As a home medical supply store, we understand how hard it can be to find the right transport chair. We also see how transport chairs can really make a difference for people who need to take a break from walking every once in a while.
People use transport chairs during appointments, shopping, family outings or events that they might need another person to push them around. Transport chairs are designed to be lightweight and easy to transport. They are designed with lightweight materials so it is easier for caregivers or family members to push you around and lift the chair into the trunk.
Weight isn’t the only thing that matters. Make sure you have a chair with the right weight capacity, seat dimensions and easy folding. Each of these features can make a difference in your comfort, so make sure these are things you look at before making a decision.
What’s a Transport Chair?
Transport chairs are wheelchairs with smaller wheels that are meant to be pushed around by another person. Unlike the large wheels that you can manually rotate, the transport chair design usually has all small wheels.
These chairs are mainly used with family members or caregivers. Since the chair is designed to be pushed by another person, it doesn’t come with the capability of manual movement. They are usually very useful when someone doesn’t need it full time and just needs to sit down and take a break every once in a while.
Who Can Benefit From a Transport Chair?
When someone needs occasional assistance, whether they are going to an appointment and outing or a family event, a transport chair is a great tool that ensures they are able to enjoy these experiences without worrying about getting tired or needing to take a seat somewhere.
Common situations include:
- Hospital visits
- Shopping trips
- Going through airports
- Sporting events
- Amusements parks
- Taking family trips
- Outdoor events
- Recovering from an injury
The one thing that is important to think about when getting a transport chair, is how the chair will be used. If someone wants to manually propel themselves around, a traditional wheelchair would be a better option.
Why Choose a Lightweight Transport Chair?
Transport chairs are great when moving back and forth between two locations. A caregiver or spouse may have to lift it out of the car, lift it into the car, push it around and fold it up. Making sure it is lightweight and easily collapsible is very important.
This is really important if the chairs are used all of the time. For example a caregiver may bring someone back and forth daily or weekly to appointments and lifting it in and out of the car at a higher weight can get really hard for them over time. Having a lightweight design can make storage easier, and also make it easier on the person pushing the individual around.
How Much Should a Lightweight Transport Chair Weigh?
There isn’t a specific weight that considers a chair lightweight. Manufacturers use different materials and weights can vary across products. When looking for a lightweight transport chair, make sure to find the actual weight of the product, rather than just basing it off of the fact that it says lightweight.
Make sure to check if all of the parts are included in the weight. A lot of times they will give you weight before the accessories and weight with the accessories. The lightest chair might not be the best option for a person, because it will also depend on the weight capacity and the seat width.
What Is the Weight Capacity of a Transport Chair?
The weight capacity is the amount of weight the chair is designed to hold. Make sure to check the weight capacity before purchasing them and check that it says it can hold up to the weight you need.
When you are looking at different transport chairs make sure to compare the weight capacity, how much the chair can hold as well as the weight, how much the chair weighs on its own. Most of the time, these features are more important than the cost.
How Do You Choose the Right Transport Chair Size?
We always recommend you look at the manufacturer's recommendations and take measurements. Measuring for the seat width is very important, to ensure the person fits comfortably on the chair.
Before purchasing, compare the person's measurements with the chair's:
- Seat width
- Seat depth
- Seat height
- Backrest height
- Overall width
- Overall height
When living in Minnesota, we also recommend you account for additional clothing when it comes to winter time. Make sure the chair still fits while they have a bunch of extra layers on. Measuring seat width is super important and if you don’t do it you could end up ordering the wrong product.
What Should You Look for in a Folding Transport Chair?
A folding chair is important for people who travel in the car a lot. Don’t just look at whether it folds or not, make sure you look at the folding dimensions. We recommend this, because we want to make sure the chair you buy is able to fit in the vehicle that will be used. Some chairs are really lightweight, but take up too much space to fit in a car while folded and we have seen that be a problem. We suggest you measure your trunk or the area you will be putting the chair and comparing the measurements to the chair when it is folded up.
Is a Lightweight Transport Chair Good for Travel?
A lightweight chair is really important when it comes to traveling and often a transport chair is needed because vacations usually involve a ton of walking. Having a transport chair during travel is convenient when walking becomes difficult and someone needs a place to rest every now and then.
