Silver Cross Jet 3 stroller review

What were your first impressions?

First impressions were promising: the box that arrived was super small and even more compact than I hoped (minimal packaging waste). There wasn’t really any assembly required, the front wheels just need to be pushed into place, and the hood attached – easy for a sleep deprived and overloaded brain!

What’s the Silver Cross Jet 3 stroller like to push and steer?

The first week of testing happened to be especially bad weather – lots of rain and strong winds. The buggy is deliberately designed to be lightweight, but as such I felt it couldn't withstand the weather, and it was a challenge to steer. The other issue with its lightness is tricky terrain: at one point on the first run with my toddler Lev, we almost tipped completely over after hitting a bit of uneven pavement. Lev is 13kg, and this is recommended for up to 15kg, so it should be fine, but you need to take care going up and down steep kerbs and steps in particular. However, with even surfaces, and with my 4-month-old Mati, it was a smooth ride with minimal noise, and easy to manoeuvre even in tight spots like buses!

How lightweight is the Silver Cross Jet 3 stroller?

Very. It’s only 5.9kg.

Is the Silver Cross Jet 3 stroller good for travelling?

It really is. One of my favourite features of this buggy is the fact that, unlike some other cabin-approved buggy models, the Jet 3 pulls along like a suitcase when folded, which is very practical and saves your shoulders. It’s very compact – even compared to other similar models on the market – and at L55cmxW30cmxH20cm it’s the size of a small suitcase when folded up. As a result, it takes up very little space – ideal in our small busy house, or in the boot of our VW golf. This transportability is perfect for travel, or day trips and the protective cover included is ideal for keeping that it neat (and clean!) in transit.

Is the Silver Cross Jet 3 stroller suitable for use with young babies?

While Silver Cross say the stroller is suitable to use from birth, I was very dubious and had to search quite a lot to double check how a baby under 6 months can safely use the buggy. I’ve never seen a stroller that doesn’t recline completely flat (this is classified as lie flat, but it is slightly raised) and faces out at the world for babies of that age – there’s no parent-facing option here.

I couldn’t find any pictures of a baby that small in it, so I was nervous taking Mati out in it on first use. When she cried, she couldn’t see me – although I could see her through the peephole window – and I felt she was quite exposed to the wind too. However, once she settled, she seemed comfortable and snug – she was able to sleep quite a long time in it.

What are the straps like on the Silver Cross Jet 3 stroller?

So good. Silver Cross’ Genius buckle really is a dream mechanism – every buggy in the world needs one! It is so straightforward and satisfying to use, clipping together really easily with 3magnetic clicks and a single release button. Adjusting the straps for each child was also seamless – great for me as it minimised the faff when switching between my 4 month old and 2 year old.

How easy is it to fold and unfold the Silver Cross Jet 3 stroller?

Folding was a breeze – just push the button at the centre of the handle and it all collapses effortlessly into itself in one go – the safety catch closes itself.

Unfolding was a little disappointing in comparison. I had to watch a few online demos (no instructions included, but to be honest I prefer to see a video) as it isn’t obvious. You need to unlatch the safety catch, then use 2 hands to hold and snap the whole chassis into place. It took me a while to get the hang of it. Once you do get the hang of it, it’s really only a single motion, but it does require 2 hands – you can’t just shake it out like the Babyzen Yoyo2. That is quite a big drawback for me when wanting to get out of the house in a rush or transfer my toddler to the buggy when I have the baby in the sling.

Is it easy to store the Silver Cross Jet 3 stroller?

Once folded the buggy is a super compact and tidy, it stands freely and solidly on its wheels and the handle is there ready to roll. You can then leave it self-standing or add the protective cover and remove the handle, which fits into the front pocket of the cover, and makes it even more compact for storing or stowing away. It would easily fit into any car boot and leave room and would fit into most household cupboards or the top of a wardrobe – wherever you keep your suitcases!

Is the Silver Cross Jet 3 stroller good on public transport?

Yes. I took this on London buses, tubes and the overground and found that its compact size makes it great for use on crowded transport. It is also so lightweight and easy to fold – when there was no space on the bus for another buggy, I could quickly collapse it and stash away and not have to wait for the next bus! Getting on and off the bus, and onto trains where the gap between the train and platform was steep, was a little tricky, because the buggy feels a little flimsy (the downside of the weight). It’s hard to see the front wheels which I find tricky when manoeuvring. Still, a great option for city-dwellers.

What’s the chassis like?

Everything is matt black, with attractive tan brown leather-effect details on the handle and on the pull along bumper bar. The design is neutral, straightforward and simple – which personally I really like. After a few weeks use, the chassis is a little scratched and the wheels clearly appear used, making me think this wouldn’t last through heavy use, or survive several children!

