Description
Lumbar support, built into the frame.
The Strongback Comfort is a lightweight manual wheelchair with Strongback’s patented backrest shaped into its aluminum frame. The bare frame weighs 16.1 lb. It comes with a 3-position rear axle and attendant brakes, and the design won a German Design Award.
What it’s like to live with
- You stop bracingThe backrest holds the curve of your lower back, so your back muscles aren’t doing work the chair should be doing.
- It’s set up for how you pushThe rear wheels can sit in three positions. The chair ships in the most stable one, and a trained dealer can move them forward as you get more confident.
- A helper can brake from behindBrake levers on both push handles let the person walking behind you slow the chair and park it on a slope without crouching at the wheel.
- It goes in the carThe rear wheels come off with a push button and the footrests lift out by hand. What’s left is a 16.1 lb frame (18 in seat).
A closer look
Weights and measurements
| Measurement | Figure | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Weight limit | 300 lb | Tested to ISO 7176-15 for static, impact and fatigue loads. |
| Carry weight | M: 16.1 lb L: 16.5 lb | The frame alone, without wheels, footrests or anti-tippers. This is what you lift into the car. |
| Total weight | M: 25.8 lb L: 26.2 lb | The chair as it rolls: frame, wheels and footrests. Anti-tippers not included. |
| Frame | Aluminum | Light enough to lift on your own, and it won’t rust. |
| Seat width | M: 18 in L: 20 in | Measured between the clothing guards. |
| Seat depth | 18 in | From the backrest to the front of the seat. It sets how much of your thigh is supported. |
| Seat height | 20 in | At the front edge of the seat. |
| Backrest | −10° to +20° | Contour built into the frame. Strap tension sets the height and firmness of the support. |
| Rear wheels | 24 in | Quick-release, no tools. Handrims for pushing yourself. |
| Front casters | 6 in | The small swivel wheels that steer the chair and carry it over thresholds. |
| Rear axle | 3-position | Ships in the rearmost, most stable position. Strongback says a trained dealer should move it. |
| Attendant brakes | Standard | Levers on both push handles, on both sizes. |
| Armrests | Desk-length | 8 in above the seat, shorter at the front so you can pull up to a table. |
| Footrests | Swing-away | Removable without tools. 15 to 18 in from footplate to seat. |
| Size, ready to use | M: 40 x 27 x 37 in L: 40 x 29 x 37 in | Length x width x height with the footrests on. |
| Folded | M: 29 x 14 x 29.5 in L: 29 x 14 x 32 in | Length x width x height. Taking off the wheels and footrests makes it narrower still. |
| Static stability | At least 7° | Resists tipping on a slope of at least 7° in every axle position (ISO 7176-1). |
| Warranty | 5 years | On the frame. Seat, footrests and other parts: 12 months. |
Find your seat width
Sit down and measure across the widest point of your hips and thighs, then add an inch. If you land between two sizes, go up: a slightly wide seat is comfortable, a slightly narrow one isn’t.
| Seated hip width | Seat width | Strongback model |
|---|---|---|
| Under 15 in | 16 in | Comfort S (ask us) |
| 15 to 17 in | 18 in | Comfort M |
| 17 to 19 in | 20 in | Comfort L |
| 19 to 21 in | 22 in | Heavy Duty, 375 lb limit (ask us) |
Comfort or Strongback ErgoSteel?
