A must for "chunky monkey" babies!

Author's Rating:

Pros: Comfort pad for chunkier thighs Very comfy and SAFE

Cons: Very big...NOT for small compact cars unless your child is already forward facing.

The Bottom Line: 
Definitly worth the price for its safety and its comfort.

Author's Review
My son was born with rolls of fat and they have stayed with him through his first 6 months. When it came time to switch him out of an infant carrier to a convertible car seat (he out grew the size limit long before he was old enough to face forward) I quickly found that today's car seats are not made for the chunkier babes. The straps that go over the thighs cut into him; it did not matter how much we tried to adjust them or how we placed him in there (we tried a few models, tried moving the buckle and straps to every imaginable position, all to no avail). Well, I finally found the Britax...the straps work the same BUT, they have this wonderful round "pad" that sits between the actual straps and the baby's legs which have made ALL of us happy! Plus the car seat is so plush and comfy my older children are jealous! The velcro tabs to hold the straps out of the way when trying to put baby in are definitly a nice touch as well. The price is rather high, but considering what it is protecting and that Britax is considered one of THE safest out there, AND that the Marathon is good up to 70 lbs, I believe you will more than get your money's worth! PS...the idea of having the little instruction book on how to assemble and properly install in the car being ATTACHED to the car seat itself and tucking away in its own pocket is a definite plus!