Most wheelchairs stop at the sidewalk. The RoughRider and Aurora don't.
Standard wheelchairs are built for smooth floors and sidewalks. The moment the ground gets real — grass, gravel, dirt, a trail — they fail.
People get left out of the places and experiences everyone else takes for granted.
The RoughRider and Aurora were built to fix that.
Research shows that more than half of non-institutionalized wheelchair users have tipped or fallen from their chair — and many of those accidents happen outdoors, on ramps, and on uneven surfaces where standard chairs lose stability. A long wheelbase, wide-track casters, and balanced geometry dramatically reduce tip risk on the surfaces where standard chairs fail.
Sources: Elsevier (Wheelchair-Related Accidents Caused by Tips and Falls Among Non-Institutionalized Wheelchair Users) | ICORD Outdoor Recreation Study
The Aurora is our flagship — lightweight aluminum frame (23 lbs without rear wheels), 250 lb weight capacity, integrated rear wheel spacer. The RoughRider is the original: field-tested over 40 years, refined and improved, available in 5 seat widths.
Both are priced well below the market. Comparable outdoor wheelchairs start at $2,995. Ours start at $1,295.
| RoughRider Steel · Field-repairable | Most Popular Aurora Aluminum · Lightweight · Travel-ready | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Our price | $1,295Pre-order ships January |
$1,995
Pre-order: $1,845 · Ships December Armrests included Save up to $3,800 vs. competitors |
| Comparable competitors | $2,995 to $5,800+ | |
| Chair Details | ||
| Frame | Steel | Aluminum |
| Weight | ~60 lbs | 34 lbs23 lbs without rear wheels |
| Rust-resistant | ✗ | ✓ |
| Armrests included | ✗ | ✓ |
| Best for | ||
| Best for | Buyers who prioritize durability at the lowest price | Most buyers — lighter, rust-resistant, armrests included, and up to $3,800 less than comparable chairs |
Freight & handling fees apply at checkout. Pre-order now — your chair ships when new stock arrives.
The RoughRider design has been refined across 60+ countries and 100,000+ wheelchair users, field-tested in environments where terrain is unpredictable and reliability is non-negotiable. RoughRider America built on that foundation to make it available to more people, at a price that reflects that.
Have questions? We’re a small company and happy to help personally. Contact us before you order.
To find the distance between your hips, first position yourself seated with pelvis upright on a firm surface. Then, measure the distance between the widest points of the hips and thighs without compressing any tissue. Finally, record your measurements. It is important not to have a chair that is wider than necessary as it will be harder to push and may prevent you from passing through narrow doorways.
Position yourself seated upright on a firm surface. Measure the length of your upper leg, the distance from behind the knee to the back of the pelvis (back of your lower leg). Subtract 1/2” to find the maximum seat depth, to allow for space between the back of the knee/upper leg and seat fabric. Record the final measurement.
Your preferred backrest height is determined by your personal comfort level and physical ability. Whirlwind recommends, generally, that the top of the back support should fall just beneath the bottom of the shoulder blade. For less active riders who require more torso support, the back support should be higher, falling just beneath the armpit. Position yourself seated upright on a firm surface. Hold your hands flat against the surface you are sitting on. Measure the distance from the seated surface to the desired, most comfortable point for support on your back. To this number add the height of your cushion when you are sitting on it. Record the measurement.
Backrest angles are determined by the torso control of the rider. Whirlwind recommends that those with less torso control, such as quadriplegics, sit with a backrest angled further backwards to avoid falling forward in a wheelchair. Those with more torso control, such as amputees, can sit with the backrest more upright. Proper backrest angle is best determined by an occupational therapist or healthcare professional. Although there is only one option – 8 degrees – in the drop-down list below, you can adjust the backrest angle by adjusting the backrest straps (i.e. looser at the bottom and tighter at the top for a more erect position).
Now please enter your measurements into the fields on the product page before ordering. For more information about measuring, please refer to the RoughRider Fitting Sheet. You are responsible for choosing the right chair for yourself. If you are uncomfortable with determining your wheelchair size, please consult a professional.
