Silver Cross Nia pushchair review

Brand new from Silver Cross, the Nia is made for modern families on the move. Whether it’s jetting off in search of the sun or navigating city life, this lightweight stroller is perfect for stowing away in overhead lockers, crowded train carriages and even the smallest of car boots.

With the Nia, you can make memories from birth to 4 years old. Whether it's that first newborn outing, or first holiday abroad, this stroller folds down with the carrycot (or seat) attached and is still cabin approved, so you can wheel it right onto the plane.

The Nia retails at £395 for the stroller, with the carrycot available separately for £200 (but the Nia does include a lie-flat seat and is compatible with Silver Cross car seats, such as the Glide Plus 360 using universal car seat adaptors). This places it in the premium compact travel stroller category alongside models such as the Joolz Aer2 (£439), Bugaboo Butterfly 2 (£435) and the UPPAbaby MINU V3 (£399.99).

Although the Nia stands out for its ability to fold with either the seat or carrycot attached and remains aircraft cabin-approved in both configurations (though cabin approval always depends on individual airline policies) — an extremely rare feature in the compact stroller category.

How easy is the Silver Cross Nia to set up?

When I received the delivery, I was surprised at how small the boxes were compared with my travel system. The Nia comes with the seat already attached (the carrycot is available separately) and I only needed to add the wheels and seat insert. The design is simple and intuitive, with just two buttons on the handlebar to unfold it, meaning I was ready to go within minutes.

Switching from the seat to the carrycot was slightly trickier. The part I found most tricky to understand in the instructions was removing the seat, but once it was off, installing the carrycot was incredibly fast and easy.

How easy is the Silver Cross Nia to fold?

I cannot fault the folding mechanism of this stroller — it’s smooth, fast and very simple. Both buttons are located on the crossbar handle. You press one button, followed by the other and the stroller folds or unfolds easily (I did find a small shake helped it click fully into place when unfolding), plus it's easy to do one-handed.

How compact is the Silver Cross Nia when folded?

The Nia folds up really small (with both seat and carrycot) and it's freestanding, so it doesn't take up much room at all at home or in the boot of the car. We have a Mini Countryman and still had ample room for bags and shopping.

At just 7.3kg, it’s lightweight and includes a shoulder strap which makes carrying and lifting it super easy.

How easy is the Silver Cross Nia to push?

I have to say, I was surprised at how easy the Nia was to push and manoeuvre. For its size, it feels really robust but it's still effortless to push. Despite having small, smooth wheels, it handles amazingly well across different terrains.

It's also very easy to push one-handed, I tested this while holding a coffee, walking my dog and holding Luca while walking to the car.

How does the Silver Cross Nia handle different terrain?

For a compact stroller, I was incredibly impressed with how well it handled different terrains. The puncture-proof wheels grip well despite being smooth, the suspension is impressive and it feels stable and well-balanced, providing a smooth ride for baby.

I've tried a few of my friend's travel strollers and they feel rickety in comparison. It performed well on paths, cobbles, uneven ground and even muddy grass! However, I wouldn't take it too far off the beaten track. And to be expected, it was harder to push on gravel/rocky terrain and severe mud (I got caught out halfway around a lake), but we still got where we needed to go.

How easy is the Silver Cross Nia to use day-to-day?

The Nia is ideal for everyday use. It doesn’t take up much room in the hallway and takes seconds to set up before heading out the door. It's practical for running errands, dog walks, city strolls, or for journeys further afield (by train, plane and car).

I didn’t worry about fitting through narrow shop doorways or crowded aisles, and it felt nimble when navigating busy pavements, tight alleyways and side streets on holiday. Plus, it's very easy to push up and down kerbs, particularly due to how light it is.

How practical is the Silver Cross Nia on public transport?

I tested the Nia on buses and a short train journey. Due to the lightweight design, it was easy to get on and off. I didn't fold it down, but it would be very easy to do if needed (I've folded it one-handed while holding Luca before).

The size means it's manageable for crowded carriages, although I wouldn't recommend attempting the fold in a packed-out tube as you do need a little space to do it.

The Nia felt stable on public transport and I trusted the brakes, although there was a small amount of movement when taking sharp corners.

How well does the Silver Cross Nia work for travel?

I was nervous about our first holiday with Luca, but I can honestly say the Nia helped ease that. Its compact size meant we could nip around the airport with ease, the simple fold was a god-send at security and boarding the plane, and the lightweight frame made it easy to lift into the overhead locker (according to my husband — I couldn't reach!).

On holiday, I tested the stroller on a range of terrains — from resort paths to cobbles, wooden boardwalks to rougher ground and even sand. We were impressed at how well it handled and how smooth the ride was. As for sand, you can imagine how that went! The wheels did turn a little but we just ended up dragging it.

