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Best Rollator Walker Buying Guide 2024

Ultimate Guide to Buying Wheelie Walkers

With hundreds of walkers on the market, you might be scratching your head and asking yourself "What’s the Best Walker to Buy?”

Fortunately, Mobility Shop Direct is dedicated to providing you with all the information you need to make an educated decision about which rollator is best for You.

Table of Contents

What Is A Wheelie Walker

Rollators are one of best mobility aids available to help you move freely about your day to day activities, and maintain your independence. Also referred to as ‘Wheeled Walkers’, rollators consist of a frame with 3-4 big wheels so you can easily manoeuvre around, a built-in seat so you can stop and rest when needed, and a crossbar for additional back support and stability when walking around. 

Shop for Rollator Walkers

What Are The Benefits Of Rollator Rollator Walkers

Rollators greatly enhances your autonomy, self esteem and quality of life. Not only do they provide support and stability when walking, but they also allow you to have a seat a rest when needed. By being able to socialize more, and exercise more, you will improve your circulation and your overall health.

How To Choose A Rollator Walker

There are many different types of rollators on the market, and choosing the best rollator for your needs will depend on many factors such as your height, weight, hand strength, and cognitive abilities.

How To Choose Size Of Walker Walker Wheels

The most popular configuration of rollators are Three Wheeled Rollators and Four Wheeled Walkers.

Three wheel rollators are lighter and easier to manoeuvre around tight and narrow corners, and tend to be lighter and easier to fold.

Shop for Three Wheeled Walkers

Four wheel rollators on the other hand tend to provide more stability, have a higher weight capacity, wider height ranges, and often have a seat that you can rest on.

Shop for Four Wheeled Walkers

If you plan to use Rollators outdoors you also want to have bigger 7.5'' wheels, but if they will only be for Indoor use then smaller 6'' wheels will make it easier to move around (as it as a smaller turning radius).

Shop for Outdoor Walkers

How To Choose Rollator Handle Height

To prevent straining your back and shoulders, it is crucial to adjust rollators to the right height. Ideally you want your back to be straight (not hunched or bent over) with your hip joints in line with rollator handles and arms slightly bent.

As a general guideline we recommend looking for a rollator with the ability adjust handles to around [Your Height] x [0.5] + 5CM

e.g. if you are a petite woman and 140cm tall, then you should look for a rollator with handle heights between 75cm such as the Drive Nitro Petite Walker.

How To Choose Wheelie Walker Seat

 

The rollator seat plays a crucial role in how comfortable it will be for you to sit on it. Padded seats offer the highest level of comfort, whereas nylon seats make it easier to fold the rollator, but less comfortable to sit on.

In addition to the material of the seat, you also need to consider the seat width  and ideally you want it to be wide enough to provide good weight distributions.

Following is a guideline to determine the minimum seat width you should look for in your next rollator:

  1. Sit down on a flat surface.
  2. Measure the widest width between your buttock, hips or legs.
  3. Add 4cm to this measurement

How To Choose Rollator Frame Type

There are two main types of frames for rollators, and they are A-Framed Rollators and X-Framed Rollators.

X-Framed Rollators: have a cross folding system and collapse from the sides, allowing them to stay in an upright position, and making them easy to travel with. However, if you are on the heavier side of things, they can be more uncomfortable to sit on, especially if they do not have padded seats.

Shop for X-Framed Rollator Walkers

A-Framed Rollators: have an A-shaped frame under the seat, which folds by lifting the bar so that the the front and rear wheels come together. Most A-Framed Rollators feature padded seat making them more comfortable to sit on, and are a great option if you need to attach oxygen tank holders.

Shop for A-Framed Rollator Walkers

How To Choose Wheelie Walker Material

  • Aluminium is the most cost effective material and is both lightweight and durable, and is found in the majority of walkers on the market.
  • Steel tends provides additional strength but at the cost of extra weight, and tend to be found in bariatric walkers.
  • Carbon Fibre is the strongest and lightest material to make walkers from, but are also the most expensive.

Shop for Carbon Fibre Rollator Walkers

As your weight can fluctuate throughout the year, we recommend that you look for a walker with weight capacity 20% higher than your current weight. e.g. if you weigh 80kg, look for a walker with max weight capacity of at least 100kg.

    How To Choose Rollator Walker Brakes

    Brakes are a vital component of your Rollator especially if you plan to walk on hilly areas. There are two main types of brake mechanisms:

    1. Push Down Brakes are ideal for Petite Lightweight Users who lack physical strength, and work by placing downward pressure on the spring loaded frame to prevent forward movement.
    2. Loop Brakes provide greater stability and instant breaking action, but require the simultaneous use of both hands and squeezing action.

    If you plan to sit down and rest on your rollator, then a 'Locking Feature' is a must to prevent your rollator from running away.

    How To Choose Rollator Walker Grips

    The majority of walker rollators come with plastic grips which are durable, and provide good stability. However, if your hands tend to get sweaty frequently then you might want to consider foam grips or soft grip covers.

    In addition to the above, you might want to consider a larger grip if you have any arthritis or joint issues in your hand. 

    What Are The Best Walker Rollators

    There is a no one size fits all, and the best walker for your needs will really depend on your personal circumstances, but we highly recommend you consider looking at the Drive Nitro Range of Walkers:

     

    Best Rollator Walkers Australia

     

    Shop for Drive Nitro Rollators

    If you are still struggling to find a Rollator to suit you needs feel free to fill out the following form and one of our helpful representative will get back to you with some recommendations. 

    https://mobilityshopdirect.com.au/pages/rollator-finder-tool


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