Best of Gearcrip

The KD Smart Chair Lives Up to Its Name

KD Healthcare Company says its Smart Chair weighs only 50 pounds, folds for easy transport and offers many of the seating conveniences most powerchair users expect at a fraction of the cost. It isn’t going to be a replacement for most powerchairs, but as an alternative for travel it could be a game changer. Adding to its appeal is its price tag of $2,995 — not cheap, but much more reasonable than many mobility aids currently on the market.

The basic chair is FDA cleared, can support up to 265 pounds and can go up to 15 miles on its rechargeable lithium batteries. KD also offers a Heavy Duty version that weighs 59 pounds but can support up to 396 pounds ($3,995). Much of KD’s marketing focuses on the device as an option for seniors and people with disabilities who may not need a chair full time, but unlike other vaguely similar options, the KD Smart Chair looks like it has the pieces — arm rests, foot rests, anti-tilt wheels etc. — and functionality to handle the needs of more demanding users like quads and people with more spasticity. The site’s FAQ explicitly recommends the KD Smart Chair for people with spinal cord injuries.

New & Noted

The Quirky Quokka

Designed by a Netherlands mother with MS, the Quokka is a practical and cool wheelchair bag. It comes in two sizes, vertical and horizontal models, each offering multiple pouches with easy-to-pull zippers, optional hook rings and a magnetic clasp. Style-wise, the bags are similar to hip messenger pouches.

The Quokka Bag is set apart by its one-touch attachment adapter, which can be installed anywhere on your wheelchair frame. Once installed, the bags simply slide on and can be locked and unlocked with a handy lever.

Be Productive in Bed

You can strap down your laptop, tablet or even a book on the Super Gorone Desk and then position the desk to use it comfortably from a supine position. Also, there’s the swing-away Hammacher Schlemmer stand for lighter items like an iPad. The Super Gorone Desk is available through Amazon and sells for $121 plus $76 shipping (from Japan). The Hammacher Schlemmer stand is $179.95 plus U.S. shipping and can be found on www.hammacher.com.

Blaze Your Own Trax

Freedom Trax is an add-on that the company claims will attach to most manual chairs to turn them into mini-track chairs. As an attachment, the Freedom Trax can fit in a trunk or car and is much easier to transport than the larger track chairs.