Walking aids offer safe movement and a high quality of life for people with limited mobility. To choose the right rollator, however, you should pay attention to the type of tire. We explain who pneumatic tires and solid rubber tires are suitable for and what you should take into account.
Pneumatic and solid rubber tires – The most important differences
Pneumatic tires are comparable to bicycle tires: the inner tube is filled with air. Solid rubber tires, on the other hand, are solid tires without a tube. They do not require air.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Pneumatic Tires
Rollators with pneumatic tires are particularly suitable for demanding outdoor surfaces. The air makes the tires more flexible and the ride feels softer. This is reinforced by additional suspension, which many models with pneumatic tires have. This not only makes handling easier, but can also be more pleasant for the joints: vibrations caused by uneven ground and obstacles are less noticeable.
Pneumatic tires are also slightly wider than solid rubber tires. The wide profile provides more stability, especially on softer surfaces such as grass.
One disadvantage of bicycle-like pneumatic tires is that they are prone to punctures. If you accidentally drive over pointed or sharp objects, you may end up with a flat tire.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Solid Rubber Tires
There is no need to worry about flat tires with rollators with solid rubber tires. These tires are much harder and more robust. This means they suffer less wear and tear and hardly need any maintenance.
The hardness of the solid rubber tires also affects the driving experience: they offer less suspension. However, this can be pleasant, especially for people with balance problems.
The disadvantage of solid rubber rollators lies in their areas of application. While pneumatic tires can be used indoors and outdoors, solid rubber tires are less suitable for demanding terrain. However, you can easily drive on simple surfaces such as asphalt.
Which type of tire is suitable for whom?
A pneumatic tire rollator is suitable for you if you like to be active outdoors. Whether you are taking walks in the forest or going on trips to your garden at home - walkers with pneumatic tires can also handle uneven terrain thanks to their tire width and suspension.
If you are more likely to be indoors or outdoors on flat surfaces, a rollator with solid rubber tires is worthwhile: driving on the sidewalk or in the park is no problem.
Recommended rollator models sold by Vocic in Germany:
Solid rubber tires:
Z21 Ergonomic, foldable 4-wheel rollator
Z52 Foldable lightweight rollator with seat, for all terrain
semi-pneumatic tire:
Z51 Shift Combo 2-in-1 Rollator – Transport Chair Walker
Further decision criteria
In addition to the wheel and driving characteristics, you should also consider your personal habits when looking for the right rollator. Think about the situations and places in which you want to use the rollator. What is the condition of the ground there?
You should also ask yourself: Am I willing or even able to maintain my rollator regularly? Who can help me if something breaks down? Or would I prefer a comfortable walking aid that is puncture-proof and maintenance-free?
Depending on how you answer these questions, you can choose either a model with pneumatic tires or one with solid rubber tires.
Conclusion
Whether you choose a rollator with solid rubber or pneumatic tires depends on your personal needs.
Do you like to go out in the woods or garden and prefer a soft ride with gentle suspension? Then models with pneumatic tires might be the better choice.
Would you prefer a puncture-proof walking aid for the city? Then a rollator with solid rubber tires is probably suitable.
Take your time when choosing and check which option you feel safest with. Visit our Vocic shop now and find out more about our range of rollators .
