Traditional wheelchairs are a boon to people with mobility issues as they go about their everyday tasks. However, should the opportunity or need for travel arise, many models can be too cumbersome to fit down aisles on trains or planes as well as being awkward to transport in regular cars. 

The good news is that Rehabmart carries several wheelchair models which are suitable for travel and bags to accommodate other models, making them as easy to transport as a suitcase. 

With its sturdy aluminum frame and solid eight-inch wheels that lock, the Travelite Transport Chair in a Bag is a good choice for both indoor and outdoor use. The foot and arm rests can be flipped up and down for ease of transfer. When not in use, it folds up to fit into a large nylon duffel bag that can be stowed in a car’s trunk or checked as baggage for flights. The Chair in a Bag has an eighteen inch wide seat and supports up to 250 pounds.

Made from wear-resistant high denier nylon in classic charcoal grey trimmed in black and featuring an expansion zipper, two exterior pockets, wheels and a telescoping handle, the Wheelchair Travel Bag looks like an elegant piece of luggage. The bag’s interior is generously padded to protect its contents and has two straps to hold a wheelchair in place to prevent damage from unintended movement.  Its dimensions are 12x26x31 inches, and it has enough wiggle room to accommodate chairs that are slightly larger.

For the athlete on the go, the Travel Bag for Racing Wheelchairs will allow a racing wheelchair to be transported safely through crowded airports and train stations. The bag is made from black nylon with a handle designed for pulling on the front and two wheels on the back allowing for easy maneuvering in high-traffic areas. 

Making wheelchair travel an elegant experience is the Executive Travel Deluxe Wheelchair Package. Luxurious touches include full-grain leather upholstery in a choice of brown or black; contoured cushions with a waterfall edge to encourage circulation in the lower extremities; a crescent-shaped vinyl-topped lap tray with a cushioned bottom; side pockets and a seat belt; and bags for storage and travel. The upholstery has a porous surface to ensure warmth in winter and coolness in summer and can stretch without losing its shape. The Executive comes in a choice of sixteen or eighteen inch wide seats. Optional all-terrain rear wheels are also available.

Travel wheelchairs are a good choice for people living with some neurological conditions, musculoskeletal issues, rheumatoid or osteoarthritis, and some cardiopulmonary conditions that prevent walking long distances as well as age-related issues. They are appropriate for use in private homes, transportation centers, on planes or trains and in hotels, or anyplace else a differently-abled person may want to travel. 

Fran Jablway,
Medical Consumer Writer
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO