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Britax Advocate ClickTight Review

Britax Advocate ClickTight
0
Overall Score
Ease of Install - Latch
Ease of Install - Belt
Ease of Use
Comfort & Quality
Weight & Size

Bottom Line

Britax Advocate ClickTight is one of the safest and most comfortable convertible car seats on the market. Though it’s a nice and popular seat, its price is on the higher-end. Those on a tight budget may not be able to afford it. Nevertheless, considering that Britax Advocate is convertible, lasts longer, and has a wider height-weight range, the price is fair.

What We Like

  • Great safety, excellent comfort
  • Wider height-weight range
  • Very easy to install
  • It has a longer useful life
  • It’s convertible

What We Don't Like

  • It can be quite hard to remove from the car
  • It’s relatively heavy
  • Its price is higher than the average seat

One of the significant challenges that parents face is getting an appropriate car seat to “grow” with babies. Most parents find themselves buying another seat once their babies outgrow infant seats. You’re lucky you’re reading this review. Our car seat experts conducted a Britax Advocate ClickTight review to help you avoid this trap.

Take a quick look…

Overview of the Britax Advocate ClickTight Convertible Car Seat

This Britax convertible car seat features a ClickTight technology that makes its installation very easy and quick. Most importantly, it has a wide child height-weight range. In the rear-facing mode, the seat accommodates babies weighing 5-40 pounds. In its forward-facing mode, it can comfortably accommodate children weighing 20-65 pounds.

It comes with 3 layers of side impact protection material and a steel frame for maximum safety. It also boasts of a 14- position easily adjustable harness. Moreover, the Advocate ClickTight car seat has a 7-position recline system to support children as they grow up. With the Click & Safe snug harness indicator, you won’t have any doubt about installation.

However, if you choose this Britax car seat, be prepared to dig deeper out of your account. But considering that it will serve you for a good 10 years, there’s value for your money. Right from birth, you won’t have to buy another car seat for your baby.

See also: Best Convertible Car Seats

Things to Consider before Buying Britax Advocate ClickTight

Now you know that the ClickTight Advocate is easy to install, and it’s long-lasting. Should you go ahead and buy it? Not really. There are a few other things you need to know before placing the purchase order.

Here is what you should keep in mind:

  • Ease of use
  • Height-weight limitations
  • Age range
  • Expiry period
  • Portability
  • Cleaning
  • Safety
  • Customer reviews

Why should these factors matter?

The ClickTight is a convertible car seat that you can use either in rear-facing or forward-facing modes. Each of these modes has different weight restrictions. In the forward-facing mode, the maximum child height is 49 inches. The child’s head shouldn’t be less than an inch below the top of the head restraint in the rear-facing mode.

With Britax Advocate ClickTight, you won’t have to worry about your child outgrowing the seat. Besides being convertible, it also has a 10-year lifespan. The beauty of this is that one car seat will serve your child throughout their growth period.

All you have to note is that your child’s age dictates whether to use it in rear or forward-facing mode. If you’re looking for a machine-washable car seat, the Advocate ClickTight is not your option. That said, cleaning this seat isn’t an uphill task. We’ll show you how to clean it later on in this review.

As for portability, we’re afraid the ClickTight Advocate is a little heavy at 30.6 lbs. Why is this a problem? Of course, it’s not an issue if you have it permanently in your car. However, if you foresee frequent shifts from one vehicle to another, think again before buying it. We noted that the car seat is quite boring to uninstall once you install it.

It’s essential to look at customer reviews to see other users’ experience with the seat. You’ll see how those who have used the seat rate it.

Key Features of Britax Advocate ClickTight

Whether you’ve already purchased the ClickTight Advocate or intend to buy one, understanding its features can be helpful. Let’s walk you through the key features, including installation, age range, design, cleaning, safety, price, and product specs.

Setup and Installation Process

The Britax Advocate ClickTight is one of the easiest convertible car seats to install. Once you understand how to do it, you won’t spend more than 5 minutes in the process. Here we show you how to install the seat in its rear and forward-facing modes.

