Diaper Swappers

joyous · 05-13-2012, 10:31 PM

I have a giftcard to Target to get DD a new seat. I was all set to order her a True Fit Recline, but then saw that the Marathon Classic is on sale for $169. Now I just can't decide what to get.

What is the difference between the Classic Marathon and the regular one? Does the Classic have a RF tether? Also, is the Marathon as cushioned and comfortable as the True Fit?

Which seat would you choose? Pros and cons? For reference, my DD is 12.5 months, about 18 pounds. I'm not sure how tall, but I'm guessing about 28 inches. I'd like to RF until 3.

jjordan · 05-13-2012, 10:48 PM

Either will likely last RF to age 3. The Marathon does have a RF tether. Usually kids find the marathon to be very comfortable, although it does have less leg room than the truefit. The marathon is made in the US if that is at all important to you.

Have you had a chance to try either or both seats? Really that is the best way to decide. If you can't find the truefit in a store, maybe order it from a place with free returns so that you can try both seats before you commit to one. Usually if you give seats a try, one will emerge as your favorite.

Just a warning, on threads like this you will usually get a lot of responses where people say things like, "oh I LOVE my truefit, and I really can't stand Britax seats" or "I tried the truefit and couldn't stand it, but Britax seats are worth every penny." Which is fine, since you did ask what seat other people would choose.

But since they're not the ones who will be using the seat that YOU buy, it is most important that YOU love the seat. Choosing a seat based on what someone else loves or hates is a little bit like choosing jeans based on what a friend loves. It might work out, but it's better to just decide for yourself which you like better.

jackyl08 · 05-13-2012, 10:49 PM

I have the classic and

it. It does tether rearfacing and is very well padded. I would personally go with the MA, but I know most will disagree. You should be able to easily get to 3 rf in it, especially since your DD seems petite.

monica-m · 05-14-2012, 07:26 AM

The True Fit is taller and will last longer. I

the TF we borrowed from a friend. It's a great seat.

jess71903 · 05-14-2012, 07:17 PM

ITA with jjordan. I am a TF fan. It's taller and has more leg room, and I like that it sits lower to the seat. Some hate it with the fire of 1000 suns and <3 their MAs, though.

To answer some questions, the Classic Britax seats are really very little like the new versions. They completely redesigned them. The Classics have the RF tether and lockoffs (which I've heard people say are better than the new-version lockoffs) and have cute, cushy covers.

The TF also has cushy covers. Some are slick, some are more plush.

luvsviola · 05-14-2012, 08:34 PM

I have both and prefer the TrueFit because it is wider, so IME it fits the bigger (3, 4, 5) year old kids without them being so cramped side to side. It also has a little more leg room RFing. I like the continuous harness too. There is no way my kiddos would have made comfortably it to 3 in their Marathons because there just isn't that much leg room. We switched them out to Radians and a TrueFit by age 2.

But, you really can't go wrong with either one. I would try to find one to play with before purchasing. They have TrueFits at BRU and Buy Buy Baby.

joyous · 05-14-2012, 08:37 PM

I went and looked at both seats today. I think I'm going to stick with the True Fit. DD seemed more comfortable in it, and I like that I can remove the headrest until 22 pounds.

My one concern is the width. It's seems so much wider than the MA, although I looked at them at 2 different stores so couldn't directly compare. Is the true fit a pain to travel with? We're flying in a couple weeks. Will it even fit in an airplane seat?

jjordan · 05-14-2012, 08:42 PM

I think the truefits and marathons are comparable in overall width. Honestly I'm not sure how well a truefit works on an airplane, but if the travel is soon, I'd just take the infant seat (assuming that she's not on the verge of outgrowing it).

maramarrie · 05-14-2012, 11:04 PM

The Marathon Classic has one of the tallest seat compartments of Britax seats (Roundabout Classic is the only one taller, by about 1/4") and will last a long time RF for that reason (DS is an avg height 3 year old and has at least 2-3 inches left before reaching the top 1" of his RF Marathon Classic).
Ease of use of the Marathon doesn't get the best ratings by Consumer Reports, and I could agree with that.
The Marathon is relatively narrow, around 19" and the leg room may be short, but DS hasn't ever complained and it's just a matter of moving his feet/legs to the side so we can pull the strap tight. The Marathon will fit in an airline seat.

I don't have any comparison to a True Fit, so I'm sorry I can't give any input on how they match up.

05-13-2012, 10:31 PM	#1
joyous Registered Users Formerly: erika375 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,811 Ratings: 24 Feedback: 100%	Marathon Classic or True Fit I have a giftcard to Target to get DD a new seat. I was all set to order her a True Fit Recline, but then saw that the Marathon Classic is on sale for $169. Now I just can't decide what to get. What is the difference between the Classic Marathon and the regular one? Does the Classic have a RF tether? Also, is the Marathon as cushioned and comfortable as the True Fit? Which seat would you choose? Pros and cons? For reference, my DD is 12.5 months, about 18 pounds. I'm not sure how tall, but I'm guessing about 28 inches. I'd like to RF until 3. __________________ Single mama to my sweet D. Taking life one day at a time.

05-13-2012, 10:48 PM	#2
jjordan Registered Users Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 7,630 Ratings: 20 Feedback: 100%	Re: Marathon Classic or True Fit Either will likely last RF to age 3. The Marathon does have a RF tether. Usually kids find the marathon to be very comfortable, although it does have less leg room than the truefit. The marathon is made in the US if that is at all important to you. Have you had a chance to try either or both seats? Really that is the best way to decide. If you can't find the truefit in a store, maybe order it from a place with free returns so that you can try both seats before you commit to one. Usually if you give seats a try, one will emerge as your favorite. Just a warning, on threads like this you will usually get a lot of responses where people say things like, "oh I LOVE my truefit, and I really can't stand Britax seats" or "I tried the truefit and couldn't stand it, but Britax seats are worth every penny." Which is fine, since you did ask what seat other people would choose. But since they're not the ones who will be using the seat that YOU buy, it is most important that YOU love the seat. Choosing a seat based on what someone else loves or hates is a little bit like choosing jeans based on what a friend loves. It might work out, but it's better to just decide for yourself which you like better.

05-13-2012, 10:49 PM	#3
jackyl08 Registered Users Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NW Oregon Posts: 6,971 Ratings: 301 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Marathon Classic or True Fit I have the classic and it. It does tether rearfacing and is very well padded. I would personally go with the MA, but I know most will disagree. You should be able to easily get to 3 rf in it, especially since your DD seems petite. __________________ Jacky, wife to Tim Mama to my little red heads, Kenzie (3) and Maverick (1) I sell Scentsy! Ask me how you can, too!

05-14-2012, 07:26 AM	#4
monica-m Registered Users Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pearland, TX Posts: 2,231 My Mood:	Re: Marathon Classic or True Fit The True Fit is taller and will last longer. I the TF we borrowed from a friend. It's a great seat. __________________ CPST-I and SAHM to DS

05-14-2012, 07:17 PM	#5
jess71903 Registered Users Join Date: May 2008 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 6,377 Ratings: 17 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Marathon Classic or True Fit ITA with jjordan. I am a TF fan. It's taller and has more leg room, and I like that it sits lower to the seat. Some hate it with the fire of 1000 suns and <3 their MAs, though. To answer some questions, the Classic Britax seats are really very little like the new versions. They completely redesigned them. The Classics have the RF tether and lockoffs (which I've heard people say are better than the new-version lockoffs) and have cute, cushy covers. The TF also has cushy covers. Some are slick, some are more plush. __________________ Gage is Redefining Spina Bifida