If you want suggestions on what kind of gear you should get for your wheelchair, check out this list. This isn’t about specific brands (though I’ll link to examples I use or recommend), it’s about understanding what features matter so you can make informed choices.

Wheelchair Tools

I don’t carry a ton of gear with me when I go out, but what I do have is super critical to staying safe and mobile while rolling through god-knows-what in the streets. Most of this stuff falls in the “Oh shit!” category. You won’t need it every day, but you’ll be glad you have it when you do.

Allen/Hex Key Wrench Set

Most wheelchair components are held together with hex screws. If something goes wrong, you’re going to need a set of wrenches to fix it.

What to look for:

  • Both metric and standard sizes (wheelchairs use both)
  • Long arm design for better leverage
  • Ball end (lets you approach bolts at an angle)
  • Foldable or compact design so it lays flat in your bag

Example: Amazon Basics 26-Piece Hex Key Wrench Set

Tire Levers

Don’t let their size fool you: good tire levers make changing a tube way easier.

What to look for:

  • Come in pairs
  • Designed to hook around spokes so you can keep one in place while using the other
  • Durable plastic or composite material
  • Snap together for storage

Example: Pedro’s Tire Levers

CO2 Inflator

If you realize your tires are dangerously low after leaving the house or you pop a tube and need to reinflate the replacement, you’ll need a CO2 inflator.

What to know:

  • Always keep a couple of spare cartridges on you
  • Never store a fresh CO2 cartridge in the inflator—it’ll just be flat by the time you need it
  • Works faster than a hand pump
  • Single use per cartridge

Example: PRO Bike CO2 Inflator

Portable Air Compressor

For regular tire maintenance at home or in your vehicle, a small electric air compressor is incredibly useful.

What to look for:

  • Powerful enough to fill standard wheelchair tires (look for 100+ PSI)
  • Compact enough to travel in a vehicle
  • 12V DC car outlet compatible
  • Built-in pressure gauge

Example: Black and Decker Portable Tire Inflator

Every Day Carry

This is the stuff I keep with me and use every day. Everyone’s EDC is unique to their situation, but these items will cover the basics.

Gloves

By far, gloves are the most important piece of gear for your chair. City streets are nasty and full of hazards that can fuck up your hands.

What to look for:

  • Padding in the palms to protect from dirt, grime, and heat (gripping your tires while going downhill can burn your hands)
  • Fingerless design to keep dexterity and use touchscreens
  • Breathable material
  • Good grip
  • Washable

Weightlifting gloves work great for this. Example: Harbinger Pro Non-Wristwrap Weightlifting Gloves

Flashlight

I know we all usually use our phones when we need a flashlight, but I find a dedicated flashlight to be a lot more effective (and a lot less expensive if you drop it).

What to look for:

  • Small and lightweight
  • Very bright (200+ lumens)
  • Multiple modes including strobe and S.O.S.
  • Rechargeable or uses common batteries

Example: GearLight S1000 LED Tactical Flashlight

Travel Mug with Handle

The only way you can safely carry a hot beverage while pushing a wheelchair is by keeping it in an airtight container.

What to look for:

  • Vacuum insulated
  • Truly leak-proof seal (test it before trusting it on your chair)
  • Handle or clip for attaching to your bag or chair
  • Easy one-handed operation

I clip mine to the backrest release bar on my chair. Example: Contigo Extreme Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug with Handle

Pocket Knife

A good folding knife is useful for everything from opening packages to cutting yourself free if something gets tangled in your wheels.

What to look for:

  • Small enough for everyday carry
  • Sharp blade that holds an edge
  • Easy to open one-handed
  • Secure locking mechanism

Just don’t accidentally leave it in your jeans for the TSA to find. Example: Kershaw Cryo Folding Knife

Phone Accessories

Charging cables: USB-C cables are super cheap if you get them from anywhere except Apple. Keep a spare in your bag. Example: Amazon Basics USB-A to USB-C cable

Portable charger: Having your phone die is terrifying. Get a portable battery pack.