In both modes, there are 3 installation options:

  • Lap-shoulder belt installation
  • Lap belt installation
  • Lower anchor installation

Rear-Facing Installation

Let’s start with the installation using the lap-shoulder belt. There are 6 simple steps involved as follows:

  1. Open the CLICKTIGHT by pressing the dimple on CLICKTIGHT’s dial. Turn the dial clockwise until the CLICKTIGHT releases then lift it to open.
  2. Recline the child seat and put it on the vehicle seat rear-facing.
  3. Slide both parts of the seat belt into the child seat’s rear-facing belt slots.
  4. Buckle the seat belt once you confirm that it’s not twisted.
  5. Remove all the slack from both the lap and shoulder parts; start with the lap part.
  6. Close the CLICKTIGHT, and if you hear a “click,” then it’s secure.

Installation using the lap belt only is equally easy and straight forward. These steps will march you through the process:

  1. Open the ClickTight.
  2. Place the child seat rear-facing on the vehicle seat after reclining it.
  3. Slide the seat belt into the belt slots.
  4. Buckle the seatbelt (ensure that it’s not twisted).
  5. Remove all the slack, and that’s it!
  6. Now close the ClickTight.

How about using the lower anchors? The following steps will guide you to install the ClickTight Advocate using the lower anchors:

  1. Open the CLICKTIGHT and recline the child seat then set it in rear mode on the vehicle seat.
  2. At its rear, locate the storage compartment and remove the lower connectors.
  3. Pull out the strap until its full length toward the left side of the child.
  4. Then, take the lower connector strap through the ear belt slots and press the lower connectors firmly onto adjacent lower anchors.
  5. Remove the slack by pulling the lower connector strap’s end.
  6. Close the CLICKTIGHT; your installation is complete!

Forward-Facing Installation

This mode is equally simple and easy. Here is how you can install the seat using the lap-shoulder belt:

  1. Remove the tether located in its storage compartment as well as the retainer tabs.
  2. Place the tether up, running it over the back of the child’s car seat.
  3. Recline the child seat and set it on the vehicle seat facing forward. Its base should be flat on the vehicle’s seat; it shouldn’t hang more than 3 inches over the edge.
  4. Open the CLICKTIGHT and slide the two parts of the seat belt into the belt slots facing forward.
  5.  If the vehicle belt isn’t twisted, buckle it and remove all the slack.
  6. Close the CLICKTIGHT and then attach the child seat’s tether to its anchor.

Lap belt installation follows the same procedure as above, with only a slight difference. Have a look:

  1. Remove the tether and set the child car seat in the forward mode on the vehicle seat. Ensure that the base is flat and does not hang more than 3 inches on edge.
  2. Open the CLICKTIGHT, slide the lap belt into the belt slots then buckle it once you ensure it’s not twisted.
  3. Using moderate force, press down in the middle of the child’s seating area while tightening the vehicle belt.
  4. Close the CLICKTIGHT and attach the tether to its anchor.

Finally, let’s show you how to install the seat using the lower anchor in the forward-facing mode. Follow these

steps:

  1. Retrieve the lower connectors from the storage compartment. It’s located at the back of the child seat.
  2. Toward the left side of the child, pull the strap to its full length.
  3. Get the tether from its storage compartment. Place it up, running over the back of the child’s seat.
  4. Recline the seat before placing it on the vehicle seat. Ensure that its base is flat, and it does not hang more than 3 inches on edge.
  5. Open the CLICKTIGHT and slide the strap of the lower connector into the belt slots (forward-facing).
  6. Compress the lower connectors against their anchors. The connectors should be secure, and the belt should not be twisted.
  7. Remove any slack by pulling the lower connector strap’s end.
  8. Close the CLICKTIGHT and attach the tether to its anchor.

Installation of a child car seat can never be any easier! But as a caring parent, always check your installation before using the seat. That said, how do you secure your little one in the seat?

With the Britax Advocate ClickTight, this is how you will do it:

  • Adjust the harness and buckle appropriately.
  • Loosen the harness by pressing the adjuster button and pulling its harness straps forward.
  • Open the chest clip by pressing the tabs and pulling apart.
  • Attach the harness straps to its holders after releasing the buckle.
  • Now place the baby in the seat. Ensure that the child’s bottom touches the child seat, and the backrests flat on the backrest.
  • Strap your baby using the harness straps and adjust them to fit the child’s clothes. If the baby is wearing bulky jackets/coats, remove them before securing the baby in the seat.
  • Fasten the buckle of the harness; if you hear a click, you know its properly connected.
  • Before tightening, pull out the slack to the child’s shoulder after confirming the proper height of the harness.
  • To tighten the harness, pull its adjuster appropriately.
  • Once the harness is within the correct range of snugness, the Click & Safe indicator will click.
  • You can fasten the chest clip then position the chest pads to the child’s comfort.

