit? Install aside of course.
I second that about the nextfit, does the clicktight recline as far or is it the same as the G4!?
But we have the Radians and they already do all that and more than the Britax. How is this a game changer? Seems like they are aiming to be as good as the Radian but still not there. Sure, there are pros and cons to each. But honestly, I can RF my kids longest in this seat and no worries.
Very exciting news! I have lots of Advocates, and have been wishing for a while for variable recline. The extended height is great too, but I’m disappointed that they got the additional height by allowing the head wings to extend beyond the main shell RF. It seemed that one of the benefits of having the requirement that the top of the head be 1 in below the main shell was that in a crash, the head would be protected by all 3 layers – head restraint, shell, and exterior cushions. Now, it would be protected only by the head restraint. Also, I worry that in a side-impact crash, there would be the potential for the top of the shell to impact the child’s neck or face. This seems to be the same issue with every ERF seat other than the Radian (in which the headwings are always within the main shell.) Maybe I worry too much, as I know they’ve been tested.
Can you tell me when they will be available? It seems Amazon pulled this down and the Britax website does not list a date. Thanks!
https://carseatblog.com/29262/more-on-new-britax-advocate-marathon-and-boulevard-clicktight-sneak-peek-review/
Canada info coming soon in our next blog this afternoon!
Any info for Canada?
Kaleidoscope looks like sugary cereal to me. Sigh, Britax. I wanted an Artic Cat before I was even married but it went extinct before I had kids and as the years pass I fear I will never have my chance…
New techno looks sweet, though, thanks for that.
Perhaps my eyes decieve me, but these look like they might have a bit more RF legroom than earlier models as well.
Hi Coleen- the media event is going on right now;-)
Lizze, we hope to have a video a little later today.
Also, to clarify, the standing height limit for the Boulevard and Advocate is 49″, which is higher than average (updated based on new specs) for rear-facing. This is more relevant to forward-facing, though. The top seated torso height is around 19″ tall for forward facing.
For rear-facing, the practical height of the “shell” on the head-restraint section of the new Boulevard and Advocate is almost 29″ tall. That means the maximum seated height of a child could be 28″ or so for rear-facing. Please keep in mind that these are rough measurements from a prototype and could change slightly.
🙂 🙂 🙂
Hmm, maybe this will be the convertible we buy for DD2 when our others start expiring. I loved our classic boulevard and love the kaleidoscope pattern!
Will there be a video on this? I’m reading and looking at the pics, but I feel like with this new technology we need a good video on the features and how to install.
Is this what happened in NY yesterday?! LOL How exciting! Can’t wait to play with these in person!
Hi Corrie, it has definitely been suggested!
Im glad they are taller! I was really hoping for a higher rfing weight limit thought 🙁