A stroller, is a stroller, - no? Maybe so. I don’t know, is the honest answer. Personally, I couldn’t tell you how this stroller, the Silver Cross Zest is any better or worse than others on the market. Why? Because this is the first and only stroller I have ever owned. And for the purpose of this review, I think that it can only be a good thing. I have nothing to compare it to and am therefore a blank canvas and I will endeavor to tell you as I find it, without the sway of having used other models.
So why the Silver Cross Zest? The truth is that Silver Cross is a brand name that I whole heartedly trust. I’m not someone who will spend hours researching a product, I am much more likely to act on recommendation of an item from a friend than by a conclusion I have reached as a result of looking into the ins and outs of a number of similar products. So while nobody had actually recommended me this particular pushchair, namely down to the fact it’s a new model only very recently released – I have plenty of friends and family members who are fans and customers of Silver Cross, and judging by the quality of the Zest I can see why.
The stroller comes in an array of colours, but I wanted a neutral shade for Oscar so we selected it in ‘Sand’. Three weeks in and my first impressions of life with the Zest, have left me questioning why on earth I left until it Oscar was just under one-years-old to get a pushchair. I’m an absolute convert and am frankly shocked to discover that the Zest can be used from birth. Indeed, this is the price you pay when you don’t do your own research and rely on word of mouth and tips from friends – there is a risk that you’re missing out, and I would say without a doubt that in this case I have been. I simply wasn’t aware that some strollers could be used from the get go.
Ever since Oscar was born, all I have known is a world where I am ruled not just by a tiny human, but also by a heavy, bulky, clunky pram. It feels like a revelation to now have this ultra-light pushchair (just 5.8kg) which I can literally throw over my shoulder (via its handy strap) when collapsed – it is so convenient.
Since introducing the Zest into our lives, Oscar’s pram hasn’t seen the light of day! I just find the daily grind a lot easier with this brilliant buggy. I love how easy it is to manoeuvre - the front wheels turn 360 degrees meaning that corners and sharp turns are without issue. It’s so much nippier for getting around generally, and while I wouldn’t use the Zest to traipse through a mud-logged park, it is an actual dream for me in terms of travelling on public transport. I used to dread taking Oscar on the bus namely because I’d feel like a nuisance taking up so much space with his pram, and on a train I’d always have to rely on the help of strangers to assist in lifting the pram off and on a carriage. But just last week I trialed the Zest when taking a 20-minute train journey and not once did I have to smile sweetly at fellow passengers or ask for their muscle power and help. I was able to collapse the pushchair and carry both it and Oscar on board. Being so light I was also able to easily lift the Zest to store it in the overhead compartment during the journey. I can honestly say that in comparison to his pram, travelling with the Zest is a breeze.
I found the five-point safety harness a little tricky the first couple of times I used the pushchair, but have since mastered the fastening technique and Oscar also appears incredibly comfortable in the Zest. It’s both roomy and padded and he has had no complaints.
As well as coming complete with a rain cover – as of course you’d expect, the Silver Cross Zest has some additional perks and features. There’s the generous mesh shopping basket and the ergonomic soft grip handles. But to me what was most impressive are the thoughtful details such as seat ventilation and the extendable hood, shading your baby from brightness and offering UPF50+ protection. If headed on a sunshine-filled holiday, the Zest for me would be a must and it is most certainly compact enough to take on an aeroplane too.
Whether you’re a seasoned stroller user or a newbie like me, what I would say, is despite my lack of experience with numerous models, the Silver Cross Zest has been a revelation and frankly a joy! I have had zero issues with it, and would recommend it to a friend in an instant. To any expectant parent reading this, who perhaps until this point has only considered a pram – while of course that is a necessity and must be your priority, I urge you not to wait as long as I did to invest in a stroller too. A pram becomes your lifeline in many ways with a new baby, as it is the tool you need to get fresh air and get out and about. With hindsight though, if I could go back I’d for sure have invested in a lightweight, compact bit of kit like the Zest in the earlier days. So much easier to handle, not only on public transport, but even just the lugging of it in and out of your car boot. Anything, for an easier life - right?!
Silver Cross Zest is just £99 for a limited time only at Winstanleys Pramworld, a saving of 24%. Shop here!