Age Range: Birth Until 65 Pounds

The Britax Advocate ClickTight car seat is suitable for all your child’s age range from birth until they outgrow it.

This is because the seat is convertible. From birth until your baby turns at least 2 years, Britax recommends using the ClickTight Advocate in rear-facing mode. In this mode, ensure that your baby is neither below 5 pounds nor above 40 pounds in weight. The top of the child’s head should be a minimum of 1 inch below the top of the head restraint.

After the second year or once the child exceeds the above specifications, you can use the seat in forward-facing mode. Here, ensure that your child weighs at least 20 pounds but no more than 65 pounds. Besides, the child should not be taller than 49 inches for you to use this mode.

Design: Comfort, Safety, and Convenience at the Heart of Britax Advocate

Britax was deliberate with its design for the Advocate ClickTight car seat. It truly advocates for the safety and comfort of your baby. Have a brief look at some of the core design features and their significance.

Let’s start the right way with ClickTight technology. It offers a faster, easier, and more secure rock-solid installation for Britax Advocate. This is a huge plus compared to the LATCH system, which has limitations with belt, weight, and seat.

Most parents are concerned about the safety of their little ones in the unfortunate event of a car crash. Best child seats are those that offer maximum side impact protection. The Britax ClickTight Advocate comes with a multi-layered headrest and external cushions to shield your baby. The layers are made of energy-absorbing foam for excellent safety.

The base of the seat is also lined with energy-absorbing materials. In case of a collision, these materials will divert energy away from the baby. Often parents are not quite sure about the installation angle of their vehicles. Britax has auto-level indicators on its Advocate ClickTight.

The level indicator shows you whether or not you have achieved a proper installation angle. Besides the level indicators, Britax designed its Advocate ClickTight with multiple recline positions. These make your work easy in finding the best recline angle to install the child’s seat.

To ensure that the seat accommodates children as they grow up, Britax Advocate comes with sufficient harness height with 14 adjustment positions. It’s quick to adjust, and it adapts to children without necessarily having to re-thread the harness.

We found the seat’s plush foam padding and fabrics to be very premium. These will make your baby feel comfortably nice and enjoy a relaxing ride.

The Britax Advocate ClickTight car seat is made of a strong and stable steel frame. The frame offers superior strength at its connection point to the vehicle. The seat’s V-shaped tether is crucial in minimizing the seat rotation. It uses a unique dual-strap design as well as stage-release stitches. These not only slow down but also reduce the seat’s forward movement in the car crash.

For several seats, you must uninstall before cleaning. Britax made this unnecessary with the ClickTight Advocate. Its cover is easy to remove so you can clean it without uninstalling the car seat.

Cleaning the Advocate: Very Easy but Hand Wash Only

Cleaning the Advocate is easy, but it’s hand wash only. So, how do you get your dirty Advocate clean?

To clean the harness, shell, and side-impact cushions, simply use a sponge, mild soap, and warm water. Wipe them dry using a towel. Never use abrasive cleaners, disassemble the harness, machine-wash, machine-dry, or iron these parts.

If you want to clean the harness buckle, just rinse it thoroughly in warm water. Don’t soak, lubricate, use solvents or soap on the harness buckle.

You should be careful with the cover while cleaning your Advocate ClickTight. You can hand-wash it in cold water with mild soap. Line-dry it to protect it from shrinking. You should never bleach, machine-wash, machine-dry, or iron it.

See also: How to Clean Baby Car Seats

Safety: Designed for Child Safety While on the Move

The Advocate ClickTight car seat is very safe for children. It meets all the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards and the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. It has very impressive crash test results and rates highly in terms of ease of use.

3 layers of energy-absorbing side-impact lining guarantee its safety on the external cushions, the headrest, and the base. In case you’re involved in a crash, the layers will quickly absorb the energy diverting it away from your baby. the 3 layers make the seat distinct from other car seats. Also, the seat’s impact-stabilizing steel frame offers excellent strength to the seat.