| Feature | Comfort | ErgoSteel |
|---|---|---|
| Choose it if | You lift the chair often and want the most adjustable ride | You want the same posture support for less, and weight isn’t your first concern |
| Backrest | Patented Strongback lumbar backrest | Same backrest |
| Frame | Aluminum | Steel |
| Seat width | 18 in or 20 in | 18 in |
| Carry weight | 16.1 lb (18 in seat) | 18.3 lb |
| Total weight | 25.8 lb (18 in seat) | 35.7 lb |
| 3-position rear axle | Yes | No |
| Attendant brakes | Standard | Not listed |
| Frame warranty | 5 years | 2 years |
A good fit if you
- Measure 15 to 19 in across the hips, seated
- Weigh up to 300 lb, including what you carry
- Push yourself at least some of the time
- Lift the chair into a car often
- Sometimes have a helper pushing
On the chair
- Aluminum frame tested to ISO 7176-15
- Patented backrest with adjustable tension
- 3-position rear axle
- Attendant brakes on both push handles
- 24 in quick-release wheels with handrims
- Swing-away footrests, desk-length armrests, clothing guards
- Removable anti-tippers
- 5 years on the frame, 12 months on other parts
Setting it up
- UnfoldPush down evenly on the outer edges of the seat with both hands until it’s flat. Keep your fingers on top of the seat, not around the sides.
- Rear wheelsHold the locking button, push the axle into the frame and let go. Tug the wheel to check it won’t come out.
- Anti-tippersPress the button and push them in pointing down. Swivel them up only to get over a curb.
- FootrestsFit them and set the length so your thighs rest fully on the seat with your feet on the footplates.
Downloads
- Strongback Comfort owner’s manual (PDF)
- Strongback Comfort detailed measurements (PDF)
- Strongback Comfort quick installation guide (PDF)
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Strongback Comfort weigh?
The bare frame, without wheels, footrests or anti-tippers, is 16.1 lb for the 18 in seat (M) and 16.5 lb for the 20 in seat (L). That’s what you lift into the car. Ready to roll, with wheels and footrests on, it’s 25.8 lb (M) or 26.2 lb (L).
Is it a wheelchair or a transport chair?
A wheelchair. The 24 in rear wheels have handrims so you can push yourself, and a helper can push from behind. A transport chair has small rear wheels and only moves when someone pushes it.
Should I choose the 18 or 20 inch seat?
Measure across your hips and thighs while seated. 15 to 17 in takes the 18 in seat (M), 17 to 19 in takes the 20 in seat (L). If you’re on the line, go up. A seat that’s too narrow isn’t comfortable, and one that’s too wide lets you lean, which works against the backrest.
What does the 3-position rear axle do?
It changes where the rear wheels sit. In the rearmost position the chair is most stable and hardest to tip, which is where it ships and where most people start. Further forward, it turns more easily and each push carries further, with less stability backwards. Strongback’s manual says a dealer trained by Strongback should move it, because the wheel locks have to be repositioned too.
What are attendant brakes?
Brake levers on the push handles. The person pushing squeezes them to slow the chair, and they lock so the chair stays parked. They come standard on both sizes of the Comfort.
Can I adjust the backrest?
Yes. The backrest panel hangs on wide hook-and-loop straps, so you can set how firmly, and at what height, the built-in contour meets your back. The range is −10° to +20°. It ships in a setting that suits most people.
Will it fit in my car?
Folded, it’s about 29 in long and 14 in wide, and 29.5 in high (M) or 32 in high (L). Take off the wheels and footrests and it gets narrower again, and the heaviest piece is the 16.1 lb frame. Strongback says it fits most sedan trunks, and wagons, SUVs and hatchbacks take it easily. Give us your car’s make and model and we’ll check.
What if I need more than 300 lb or a wider seat?
Strongback’s Heavy Duty has a 22 in seat and a 375 lb limit, with the same backrest. Ask us about it.
What does the warranty cover?
Strongback covers the frame for 5 years and the seat, footrests and other parts for 12 months, from the date of purchase. It covers defects in manufacturing and materials.
Can I stay in the chair in a moving vehicle?
No. Strongback’s manual says the chair isn’t built to be used as a seat in a motor vehicle. Move to a vehicle seat, then fold the chair and stow it.
Not sure which size you need?
Call and tell us your seated hip width, your weight and the car you drive. We’ll help you pick the right seat, or tell you whether the ErgoSteel would suit you better.
