Strongback Mobility Wheelchair Review
alzheimerslab.com is reader-supported. I may earn a commission when you purchase via links on this page.
You are reading the Strongback Mobility wheelchair review. This article is for caregivers searching for an ergonomic wheelchair for their loved ones with limited mobility.
Strongback Mobility is a Switzerland-based wheelchair manufacturer known for its innovative designs. The product I am about to share with you has won the prestigious German design award in 2020. According to Ladd Lougee, the inventor of the Strongback 22S model, this wheelchair is one of the most comfortable and healthy wheelchairs on the market. In the review, I will discuss the key features, benefits, and drawbacks of this wheelchair.
Before we dive into a comprehensive review, here’s how I’d score the product on a few key factors:
| Overall Rating | 90/100 |
| Ease of Use | 95/100 |
| Ease of Assembly | 88/100 |
| Affordability | 85/100 |
| Average Life Span | 90/100 |
What is it?
Strongback 22S is a one-of-a-kind foldable wheelchair for folks who are suffering from loss of mobility. It takes less than three seconds to fold this chair, it is lightweight, hence you can lift it and place it in the back of a car trunk with ease.
Wheelchair users need not seek help from a caregiver every time they wish to take their car out for a ride. This is a manual wheelchair, they can self-propel to the garage, place it in the trunk, and use the car as a support to walk to the driver’s seat— all by themselves. The total weight of the Strongback 22S wheelchair is 26 pounds.
The wheelchair user will begin to feel more confident and independent. Not only that but this is “ergonomic equipment”. The entire structure is designed to comfort and support the lumbar curve of the spine. The seat design prevents the occupant from slouching forward.
Who is this wheelchair for?
Recent research suggests that wheelchair-bound people are more likely to suffer from musculoskeletal pain. If this sounds like you, you need a wheelchair that provides you with posture support and is adjustable according to your body type.
The Strongback 22S wheelchair is suited for people who suffer from lower back pain (in addition to the loss of mobility). It has a curved backrest, and the seat is tilted back so you sit snugly without slouching forward.
An economical wheelchair can be suitable for part-time use, but you need an ergonomically designed wheelchair if you are going to be spending 6-8 hours seated. Strongback 22S wheelchair will enable you to work long hours without feeling any pain or discomfort.
What does the package include?
The wheelchair does not arrive home assembled. You need to put it together. Good thing is, you don’t need any tools to assemble it. You can do it yourself with your bare hands. It takes less than ten minutes to assemble the chair (it might take longer if you are doing it for the first time).
The package includes:
- Swing-away, detachable footrests
- Clothing guard side panels
- Grip handles
- Quick-release wheels
- Detachable anti-tippers
- Armrests
- Rear-axle
- The frame
Before you order, you need to select the seat size. Currently, they offer two options: 18-inch and 2-inch.
Specifications
Measurements and weights:
| Model | STRONGBACK 22 |
| Size | 40 cm |
| Seat width | 41 cm |
| Seat depth | 40 cm |
| Seat height | 45 cm |
| Seat angle | 12° |
| Total width | 62 cm |
| Total length | 101 cm |
| Total height | 89 cm |
| Backrest height | 45 cm |
| Backrest angle | curved from -10° to +20° |
| Net weight | 6.7 kg |
| Total weight | 12.2 kg |
| Maximum load | 135 kg |
Key features
#1 Excellent posture support
Unlike a regular wheelchair, the Strongback 22S has a curved backrest. As you can see in the image above, the lower portion of the backrest is curved inside. This allows the spinal cord to remain in its natural position.
Furthermore, the seat is tilted back. It pushes you back, so you are resting against the tiled curve of the backrest. The butt is pushed into the space where the backrest connects the seat.
#2 You can adjust the backrest
The backrest is made from a synthetic fabric. You can change the position of the backrest with the help of the velcro straps located behind the backrest. You can also tighten or loosen the backrest as per your need. You don’t need to get out of the chair to do the backrest adjustment. Locate the velcro straps with your hand and do the needful.
#3 Easy to fold
As I mentioned in the previous sections of this review, you can fold this wheelchair all by yourself. As you can see in the image above, you can pack down the chair into a compact transportable unit. You can fold it before you go to bed. Or to keep it in the trunk of the car.
#4 You can easily remove the leg rests
It is very easy to remove the leg rests if you don’t want to. As you can see in the image above, there is a plastic pin that goes in the slot (located on top of the front wheel). Just remove the pin and take out the leg rests from the slot.
#5 Quick-release wheels make storage and transportation easy
You can remove the wheels by pressing the button as you can see in the image above. The button is located in the center of the wheel. Both wheels can be removed in the same manner. Once you remove the wheels, the entire frame can be folded by lifting the seat up.
What I like about the Strongback Mobility wheelchair
- This wheelchair is more comfortable overall
- I can get my desk-based work done without experiencing aches and pains
- I can fold the chair and place it in the car trunk when traveling
- I can enhance the wheelchair with drum brakes and attendant brakes
- This wheelchair allows me to join in on outdoor activities (such as camping, fishing, etc) with my family
What I’d change
- The wheelchair comes with rear tippers, but no provision to prevent forward fall. The chair is more likely to fall forward on a steep road
- I wish the chair had a cup pocket or a wheelchair side bag pre-installed
- Need more color choices. Currently, only one color is available
Strongback Mobility Wheelchair Review – Takeaway
While there are plenty of great wheelchairs available on the market, this one indeed is one of the most ergonomically-compact wheelchairs I’ve ever had the chance to review. This wheelchair is primarily designed for people experiencing lower back pain. But you can go for it if you’re a paraplegic person with a healthy back. You can save a lot of trouble in the future by supporting the natural lumbar curve of the spine. If you have been using a regular wheelchair until now, within days of using the Strongback 22S you will notice an improvement in your posture.
