As long as your car has ISOFIX attachment points, you simply push and click the Silver Cross Explorerfix in to secure it firmly in the car. This is quick and easy, and I feel this anchors the car seat better than with a seat belt system. The Silver Cross Explorerfix also has a telescopic front leg, which is very easy to install and remove and gives extra support to the front of the car seat. I liked this feature although it does take up space in the footwell.
The Silver Cross Explorerfix has an effective adjustable headrest and harness system that’s simply wound up or down. It also offers one-handed reclining with five reclining positions, which is useful. It boasts great padding and ‘energy absorbing’ chest pads, which feel comfortable and much nicer than many we’ve used.
What we love
The Silver Cross Explorerfix car seat looks great and comes in smart ‘Jet Sport’ black. I felt that it was much better padded than many other seats, giving great protection and adding comfort. The headrest was lovely and comfy. It was also included in the price -this makes a nice change as some car seats have them as ‘extras’. My son, Daniel, seemed very happy in it and fell asleep easily. Great!
The ISOFIX attachment feels so safe, secure and is easy to use. However, if your car doesn’t have ISOFIX technology, the Silver Cross Explorerfix still allows for good seat belt attachment. Silver Cross claim it has an easy-to-adjust head support and shoulder straps and I’d agree wholeheartedly – it was so straightforward and easy to get right, I loved it.
I also liked the fact that the telescopic support leg, which provides extra security, was fitted separately and could be removed with great ease so that the entire car seat wasn’t as cumbersome or heavy as some I’ve used.
Overall, we loved the Silver Cross Explorerfix car seat.
What to watch out for
I felt that the harness area was slightly disappointing. I have to say I struggled to tighten it easily, and it was quite hard to pull tight.
I also seemed to get the harness twisted relatively easily which was a pain, especially when in a hurry. The first time it did it, it caught me by surprise and I spent 10 minutes in Tesco car park getting redder in the face as I struggled to click the harness together! On removing the washable cover we realised that ours was twisted right at the back and once we’d sorted this out it was fine.
I wasn’t sure about the 3-position crotch strap – it sounds great but didn’t really do it for me – I forgot it was there and when I did try it, I found I wasn’t sure if I’d adjusted it correctly.
The recliner isn't easy to use with one hand from the driver's seat as it required a lifting up movement rather than a sliding forward and up movement.
And a minor point but there was no where to hook back the straps when lifting your child out – I’ve found this a handy feature on other car seats, especially when getting your child back into the seat.
Who is the Silver Cross Explorerfix car seat best for?
Safety-conscious parents after a seat they can leave in one car most of the time.
For a big, sturdy car seat, the Silver Cross Explorerfix isn’t ridiculously heavy or cumbersome to carry or install. Comfort is a real feature, and this cosy seat won’t stop you child nodding off. The trouble-free head and harness adjustment system and its reclining method are great, though the adjusting method of the actual harness straps do let it down a little. Overall, this car seat gives a sense of security, with your little passenger seeming snug as well as safe.
