Britax Decathlon Convertible Car Seat Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It took me several weeks before I finally opted to purchase the Decathlon rather than the Boulevard.I was very interested in the extra side-impact protection that is only available in the Boulevard model but was concerned about whether or not my large 4&1/2 month old son (who is in the 95th percentile in length and weight) would need the adjustable crotch strap positioning that is only offered on the Decathlon.

I am so glad that I purchased the Decathlon!It turns out that my son DID indeed need to have the crotch strap adjusted to the last slot (he would be sitting on top of the buckle in the Boulevard at this point which would have made it impossible to buckle and very uncomfortable for him).If you're purchasing for a thin toddler rather than an infant or chubby/big baby you might not have to worry about that.

I love the extra padding (which is removable, unlike the pads in the Boulevard) and the soft cover (which is machine washable unlike that in the Boulevard). He seems to be VERY comfortable and I know that he is safe.I know that it doesn't offer as much side-impact protection as the Boulevard, but it does offer some (definitely much more than a conventional car seat) as it is made to far exceed American safety standards. Plus, if your baby is placed in the middle of the back seat than that offers some additional protection as well.

I was also concerned about the size of the car seat and whether or not it would fit comfortably, rear-facing, in the back of my Toyota Avalon car. It does. Perfectly! My husband is 6'4" and doesn't have to move his seat up to accomodate the car seat in back (something I was very concerned about). AND I can see out of the rear-view mirror with no problem. It DOES NOT block your view at all.

It's very easy to install and, if done so properly, doesn't budge. It is a little tough to adjust the straps when it's installed rear-facing but not too difficult... and even if you had to take it out to adjust the straps it's no-biggy because the carseat takes only a couple moments to install EASILY and it's not like you'll have to adjust them on a daily basis or anything.

I am very pleased with my purchase and highly recommend the Decathlon to anyone looking for a SAFE, COMFY and ATTRACTIVE carseat that will take them from the chubby baby stage all the way through the toddler years. :o)

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Product Description:
Britax International has been manufacturing innovative, industry-leading child products for over three decades. Their dedication to safety, comfort, and convenience is certainly apparent in this convertible car seat. Parents will love being able to effortlessly secure baby in the Decathlon, and the peace of mind that comes with Britax's renowned attention to safety standards. Baby will love that the Decathlon is comfortable from day one, and adjusts to stay that way as baby grows.Safety first is a good rule of thumb, and one that Britax certainly heeds. The Decathlon offers features you might find on many other car seats, such as convertibility, a five-point harness, and the LATCH system. But Britax went above and beyond the norm when creating the functional and fashionable Decathlon car seat. One-pull harness strap adjuster makes for a quick, easy, and snug fit every time. The five-point harness system is made with strong polyester webbing, fits snugly over baby's shoulders, collarbone and hips to provide a secure fit, and the straps are designed to remain tangle free. A patented "floating" HUGS (Harness Ultra Guard) system better distributes the webbing loads, reducing head movement and minimizing harness irritation on baby's neck in case of an impact. Plus, HUGS reduces the chance of improperly positioning the chest clip. There is also a three-position crotch strap on the Decathlon that can be adjusted as baby grows, keeping the seat as comfortable as it was on day one. This is especially useful for toddlers who are consistently at the top of the growth chart.

Located near a vehicle's seatbelts, factory installed anchor points provide a secure and easy LATCH connection. In conjunction with this push-button release system, the Decathlon also offers Britax's Versa-Tether®, an anchor aid that works both rear- and forward-facing and prevents the seat from tilting in the event of an impact. The Versa-Tether® fastens the top of the car seat to factory installed automobile anchor points, minimizing the possibility of a head injury.

But wait! There's more! Whether your vehicle is LATCH compatible or not, the Decathlon provides built-in lock-off clips that keep the seat tightly in place when using only traditional seatbelts for installation. There's a simple handle pull that allows the car seat to be easily reclined. The one-pull harness strap adjuster makes for a quick, easy, and snug fit every time. Newborns are guaranteed a smooth ride thanks to an infant positioning system, comfy padding, and belly pad. Older children will appreciate the removable toddler head pillow and soft fabric cover, which is removable and washable. The Decathlon is Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213 compliant, making it approved for airplane use as well. A simple handle pull allows the car seat to be reclined when rear-facing. The Decathlon's versatile, sculpted base means it will easily fit in almost every car, and can be positioned correctly every time. The car seat measures 19.5"W x 25.5"H x 24"D and weighs 20 pounds when empty. Since car seats are mandated by law, it's nice to know that Britax is at least making the decision simple. The Decathlon is comfortable for baby on long drives, easy for parents to work when running everyday errands, available in a range of colors and patterns, and, most importantly, safe!Comparing Britax Car Seats
If you're debating between the Britax Decathlon and the Britax Marathon, there are two differences. First, the Decathlon offers additional padding for newborns with an infant positioning system. Second, the Decathlon has an adjustable three-position crotch strap, making it more comfortable for toddlers consistently at the top of their height percentage.
If you've narrowed it down to the Britax Decathlon and the Britax Boulevard (which have the same weight and height capacity), here are a few differences to help you decide. The Boulevard does not have the adjustable crotch strap or the no-thread shoulder strap harness adjuster. However, the Boulevard does feature Side Impact Protection (SIP) with the addition of supportive 'wings' in the headrest.

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