The World's Most Versatile All-Terrain Wheelchair
With the GRIT Freedom Chair, explore the outdoors, get daily exercise, and go on adventures with the people you love. Thousands of riders around the world use their GRIT Freedom Chairs to live more active lives — hiking on mountain trails, navigating sandy beaches, or just spending quality time with their family.
The Manual Hiking Wheelchair, Reimagined
The Freedom Chair is a manual hiking wheelchair built on leverage and bike parts — not batteries, motors, or proprietary electronics. Every component is there to help you get to the trailhead and beyond.
| Feature | Details | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Easy-to-push levers | Dual lever drive, independent of drivetrain | More than twice as efficient as pushing on handrims. Push longer, farther, through tougher terrain. |
| Mountain bike wheels | 26" knobby MTB tires, quick-release | Grass, gravel, sand, snow, dirt, mud, pavement — anywhere else you want to ride. |
| Rugged 9" front wheel | Overcomes rocks, roots, and obstacles | Three-wheel stability with a front wheel built to clear what stops other chairs. |
| 0-degree turning radius | Pivot in place | Precise control on narrow trails, switchbacks, and tight indoor spaces. |
| Frame & fit | Supports up to 400 lbs and 24"W seats; riders up to 6'5" | One of the most accommodating all-terrain wheelchairs on the market. |
| Adjustable & removable | Adjustable footrest, removable seatback, seatbelt included | Dial in comfort for your body and the terrain. Pack it tighter when it's time to go. |
| Quick-release, bike-parts serviceable | Disassembles into any vehicle; serviced at any bike shop | No wheelchair-accessible van required. Repairs are simple, local, and affordable. |
| Optional Trail Handles & Rope Mount | Push from behind or pull from the front | Built for independence and teamwork — ride solo or bring a friend along. |
Operate Like a Tank for Wheelchair Hiking
The Freedom Chair's lever system replaces push-rims with real mechanical advantage. Most riders feel comfortable after one or two outings.
Push forward to propel
Drive the levers forward to move. Grip high on the levers for low-gear torque — perfect for steep climbs, loose gravel, and mud.
Pull back to brake & turn
Pull one lever back to slow or steer — true differential steering. Pull both to stop. Intuitive, precise, and fast to learn.
Disengage for reverse or flat pushing
Flip the levers out of the way to reverse or be pushed on flats. Best for moderate trails; a spotter is advised on steep descents. Learning curve: 1–2 outings.
Why Choose the GRIT Freedom Chair for Hiking?
Designed by MIT engineers and refined with riders on real trails. Here's what makes the Freedom Chair the hiking wheelchair of choice for thousands of riders around the world.
- »Lever-drive leverage. Our patented lever system is more than twice as efficient as pushing on handrims — and engages larger muscle groups for longer, farther, tougher rides.
- »Ready for any vehicle. Under 50 lbs, quick-release wheels, and a frame that disassembles to fit any trunk. No WAV required.
- »Mountain-bike serviceable. Any bike shop can service the Freedom Chair — no proprietary parts, no medical supply waitlists.
- »Built for independence and teamwork. Propel 100% on your own, add Trail Handles for a friend to push, or add a Rope Mount for a friend to pull from the front.
- »Trusted by parks and organizations across the U.S. for adaptive programs, rentals, and group outings.
- »The GRIT Guarantee. Try your chair on your own turf — the trails, sand, or grass you'll actually ride. If it's not the right fit, send it back.
"With an off-road wheelchair you can join friends for a barbecue picnic at the local park. Zip down the sidelines to cheer on your daughter playing soccer. Motor down cobblestone streets in the Old Town you've long sidestepped. Navigate to that perfect spot in a grassy field to watch fireworks explode overhead. Farmers markets, outdoor weddings, snowy streets, campsites, gravel driveways, vineyards, the works."
— Dave, ActiveMSers (via the Beyond the Pavement Blog)Built for Riders Who Refuse to Stay Off the Trail
The Freedom Chair is the hiking wheelchair trusted by independent adventurers, wounded veterans, adaptive athletes, clinicians, and families chasing the outdoors together.
