Nothing is more important for parents than the safety and comfort of their children. And there is no time when both of these are threatened more than when riding in an automobile. For this reason, parents always search for that perfect car seat that combines superior safety features and comfort. It’s no use when your child is safe but screaming because he or she is miserable.
How Safe Is This Britax Car Seat?
And what’s the point of comfort if their safety is at risk?
If you have been looking for a car seat that gives you plenty of security and comforts your little one, you’ve likely come across the Britax Advocate Clicktight. This is the top-of-the-line series from Britax featuring the latest technology in car seat safety. It meets or exceeds guidelines for safety standards, and users have raved about its ease of use. But is it right for you?
In this article, we’ll look at this car seat and examine what everyone is talking about.
We’ll give you the information you need to decide if the Britax Advocate Clicktight is the right car seat to keep your child safe and comfortable for all those long car rides.
What Are the Features of the Britax Advocate Clicktight?
The Britax Advocate is one of the highest-rated car seats currently on the market. It has an impressive combination of safety features and customizable adjustments to change with your growing baby and as you change from car to car.
The Britax passes all safety standards, so you can be sure your child will be safe whenever you travel.
Advanced Safety Features
Perhaps the features that separate this car seat from any other brand on the market are the safety features.
To begin with, the Britax Advocate’s body is composed of a steel frame that is integrated into the SafeCell Impact Protection system. This provides superior stability of the V-shaped seat, reducing rotation and forward motion during impact. This ensures that no matter how bad an accident might be, the seat’s integrity will not be compromised, and your child will remain secure.
The seat features 3 different layers of impact protection to make your child as safe as possible. The shell is designed to absorb forces and impacts and will help shield your child should there be any flying debris during an accident. The headrest keeps the child’s neck and head secure when jolted. These are some of the most sensitive parts of the child’s body, you must be sure they will be protected in these areas.
Customizable Positioning
While you know your child will be safe, you can also be assured that your child will be comfortable. The Britax Advocate comes with 14 different adjustable positions of the harness and headrest. This makes it easy to adjust the car seat when you move it between cars and as your child grows.
The buckle of the harness can easily be adjusted from two different positions to accommodate your growing child by moving either up or out for a customizable fit.
Easy Installation
Perhaps what parents dread most about car seats is the hassle of taking them in and out of the car. And that’s one area where the Britax design shines.
This model features the Clicktight Installation System, one of the easiest and safest installation methods available. It’s as simple as opening the seat and securing it with the seatbelt.
The front of the seat has a visual indicator that lets you know that the seat is securely closed. This gives you both an audible “click” confirmation and visual confirmation to ensure your child is safe.
Is the Britax Advocate Clicktight Suitable for Newborn Babies?
Getting a car seat that can handle their small bodies is important if you’ve got a new baby. The Advocate is great for these young and small babies. This model is rated for weights between 5 and 40 pounds for rear-facing installation (which you should do for all newborn babies).
The harness makes it easy to secure your little one in the seat and ensure they are safe and snug.
Is the Britax Advocate Clicktight Suitable for Toddlers?
As your baby grows into a toddler, you’ll want to ensure that you have a car seat that adapts to them. The Britax Advocate is designed to do just that.
It is rated for children up to 65 pounds or less and those under 49 inches (or about 4 feet) tall. The seat has a shoulder width of 16 inches which should accommodate most toddlers. The adjustable harness also makes it easy to make quick changes as your child grows so they are always secure and comfortable in the car seat.
Is the Britax Advocate Clicktight Suitable for Older Kids?
There is an in-between time when kids seem too big for car seats but aren’t ready yet to use just seat belts alone. As we mentioned, the Britax Advocate will accommodate your young child up to about 4 feet tall and 65 pounds. So, whether or not this model can handle older kids depends on the size of your particular child.
A booster seat is advisable, though, for kids under 4-feet 9-inches because seat belts generally do not protect well enough with the way straps cross the child’s small body.
When and How to Install the Advocate Forward Facing?
