Silver Cross Glide Plus 360 review

As a first-time father with a newborn, I had no idea where to begin with choosing the best car seat. Safety was of course my main priority and I wanted something simple to fit, but I was also nervous about getting it wrong. Luckily, we are close friends with two other couples with under 2s, and both had told me that a rotating base was a must-have and that a good car seat could often calm a crying baby on the move. The thought of being able to move the seat without waking my son was especially appealing. With all of this in mind, I was very keen to try out the Silver Cross Glide Plus 360.

Testing the Silver Cross Glide Plus 360

Unboxing the Glide Plus 360 felt like a milestone. Suddenly, everything became very real; there really was a little baby about to join the household! I have to say, though, that the design helped put us at ease almost immediately.

The instruction manual could also be clearer, as the words and diagrams are split across different sections rather than being integrated. The QR code linking to a video tutorial was a brilliant idea and far more helpful than leafing through the manual.

What really struck me was how reassuring the Silver Cross Glide Plus 360 felt to fit. Clicking the base into the ISOFIX points was easy and the audible click gave me instant confidence.

Build

When it was first out of the box, I was taken aback by just how tiny a baby it could handle, but this was also a seat that is designed to grow with your child. There are inserts that can be removed as our child gets bigger and at the same time, there is padding around the head which felt both soft and protective, crucial for a hospital-fresh little one.

The seat is fairly heavy but that gives it a solid feel and who doesn’t want a workout whilst they parent! Once in the car, the seat sits neatly in place without encroaching on the middle seat, so there is still room for two passengers in the back, especially useful for a day trip with the grandparents.

Usability

The rotating base makes a huge difference to daily life. It takes the strain out of lifting and means you can place your baby into the seat without twisting yourself into awkward positions. There are however, some compromises to note. The seat is on the larger side and in our compact SUV it did limit the (6ft+) driver’s legroom, so we fitted it behind the passenger seat instead.

Day to day, the Glide Plus 360 has been very straightforward. The rotation is smooth, the quick release button works easily and attaching it to a buggy with adapters was seamless even though our pushchair is from a different brand.

Adjustments such as the recline and headrest are simple and quick which makes life easier when juggling everything else that comes with a newborn. I also like knowing it can be secured with the ISOFIX base or a seatbelt. That flexibility makes it practical if grandparents or friends need to use it in their own car.

Other features soon stood out as we used the chair more. The lie flat recline was particularly impressive on longer journeys, giving our baby some extra comfort that you do not always find in car seats. The AgeLock controls were another highlight, guiding us to the right recline and orientation for his stage and giving us peace of mind that we were using it correctly. I also appreciated the green indicators that show when each part is secure. Whether it is the support leg or the seat itself, those visual cues are incredibly reassuring.

Performance

Our baby has been settled and comfortable from the very first journey. He falls asleep quickly in the seat and rarely stirs when we carry him inside afterwards. On longer trips, he has remained content and cool with no signs of overheating, which shows that the breathable fabrics are doing their job. More than anything, I always felt confident that he was safe. The build feels strong, the support is excellent, and every feature seems designed to give reassurance to new parents.

Final verdict

What I value most about the Silver Cross Glide Plus 360 is how much easier it makes life. As new parents, we quickly learnt the worth of anything that takes stress away, and this car seat really does. Once installed, everything works as it should, and you never feel uncertain.

If I could change one thing, it would be to make it a little lighter, but the weight also adds to that sturdy feel. The price is on the higher side, but to me it feels like money well spent. The quality, safety and thoughtful design are obvious and I would not hesitate to recommend it to other parents.

Edwyn McFarlane is a brand-new dad to a little boy and loves the adventure of parenthood. In addition to writing product reviews for Mother&Baby, professionally, Edwyn has spent over 15 years working in online marketing and runs Tree Hub, a site that helps families find local farms to enjoy together.