Lena Loves… Britax Advocate 65 CS


My love affair with Britax continues.

Now I know my readers have heard a thing or two about Britax car seats. They happen to be the number one selling manufacturer of car seats in Canada; chances are, you’ve already purchased one. But for the parents out there who have yet to experience their products, or parents-to-be who are looking for a lesson in car seat safety,  read on friends…

The Company

Britax manufactures and markets lines of premium car seats, strollers (B-READY – holla!) and accessories. Since its founding in Britain in 1939, the company has become one of the world’s most trusted juvenile products brands, known for its commitment to thoughtful engineering and top-quality, intuitive design.

The Products

Britax offers nine (9) car seat models in Canada — infant car seats, infant/child car seat and child car seats. The car seats are designed to keep a child rear facing and in a five-point harness longer, and can accommodate a child from “birth to belt” (i.e., 4 pounds to 120 pounds). Click here to learn about and compare models.

We’ve long enjoyed our Britax Marathon car seat, but when offered a chance to test out the fully redesigned Advocate 65 CS, I literally whooped for joy. It’s not often that one is given the opportunity to review arguably the best car seat on the market!

Wondering how the new generation models compare to the original car seats? Well, Britax introduces “Superior 360 Degree Protection with Revolutionary Head Safety Technology” that dramatically reduces the risk of head injury and provides complete protection from all sides in the event of a vehicle crash. This includes:

• A re-engineered lower center of gravity that allows the child to sit lower and creates stability in the event of a crash
• Integrated steel bars that strengthen the connection to the vehicle and reduce forward flexing of the child seat during a crash
• Britax SafeCell Technology with SafeCells that are designed to compress in a crash. This significantly lowers the center of gravity and counteracts the forward rotation of the child seat, which normally propels the child toward the front seat.
• Energy-Absorbing Versa-Tether with a two-point attachment and staged-release tether webbing to anchor the top of the car seat. This minimizes forward-rotation and reduces crash forces reaching the child.

(The newer generation products can also be used for children up to 65 pounds in Canada – hence the “65″ in most of the model names – and rear-facing to an impressive 40 pounds.)

Watch this:

(And now go buy a Britax.)

The Advocate 65 CS is superb. Out of the box, I marveled at how large it was – my husband called it “Mission Control!” But the increased bulk was actually due to the Side Impact Cushion Technology; the energy-absorbing cushions on the exterior of the seat are there to reduce side impact crash energy and provide extra protection for the equally precious adjacent passenger. And amazingly enough, once in the car, we noticed the Advocate 65 CS was only fractionally larger than our previous generation Marathon.

Installation, as with all Britax products, was a breeze, and Ryder was in it the very same day it arrived. Non-handed premium lower connectors make transition from rear to forward facing beyond simple. And you know how some car seats give a little wiggle once installed? Definitely not the case with Britax models – just a quick pull on the tightening mechanisms and your car seat won’t budge.

Now let’s chat about the harness. The Advocate 65 CS operates on the Harness Ultra Guard System (HUGS) to provide resistance to forward movement in the event of a crash. It is also terribly handy that the harness is TANGLE-FREE. The harness distributes crash forces across the strongest parts of the body – and of course, incorporates Britax’s famous no-rethread feature; the shoulder height can be repositioned without disassembling the harness straps.

Click here to view all the features of the Britax Advocate 65 CS.

Ryder gives the seat two thumbs up for comfort, and I can’t deny that I have complete peace of mind that he is safely secured in a high quality, beyond reputable product. I know some parents may raise eyebrows at the cost (CDN $399), but let me break it down like this:

You child can conceivably use this car seat for 8 years. That’s $50 a year. Or $4.12 per month. What do you spend $4.12 on per month? How about an investment into the well-being of your child? As a Britax enthusiast, I visibly cringe when I see parents purchase less expensive alternatives. If it’s not in your budget today, borrow some money. Sell some old baby stuff. Skip your highlights for 3 months. Just put your child’s safety first – by purchasing the most tested, recommended and trusted car seats on the market. Britax.


