Silver Cross Wayfarer 2020 pushchair review

Tested by:

Sarah is a first-time mum and journalist living in Shad Thames, London. She tested the latest Silver Cross Wayfarer 2020 on her area's cobbled streets and the city’s riverside walks and parks with her 7-week-old baby Roger.

What were your first impressions of the Silver Cross Wayfarer 2020?

The whole set of pushchair components came in one neat box and was extremely well packaged and protected so all were in pristine condition post-transit. Everything felt like it was made, of good quality materials with a nice finish, from the faux leather handle to the plush bamboo carrycot lining.

How easy is it to build?

The instructions were fairly clear but it did take a good 30 minutes for me to put the Wayfarer together. There were a few fiddly bits, particularly the assembly of the carrycot.

Rather than this arriving already put together as one piece as with some other pushchairs, there were quite a number of components to put together. I found this all a bit convoluted and confusing and wondered if the process could be simplified.

However, you only need to put it together once so this shouldn’t be a dealbreaker. Just don’t try to put it together in a rush and have someone to hand to help you.

How does it compare to the previous version of the Silver Cross Wayfarer?

The Wayfarer 2020 is the latest, updated version and has several new features. Firstly it is lighter than its predecessor - the carrycot and chassis have a combined weight of 9.7kg, and chassis and toddler seat weigh 10kg.

It also has a larger shopping basket and the styling is updated. It now includes quilted fabric for the carrycot apron, faux-leather trim and cover for the handle and a chrome finish on the chassis.

This latest model comes in four colourways including Clay, Sky, Sapphire and Pepper, but the weight limit for the toddler seat has gone down to 22kg (previously 25kg).

What do you think of the carrycot?

Though I felt the carrycot was unnecessarily complicated to put together, once in one piece it was very high quality and really cosy and comfy for our baby.

The inner lining had a gorgeous super soft finish - it’s made of a naturally antibacterial bamboo which helps to regulate your child’s temperature, according to the brand. And the mattress was safely firm and breathable. Roger often fell straight asleep and looked snug as a bug in a rug every time I took him out in it!

The quilted apron looked beautiful, with a Union Jack silver tag and Silver Cross Logo on the fold, and provided good warmth. I prefer when the apron has a zip to undo to take the baby out but the catch and velcro also worked fine. The apron comes up quite high so even though I am fairly tall I have to peer over slightly to see his face completely if I want to check on him.

I really like that the carrycot has a substantial hood which provides additional protection both from the wind when fully extended but also from the sun. It features UPF50+ sun protection fabric and an extra sun visor too.

The pushchair also comes with a rain cover (with its own neat storage bag) which is very easy to put on in a hurry and fits snugly over the carrycot, complete with ventilation holes and a velcro opening. Being pretty roomy, I’d imagine the carrycot would last well until our baby is 6 months.

How easy is the carrycot to add on/take off the pushchair?

The carrycot is fairly easy to take off with a simple pull catch on either side which you can undo one at a time before detaching. Weighing 2.7kg it wasn’t too difficult to lift, and it has a lovely leatherette-covered bar that matches the pushchair handle.

Although it is quite light it is a bit tricky to detach the whole carrycot with the baby inside as it is quite big overall – however, it is doable. You can also use the carrycot for occasional overnight sleeping which is really handy for visiting friends and family, as you don’t need to worry about a travel cot.

Is the Silver Cross Wayfarer 2020 car seat compatible?

Yes, it is compatible with the Dream and Simplicity Plus (£175 on Amazon) car seats which is useful if you're taking your baby on lots of car journeys.

How do you fold the Silver Cross Wayfarer 2020, and how easy is it?

I loved the ease of the folding mechanism for the chassis on the Wayfarer, and the fact it can be folded with the seat attached in forward-facing, upright position.

There is a bit of knack to it:

• Ensure the swivel wheels are locked and the brake is on
• Press the fold button on the right hand side of the pram
• Pull up on both sides and push down to collapse the frame until the fold lock engages

Once I’d worked it out it was super easy and fast to collapse the whole chassis in a smooth motion, and the wheels cleverly also fold in as you do it.

How compact is the Wayfarer 2020 once folded?

One downside of the Wayfarer 2020 is that the buggy is quite bulky once folded. When combined with the size of the carrycot, which only has a collapsible hood, it only just fit in our car boot (we have a mini SUV – a Hyundai Kona) – and we need to remove he parcel shelf to fit it in. It is also slightly awkward for me to lift the chassis into the boot once folded, more for its size (L85cm W54cm H32cm) than weight (7kg).

How well does the Silver Cross Wayfarer 2020 handle – is it easy to push?

A definite highlight of the Wayfarer 2020 was how smooth the ride was. It was a delight to push and it was so easy to steer with brilliant manoeuvrability.

The previous Wayfarer model seemed to split users’ opinions. Among our MFM website’s user reviewers, many love the model, giving it 5 out of 5 stars, yet there are a few dissenters who don’t like the way it handles at all due to its smooth EVA wheels.