Knowing when and how to switch from rear-facing to forward-facing is important for your child’s safety. There is no exact age when you need to begin the forward-facing installation. Instead, you should consider your child’s general height and weight according to these guidelines.
At the earliest, you will not want to install the car seat forward-facing for a child less than 20 pounds. At the highest end, the Britax is rated for children up to 65 pounds and no more than 49 inches tall.
To install the Britax forward-facing, you must open the seat to expose its lower guides. The seat can be adjusted to recline or be upright, depending on your car’s design. The seat belt is run through the guides and buckled just like you would buckle in any person. Close the seat, and that’s all there is to it!
This design makes it super easy to take the seat in and out of cars if you need to transfer the seat often.
When and How to Install the Advocate Rear-Facing?
Generally speaking, the longer you can keep a car seat installed rear-facing, the better. This is because it is always safer for the child. The seat itself acts as another layer of protection for front-end collisions, so there is a much lower chance of anything harming your child.
You can keep your child in the rear-facing position in the Britax Advocate as long as they weigh between 5 and 40 pounds. Of course, your child’s comfort will vary with differing heights, so you will need to consider the specifics of your child.
Installation for rear-facing is the same as forward facing. Britax designed the Advocate Clicktight with two guides to make it easy to install either way. Just open the lid, guide in the seat belt, buckle, and secure the lid. It’s just that simple.
How to Clean the Britax Advocate Clicktight?
Let’s face it, the chances of needing to clean a car seat are pretty high. You need something that is not going to be difficult. In this respect, the Britax Advocate also has a great design. The cover of this model resists absorbing liquids so that it can be wiped clean very easily. Furthermore, the cover is fully removable. So, when there is a particularly messy situation, you quickly and easily remove and wash the cover. It can even be put safely through washing machines.
The last thing you need is a hassle from cleaning a difficult car seat, and Britax has made it as easy as possible.
How to Recline the Britax Advocate Clicktight?
If you are concerned with the ability to adjust your car seat, the Britax Advocate makes it easy. One single button releases the latch, allowing you to recline the car seat and reposition it to put it in the exact position you need. This allows you to customize the angle depending on the design of your car’s seats and whether you will be installing it forward-facing or rear-facing.
No special tools are required. With just the push of a button, you can ensure that the car seat is reclined exactly as you want.
Where to Buy the Britax Advocate Clicktight?
When it comes to purchasing the Britax Advocate, there are several options. Amazon monitors prices continuously for the best deals to ensure they give you the best price. For this reason, it is always a good idea to check Amazon for its latest pricing.
Amazon also makes it easy to purchase the Britax Advocate in 3 colors: Black, Limelight, and Tahoe (depending on availability, of course).
Plus, with Amazon, you get a 30-day easy return policy should you not be satisfied with the car seat
How Does the Britax Advocate Compare?
You have several options when it comes to a car seat. So, let’s look at how the Britax Advocate Clicktight compares to other popular models.
Britax Advocate vs. Boulevard
The Boulevard is another line of car seats offered by Britax. These two models have many of the same features but a few important differences. The Boulevard Clicktight is the “mid-range” of Britax seats and will be generally less expensive than the Advocate series. Both models feature the Clicktight visual and audible confirmation for secure buckling and easy installation.
The only difference between the two is that the Advocate features a 3-layer side impact protection, while the Boulevard features a 2-layer protection system. And, other than the different color options that the models come in, you can expect the same adjustability and customization available from both models.
Britax Advocate vs. Marathon
The Marathon is another series of car seats offered by Britax. The Marathon line is Britax’s lower-end series for those looking for the most affordable option. The Marathon Clicktight features secure fastening technology so you can be sure that your child will be safe.
This line only comes with 1-layer of side impact protection, compared to the 3-layer protection of the Advocate line. The Marathon also comes with only 12 adjustable headrest positions instead of the 14 with the Advocate series. So, if you like the Britax Advocate features but are on a tight budget, the Marathon series can be a good way to go.
