Many of you will know Silver Cross as the makers of the traditional carriage style prams, but in actual fact they are now so much more than that. They now make a huge range of modern car seats and pushchairs, including the very eye catching Pioneer. Designed to be the whole package, from newborn to toddler, the Pioneer comes with a carrycot and a multi recline seat unit which can be used in rear or forward facing modes.
We have been using the Pioneer for the last 5 weeks, and have found it to be a versatile, practical option with some really lovely features.
Carrycot mode
The pioneer carrycot is large, deep and spacious. I love how high the sides are – Eliza seems cocooned from the world. The hood is big too, and offers plenty of shade. The mattress provided is soft, and the carrycot is suitable for occasional overnight sleeping – perfect for holidays or nights away.
Removing the carrycot from the frame is a really easy job, much easier than some other brands I have come across. You simply lift the catches on either side of the carrycot – this can be done with 2 hands at the same time, and by leaning over the handlebar – you don’t need to swap from side to side to release the mechanism. Once the catches are undone, simply lift with the bumper bar. It is surprisingly lightweight for a carrycot too, and so is easy to move from one place to another.
Eliza seems to be very comfortable in here. She sleeps in it happily, and doesn’t roll or move around when you push the pram. The ride itself is smooth, and it’s a pleasure to push, due to the 4 way suspension and large puncture proof tyres which seem to handle most surfaces with ease – grass, tarmac, stones and mud prove no problem at all. The handlebar can be adjusted to suit people of different heights, and the faux leather covering makes it comfortable for your hands to hold, even after a long period of time.
The shopping basket is HUGE – one of the biggest I have seen. We managed to pack everything we needed for a day out with 4 kids, and there was still room to spare. School bags, picnics and park toys will all fit, and it makes it much less stressful if you don’t have huge bags to drag around after you.
Seat mode
I have often found that these types of ‘all in one’ travel systems have fantastic carrycots but very small seat units. That’s not the case with the Pioneer. Although Eliza isn’t big enough to use the seat unit yet, we have done a couple of school runs with Max in there and Eliza in a sling. Again, it is comfortable to push, even with a heavy toddler on board. At almost 27 months, Max still has room to spare in the seat, and I think it would probably easily accommodate him for another few months. His head is near the top of the seat, but with the hood up he still has a few inches of growing room.
The leg rest can be up as in my picture, or you can lower it down so your toddler can rest their feet on the non slip footrest. The basket is easily accessible with the seat in both forward and rear facing positions as there is a decent space between seat and basket. You have the option to use with or without a bumper bar, and the harness is comfortable and easy to adjust, even with Max in the seat.
You may notice that the hood and apron in the above pictures are the same as those on the carrycot – you use the same set for each mode. This means you don’t have to have more than one colour pack – you simply buy your Pioneer, choose your colour and have everything you need for both newborn and toddler use. The apron is a perfect carrycot cover, and works well on the seat too, although it may be too small for longer legged tots, and you might need something a bit warmer in winter.
Folding and unfolding
Couldn’t be simpler. You just push in the fold button on the handlebar and pull up the 2 trigger loops on the chassis – the frame will collapse down into a relatively small package. It can be folded with the seat unit in place if it is forward facing, or you can remove the seat for a smaller fold. There is also an autolock feature, so the chassis will remain closed. To unfold, you simply undo the lock and pull the handlebar upwards until the frame clicks into place.
Overall?
I like it. I like the spacious carrycot and seat unit, the massive hood and basket and the easy fold. I like the fact that it comes with extras such as a cup holder, car seat adaptors to attach a Simplicity car seat and the multi functional apron. I like that you can choose your colour, and even change the colour really easily if you fancy a change. There really isn’t much I don’t like – although I do have to mention the yellow colour pack. It’s stunning, and makes such a nice change from the usual blacks, blues and reds. It’s so pretty, very unisex and especially great at this time of year – except for the fact that this shade of yellow attracts bugs. Heaps of them. If you go outside on a sunny day with the yellow Pioneer, be prepared to be swarmed with nasty little insects! It’s such a shame as the yellow is utterly gorgeous, but if I was buying this pushchair I would definitely go for one of the other fabulous colours – the lime is just as bright and eye catching!
