Many of the ultra light weight chairs are under 24 pounds, and some under 20. They're made of titanium. But the disadvantage often is, the lighter you go, the more expensive. My Quickie wheelchair (from spinlife) comes in at 24 pounds. When I was walking, I could load/unload it myself from the back of my car. Or if I pulled the driver seat up far enough, could load it behind me on the seat. The umbrella is a interesting concept in theory ... in practical terms, not so much. They're good as a sunblocker if you're sitting in one position, but if you're moving and the wind catches it (as it will..and will with a hand-held umbrella), it whips back, impaling anyone behind you, and pulling you backwards. Dangerous if it happens, say, in traffic.
If you're going to be in the wheelchair for any length of time, than an air cushion is crucial. NOT having one is a major factor in the creation of my pressure sores. But if you're only using it for short term, you can get away with whatever cheaper cushion you want. I've never had a seatbelt; if your trunk is in good shape -- you can sit upright unaided-- you generally don't need one. The tipper bars are useful, but depending on how long they are, can hit the shins of a person trying to push you.
Metal spokes on any wheel work independently ..which means they can loosen or tighten individually, causing the wheels to warp. The plastic spokes work as a unit, holding the wheels "round". The older chair..and now cheaper chairs..will have the bicycle spokes, whereas all the newer chairs have gone to the plastic spokes. They hold the wheel "round", and so keep the chair in alignment. An "aligned" chair will move evenly across the ground, assuming you're pushing yourself relatively evenly on both sides as you propel yourself along. A chair no longer in align will drift to one side, causing you to have to exert more pressure on that side to keep moving in a straight line. So you want the plastic spokes.
The tilt of the footrests is really a comfort question, in most cases (unless you have some severe physical disability, like cerebral palsy, which requires specialized fitting). I prefer the footrest moving slightly out..although I'm also ok with them straight up/down. You want them swingaway -- a lever or catch to swing them out of the way when you're moving up to a desk or dining table, for example.
An adjustable back is good for comfort. You can tighten or loosen Velcro straps both at the shoulder level and at the lower back level. But this adjustment isn't necessary really unless you're in the chair for long periods of time.
If you're going to be in the wheelchair for any length of time, than an air cushion is crucial. NOT having one is a major factor in the creation of my pressure sores. But if you're only using it for short term, you can get away with whatever cheaper cushion you want. I've never had a seatbelt; if your trunk is in good shape -- you can sit upright unaided-- you generally don't need one. The tipper bars are useful, but depending on how long they are, can hit the shins of a person trying to push you.
Metal spokes on any wheel work independently ..which means they can loosen or tighten individually, causing the wheels to warp. The plastic spokes work as a unit, holding the wheels "round". The older chair..and now cheaper chairs..will have the bicycle spokes, whereas all the newer chairs have gone to the plastic spokes. They hold the wheel "round", and so keep the chair in alignment. An "aligned" chair will move evenly across the ground, assuming you're pushing yourself relatively evenly on both sides as you propel yourself along. A chair no longer in align will drift to one side, causing you to have to exert more pressure on that side to keep moving in a straight line. So you want the plastic spokes.
The tilt of the footrests is really a comfort question, in most cases (unless you have some severe physical disability, like cerebral palsy, which requires specialized fitting). I prefer the footrest moving slightly out..although I'm also ok with them straight up/down. You want them swingaway -- a lever or catch to swing them out of the way when you're moving up to a desk or dining table, for example.
An adjustable back is good for comfort. You can tighten or loosen Velcro straps both at the shoulder level and at the lower back level. But this adjustment isn't necessary really unless you're in the chair for long periods of time.
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