The award-winning RoughRider is designed to handle rugged terrain with ease. It has been proven in over 25 countries by thousands of riders who live in the worst of conditions and need the best of chairs.  Riders use it as a super-durable daily-use chair or as a backup when life calls for off-pavement adventures.  See it in action here.

We believe in affordable technology that frees people to live life to the fullest - even in rugged environments.

The RoughRider® is Whirlwind's answer to expensive fragile chairs that unnecessarily limit access. Priced at $799 in the USA, the RoughRider is less than half the price of other outdoor wheelchairs. The RoughRider is by far the best-value rugged wheelchair.

Long Wheelbase: The long wheel base is 50% longer than standard wheelchairs. This provides outstanding stability and safety from forward tipping — the number one cause of injury to wheelchair riders.

WideFlex Casters: Whirlwind's signature caster wheels were developed from an innovation we observed in Zimbabwe. They roll easily over grass, mud, rocks, and lightly packed sand. Solid flexible rubber wheels eliminate flats and absorb shocks.

Tension Adjustable Back: Ten individually adjustable straps provide optimal posture support for a broad range of users.

Tight Turning Radius: Allows the RoughRider to be used in tight spaces.

High Traction Rear Tires: Puncture-resistant, long wearing tires are perfect for off-road traveling.  

Super Duty Tough Frame: Say good-bye to broken caster forks and frame failures. The RoughRider is tested to double the industry's standard for durability.  

Compare RoughRider Models - Click to Enlarge

Five Rear Axle Positions: Allows for 80 mm of center-of-gravity adjustment for optimal balance and ease of pushing.

X-Brace Folding Frame:  Stows easily in cars, buses, closets and small spaces.

Seat Angle: Seat angle designed for comfort and safety during sudden stops.

Easily Available Parts: Tires, tubes, bearings, hardware, and wheel parts are easy to find and repair locally in bicycle shops, motorcycle shops, and hardware stores around the world.

Sporty Wheel Camber: 3 degrees of wheel tilt gives ergonomic push rim placement and improved lateral stability.

Toe Protecting Foot Rest: The tube in front of the foot design protects the user’s feet from environment, allowing users more safety and comfort.

Warranty, Exchange, Return, Repair, etc: We want to make sure you are happy with your RoughRider and that it is working great. Please read about these topics on our (FAQ).

Washable Upholstery: Seat back material is washable and the whole chair is friendly to hoses, river banks, and beaches. 

Push Button Quick Release Wheels: Coming soon!

Anti-Tippers Coming soon!

• Seat Widths:            12.5”, 14”, 15.5”, 17”, 18.5”
• Seat Depths:            14”, 16”, 18”
• Front Seat Height:    19.3” *
• Back Seat Height:     16.5” *
• Seat Angle:               12 degrees
• Back Heights:            14”, 16”, 18” (adjustable) *
• Foot Rest Height:      12” - 17” below seat (adjustable)
• Lower Back Angle:      fixed at 8 degrees
• Upper Back Angle:      12 degrees, custom
• Wheel Camber:          3 degrees
• Axle Position:             5-position adjustable +/- 0.8”
• Track Length:**          20.4” - 23.55”
• Overall Width:            21.5” - 28.5”
• Caster Size:               4.5” x 3”
• Rear Wheel Size:      24 X 1.75”
• Overall Length:***     38.7” - 41.85”                 
• Frame Type:              Folding
• Folded Width:           14” including rear wheels
• Max Tested Rider Weight:    220 lbs
• Weight:                       45.5 lbs (with Whirlwind Super Duty Mountain Bike wheels)

* Seat Height measurement is based on 15.5 Seat Width.  Seat Height varies +/- 1.2” with other Seat Widths.  Variance in seat height affects effective Back Height, and effective Back Angle Bend.
** Track Length is the distance between where the front and rear wheels contact the ground.  This distance varies with axle position.
*** Overall Length is the distance from the front to the back of the chair.  This distance varies with axle position.
Upper Back Support Angle describes the angle of the back above the lumbar area.  At 8.75” above the seat the back tilt increases from 8 degrees to desired tilt.

Buy-One-Give-One For 30 years, wheelchair riders around the world have contributed their innovations to the RoughRider®, benefiting fellow riders everywhere. With our BOGO program US riders can directly participate with us in the global disability movement.

As a non-profit guided by our mission to serve wheelchair riders in the developing world with excellent rugged chairs, we will put 100% of the proceeds into advancing our work.

And for every RoughRider® purchased through the BOGO program, Whirlwind will see that a second is provided through our local partners in countries like Haiti, Indonesia, Iraq, Rwanda, and Mexico.

At the BOGO price of $799 the RoughRider® is priced at less than half of other outdoor wheelchairs for sale in the USA.

The RoughRider® will open up adventures for you that are out of reach for most chairs and, to put it simply, you'll feel good knowing that as you have RoughRider® independence in the USA someone else far away will be having it too.