Silver Cross Wayfarer review

This new Wayfarer is a truly modern pram and buggy for today’s mums and dads. MadeForMums tested the latest version, which includes 4 new colourways, new fabrics and a lightly textured matt silver aluminium chassis.

Tested by:

Rykesha is a first-time mum from London. She tested the Wayfarer alongside the carrycot with her 2-month-old daughter Amayah-Rose. They mostly used it for short walks through the park and trips to the local supermarket and baby clinic.

What are your first impressions of the Silver Cross Wayfarer?

On unboxing, the Wayfarer, I was impressed straight away by the design and quality. The textured matte silver chassis with stylish chrome highlights are elegant yet modern. The carrycot and accompanying mattress feel really plush. I was really excited to get out and about with my little one in it.

What age is the Silver Cross Wayfarer suitable for?

Newborn right up until an impressive 25kg (15kg is the standard weight limit for a pushchair).

The carrycot provides a super comfortable environment for newborn babies and is also suitable for overnight sleeping as an added bonus. My daughter has always fallen asleep easily and stayed sleeping comfortably in it.

The reversible pushchair seat unit provides a roomy seat for children and is suitable for up to 25kg.

How do you fold the Silver Cross Wayfarer?

With the carrycot: you need to remove the cot for folding but it’s quick and easy – with it facing towards you, you just release the side flaps outwards and lift it clear of the chassis. Handily, it has 4 plastic feet so it can be placed it on the ground without worrying about getting the base fabric dirty.

With the seat: this is even simpler as you can fold it with the seat attached – though it must be forward facing and in the upright position. Just press and hold the fold release button on the righthand side and pull the fold release triggers towards you. Then push the handle downwards gently and lower the downwards until the fold lock engages.

How compact is the Silver Cross Wayfarer?

At 84cm long and almost 54cm wide, the Wayfarer is pretty large and bulky when folded. We had to have to have a clear out of the cupboard under the stairs to make space for it.

Does it fit in the boot of your car?

The folded chassis and carrycot fit well side by side in the boot of the Toyota Prius. However, after one supermarket shopping trip, we had to play real life Tetris to fit all the shopping bags in, and some had to be placed on the back seat.

How lightweight is the Silver Cross Wayfarer?

The Wayfarer has a very light and flexible design that’s easy to handle on busy streets. I was pleasantly surprised by how lightweight it is to manouvre – even with my heavy baby bag hooked on. The chassis and carrycot combined weigh just 10kg.

How easy is the Silver Cross Wayfarer to push?

It’s such a pleasure to push and steer this buggy, even in tight spots like a crowded supermarket aisle. It feels very free and flexible but strong and easy to control at the same time.

How does it ride on different surfaces such as parks and pavement kerbs?

The Silver Cross Wayfarer has been specifically designed to handle the urban landscape and its lockable swivel wheels make it very nimble. All 4 wheels have fantastic suspension, meaning it rides well on a range of surfaces.

We have a nearby park, which not only has grass and gravel but also cobbles. We found the pushchair pushes nicely on all these surfaces without jerking our baby around. The suspension is responsive enough to make even a walk in the park over grass comfortable.

How easy is it to take the pushchair on public transport?

The Silver Cross Wayfarer handles bus rides with ease. Its slim body glides down the bus aisle with space to spare on both sides so you don’t have to worry about scraping other passengers. It fits well in the wheelchair/pram area too, even when there’s already another buggy onboard.

What do you think of the the Silver Cross Wayfarer’s wheels?

Impressive. The Wayfarer's ‘never-wear’ tyres are made from puncture-proof EVA. Almost 3 months in, they’re as good as new, with no dents or deep scratches.

On the downside, the tyres are completely smooth with no treads, so I’ve found some high kerbs and wonky pavement slabs can be difficult to roll over without me giving a little lift.

Does the Silver Cross Wayfarer’s frame strong and durable?

Yes, the frame is very strong and sturdy, and I’d definitely expect it to last.

What do you think of its handlebar?

Sporting a trendy faux-leather covering, the handle bar is lovely and soft, and very comfortable to hold. I’ve placed two buggy hooks on my handle bar to hang my baby bag for easy access. I thought the covering would start to wear away and become misshapen from the weight of my bag, but it remains smooth and intact.

The handle can be adjusted across 4 positions (the older model only had 3) to suit your height. Simply pull in the middle button with your hand and slide the handle in and out to the desired height.

Is the the Silver Cross Wayfarer seat reversible?

