So we're buying Jack a car seat today and I'm trying to decide between the Britax marathon and roundabout.

From what I gather, the marathon will last us longer because its good for more pounds. However, I'm hearing the buckle and straps can be a pain, can pinch him and be too tight. And that it's really bulky.

The roundabout seems to have good reviews overall but it's not going to last as long pound wise. This one is cheaper too but that's not a big factor for us. When you're buying Britax you're already forking over a bunch of money. LOL

Any thoughts? Anyone have one of these?

We have a marathon and love it. I've never heard those comments about the marathon actually. Maybe it's because we were using an evenflow triumph prior (which I LOVE, but is super bulky), but I haven't found either of our marathons bulky at all.

And the buckles and straps have seemed really easy to me. I don't mess with them too much though - ie. adjust them constantly. But if I can do it, I am sure anyone can!

Are you getting one locally? There are REALLY good prices online and you save the astronomical Alabama tax.

Well, we are taking a road trip Saturday and wanted him in his new seat by then. So yeah, no time to order online.
I was thinking of just going to Target.

Thanks for letting me know about the marathon. I figure, if we're spending that much money I'd rather it last as long as possible for him. So I'm leaning toward that one. We're going to bring him with us and put him in to see how the buckles/straps feel around him.

We have the marathon and love it. It is bulky, but it's worth it to me for the seat not to move when you strap your LO in. Abbie is 4 now and she's been in the marathon for 2 years and she still has room to grow.

If you don't find one you like at Target, check out baby bundles in downtown Northport. They sometimes clearance their end of the season patters of Britax. AND they usually have a $25 coupon floating around - maybe in Kids Life?

Oooh, thanks. Maybe I'll call and price it there. And I think I might have a KidsLife floating around my house somewhere in this mess...LOL

OK, I found it! I see an ad but no coupon. Boo.

theres a coupon in the new phone book- we got the como(the nascar car seat) and love it! we were sold on the marathon but then when we went to baby bundles and talked to them (very knowledgable by the way) they sold us on the como.. great! its got stainless steel

only thing w/ baby bundles is they don't carry them in the store you have to order them and normally it takes a week but ours is on backorder for 2 weeks

You guys are the best!
I just found the coupon in the phone book.
Thanks for saving me money!

We have one of each, a Marathon and a Roundabout, and I strongly prefer the ROundabout. The Marathon is good, don't get me wrong - it is after all a Britax and you can't go wrong with that. But the straps on the Roundabout are much more parent-friendly and easy to use. We've had trouble adjusting the straps ont he Marathon that we never had on the Roundabout. And the Roundabout is bulkier. You're right that the Roundabout will last you longer in terms of weight, but my kids are 50th -75th percentile kids, so size has never been a problem. My daughter will be 4 in November and is still not up to 35 pounds, much less the 40 she'll have to be to grow out of the Roundabout. So she'll be 4+ years old when she goes into a booster seat, which is all right with me. My son was the same way. We will need another car seat once the next baby grows out of the infant seat because the Roundabout will be expired by then, and we will get a Roundabout and not another Marathon.
However, all that said, pickings are slim at Target. If anything they will have one style of Marathon and will definitely not have a Roundabout, unless something has changed since I was there a few weeks ago looking at them. Online is my preferred method of shopping for baby gear, too, Moozle.

Schro006, we got the Recardo Como too! I put Jack in both that and the Britax and I liked the Como better. The ladies at Baby Bundles are so helpful and I think I'm going to be happy with my purchase.

Yea! i'm so excited that yall got something that your happy with! I can't wait to get ours in. I know that Jackson will be able to be in it for a long time since the height and weight are more than all the other seats so you will definetly get your moneys worth! What color did yall get?