Silver Cross Surf & Surf Elevation at Harrogate Nursery Fair 2012

Here are the latest developments to the Silver Cross Surf from the Harrogate Nursery Fair 2012.

The tiny Surf small basket and Lobster pot have been replaced by a more rectangular basket which appears to be a little larger. However it is a shame that the small basket has been removed because even though it wasn’t entirely practical, every bit of storage on the Surf helps, and it was a good place to put car keys or a mobile phone. A cupholder is also included.

A winter and a summer pack were also on display.

The summer pack consists of an easy to fit ventilated hood with UV protective mesh; a natural bamboo liner to help keep baby cool and an easy to fit hood and apron with UPF50 fabrics and ventilation panels.

The winter pack to be perfectly honest did seem a little OTT to me. Not least because I tried to look inside and I failed to work out exactly how to get into it – how on earth you are meant to be able to get a baby out quickly if its crying is something I need to work out! I think the display model also had the footmuff on underneath because there was another layer going around the bumper bar and I was struggling to see the seat underneath the layers. I can appreciate some people live in colder climates than the UK, but it all seemed like a little OTT especially when the Surf does have a good hood and a close fitting warm footmuff. The parent mittens are a good idea but most people have a good pair of gloves for pushing a pram, and I am not sure white would be my choice of colour a large pair of gloves?

There was also a Surfer pushchair board for a toddler which did look smart on the rear. I would suggest there is sufficient room between the handle and the pushchair for a toddler to stand, and so the Surfer board is probably a rare pushchair where you do not need to stoop over it to push both children. But it is hard to know without trying it out.

The Silver Cross Surf Elevation was launched at Harrogate. The Surf Elevation appears to be about being outdoors. A deep padded apron, a sunshade and insect net are all included. The apron and fabrics are all easy to wipe clean, so there will be no worries about muddy feet on the pushchair. The Surf wheels have been replaced by large air filled rear wheels but the small front wheels still remain. The 2012 catalogue refers to the Surf Elevation as being a “true off roader” but having just road tested the Silver Cross Surf in the woods and on a beach (see our full review), I fail to see how putting a bit of tread onto the same small front wheels will change where the Surf Elevation can go compared to the regular Surf. I truly honestly think its a bit of a gimmick unless Silver Cross can show me the wheels will work better off road than the regular Surf wheels. Good suspension is no good if the pushchair will not go on more than a relatively flat surface. What the Surf / Elevation really needs is the ability to flip the handle over into rear wheel drive like the Bugaboo Cameleon and then it would more than likely cope with “all terrain” and still keep the smaller wheels.

However, the Surf Elevation in future WILL have a good all terrain / off road option with the addition of a single large front wheel which should finally make the Surf into a good off road pushchair, and give us the opportunity to try out the air suspension. The Surf Elevation wheels are interchangeable so should swap easily. The large wheel will cost in the region of £60 when it is finally produced. However this wheel is still being developed.

The Surf Elevation is due out in July, with no date at present for the single off road wheel.