Yes, the Wayfarer seat can be forward or rear facing. When it’s time to swap the carrycot for the seat, you can use the same hood and apron so there are no additional costs.

Is the seat easy to recline?

Yes - the seat has 3 forward facing and 3 rear facing reclining positions. You adjust it with a simple one-handed move that can be carried out while the child is in it ­– perfect for when they fall asleep on a stroll.

How comfortable does the Silver Cross Wayfarer feel for your baby?

I can tell she really loves being out in it. The carrycot lining is really soft and she often runs her little hands across it. The mattress also very soft, but firm so she sleeps peacefully in it.

Is it easy to interact with your child when using the carrycot?

I’m 5ft 3in tall, and I struggle to see all of my baby’s face when she’s in the carrycot. I find myself standing on tiptoe to lean over, or walking besides the pram so I can check on her.

What do you think of the Silver Cross Wayfarer’s hood?

The hood can be used in 3 positions – fully open, semi-open and fully covered. Pulling the hood up and pushing it back does take a little force, so I have to be a bit cautious when moving it when the baby is asleep to avoid waking her.

The hood coverage is really good. My little one is so nosey and loves watching the trees and birds pass her by so when it’s time for a nap, I put the hood into position 3 so there are fewer distractions! The Wayfarer hood also has a viewing window flap, ventilation panel and a cleverly stored pop-out sun visor.

Where are the brakes on the Silver Cross Wayfarer?

The brake is located on the righthand side of the frame. To apply, you simply push the red pedal down, and then tap the smaller green button when you need to release it.

The brakes felt pretty strong and reliable. When I used them on a medium steeped hill and on the bus, the buggy didn’t budge. However, on a particularly very windy day on a flat street, the buggy nudged a little.

How big is the Silver Cross Wayfarer’s shopping basket?

The basket is very generous ­ really wide and deep. However, as the carrycot is also very deep, it’s really hard to access the basket and I struggled to fit a loaf of bread in it through the gap. I ended up buying some storage hooks to hang a bag off instead. However, it’s really easy to access using the seat unit.

Can the Silver Cross Wayfarer be used as a travel system with a car seat?

Yes, the Wayfarer is compatible with the Silver Cross Simplicity car seat. As part of the package, the Wayfarer comes with Simplicity car seat adaptors.

See new Silver Cross’s new range of car seats

How stylish is the Silver Cross Wayfarer pushchair?

It’s really chic and I love the feel and quality of the premium Oxford-woven marl fabric and faux leather handlebar. We have the buggy in Onyx (grey/black) but it is also available in Linen, Platinum and Midnight Blue – all unisex and neutral shades.

What’s in the box?

• Wayfarer Chassis
• Pushchair Seat Unit
• Newborn Carrycot
• Hood and Apron Pack
• Rain Cover
• Basket
• Simplicity Car Seat Adaptors

What additional accessories can you buy for the Silver Cross Wayfarer?

• Footmuff £85
• Flexible parasol £45
• Seat liner £45
• Changing bag £60

How easy is it to assemble the Silver Cross Wayfarer?

As someone who struggles with Swedish flat pack furniture, I was a tad worried about assembling the Wayfarer. But it was actually really easy. I found the instructions and diagrams very comprehensive. It took around half an hour to assemble – a record for me!

Who would the product be most useful for?

This is a great fuss-free buggy for parents and carers regularly walking around town. It’s sturdy, lightweight enough to use on public transport and can handle a range of city surfaces.

How much does the Wayfarer costs and is it good value?

At £745, I would say the Silver Cross Wayfarer is a little on the pricey side but well worth the price tag. For example, the Wayfarer fabric feels heavy duty and durable with secure re-enforced stitching

You can see and feel what you’ve spent your money on - quality design and manufacturing. Plus knowing that I can potentially use it until my daughter hits pre-school years, it’s a very worthwhile investment.

MadeForMums verdict:

If you’re looking for style, quality and comfort, then the Silver Cross Wayfarer is ideal for you and your baby or young child. It is an extremely stylish and streamline travel system designed to make urban travelling easy and enjoyable.

I’d have to say the carrycot as a whole is my favourite feature, simply because my baby lies in it so comfortably and peacefully. A close second would be the luxurious handlebar which is on-trend and extremely comfortable to hold.

It's not totally perfect, the fold is quite big and bulky and its tricky to get items in and out of the basket when using the carrycot. but overall, it’s a fantastic buggy and I would certainly recommend it.

See below for more reviews from MadeForMums parents - please note these may apply to an older model of the Silver Cross Wayfarer.

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