For manual wheelchairs, you can buy spare types for both the large back wheels and also the front castor wheels, they usually come in sizes between 18 and 24 inches for the large back wheels and there usually isn’t much price difference between the small castor tyres and the large back tyres but fortunately they are generally inexpensive.

Because the tyres are taking the full weight of the wheelchair and user, they will in time wear down and less grip on the tyres can mean less traction and require more of an effort by the wheelchair user, but there’s also the factor of safety, for example making your way up or down a ramp, you want to make sure that the tyres have enough grip on them to prevent any chance of sliding or not being able to stop properly.

Both the castor type and the larger tyres will usually be priced at around £8 upwards, generally costing not much more, and thats cost per tyre.

When buying spares and replacing parts on a manual wheelchair, the tyres are probably one of the most important to deal with as they are the parts touching the ground and taking most of the wear and tear over time.

When using a wheelchair, anything that can add comfort and support is important, especially if it wont cost you too much.

A lower part of the wheelchair is where added support can sometimes be overlooked, as often people may look to improving the cushion of the seating area but lower down is where some added support can make quite a difference.

Calf straps that can be attached between the two front wheel leg areas to provide a place for your lower legs to rest back on can provide added comfort, it supports the calf area and can provide relief.

They are strong but not rigid to the point of pressing hard against the back of your legs, instead the strap will have a tiny bit of movement in it as your calf muscles rest against it.

The straps will fit most sizes of wheelchairs and are easily fastened and can be easily removed when not needed.

Usually costing less than £10 it can make quite a difference and you most likely wont need to replace a calf strap with a new one for a long time.

Just as you can purchase warmers, capes and protection against the weather for adult wheelchair users, so too can you for child wheelchair users too.

Some capes and covers dont have any sleeves to them so they of course are suited to when a child will be pushed in the wheelchair and not operating it themselves but there are also the type that do have sleeves for a child that will be using the wheelchair themselves or simply prefers to have their arms free rather than underneath the cover.

Whether a child needs the use of a warmer or just waterproof protection there are solutions to suit not just the type of weather but the childs own choice of how they want to be covered and these products dont cost that much, with some starting at around £15 for the type of covers that cover from the waist to the feet.

Most fit the child quite snug too so that the cover is not hanging down below their feet or at the sides of the wheelchair.