Best Heavy Duty Walkers For Seniors – Our Top Picks For 2021

What Are Heavy Duty Walkers & How do They Compare to Other Types of Walkers?

As you can tell from its name, heavy duty walkers are walking aids that have been specifically designed to handle the additional weight of heavier users. To achieve this end, such walkers have larger seats, are made from stronger and more durable materials, and are bulkier. 

While most rollators can only support users who weigh up to 250lbs to 300lbs, some bariatric walkers can support people who weigh up to 600lbs (and some models can handle even more.) 

You can think of heavy-duty walkers as more substantial and stronger versions of four-wheel rollators. They have the same components, including a sturdy frame, four legs with wheels (though some models only have wheels on the front legs), and they typically have a seat for you to rest in if you get tired. 

The vast majority of people who buy heavy duty walkers do so because it’s the only type of walker or rollator that can support their weight. Still, some choose to use such walkers even if they aren’t overweight due to the extra stability they provide. Their extra stability makes them especially great for users who really struggle for balance and therefore have trouble using a three-wheel rollator or even four-wheel rollators. 

Alternatively, you may also prefer a bariatric walker as it has a larger and more comfortable seat than standard rollators. 

Like four-wheel walkers and other rollators, a great advantage of heavy-duty walkers is they can be gently rolled along the ground. In contrast to wheel-less walkers, such as standard walking frames, which need to be lifted slightly forward with every couple of steps you take. Making this motion over and over again can be quite tiring for seniors and other users, wheeled walkers are generally preferable. They are especially great for users who fatigue easily and have weak upper body strength. 

Heavy duty walkers are generally more expensive than wheel-less walkers but are pretty much in the same price range as standard rollators. However, you may find a couple of, particularly fancy and pricey models. 

The Benefits of Heavy Duty Walkers

• They are much easier to use than wheel-less walkers.
• They are ideal for seniors and other users with limited endurance and weak upper body strength.
• They are much quicker than wheel-less walkers, so they can significantly reduce the amount of time it takes you to get around.
• They have better maneuverability than four-wheel rollators, allowing you to navigate tight turns.They are smaller, lighter, and more compact than their four-wheel sisters. 

The Drawbacks of Heavy Duty Walkers

• They are considerably more expensive than most wheel-less walkers. 
• Their heavy weight and large size can make it very challenging to transport them around. 

Things to Consider When Shopping For a Heavy Duty Walker

As mentioned, sizing up different models and deciding which is best for you can be difficult and very time-consuming, but we’ve got your back! 

Below you’ll find a list of some of the most important questions for you to ask. Or, if you’d rather cut to the chase, you can skip the next section and go directly to our Top Picks and place an order for the heavy-duty walker of your dreams today. 

What Features Does it Have?

Heavy duty walkers can have an array of additional features to improve their functionality, such as a phone holder, a cane holder, and a built-in basket. 

While you’re ultimately buying a walker to improve your mobility, it’s definitely wise to consider exactly what you’ll be using it for and look for models with relevant, value-adding features accordingly. 

Can it Fit in My Home & Car?  

Most other types of walkers and rollators should fit into your home and car pretty easily, so long as they are foldable. However, heavy-duty walkers can be very large and bulky, so you may struggle to fit some models into a car or certain narrower parts of your home. 

So, it is especially important to keep an eye out for a heavy-duty walker’s dimensions in the listing and measure your doors and the narrowest parts of your property before browsing individual models. 

Weight can also be an issue when transporting a heavy-duty walker while folded. Still, the good news is there’s a great deal of variation in the weight of the many different models out there, so you should have no trouble finding a bariatric walker that isn’t too heavy.

How Much Weight Can it Support?

Not all heavy-duty walkers have the same weight-bearing capacity, so you should always check that a model you like can handle your weight. Generally, any walker which can handle over 300lbs-350lbs is considered “heavy-duty.”  But some can handle as much as 700lbs (and even more.)

What Materials is it Built From?

To handle the additional weight safely, heavy-duty walkers are bulkier than standard four-wheel rollators and are built from more durable materials.  Checking out what materials the various components are made from can help you get an idea of how strong and durable a particular model is. 

Aluminum or carbon fiber frames should be preferred to steel, and memory foam seats offer the best comfort and support. 

Wheel Size

As a general rule, when shopping for a heavy-duty walker (or any wheeled rollator), the larger the wheels, the better. This is because wheels with a larger circumference can deal with rough terrain and bumps better without affecting ride quality, so they are best for comfort. 

How Much Does it Cost?

Cost is always a key consideration of any substantial purchase – and it can be tempting to simply go for the cheapest option in the hopes of saving yourself a bundle. However, this is almost always a bad idea when shopping for something which impacts your health, and walkers are no exception to this rule. 

When buying a heavy-duty walker, it makes sense to spend a bit extra for a model that is built to last and will give you a much better experience and add more value to your life.