Britax Advocate vs. Chicco Nextfit
Chicco is another popular brand of car seats, and parents seem somewhat divided regarding which they prefer. There is no absolute way to say which brand is the “best;” however, there are a few differences you should consider. First, the Britax Advocate is a bit heavier than the Chicco Nextfit. However, the Chicco Nextfit’s bottom has a curved design, making it somewhat difficult to position well on contoured seats.
Second, Chicco uses a zipping feature for securing your child in the seat, which can be easier than the buckle of the Britax system. Both models have the same general weight and height recommendations, so they will work for the same range of kids.
Lastly, the Chicco design is fairly deep compared to Britax. Some kids may find this uncomfortable, while others may like the “snug” feel. You’ll have to remember this while choosing which is right for you.
Britax Advocate vs. Clek Foonf
The first thing you will notice about these two models is their different aesthetic looks. The Britax Advocate has a fairly typical design, while the Foonf might be a bit more trendy. This slender design will appeal to those fashion-conscious parents who are also concerned about safety.
Besides the design, the weight limits are the other major differences between these two models. While the Britax Advocate is rated from up to 65 pounds, the Clek Foonf is only rated up to 50 pounds. However, the Foonf has a higher capability for rear-facing installation. The Foonf can be used in the rear-facing position all the way up to its 50-pound limit, while the Britax is only rated to be used in this position up to 40-pounds.
This means those concerned with keeping your child rear-facing as long as possible have added life with the Clek Foonf.
Britax Advocate vs. Maxi Cosi Pria
The Maxi Cosi Pria is a fairly comparable model to the Britax Advocate Clicktight. Generally, the Maxi Cosi Pria will be less expensive depending on what deal you can find. The Maxi Cosi also has a higher weight capacity than the Britax Advocate. While the Britax is rated up to 65 pounds, the Maxi Cosi can be used up to 85 pounds. This gives you some extra time to use your car seat as your child grows and may bridge the gap between the car seat and booster seat a bit.
The Maxi Cosi also features an air cushion system for a cozy ride. The Maxi Cosi, however, does not have the same “Clicktight” technology that lets you know the device is properly secured. If this is your concern, then the Britax Advocate might be the better option.
Britax Advocate vs. Recaro Performance Ride
These two models come with many of the same specifications. Both are rated from 5 to 40 pounds for rear-facing installation and up to 65 pounds for forward-facing use. The Recaro Performance Ride has a similar side impact protection, but the Britax Advocate’s 3-layer protection has better overall coverage.
The Recaro is a bit less expensive and features an integrated cup holder. Overall, the Britax Advocate is somewhat easier to install and would be a better option for those needing to move the car seat often.
What Is the Warranty on the Britax Advocate Clicktight?
Warranty, of course, is an important issue with any product. The Britax Advocate Clicktight comes with a 1-year limited liability warranty. This means that Britax will guarantee the car seat will be free from manufacturer errors and parts defects for 1-year from the date of purchase. It will not cover accident damages or abuse.
Perhaps more important for car seats are the expiration dates. Car seats come with an expiration date, unlike other products you buy. This is because they are made with plastic parts that can become compromised after several years, and manufacturers cannot guarantee the seat’s safety after these times.
Most seats have an expiration date of 6 years, but the Britax Advocate comes with an expiration date of 10 years. This gives you added life for your car seat if you have multiple children or can be a bonus point when it comes to selling your seat.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are some very good reasons the Britax Advocate is one of the highest-rated car seats on the market. With the easy installation system and integrated steel technology, you can be sure that there will be no mistakes securing your child into the car seat every time. And with the 3-layer protection system, if anything should happen, you can be sure that this seat will give your child an added advantage for safety.
The dual seat belt guides make the switch from rear-facing to forward-facing super easy and hassle-free. There are no extra steps to learn or tools required. So, the seat can adapt to your growing child. This can save you a lot of money in the long run, so you do not have to buy another car seat just because your child gets bigger.
