An ultra lightweight wheelchair is built for someone who pushes themselves all day. It is made to your measurements and set up for how you sit and push, so it rolls farther on each push and is easier to lift into a car. Because it is built to order, the choices you make before you buy decide how it rides.
This guide covers the two frame types, the measurements to take, and the setup choices that change how the chair handles. The figures here are typical ranges for the type. Each product page gives the exact sizes and options for that chair. If you are still choosing between types of manual wheelchair, start with our manual wheelchair buying guide.
Is an ultra lightweight chair right for you?
An ultra lightweight chair suits you if you push yourself for most of the day, transfer in and out of the chair on your own, and want a chair that fits you closely. It is a good fit for daily life, work, school and travel.
If a helper pushes you most of the time, or you use the chair only for short trips, a transport chair or an everyday lightweight chair is simpler and costs less.
Rigid or folding
The frame is the first choice, and it decides how the chair rides and how it goes into the car.
| Rigid frame | Folding frame | |
|---|---|---|
| How it packs | The frame does not fold. The back folds down and the rear wheels come off, so it loads as a light frame and two wheels. | A cross brace lets the frame fold side to side, so it packs narrow and can go in the car in one piece. |
| Weight | Lighter, because there is no folding mechanism. | A little heavier for the same size. |
| Ride | Stiffer, so more of each push moves you forward. | Flexes a little more as you push. |
| Adjustment | Usually finer and wider adjustment of the setup. | Fewer settings, often in larger steps. |
| Transfers | The front of the frame is fixed, so you transfer around it. A flip up footplate can help. | Footrests often swing away or come off, which can make transfers easier. |
Choose rigid if you want the lightest chair and the most efficient push, and you can lift the frame and wheels into the car. Choose folding if you want the chair to go in the car whole, or the folding footrests help your transfers.
How light is it?
Makers list an ultra lightweight chair by its transport weight. That is the frame without the rear wheels, and usually without armrests, cushion and anti tippers. On most adult chairs it is about 9 to 16 lbs. The complete chair with wheels weighs more, often about 18 to 29 lbs. When you compare chairs, compare the same kind of weight, and check what each product page leaves out.
The measurements to take
Measure while sitting upright on a firm surface, in the clothes and shoes you usually wear, with someone to help. If you will sit on a cushion, measure with it, or allow for its height.
- Seat width. Measure across the widest part of the hips or thighs. An ultra lightweight chair fits close, usually within about 1" of your hip width. A narrow chair is easier to push and fits through doors more easily. Seat widths commonly run from about 12" to 20", and some chairs go to 22".
- Seat depth. Measure from the back of the hips to the crease behind the knee. Leave about 1" to 2" between the front of the seat and the back of the knee.
- Lower leg length. Measure from the crease behind the knee to the bottom of the heel, with shoes on. This sets the front seat height and the footrest position. Leave room under the footplate for curbs and door sills.
- Back height. Measure from the seat to where you want the back to end. A lower back leaves the shoulders free to push. A higher back gives more trunk support.
- Weight. Most ultra lightweight chairs are rated for about 250 to 300 lbs. Some chairs offer a heavy duty frame rated to about 350 lbs. Choose a rating comfortably above your weight.
Our product pages for chairs built to order walk you through the build one step at a time, starting with these measurements. If you are unsure about a measurement, a physical or occupational therapist can measure you and help with the setup.
Setup choices that change how it rides
These settings are what make an ultra lightweight chair feel like yours. Each one is a trade off, so think about where you use the chair most.
Rear wheel position, also called center of gravity
This is the setting that changes the ride the most. Moving the rear wheels forward puts more of your weight over them. The chair pushes and turns more easily, and the front lifts more easily for curbs. It also tips backward more easily, so a new rider often starts with the wheels farther back and moves them forward as their skill grows. Rigid frames usually offer more range here than folding frames.