For me, it performed well. There are lots of cobbled streets in our area of London (Shad Thames) so the tiniest of city pushchairs often struggles (or my baby looks like he is sat on a pneumatic drill - not ideal!). But the Wayfarer 2020 does the job well. It also handles other bumps, although with kerbs I have to get the angle just right if the front wheels aren’t locked forward. Otherwise they get stuck and I have to back up and do it again.

Predominantly designed for urban spaces, the Silver Cross Wayfarer 2020 is obviously at its best on pavements, but it also copes on grass and muddy park paths. However, I think if I were planning to be outside the city a lot, with regular countryside walks, I would opt for something a little sportier with bigger wheels and better suspension.

Equally, if I were constantly on public transport (because of Covid we aren't using the bus and tube like we would normally) I may want something more nippy. But for our main uses, such as walks along the Thames Riverside and around local parks and the odd bus journey, it very much fit the bill.

How sturdy is the chassis?

The Wayfarer’s frame feels durable and has a really nice chrome finish. It perhaps feels more delicate than the very sporty, all terrain pushchairs, but for city walks I have no doubt it will hold up well for some time.

How do you rate the pushchair's handlebar?

The handlebar is beautifully designed. I has a chrome centre bearing the Silver Cross Logo and is covered with a blue faux leather across each side which feels very nice and looks fabulous. You also have the impression it will wear very well.

The handle is also super easy to adjust – you squeeze a button in the centre - and it extends to 4 different levels to quite a length which makes it much more comfortable me to push without feeling like I am kicking the chassis. I’m 5ft 7 and it is perfect for me nearly all the way extended, and for my partner fully extended. Having had a C-section, it is important that I wasn't leaning or straining while walking so the position is great.

How do the wheels perform?

I loved the wheels. Their chrome finish almost looks like alloys on a car. You can lock the front wheels easily, and at a decent size, they go over most pavement bumps and grass without too much trouble.

They are made of a durable rubber (puncture-proof EVA) which is unlikely to burst, although this does mean they're not suited to bumpier terrain. You can also easily remove the wheels for storage or if you wanted to clean them.

How easy are the brakes to use?

I didn’t find the brakes totally intuitive - there is a red button you press down with your foot to engage the brake and a tiny green button to release it. Once I knew how they worked they were super easy and effective. They held well on a flat and incline though if it was very windy it did waver slightly.

How spacious is the basket on the Silver Cross Wayfarer 2020?

The shopping basket on the Wayfarer 2020 is a decent size to fit in my changing backpack and extra items such as a spare blanket and sling.

However, the space to access the basket when the carrycot is already attached is way too snug, making it a bit tricky to get things in and out of it. It is something our MFM reviewer and MFM users remarked on the previous model, so it’s a shame Silver Cross hasn’t solved this design flaw.

What’s in the box?

• Chassis
• Carrycot
• Carrycot hood and apron
• Raincover
• Pushchair seat unit
• What are the additional accessories that you can buy?
• Changing bag (£85)
• Foot muff (£85)
• Winter pack (£100)
• Car seat adaptors (£30)
• Cup holder (£30)
• Luxury seat liner (£60)

Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the pushchair?

It is definitely worth checking the dimensions when folded against the size of your car boot. It only just fit in ours (Hyundai Kona), so it may not fit other vehicles. However, once we migrate to the toddler seat, it should take up much less space, so it’s not a long term issue.

Depending on how much stuff you’re planning to store in the shopping basket, the narrow access when the carrycot is attached could also be a deal breaker. Silver Cross offer a set of Elevate Adaptors (£30) which raise the height of the carry cot or pushchair seat, that can provide easier access to the shopping basket.

Who would this pushchair be most useful for?

The Silver Cross Wayfarer 2020 is ideal for city-dwelling parents who are looking for something stylish yet functional for a fairly affordable price. The overall design aesthetic is a modern twist on tradition rather than overtly trendy or sporty, but it has a premium, sophisticated look that punches above its weight in terms of price tag. It's perfect for those wanting regular walks about town and in parks while also looking swish.

Is the Silver Cross Wayfarer worth the money?

I think it is very good value for money. It's not super cheap at £695 but is some way off the eye-wateringly expensive top tier brands. Yet it offers high quality components and a top-end finish. It also includes both the carrycot and pushchair in the base price, so it will take your child from birth to toddler with no added extras and also includes a handy rain cover.

Where can I buy the Silver Cross Wayfarer 2020?

It's available from Silver Cross, Amazon and John Lewis.

MadeForMums verdict:

A fantastic pushchair for city-dwelling parents who want a stylish yet functional model without a hefty price tag. The overall design aesthetic is a modern twist on tradition rather than overtly trendy or sporty, but it has a premium, sophisticated look that punches above its weight in terms of price tag. It's perfect for those wanting regular walks about town and in parks while also looking swish. However, it is not the most compact, so not for those tight on space.

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