Our Review of the Britax Decathlon convertible car seat
Click here to view a demo of Britax Side-Impact Protection
Like its predecessors the Britax Roundabout and the Britax Marathon, the Britax Decathlon is built around two core ideals: safety and comfort. Its easy to see that the Decathlon is comfortable: it's loaded with a 3-position crotch strap, patented HUGS harness system, plush (and washable!) seat cover, belly pad, removable toddler head pillow, and an infant positioning system for newborn babies. These features provide a comfortable, adjustable fit as your child grows - all the way from 5 to 65 pounds.
Then there's the safety features that Britax car seats are world-famous for - to help you to effortlessly secure your child every day, the Decathlon comes with a simple, tangle-free polyester 5-point harness, push-button harness adjuster, built-in vehicle belt lock-offs, and a push-button release LATCH system with patented Versa-Tether®.
We loved the seats that came before the Decathlon, but the Decathlon is a great addition to Britax's car seat line up. It's comfortable enough to keep fidgety passengers relaxed on those long drives or roadtrips, and simple enough to work well for quick trips. If you're looking for a top-of-the-line convertible child seat, the Britax Decathlon should be on your short list.
Trying to decide between the Britax Decathlon and Britax Boulevard?
The Britax Decathlon and Boulevard all have the same weight and height recommendations. Even so, the differences between these three models are apparent:
- The Decathlon's 3-position adjustable crotch strap will not be found on the Boulevard
- The Boulevard incorporates Side Impact Protection (SIP) with the addition of supportive 'wings' in the headrest
- The Boulevard has an easy no-thread shoulder strap harness adjustor
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Did you know? Britax maintains an authorized dealer network which protects you from buying used, illegally imported, or fake Britax Car Seats. In addition, Britax warranty only covers car seats purchased from an authorized retailer. Britax products purchased on eBay or any auction site voids the warranty. |
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Car seat specs
- Min child weight
- 5 lbs.
- Max child weight
- 65 lbs.
- Rear-facing minimum weight
- 5 lbs.
- Max child weight - Rear Facing mode
- 35 lbs.
- Min child weight - Forward Facing mode
- 20 lbs.
- Max child weight - Forward facing mode
- 65 lbs.
- Max harness weight capacity
- 65 lbs.
- Min child height
- n/a
- Max child height
- 49"
- Max 5-pt harness child height capacity
- 49"
Car seat dimensions
- Product weight
- 20 lbs.
- Seat Base / Foot Width
- 19.5"
- Seat height
- 28"
- Interior seat width
- 12"
- Interior seat back height
- 25.5"
- Bottom to lowest harness slot
- 10"
- Bottom to highest harness slot
- 17.5"
- Sculpted base
- Push button release LATCH system with patented Versa-Tether®
- Built-in vehicle belt lock-offs
- Tangle-free polyester 5-point harness
- Push button harness adjuster
- 3-position crotch strap
- Patented HUGS™ system
- Belly pad
- Washable seat cover
- Removable toddler head pillow
Britax Decathlon convertible car seat Reviews
All Customer Reviews
- Average Rating:
- Highest Rating:
- Lowest Rating:
- Number of Reviews:
- 80
Very disappointing
Reviewer: Andrew , Chicago
Date: February 27, 2009
Seems very solid, but two major issues. The straps to tighten the Latch connectors are incredibly difficult to tighten. And the child restraint strap is impossible to tighten without reaching behind it to pull there and then pulling on the adjustment strap between the child's legs. Very disappointed in Britax -- for the price and the reputation, they did not make a good car seat.
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Excellent seat
Reviewer: Mom of 2 , Kinnelon, NJ
Date: October 31, 2008
This seat was very easy to install. I love that it has a third tether in the back. It installed securely and I am relieved to know my daughter is in such a well-made careseat. My daughter seems very comfortable in the seat. When she falls asleep, the padding keeps her head upright instead of letting her head fall forward. I love that the straps have the padding to keep them from rubbing against her neck. The pink & yellow pattern is absolutely adorable. Another great feature are the small velcro spots on the straps that allow you to velcro the straps to the side of the seat so they are out of the way when you place your child into the seat instead of letting them get stuck underneath you child. I am very pleased with my Britax purchase.