Seat height and seat angle
The front and rear seat heights are set separately. When the front is higher than the rear, the seat slopes back. That slope, often called dump, settles you into the chair and helps your balance. Too much slope makes it harder to lean forward and to transfer. A lower rear seat also brings the push rims closer to your hands.
Camber
Camber tilts the rear wheels so their tops lean in toward you. It makes the chair steadier side to side, turns more quickly and puts the push rims in easier reach. It also makes the chair wider at the bottom, so check your doorways. Settings commonly run from 0 to about 8 degrees on rigid frames, with fewer choices on folding frames.
Front frame angle
The front frame angle sets where your feet sit. At 90 degrees the feet tuck in under the knees, which makes the chair shorter and quicker to turn. A lower angle, such as 70 degrees, gives the knees more room and suits longer legs or tight hamstrings, and it makes the chair longer.
Rear wheels and casters
Rear wheels commonly come in sizes from about 20" to 26", and the size changes your seat height and your reach to the push rims. Smaller front casters turn quickly and keep the front end light. Larger casters roll over cracks and gravel more easily. Our tires and wheels collection carries replacement and upgrade wheels.
Ask before you order
A chair built to your measurements and settings cannot be returned. If you are unsure about a setting, ask us or your therapist before you place the order.
Add the right cushion, back and power assist
The cushion and back matter as much as the frame for all day comfort. Our wheelchair cushion buying guide explains the choices, and you can shop them under wheelchair cushions and back support. If hills or long distances wear you out, a power assist device adds a motor to the chair you push.
Insurance and Medicare
Insurance often asks for a doctor's order and a therapist's evaluation before it covers an ultra lightweight chair, and approval is never guaranteed. Hieline sells direct and does not bill Medicare, Medicaid or any other insurance, so the price you see is the price you pay. If your private insurance covers durable medical equipment, keep your receipt for a reimbursement claim. Medicare pays only for equipment from suppliers enrolled in Medicare, so it will not reimburse a purchase from us. If you want Medicare to pay, start with your doctor and a Medicare-enrolled supplier before you buy. For the steps to take with private insurance or Medicare, read our insurance and Medicare guide.
Buying from Hieline
Ultra lightweight chairs are built to order to the sizes and options you choose on the product page. Shipping follows our shipping policy. Financing is available through CareCredit on purchases of $200 or more. Low price guarantee: find it advertised for less and we will work with you.
Returns
A chair built to the sizes and options you choose cannot be returned, so check each choice against your measurements before you order. Our returns policy covers items sold ready made. Each product page says which applies.
How to decide
- Confirm that you push yourself for most of the day. If not, look at transport or everyday lightweight chairs.
- Choose rigid for the lightest chair and the most efficient push, or folding to put the chair in the car in one piece.
- Measure seat width, seat depth, lower leg length and back height.
- Check the weight rating, and the heavy duty frame if you need it.
- Decide on rear wheel position, seat angle, camber and front frame angle, with a therapist if you can.
- Choose a cushion and back, and power assist if you want help on hills.
Common questions
What makes a wheelchair ultra lightweight?
It has a light frame, usually aluminum, titanium or carbon fiber, and it is built to your measurements. On most adult chairs the frame weighs about 9 to 16 lbs. without the rear wheels.
Is a rigid or folding chair better?
A rigid chair is lighter and pushes more efficiently, and it loads as a frame and two wheels. A folding chair goes into the car in one piece and often has swing away footrests. Choose by how you push, how you transfer and how the chair travels.
What is center of gravity on a wheelchair?
It is the position of the rear wheels under you. Moving them forward makes the chair easier to push and turn, and also makes it tip backward more easily. Anti tippers help while you get used to a new setting.
What is camber?
Camber tilts the rear wheels so the tops lean in. It makes the chair steadier side to side and quicker to turn, and it makes the chair wider at the wheels.
How long does an ultra lightweight chair take to arrive?
It is built to order, so it takes longer than a ready made chair. Ask us for the current build time before you order.
See every frame type on our ultra lightweight wheelchairs page.