You can find the Britax Advocate 65 CS, and all Britax car seats, at retailers across the country. And do keep your eyes out for special offers and sales! It makes owning the car seats a little more affordable (not that they’re not worth every penny!)


Britax has generously offered one Listen to Lena! reader the chance to win a Britax Advocate 65 CS in his/her choice of fabric! (Value $399)

To enter, simply visit Britax online to learn about the features of the Advocate 65 CS in detail, and leave a comment here with your favourite feature.

You can also qualify for extra entries! Remember, you must leave a separate comment for each. You can:

(1) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena!
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(2) “Like” Britax on Facebook
(3) Follow Britax on Twitter
(4) Tweet about this giveaway (here’s a tiny URL for you: http://tinyurl.com/6b33f9h)
(5) You may tweet about this giveaway daily

I’ll draw for a winner on February 13th. Special thanks to Britax, and good luck everyone!

3,358 Responses to “Lena Loves… Britax Advocate 65 CS”

  1. Rebecca O
    January 17, 2011 at 1:40 am #

    My favorite feature is that it has a 65 lb weight capacity…that means that my son could be in for a really long time. I also like that it has the Harness Ultra Guard System (HUGS) to provide resistance to forward movement in the event of a crash. Thanks for the chance! Rebecca Obekki1820cb at gmail dot com

  2. Rebecca O
    January 17, 2011 at 1:41 am #

    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/bekki1820cb/status/26815360120389632Rebecca Obekki1820cb at gmail dot com

  3. Rebecca O
    January 17, 2011 at 1:42 am #

    Follower of Listen to Lena!. Rebecca Obekki1820cb at gmail dot com#1

  4. Rebecca O
    January 17, 2011 at 1:42 am #

    Follower of Listen to Lena!. Rebecca Obekki1820cb at gmail dot com#2

  5. Rebecca O
    January 17, 2011 at 1:42 am #

    I like Listen to Lena on FB: Bekki Orrbekki1820cb at gmail dot com

  6. Rebecca O
    January 17, 2011 at 1:42 am #

    I like Britax on FB: Bekki Orrbekki1820cb at gmail dot com

  7. Rebecca O
    January 17, 2011 at 1:43 am #

    Following Britax on Twitter: @bekki1820cb bekki1820cb at gmail dot com

  8. Elly
    January 17, 2011 at 1:53 am #

    My favourite feature is the plush, Easy-Remove Cover with matching comfort pads and Infant body pillow to provide extra comfort and easy cleaning without disassembling or uninstalling the child seat.

  9. Elly
    January 17, 2011 at 1:54 am #

    Follower on GFC (Elly). #1

  10. Elly
    January 17, 2011 at 1:54 am #

    Follower on GFC (Elly). #2

  11. Elly
    January 17, 2011 at 1:54 am #

    Like you on FB (Elly V).

  12. Elly
    January 17, 2011 at 1:54 am #

    Like Britax on FB (Elly V).

  13. trishsmth
    January 17, 2011 at 1:59 am #

    I like listentolena on facebook

  14. trishsmth
    January 17, 2011 at 1:59 am #

    I follow your blog

  15. trishsmth
    January 17, 2011 at 2:01 am #

    I love the cool designs & the fact that it goes to 65lbs!!

  16. Michelle
    January 17, 2011 at 2:03 am #

    Love that it is convertable rear and forward facing. Eliminates the need of buying 2 car seats. At its retail price, that's a must!

  17. Raising Madison
    January 17, 2011 at 2:11 am #

    My fav. feature is that it goes up to 65 lbs.josborne824 at gmail dot com

  18. Raising Madison
    January 17, 2011 at 2:12 am #

    I follow (1)josborne824 at gmail dot com

  19. Raising Madison
    January 17, 2011 at 2:12 am #

    follower (2)josborne824 at gmail dot com

  20. Raising Madison
    January 17, 2011 at 2:14 am #

    I tweeted. @RaisingMadisonjosborne824 at gmail dot com

  21. Raising Madison
    January 17, 2011 at 2:16 am #

    I like Britax on facebook.