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Decathlon Seat is Awesome
Reviewer: Anonymous , Brooklyn, NY
Date: July 21, 2008
It's been a year since we bought it and we love it! We used it first rear-facing and now we've turned it around. Our princess loves it and that says a lot! We thought she hated the car until we bought the Decathlon for her. Now she falls asleep (!!!!) and actually looks comfortable! The two things I did not like about the Decathlon are the crotch strap, which should be longer, and the way my daughter's head has nowhere to go but down when she's sleeping. But overall, a great buy and a great seat!
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What a relief!
Reviewer: Anonymous , Shawano, WI
Date: July 08, 2008
My 2 month old son absolutely hated his infant carrier carseat from day one, and would start screaming the second I put him in it, before I even buckled the harness. He would continue to scream the entire trip, no matter how long it was. He is a big boy, about 13 pounds, and seemed very uncomfortable in the carrier, even though the weight limit was 22 pounds.
I ordered the Decathlon after reading the good reviews, and because it has the infant positioning system. I ordered it on Saturday, and it arrived on Wednesday.
The difference is amazing! My son doesn't scream at all in this seat, and he falls asleep in a few minutes. His head and neck are well supported, and he seems very comfortable. I love the recline feature, and the velcro tabs that keep the straps out of the way while I set him in the seat. The seat is expensive but well worth it! I don't think I would ever buy another brand! At times I miss the convenience of snapping the infant carrier onto a shopping cart, but having a happy baby instead of a screaming one makes it well worth the small effort of packing a stroller or sling!
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Great Carseat
Reviewer: Marilyn , Fort Worth, TX
Date: July 02, 2008
I have owned my Decathlon for over a year now and have had no problems with any part of it. I have an Avalanche, and even with the problems installing the seat front-facing and attaching the tethers (which was a problem because of my truck, not due to the car seat), I have had no regrets buying this car seat. The straps are easy to adjust (you just push a button and pull-so simple), my daughter (almost 2 now) is comfortable in it, and she's tall for her age and still has room to grow in this seat. Generally I am able to keep the seat cover clean with a wet wash cloth, so I can't attest to whether or not it can be removed, but I don't think that should stop someone from buying the seat. I am about to purchase my second one for my 7 month old daughter.
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Horrible Adjuster Straps
Reviewer: Anonymous , Orlando, FL
Date: June 23, 2008
Pros: crotch strap has 3 settings. Cons: too hard to adjust strap, cover doesn't come off.
Recently spent months and months researching car seats for my growing son. I finally decided on the Decathlon - even though I had heard bad reviews regarding the adjuster strap. I had tried it out in my local baby store and had no problems so I felt it safe to go ahead and purchase it. Big mistake - once the car seat is installed, it's next to impossible to get the adjuster strap positioned correctly. I have a large SUV and even with the roomy interior, you can't pull it hard enough without being a contortionist. I even read the Britax FAQ advising to make sure you're pulling straight out (not from a side angle) and to make sure the strap isn't twisted and so on. Even so, both my husband and myself could not get it positioned properly without breaking a sweat. Also, I didn't realize that since the new model has a push button control for the strap, it's sewn to the fabric, therefore you can't take it off and wash it. I have since returned it and am desperately looking to find something equally as safe but easier to use. I loved the fact that the crotch position was adjustable - unlike the other Britax models. I wish they could combine the good things into just one car seat!
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Awesome Carseat!
Reviewer: Anonymous , New Philadelphia, Ohio
Date: March 16, 2008
This carseat far exceeded our expectations! It was very easy to install, took me less than five minutes the first time. Though it is a tall seat, it fits perfectly in our Toyota Sienna Minivan. Wouldn't recommend rear facing in a small car. Cradles our newborn perfectly. When I took it to a carseat inspection day, the state trooper said it was the cadillac of carseats and well worth the money!! This site was easy to deal with and delivery was very quick!
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Awesome Carseat and Service!
Reviewer: Anonymous , Ohio
Date: February 16, 2008
We ordered our Britax Decathlon in Sahara on a Friday morning and it was delivered the next day! The carseat was easy to install and came with all the bells and whistles that you could imagine! Thanks Elite Team for making this our easiest online purchase yet!
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Decathlon
Reviewer: Ron , Queens, New York
Date: January 15, 2008
The carseat has met all my expectations. My daughter looks snug and comfortable in the seat. If you have a tall baby like mine, then you need an adjustable car seat like the Britax Decathlon.
My only complaint is with the installation instructions. I believe all instructions should be as simple as possible. Although, you don't need an MBA to understand the instructions, be prepared for a few minutes of confusion. Britax should simplify the instructions and add better illustrations.
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