Luca seemed very comfortable in the seat. We used both the upright position and the lie-flat recline and he was content in both. We tested the stroller on longer days out, at the beach and going out for meals. On the sunny days, the canopy was amazing. It has a great extension, meaning that he was sheltered from the sun with UPF50+ protection and was able to nap, despite it being bright.

The ventilated peep window was an added bonus for checking if he was asleep, as the stroller is world-facing only.

How comfortable is the Silver Cross Nia for your child?

We tested the carrycot on a few shorter trips closer to home. At 6 months old, Luca was already nearing the upper size limit, but for newborns it would be ideal. Even with the carrycot attached, the stroller remains compact.

The carrycot is narrower and shorter than some others we’ve used, which helps keep the stroller lightweight and compact but may be less suitable for larger babies. The mattress feels supportive, comfortable and breathable. The sides are plush and padded, making it feel very cosy and comfy. There's also a panoramic air vent to improve airflow, and the hood provides good shade.

The seat unit is supportive and the pad is light, airy and easy to clean as it detaches for the washing machine. However, there isn't much padding so we often used a sheepskin liner most of the time to make it a little more cozy for Luca.

The seat is a generous size too, particularly with the foldable footrest, so I can see this growing with Luca as he gets older.

The harness was easy to adjust, but I always seem to struggle with the Silver Cross magnetic buckle, especially with a very wriggly baby.

Reclining the seat is simple and smooth, we used it in both the upright and lie-flat positions for napping.

The canopy has a great range, with an added zipped section which extends it even further.

What is the design and build quality like?

My husband and I kept talking about how our stroller was the best looking at the airport.

The Nia is modern, sleek and feels premium — from the high-quality materials, to the aesthetic design and build.

The stroller feels robust, yet lightweight. There's no wobbling and it doesn't feel flimsy in the way some travel strollers can.

The only limitation is that the seat is world-facing only. This didn't bother me with a curious 6 month old, but some parents may prefer a parent-facing option in the early months.

How much storage does the Silver Cross Nia have?

For a compact stroller, the basket is impressive. With an 8kg capacity, it easily carried all of our holiday essentials, from beach towels, changing bags and picnics to the food shop including a 5 litre bottle of water. Tip: the basket is easier to access from the front.

As standard, it comes with a raincover, bumper bar and car seat adaptors, but other accessories are available to purchase online.

How easy is the Silver Cross Nia to clean?

The seat fabric is easy to wipe clean for any spills. I haven't needed to wash it, but the seat pad is removable and machine washable, so you don't have to worry about accidents.

The wheels handled muddy terrain well and there has been no scuffing or scratching. We did encounter a lot of mud, but it washed off easily as the wheels are smooth and only have shallow ridges. The frame hasn’t shown any marks or scratches so far, helped by the fact that it stands independently when folded.

What’s in the box?

• Silver Cross Nia chassis
• Wheels
• Crossbar
• Seat unit and insert
• Seat raincover
• Universal car seat adaptors
• Instruction manual and warranty

Carrycot (sold separately):

• Carrycot and cover
• Carrycot raincover
• Instruction manual and warranty

What sustainability features does the Silver Cross Nia have?

The carrycot uses naturally antibacterial bamboo fabrics, while the handle and crossbar feature vegan leather finishes. Packaging is mainly recyclable cardboard with some protective plastic and foam.

When it comes to longevity, I can see myself using the Nia for Luca until he is older and then for a second baby, using the carrycot from the start. Like the other Silver Cross products I've tested, the quality is great and it feels super durable, so I'll be passing it on to another family once we have finished using it, with the hope they will do the same.

Is the Silver Cross Nia worth the money?

At £395 for the stroller (plus £200 for the carrycot), the Silver Cross Nia isn’t the cheapest compact stroller available — but I can honestly say you get what you pay for.

The fact that it's the first stroller to be cabin-approved with the carrycot attached is worth the money in itself in my opinion — especially if you're travelling with a young baby.

In comparison to other strollers I've tried, this excels. It might be a tiny bit heavier at 7.3kg (most seem to be around the 6-7kg mark), but it's robust and you don't really notice the extra .3kg!

It feels well-made, sturdy, folds up and down with ease and overall was a dream to use.

Where can I buy the Silver Cross Nia?

It is available from John Lewis, Amazon, Silver Cross and Natural Baby Shower

MadeForMums verdict

The Silver Cross Nia is a strong choice for families wanting a lightweight everyday pushchair, those who love their holidays, and city parents who are often hopping from buses to trains to busy pavements.

It's the most travel-friendly stroller I've ever used. It's small, light, practical, easy to manoeuvre and not to mention, it looks good too. Bravo, Silver Cross.

Read more:

• Best compact-folding buggies – tried and tested
• Best cabin-approved strollers you can take on a plane as hand luggage
• Joolz Aer2 review