I am not a fan of their traditional stuff but I love the yellow of this one #triedtested
Mummy Fever recently posted…Why staying in is better than going out
Such a beautiful pushchair, shame about the bugs problem though. I really do love the look of this xx
mummymelton recently posted…GlassesShop Sunglasses – Review
I love this, I’m really loving yellow buggies at the moment although Archie would be too big for this. Even though he’s almost three he needs to be in a buggy for safety issues due to his autism so I’m on the hunt for something funky yet suitable for his age. #TriedTested
Toni @ Gym Bunny Mummy recently posted…FAMILY DAYS OUT | A TRIP TO COCKFIELDS FARM
This does look really good. It looks stylish (love the yellow, though hear what you’re saying!) as well as very practical x
thereadingresidence recently posted…In The Night Garden Live
This looks lovely – I nearly got yellow for my buggy, decided against it and have been kicking myself since! Interesting to hear how practical this is as I only really knew the classic models, and had heard varying reports about how good Silver Cross really was. #triedtested
Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…Is the I Amsterdam card worth it?
We love ours, it’s a purple one so no bug invasion! I love the shopping basket and how big the seat is too!
Lauren | Belle du brighton recently posted…Baby Loves: SnuzPod cosleeper
Oh I love, love yellow. This is gorgeous. If I had a third baby…as your baby photos are making me so broody I would definitely keep this in mind for sure. Looks lovely. Great review hunny. Thanks for hosting. #triedtested
Jenny recently posted…Decorating a ‘memory’ room
Wow this is lovely – I lovely the bright yellow colour – shame about the bugs. Sounds like a great all-round pram / buggy.
#TriedTested
We’re way past the buggy stage but this looks great. Yellow is so bright and cheerful #TriedTested
Yet Another Blogging Mummy recently posted…Mumsnet Book Club review – Fallout by Sadie Jones
A beautiful pram and beautiful children. I’ve never had a silvercross but I only ever really hear positive things!
Jenna Parrington recently posted…MicroBarBox – Review
Such a pretty pram! I love the colour. I think Amy would look very pretty in there 😉
Colette B recently posted…Summer Fun at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet
I love the pram, i am a huge silver cross fan as my mum had the big carriage pram with myself and my brother and then i have had a silver cross pram and now a pushchair for my own children. I love the bright colour of this and i am very impressed with the big basket as the one on my pram is tiny. Eliza look’s so snug and cosy in it , i kind of wish i was having another baby so i could buy something like this xx
Lindsay @ Newcastle Family Life recently posted…Thinking Of My Future Finances
Lovely review. I have seen so many of these Pioneer reviews and if M was small enough I would really be thinking about getting one! I love the fact that you mentioned about the insects being attracted to the yellow, made me giggle! 🙂 #triedtested
Sophie @ Mum, M & More recently posted…Degustabox; June 2015
I love ALL the Silver Cross. My mum helpfully said she had a Balmoral for me and GAVE IT AWAY!!!!!!! I am so jel. I love prams and we are reusing Boo’s old one. I love the yellow and the seat unit looks fab. It’s a head turner.
Farmers wife and mummy recently posted…Thank you teacher gift idea
This does look substantial for a carrycot/pram. A friend of mine had the Surf and had a lot of gripes about it, but it looks like this would negate any of her previous issues.
Emma T recently posted…Going the lazy but sensible route with Stuck on You name labels
I love the colour, so bright and wonderful. I bet those huge wheels are great on rough terrain
Michaela Britton recently posted…Personalised Gifts For Teachers – End Of Term Gifts
Such a gorgeous pram. We had the silver cross surf and thought it was fab. I love the yellow colour, I like that its different to all the usual colours around. Our boys have exsactly the same blonde curly hair, very cute!
#TriedTested
Becky xx
Looks great, and really like the yellow too :D. We have one with an over sized hood and its been invaluable when you get caught short in a shower. Thank you for hosting #TriedTested
Mudpie Fridays recently posted…Creating an Electronic Journal for your Child
I love the bright colour so different than anythin give seen before . #triedtested
Ali recently posted…A Present For A Teacher – A Sheep Paper weight
Wow this looks great, and I do love the colour even though I am not a fan of yellow normally. The fact it attracts bugs would put me off a bit though! I do like the fact that the shopping basket can fit lots in, that’s one of the downsides of a lot of prams I have seen
Jenni – Odd Socks and Lollipops recently posted…Repotting Sunflowers with a toddler