Britax Marathon ClickTight vs. Safety 1st Crosstown: Which is Better? (2024)

Compare the two car seats side-by-side

Hi there! We're here to help you decide between the Britax Marathon ClickTight and the Safety 1st Crosstown.

Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to feel confident that you're choosing the optimal car seat for your family's needs and budget. Let us know if you have any other questions!

At A Glance

Britax Marathon ClickTight Safety 1st Crosstown
Type Convertible

Rear-Facing Forward-Facing
Convertible

Rear-Facing Forward-Facing High Back Booster
Current price
Currently unavailable
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Currently unavailable
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Rating 4.65 4.70

Our Thoughts

As a parent myself, I understand the importance of choosing the right car seat that ensures your child's safety and comfortably grows with them. Both the Britax Marathon ClickTight and the Safety 1st Crosstown serve as excellent choices, each with their own standout features.

The Britax Marathon ClickTight is a convertible car seat known for its top-notch safety features and comfort, making it a well-loved choice among parents. Its brilliant ClickTight installation system makes securing the car seat in a vehicle a breezeā€”an invaluable feature for any parent. This car seat transitions from a rear-facing seat for infants to a forward-facing seat for toddlers and older kids, ensuring long-term usage. What's more, it's built sturdily with a steel frame for enhanced safety and durability. Add multiple recline positions and machine washable padding, you get a car seat that sings out versatility, safety and convenience.

The Safety 1st Crosstown appeals as a cost-effective 3-in-1 convertible car seat designed to grow with your child from infancy, through toddlerhood and extends till the booster seat years. The expected rear-facing and forward-facing configurations are present, with the additional bonus of a belt-positioning booster mode. This bonus mode extends usability, making it the potential only car seat you might have to purchase. Despite its price point, it doesn't compromise on comfort thanks to its soft padding and adjustable features, nor on safety.

When comparing the two seats, certain disparities become clear. The Britax Marathon ClickTight offers an upper weight limit of 65 pounds in the forward-facing configuration, compared to the Safety 1st Crosstown's same limit. However, for parents needing an option extending into booster mode, the Crosstown accommodates children up to 100 pounds. Both seats are approved for air travel in forward-facing and rear-facing modes, but the Crosstown's high back booster mode isn't approved by FAA.

In terms of pricing, the Safety 1st Crosstown comes out more affordable and turns heads with its 3-in-1 functionality compared to the more premium priced Britax Marathon ClickTight. But let's not ignore the value delivered by the Britax model. Its high safety ratings and innovative ClickTight installation system justifies its higher price point.

In conclusion, The Safety 1st Crosstown makes a sensible choice for budget-conscious families seeking safety and extended usability. However, for safety-conscious parents who frequently switch the car seat between cars, the Britax Marathon ClickTight with its easy installation and excellent safety features is worth the investment. So, if you're willing to stretch your budget a bit for safety and ease of use, the Britax Marathon ClickTight gets my vote.

Key Details

Marathon ClickTight Crosstown
Britax Marathon ClickTight Safety 1st Crosstown
Brand Britax Safety 1st
Type Convertible

Rear-Facing Forward-Facing
Convertible

Rear-Facing Forward-Facing High Back Booster
Weighted Rating 4.65 4.70
1 yr Price Range $224.99 - $339.99 $99.99 - $189
Current price
Currently unavailable
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Currently unavailable
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Value

Offers durable construction and long-lasting use, justifying its price point.

A price range from $99.99 to $189.00, paired with its 3-in-1 functionality, provides considerable savings over time.

Safety

Includes superior side impact protection and a steel frame for enhanced safety.

Several positive indicators of a high level of trust in its safety among parents.

Features

Equipped with the ClickTight installation system and multiple recline positions.

It covers the essential features expected of a convertible car seat but lacks some of the advanced features of higher-end models.

Installation

The ClickTight system simplifies installation, making it straightforward and reliable.

Reviews often mention ease of installation, suggesting a user-friendly design.

Cleaning

Features machine-washable padding, offering convenience in maintenance.

The fabric is easy to clean, a convenience highly appreciated by parents.

Size

While not the most compact, its size is typical for convertible car seats.

With a moderate weight and footprint, it's fairly comparable to other seats in its class.

Review Click here Click here

Comparison of Specifications

While features and reviews provide a sense of real-world use, the specs offer quantifiable details on sizing, limitations, and more. Comparing key measurements and ranges side-by-side is crucial for ensuring you choose a seat properly fitted for your child and vehicle.

We've compiled the weight limits, height limits, dimensions, and other vital statistics for the Britax Marathon ClickTight and the Safety 1st Crosstown. This data will confirm whether each seat can accommodate your child's current size and projected growth. Specs like seat depth and width are also important for assessing fit with your car's backseat.

Review the following key measurements for both seats. Pay special attention to the height and weight limits to ensure your child falls within the safe ranges.

Height and Weight Limits

Rear-facing

Britax Marathon ClickTight Safety 1st Crosstown
Height Range 0 - 49 inches 19 - 40 inches
Weight Range 5 - 40 pounds 5 - 40 pounds

Forward-facing

Britax Marathon ClickTight Safety 1st Crosstown
Height Range 0 - 49 inches 29 - 49 inches
Weight Range 20 - 65 pounds 22 - 65 pounds

Booster

Britax Marathon ClickTight Safety 1st Crosstown
Height Range 43 - 52 inches
Weight Range 40 - 100 pounds

Dimensions and Weight

Britax Marathon ClickTight Safety 1st Crosstown
Width 18.5 inches 19.2 inches
Height 23.0 inches 28.8 inches
Depth 23.7 inches 31.8 inches
Weight 28.5 pounds 15.4 pounds

Core Specifications

Britax Marathon ClickTight Safety 1st Crosstown
Model Year 2021 2022
Made In USA China
Frame Material Reinforced Steel Reinforced Steel

Safety and Compliance

Britax Marathon ClickTight Safety 1st Crosstown
Federal Safety Standards Meets all standards Meets all standards
Configurations FAA-Approved for Airplanes Forward-Facing
Rear-Facing
Forward-Facing
Rear-Facing
High Back Booster
NHTSA Ease-of-Use Ratings Rear-Facing Mode
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Labels 3 out of 5 stars
Instructions 5 out of 5 stars
Securing 4 out of 5 stars
Installation Features 4 out of 5 stars
Forward-Facing Mode
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Labels 3 out of 5 stars
Instructions 4 out of 5 stars
Securing 5 out of 5 stars
Installation Features 4 out of 5 stars
Not rated by NHTSA.
Previous Recalls This car seat has never been recalled. This car seat has never been recalled.

Features

Britax Marathon ClickTight Safety 1st Crosstown
Attachment Methods LATCH
Seatbelt
LATCH
Seatbelt
Harness Type 5-Point 5-Point
Cup Holders No cup holders
Has cup holders.

Warranty and Durability

Britax Marathon ClickTight Safety 1st Crosstown
Manufacturers Warranty Length 1 year 1 year
Lifespan 10 Years 10 Years

Additional Links

See all Britax car seats See all Safety 1st car seats
Full review of the Britax Marathon ClickTight
Full review of the Safety 1st Crosstown