That said, the following safety tips will help you keep you little one safe:

  • Always read the Britax Advocate ClickTight installation instructions in the product manual before installing this car seat.
  • Strictly adhere to child specifications of the seat.
  • Don’t use it in a rear-facing position if your baby weighs above 20 lbs.
  • In the rear-facing mode, don’t use the top tether strap.
  • Don’t use lower anchor installation in rear-facing mode if the baby weighs above 30 lbs.
  • Don’t use lower anchor installation in forward-facing mode if the baby weighs above 35 lbs.
  • Always use impact-absorbing chest pads for forward-facing mode.
  • Always get the optimum recline angle to ensure the child breath easily.
  • Never put the child seat in the rear-facing mode in the vehicle’s front seat with an airbag

Price: On the High-end but Worthy the Extra Dollar

The ClickTight Advocate convertible car seat is designed for long-term use. This, coupled with its superior quality materials and safety standards, has made it a little costly. It retails roughly on the range of $345 – $370. Because of this, many families find it a little out of reach.

However, we established that this cost is reasonable based on the seat’s quality. Moreover, its rival car seats cost higher than this.

Product Specs

  • Product Name: Advocate ClickTight
  • Product Brand: Britax
  • Product Dimensions: 20.5” X 23.5” X 23”
  • Shoulder Width: 16″
  • Harness Slot Heights: 8.5”-19.5” (.85” increments) 14 positions
  • Product Weight: 30.6 lbs
  • Color: Circa
  • Expiration Date: 10 years from the date of manufacture
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Child Weight: Rear Facing: 5-40 lbs
  • Child Weight: Forward Facing: 20-65 lbs
  • Child Standing Height: 49″ maximum
  • Child Seated Shoulder Height: Rear Facing: 7.6″-18.65″
  • Child Seated Shoulder Height: Forward Facing: 12″-18.65″

Competition: Stands Out for Better Side-Impact Protection at Lower

Price than Similar Car Seats The ClickTight Advocate competes favorably with its rival Britax brand products in terms of safety and cost. Some of its rivals include the following:

Britax Advocate ClickTight ARB Convertible: This seat is an updated version of the Advocate ClickTight. It comes with an Anti-Rebound Bar (ARB) as the distinguishing feature. The ARB is a padded steel bar that is attached to the ClickTight’s foot-end. Its purpose is to minimize reactively or rebound motion in the event of a collision. Such an improvement makes the Advocate ClickTight ARB more secure than its elder brother. Because of the Anti-Rebound Bar, the seat costs slightly higher in the range of $385 – $395.

Clek Foonf Convertible Car SeatThis is another great model by Clek. It’s also very similar to the Advocate ClickTight. It uses the ClickTight installation system, just like the Advocate ClickTight and the Britax ClickTight ARB car seats. However, it has only 2 layers of impact protection instead of 3. This slight difference may make you feel the seat is less secure. Nevertheless, it meets all meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. That said, we feel that at the $355-$380 price range, it’s unreasonably on the higher end.

Britax Boulevard ClickTight ARB Convertible Car SeatBritax also upgraded its Boulevard ClickTight with the Anti-Rebound bar to improve its safety. Like its predecessor, it also has only 2 layers of impact protection instead of 3 like the Advocate ClickTight. As you’d expect, the slight improvement with the Ant-Rebound Bar comes with extra dollars in price. It retails roughly in the range of $375-$400.

Final Verdict: Britax Advocate ClickTight Review

Our review of the Britax Advocate ClickTight convertible car seat leads to this verdict: It’s easy to install, safe, and comfortable for your baby, but it’s a high-end seat. However, compared to closely related car seats, it’s relatively cheaper than its improved versions. The Anti-Rebound Bar improves the safety of its rival models, but this comes at a higher price.

Be that as it may, spending a few extra dollars on a comfortable and secure car seat for your baby doesn’t hurt. The Advocate ClickTight will serve you very well. But if you feel more confident in its improved Britax models and rival car seats, go for them. The bottom line here is that all the seats meet the prerequisite safety standards.

See also: 14 Best Car Seats to Buy Right Now

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