When investing in a wheelchair, weight should always be at the forefront of your decision. There are often occasions where the wheelchair itself will need to be put away and transported by hand, therefore, creating a need for a model which is easy to fold up and put away. This is especially true for long car journeys where a wheelchair accessible vehicle is not available.
In this blog post, we will be providing you with the average weight of wheelchairs and a clear breakdown of the factors that will contribute to weight. Our goal is to help customers better understand wheelchairs allowing them to find the option which will tick all of the boxes.
The Weight of Manual Wheelchairs
On average a wheelchair can weight anywhere between 5kg-30kg. This will often depend on the material used when constructing the wheelchair and any additional seating extras. A good point to consider is that the heavier the wheelchair is the more stability it will offer to the end-users. Heavier wheelchairs may offer additional comfort benefits which add to the overall weight of the wheelchair. If you’re looking to keep wheelchair weight down look for a simple model without any additional extras.
The Weight of Transport Chairs
Transport chairs are often lighter than wheelchairs on average, this is because they do not require self-propelled functionality. By stripping down the chair to the bare minimum you can often find transport chairs that weigh as little as 12 KG. By choosing a lightweight transport chair you can easily bring it with you everywhere you go with minimal inconvenience to yourself od the people around you. Transport chairs lend themself perfectly for those who like to do a lot of travelling with friends and family.
Wheelchair Construction Material
Modern wheelchairs are made using steel primarily, this is mainly because this material offers a relatively low-cost solution for lightweight wheelchair design. Some of the other wheelchair materials include aluminium and titanium which are slightly heavier than steel. There are also specialist models which conducted out of carbon fibre which is defiantly the most lightweight option but these can be very costly and are mainly used in the sport.
Wheelchair Wheel Types
A factor which often overlooked by those looking for a new wheelchair is wheelchair size and type. Larger wheels with thick tyres can add necessarily weight to your wheelchair and can also make it slightly harder to operate for those who struggle with upper body strength. By choosing a slim and lightweight wheel option you can reduce weight and maximise performance. You should always avoid using offroad wheel options as this additional thickness can make it very difficult to gain momentum when operating.
Wheelchair Footrest Options
The wheelchair footrest you chose should offer exceptional comfort whilst not bulking up the overall weight of your wheelchair. Often the footrest will come as standard with your wheelchair but if you looking to upgrade make sure you purchase a lightweight option. Plastic footrests will offer more than enough support for the average wheelchair user. For those who are slightly heavier, a metal version may just be the better option for you.
Finding The Right Wheelchair For You
Purchasing a new wheelchair is no simple decision. There are hundreds of different makes and models out there on the market which can make your decision seem overly complicated. If you are having difficulties finding the right wheelchair for you make sure you pick up the phone and give your local mobility showroom a call and speak to a professional. You might also be interested in hiring our mobility equipment.