Small Item Organizer

All those small items—cables, tools, batteries—need to go somewhere that isn’t just rolling around in your bag.

What to look for:

  • Elastic straps or pockets to hold items in place
  • Compact size that fits in your bag
  • Durable material

Example: Cocoon Grid-IT Organizer

Phone Stand

It’s a ridiculous piece of plastic and aluminum, but a foldable phone stand that fits in your wallet actually works really well. I use it when doing video calls so I don’t have to move my laptop around.

Example: Foldable Phone Stand That Fits In Your Wallet

In the Kitchen

Cooking while everything that is boiling or on fire is at face-level can be a bit daunting. Here’s some stuff that’ll make it safer and easier.

Long Tongs

When sitting in a wheelchair and using the stove top, it can be really tough to reach both the temperature dials and anything sitting on the back burner.

What to look for:

  • 16 inches or longer
  • Heat resistant
  • Good grip
  • Locking mechanism for storage

Super long tongs let you easily reach and turn the knobs on your stove and anything that might be sizzling away on your back burners. Example: 16 inch Kitchen Tongs

Heat-Resistant Gloves

What to look for:

  • Can withstand 400°F+
  • Good grip (silicone coating helps)
  • Machine washable
  • Actual glove shape (not just mitts)

These make it easy to get stuff in and out of the oven. In a pinch, they’ll even double as a makeshift pot holder. Example: Ove Glove

Meal Prep Containers

What to look for:

  • Microwave and dishwasher safe
  • Multiple compartments (keeps foods separate)
  • Stackable
  • Leak-resistant lids

These are great for batch cooking and saving yourself some time and energy. Example: Meal Prep Containers: 3 Compartment with Lids

Freezing Trays

These trays are great for freezing stews and sauces. I do a lot of large batch cooking and these are way easier than trying to portion stuff out into zip-top bags.

What to look for:

  • Large compartment size (2+ cups per compartment)
  • Silicone material (easier to pop frozen portions out)
  • Lids that seal well
  • Easy to move one-handed when full

What wheelchair user hasn’t gotten wet trying to refill an ice cube tray? Example: Extra-Large Silicone Freezing Tray with Lid

Around the House

This is the stuff I keep around specifically because it makes daily life easier for me when I’m at home.

Folding Hand Truck/Dolly

This dolly is great if you need to move something that’s too big or too heavy to carry on your lap.

What to look for:

  • Multiple configuration options (hand truck, dolly, cart)
  • Folds flat for storage
  • Weight capacity appropriate for your needs (100+ lbs)
  • Large wheels for easier rolling

Example: Multi-Position Heavy Duty Folding Hand Truck and Dolly

Retractable Dog Leash

Walking your dog with a standard leash can be tough if you’re in a wheelchair. I use a retractable dog leash so that I can easily adjust the amount of slack I need to keep my dog under control while not getting the leash tangled in my chair.

What to look for:

  • Appropriate size for your dog’s weight
  • Comfortable grip handle
  • Reliable brake/lock mechanism
  • Large enough handle to loop through a bag strap or buckle

The size of the handle lets me easily loop it through the buckle of my bag, which means I can securely hold onto the dog while pushing my chair with both hands. Example: Retractable Dog Leash

Bags and Carrying Cases

All of the various bags and slings I use to carry stuff when I’m out of the house.

Sling Bag

A single-shoulder sling bag is ideal for wheelchair users because it’s light enough to not restrict movement and the single strap means it won’t shift around as you push your chair.

What to look for:

  • Single shoulder strap design
  • Size appropriate for what you need to carry (small for essentials, larger for laptop/tablet)
  • Multiple compartments for organization
  • Water-resistant material
  • Easy to swing around to access while seated

Example: Sling Bag for Everyday Carry