  22. Linda Kish
    January 17, 2011 at 2:17 am #

    The Harness Ultra Guard System (HUGS™) is my favorite featurelkish77123 at gmail dot com

  23. Linda Kish
    January 17, 2011 at 2:18 am #

    I am a GFC follower1lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  24. Linda Kish
    January 17, 2011 at 2:18 am #

    I am a GFC follower2lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  25. 3 Giggly Monsters
    January 17, 2011 at 2:51 am #

    My favorite feature is the infant body pillow.megankayden@yahoo.com

  26. 3 Giggly Monsters
    January 17, 2011 at 2:51 am #

    Following you via gfcmegankayden@yahoo.com

  27. 3 Giggly Monsters
    January 17, 2011 at 2:51 am #

    Following you via gfcmegankayden@yahoo.com

  28. 3 Giggly Monsters
    January 17, 2011 at 2:52 am #

    I like you on facebookAlisha Kmegankayden@yahoo.com

  29. 3 Giggly Monsters
    January 17, 2011 at 2:52 am #

    I like Britax on facebookAlisha Kmegankayden@yahoo.com

  30. 3 Giggly Monsters
    January 17, 2011 at 2:53 am #

    Following Britax on twittermegankaydenmegankayden@yahoo.com

  31. 3 Giggly Monsters
    January 17, 2011 at 2:53 am #

    Following Britax on twittermegankaydenmegankayden@yahoo.com

  32. Carly
    January 17, 2011 at 3:30 am #

    I LOVE that it's easy to take off and wash without having to be a genius. :) Carlywordyowl@gmail.com

  33. Carly
    January 17, 2011 at 3:30 am #

    I follow your blog #1Carly

  34. Carly
    January 17, 2011 at 3:31 am #

    I follow your blog. #2Carly

  35. Charlotte Anne
    January 17, 2011 at 3:38 am #

    My favorite feature is the fact that kids can stay rear facing longer as research has shown front facing car seats lead to spinal and neck injuries in crashes!

  36. Charlotte Anne
    January 17, 2011 at 3:39 am #

    I follow your blog #1!

  37. Charlotte Anne
    January 17, 2011 at 3:39 am #

    I follow your blog #2!

  38. Charlotte Anne
    January 17, 2011 at 3:40 am #

    I "liked" listen to lena on Facebook!

  39. kellyr78
    January 17, 2011 at 3:41 am #

    My favorite feature is the side impact cushion technology. It's good to know that there is an added measure of safety.KellywcuATyahooDOTcom

  40. Charlotte Anne
    January 17, 2011 at 3:41 am #

    I "liked" Britax on facebook

  41. Charlotte Anne
    January 17, 2011 at 3:41 am #

    I follow Britax on twitter

  42. kellyr78
    January 17, 2011 at 3:42 am #

    I follow your blog by GFC(kellyr78)KellywcuATyahooDOTcom1

  43. kellyr78
    January 17, 2011 at 3:42 am #

    I follow your blog by GFC(kellyr78)KellywcuATyahooDOTcom2

  44. kellyr78
    January 17, 2011 at 3:43 am #

    I like you on FB (kelly D)KellywcuATyahooDOTcom

  45. Charlotte Anne
    January 17, 2011 at 3:43 am #

    I tweeted! meerkatsaunders

  46. kellyr78
    January 17, 2011 at 3:43 am #

    I like Britax on FB (kelly D)KellywcuATyahooDOTcom

  47. kellyr78
    January 17, 2011 at 3:44 am #

    I am following Britax on twitter(kellywcu)KellywcuATyahooDOTcom

  48. kellyr78
    January 17, 2011 at 3:45 am #

    tweeted giveawayhttp://twitter.com/#!/Kellywcu/status/26847461418995712kellywcuATyahooDOTcom

  49. Andrea
    January 17, 2011 at 4:27 am #

    My favorite feature is the Side Impact Cushion Technology! Anything that can my baby safe in case of an accident is amazing in my books!andreapaetkau at gmail dot com

  50. Andrea
    January 17, 2011 at 4:27 am #

    I follow your blog via GFC! #1andreapaetkau at gmail dot com

Newer Comments »