When choosing a transport chair for travel, pay close attention to:
- Chair weight
- Folded size
- Weight capacity
- Seat dimensions
- Ease of folding
- Storage requirements
- Maneuverability
If you are going to an airplane, we recommend you check with your airline requirements.
What Makes a Transport Chair Comfortable?
Comfort really depends on how the chair will be used. Someone who needs the chair for a short trip to the office, may not need as thick of a seat compared to someone who uses it all day everyday. Make sure to consider this factor when picking out the correct chair. Also check the seat, backrest, armrests, and footrests to make sure they are the right height, width, have the If the chair will be used for extended periods, comfort should be a higher priority when comparing different models.
Why Are Footrests Important?
Footrests support your feet while being in the chair. You can either get a swing away footrest, elevated footrest or removable foot rests.
They make them removable or swing away when someone needs to slide in and out of the chair.
Always consider how the person is intended to get in and out of the chair. Make sure they have a swing away or removable leg rest if they intend to slide or transfer out of it.
What Should Caregivers Consider?
The caregiver is important when considering a transport chair. Making sure the chair is light enough for the caregiver to lift and has the correct braking abilities is super important.
Consider where it will be insured. A chair designed for a medical facility might have different requirements for a chair that is intended for in-home use.
Transport Chair vs. Wheelchair: What's the Difference?
The main difference between a transport chair and a wheelchair is whether it is manual or needs to be pushed by another person. Someone who needs to be pushed around should get a transport and someone that can manually push themselves around would do better in a wheelchair.
A transport chair may be appropriate for someone who:
- Can walk short distances
- Gets tired after walking long distances
- Needs occasional assistance
- Has someone there to push the chair
- Wants a portable option for outings
A traditional wheelchair may be more appropriate for someone who needs to independently move around while seated. Considering these factors can help support your decision.
What Is the Best Lightweight Transport Chair?
There isn't one transport chair that is best for every person. The best chair depends on how it will be used and who will be moving it around. For someone who travels a lot, portability and how it folds are important factors. For someone who uses the transport daily, you want to prioritize comfort and for caregivers you would want to prioritize weight or how easy it is to fold.
The best approach is to compare the features that matter most for your specific situation rather than choosing based on one specification.
Lightweight Transport Chair Buying Checklist
How much does it weigh? Make sure the caregiver can comfortably lift and transport it.
What is the weight capacity? Confirm that the chair is appropriately rated for the intended user.
What is the seat width? Compare the chair's measurements with the user's size.
Does it fold? A folding design can make storage and transportation easier.
What are the folded dimensions? Make sure it fits in your vehicle and storage space.
Is it comfortable? Consider how long the person will typically sit in the chair.
Are the footrests appropriate? Look for a design that works with the user's transfer needs.
Is it easy for the caregiver to push? Consider the push handles, maneuverability, and typical surfaces.
Where will it be used? Think about whether you'll primarily use it indoors, outdoors, while traveling, or for medical appointments.
How to Choose the Right Lightweight Transport Chair
Deciding what transport to get all comes down to comparing all the different things such as weight, weight capacity, how easy it is to fold, and comfort.
Find out the right weight capacity, weight and seat width before deciding what transport is best for you. If you're looking for mobility equipment, IDTS Home Medical Supply offers a variety of mobility products and can help you explore options for your needs. Shop Mobility Products at IDTS Home Medical Supply
For additional information about mobility aids, including wheelchairs, visit MedlinePlus: Mobility Aids.
FAQ
How do I decide between a wheelchair and a transport chair?
If the individual is able to manually maneuver their chair around, we recommend a wheelchair, but if they need another person to push them around, we would recommend a transport chair.
What is a lightweight transport chair?
A transport chair itself is like a wheelchair, but it is meant to be pushed and doesn't have manual capabilites.
How much does a lightweight transport chair weigh?
There is so many different brands and materials that are used to make transport chairs. We don't recommend just going off of the term lightweight, we recommend looking at the specific weight listed.
What is the weight capacity of a transport chair?
The weight capacity can vary by chair. Check out the details the manufacturer lists and look for weight capacity.