How do you rate the handle on the Silver Cross Jet 3 stroller?

I’m 5ft 5, and the handle height was just right for me but I’m not sure how comfortable it would be for someone tall to use. The handlebar is not adjustable – in fact, one of the drawbacks for me of this buggy is a lack of adjustability and adaptability in general

What do you think of the seat unit?

The seat unit is OK, but it’s not very padded and the cushion seems fairly thin. The recline range is spot on, with a very user-friendly adjustment toggle at the back that you can release with one hand smoothly – helpful when you’re on the go and your child falls asleep in it.

The seat also has an adjustable calf support, but I found my toddler’s legs where still dangling at a bit of an odd angle, and he didn’t really nap in the buggy as he would normally. He did love the pull along bumper bar, which feels secure and fun to hold for older children – this one is very easy for parents to unlock and open too.

The seat is easy to wipe clean or vacuum, but the best thing about the seat unit by far is the Genius 5-point harness system I’ve mentioned previously.

What’s the hood like?

The hood does a sufficient job: it offers UPF50+ protection for hot climates (sadly not useful in the UK in January!), pulls down easily and stayed down even in strong winds and rain, and has a peephole window that fastens with magnets, so it doesn’t flap about.

Does the Silver Cross Jet 3 stroller come with a raincover?

Yes, there is a raincover included and it feels high quality, compared to others I’ve used. I’ve found it fits really well, neat and tightly onto the hood fully covering the seat. There’s no storage case for the raincover though, which would’ve been nice.

What are the wheels like?

The wheels are fairly standard as far as I could tell. The 2 front wheels have a swivel function, that can be locked with a simple switch – which I preferred as it felt more steady and secure. They dealt well with pavement, gravel, cobblestone.

How good are the brakes?

Simplicity is key with the functionality of this buggy in general, built with frazzled brains in mind, and the brakes are no exception. There are 2: a red to lock and a green pedal to release – fairly self-explanatory! The brakes are flip-flop friendly and, while testing in the depths of the British winter I didn’t get the chance to try it with flip flops, I found I could easily press down on the pedals wearing my slippers at home.

What is the shopping basket like on the Silver Cross Jet 3 stroller?

This was one of the biggest drawbacks for me. The storage basket underneath the seat is far too small, I could hardly fit a packet of nappies in there. Although lightweight strollers do tend to have smaller baskets than everyday prams, I do find it irritating that I can’t access the Jet 3's basket from the back – it’s only accessible from the front, under the child’s feet. This becomes quite impractical when in use.

There’s also no storage pocket at the back of the seat – which I usually find handy in other buggies for putting essentials like your wallet and phone – so you end up having to carry a bag as well as push the buggy. I think because of this the Jet 3 is really designed for minimalists or short journeys, rather than day to day use.

Can the pushchair be used with a car seat to create a travel system?

Yes – although you’ll need to buy the car seat adapters and Silver Cross car seat separately.

What’s in the box?

• Chassis
• Wheels
• UPF50+ Sun Protection Hood
• Protective cover
• Raincover
• Instructions + 3-year warranty

What are the additional accessories that you can buy?

• Universal stroller parasol, £45
• Car seat adapters, £35

Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the Silver Cross Jet 3 stroller?

That it doesn’t feel like the best option to use with a young baby. I would have felt reassured and more confident initially if there was more information about using the Jet 3 with smaller babies – I still can’t imagine using this stroller with a newborn, even after testing it with my 4 month old.

Who would the Silver Cross Jet 3 stroller be most useful for?

This is perfect for frequent flyers and regular day trippers. I think the Jet 3 is also useful as a second buggy or for those who need an additional, very compact, buggy to keep in the car or leave at the grandparents’ for occasional/light use.

Is the Silver Cross Jet 3 stroller worth the money?

At £345, this is on the mid to high end of the price range for travel-oriented buggies, but the price feels reflected in the thoughtful aspects of design and how well if fulfils that purpose. If you are specifically looking for a travel stroller, it’s reasonable, however if you're looking for something for everyday use or that can double up as a buggy you'll use often in other contexts, it's probably worth investing in a different model. In sum, it's not an exaggerated price for the product but it's still a lot of money for what is really only for use as a second or additional buggy.

How does it compare to similar strollers?

Where can I buy the Silver Cross Jet 3 stroller?

Available at Silver Cross, John Lewis and Amazon.

MadeForMums verdict:

If you’re looking for a well-designed, stylish and quality buggy that will make travel a doddle, you’ll love the simplicity of the features of the Jet 3. However, if you want to use it beyond travel, this probably isn’t the right stroller for you. It’s really for occasional use, nipping around the city, using public transport or taking on holiday where the Jet 3 shines, thanks to its compact fold and super light weight.