Britax Boulevard Review

Britax Boulevard installed

Note: these seats are now discontinued.

CSFTL Quick Stats

• Rear facing weight range: 5-40 pounds
• Rear facing height range: 49 inches or under
• Forward facing weight range: 20-65 pounds
• Forward facing height range: 49 inches or under
• Lowest harness position: 7 inches with insert, 8.5 inches without insert
• Highest harness position: 17 inches
• Expiration: 7 years
• Lower anchor weight limit: 40 pounds rear facing, 50 pounds forward facing

Features

• Seat belt lockoffs both rear and forward facing
• 2 adjustable crotch buckle positions: 5 and 7 inches from the back of the seat pan
• 3 adjustable recline settings – 1 rear facing, 2 forward facing
• Push button lower anchor connectors
• No rethread harness (10 positions)
• Anti-rebound bar available to purchase separately via Britax (not to be used with the rear facing tether)
• Rear face tethering available on certain model dates, if stated in the user manual (not to be used with the anti-rebound bar)
• Positioning pillow for children up to 22 pounds
• Push button lower anchor connectors

Britax Boulevard lock offs

Color coded seat belt lockoffs for both rear and forward facing make seat belt installation very user-friendly. Always use the lockoff closest to your seat belt buckle.

Britax Boulevard two position crotch strap

Two adjustable crotch strap positions measuring 5″ and 7″ allow for plenty of room for both smaller and larger children. Britax states in their manual that for rear facing the strap needs to be in the inner slot when installing via seat belt and the slot closest to but not under the child when installing via lower anchors.  For forward facing, the crotch strap needs to be in the outer slot for children over 30 pounds. You also use the outer slot if the buckle is under the child when using the inner slot.

Britax Boulevard has 3 recline positions

Three adjustable recline positions make it easy to get installed at the correct angle rear facing. Only position three (fully reclined) can be used rear facing. Position 1 or 2 can be used forward facing, but position one has to be used for children over 40 pounds when installing via lap belt only.

Britax Boulevard push button lower anchor connectors and storage

Push button lower anchor connectors make lower anchor installation a breeze. Attach the connector on to the lower anchor in the vehicle and pull the webbing tight.  The storage area of the lower anchors are on the back of the seat base.  They clip in nicely for out of the way storage when installing via seat belt.

Britax Boulevard harness positions

No rethread harness (10 positions) allows the caregiver to move the harness without uninstalling the seat and rethreading the harness.

Britax Boulevard anti-rebound bar

Anti-rebound bar is available to purchase separately via Britax (not to be used with the rear facing tether).  This is a nice add-on that Britax has recently added to their online store.

Britax Boulevard rear facing tether

Rear facing tether available on certain model dates, if stated in the user manual (not to be used with the anti-rebound bar).  Some older models that still allow rear face tethering come with a metal d-ring.  Newer models that still allow it will come with a loop on either end of a strap.  The instruction manual shows how to use the connector strap. Note: Many vehicles no longer allow rear facing tether use.

Britax Boulevard infant positioning pillow

Infant positioning pillow  is required for infants who weigh up to 22 pounds and not permitted for children who weigh more than 22 pounds. This insert improves the fit for the tiniest of passengers.

Britax Boulevard lower anchor limits

Lower Anchor limits

As of February 2014, car seats must have labels stating the child’s weight limit for the use of lower anchors.  The new Britax seats have these updated labels with the current lower anchor limits clearly listed on the side for both rear facing and forward facing.

Britax Boulevard tether and anti-rebound bar

Tethers and Anti-rebound bar

Britax has shortened their tether straps, but do offer a tether extension if needed.  The biggest change they’ve instituted is moving away from a rear facing tether to an anti-rebound bar (ARB).  The ARB is available separately via Britax.com.   Many vehicles no longer allow seats to tether rear facing due to occupant detection systems, so Britax has decided the ARB is an easy fix: no more having to figure out if your vehicle allows a rear facing tether or not.  This is a rolling change to the non ClickTight convertibles, so some will still allow you to tether while rear facing; others will not.  If your manual allows it, please make sure to check with your vehicle manufacturer to make sure they allow it as well.

Britax Boulevard rear facing lockoffs

If a seat belt installation is preferred, that method is easy as well with Britax’s seat belt lockoffs.  They are found by lifting the cover.  Just open the lock off closest to your seat belt buckle, thread the belt through the rear facing belt path, buckle and tighten. Then flip the lock off over the seat belt to lock it into place.  The Britax lock offs can sometimes be difficult to clip all the way.  One tip for using the lock offs is to use the palm of your hand to close them, not your fingers.

Britax Boulevard Newborn doll, 7 pounds, 17 inches

Our newborn Huggable Images doll weighs 7 pounds and is 17 inches long. She fit very well with the infant positioning pillow in place.  It bumped her up just enough so that her shoulders were just barely above the bottom harness slots.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that she fit nicely with the impact absorbing chest pads. These pads are highly recommended for forward facing, but can be removed rear facing to ensure a snug fit for small infants.

Britax Boulevard – 15 months, 23 pounds., 31 inches

This young model is 15 months old, weighs 25 pounds, and is 30 inches tall. The Boulevard also fits him very well without the infant positioning pillow. He’s on the third harness position and has the crotch strap in the outer position.  He frequently sleeps in this seat with no complaints of being hot or uncomfortable.

Britax Boulevard, 3 years old, 25 pounds, 34 inches

Our 3 year old model also fits well rear facing in the Boulevard. She weighs 25 pounds and is 34 inches tall. At 3 years old, she’s still safer rear facing than forward facing. She is actually on the same harness position as our younger model but has the crotch buckle on the smaller position. She has plenty of leg room in the seat.

Britax Boulevard – 3 years, 25 pounds, 34 inches

Our 3 year old model still weighs 25 pounds and is 34 inches tall. She fits as well in the seat forward facing as she fit in it rear facing. She has about three or four more harness positions to grow.  I could see this seat lasting her for a long time to come.

Britax Boulevard Chloe – 6 years, 46 pounds, 48 inches

Our 6 year old Huggable Images doll, weighs 46 pounds and is 48 inches tall. We’re not terribly surprised that she barely fits in the Boulevard.  Her shoulders are right at the highest harness position and her legs are hanging over the edge of the shallow seat pan.  She still seemed to fit width wise well, although a typical child of this height and weight might be a bit snug. At her age, if she can sit properly, switching to a dedicated booster would be a safe choice.

Britax Boulevard date of manufacture & expiration

Date of manufacture can be found on the side of the car seat near the top, barely hiding under the cover.

Expiration is 7 years and can be found on page 5 of the instruction manual.

Britax Boulevard FAA certification

FAA approval label is on the outside of the seat’s base, and on page 6 of the instruction manual.