Reclaim the outdoors — solo
Self-propel on national park trails, county parks, and backyard loops without waiting for a push. The chair goes where you go.
Keep moving after service
Frequently funded through VA benefits. Built to handle terrain traditional manual and many power chairs can't touch.
Train, climb, compete
Real mechanical advantage on steep grades and technical trails. Used by adaptive sports programs coast to coast.
Everyone on the same trail
Adult, youth, and Kids Freedom Chairs keep the whole family on one loop — nobody gets left at the trailhead.
A prescribable outdoor tool
Clinicians recommend the Freedom Chair as a life-expanding mobility option with measurable strength and independence outcomes.
Fleet-ready for programs
Durable, serviceable, and simple to learn — ideal for rentals, guide services, and adaptive hiking programs.
Teamwork With the GRIT Freedom Chair
Here at GRIT, we think the only thing better than a stunning summit is enjoying that same summit with someone you love. The levers are independent of the drivetrain, which makes hiking with a friend easier and more possible than ever before.
Propel 100% on your own
Ride under your own power while a friend follows behind, ready to support when you ask for it. Levers store away in built-in sleeves when you don't need them.
Let a friend do 100%
Add Trail Handles — tall, comfortable push bars at the rear — so a friend can help over tricky sections without interrupting your ride.
Share the effort
Push/pull the levers for 60% of the power while a friend supplies the other 40% — without interrupting your momentum. Or attach a Rope Mount and let a rope team pull you up the tough stuff.
Where Can a Hiking Wheelchair Go?
Anywhere boots and mountain bikes go — plus a few places they don't. The Freedom Chair is the off-road wheelchair engineered to cover the terrain a traditional manual wheelchair never could.
Mountain trails
Technical singletrack, rocks, roots, and moderate grades.
Wooded paths
Packed dirt, leaf litter, small logs, and forest loops.
Sand & beach
Knobby mountain bike tires float across soft sand.
Snow
Packed snow on winter trails and fire roads.
Gravel & rocks
Three-wheel stability holds the line on fire roads and ranch paths.
Grass & fields
Farmers markets, farms, fairs, and sidelines at your daughter's soccer game.
Campgrounds
From the picnic table to the lakeside — independently.
National parks
Riders use the Freedom Chair on trails across the U.S. parks system.
Manual Hiking Wheelchair vs. Power Wheelchair for Hiking
From the Beyond the Pavement Blog: a quick side-by-side of how the GRIT Freedom Chair compares for outdoor use.
| GRIT Freedom Chair (Manual) | Standard Manual Wheelchair | Power / Electric Hiking Chair | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handles trails, roots, rocks | Yes | No | Varies |
| Rolls on sand & snow | Yes | No | Treaded models yes |
| Self-propelled on hills | Yes — lever torque | Difficult | Yes, battery-limited |
| Weight | Under 50 lbs | ~35 lbs | Often 300+ lbs |
| Fits in any vehicle | Yes — quick-release, disassembles | Yes | Usually requires WAV or trailer |
| Fits narrow pedestrian trails (~36") | Yes | Yes | Often too wide |
| Battery required | No | No | Yes |
| Serviceable anywhere | Yes — standard bike parts | Proprietary | Proprietary, medical-supply |
| Typical price | Manual — often less than half | Low | Staggering |
What Riders Say About the Freedom Chair
Real stories from riders across the country — from the Rockies to the Appalachians to the beaches of the Gulf.
"The Freedom Chair gave me my first real hike in 11 years. I climbed a mountain — under my own power. Nothing comes close."
"We bought one so our daughter could be on the trail with her brothers. Now she leads the group. It changed our family."
"Our adaptive program runs a fleet of Freedom Chairs. Easy to service, riders pick it up fast, and it handles everything we throw at it."
Try It on Your Own Turf
Often, the best way to know if a piece of adaptive equipment is right for you is to get your butt into one and try it. We think that's far better than making a big decision after a high-pressure demo in a totally different setting than the one you'll actually be riding.
Try it at home
Use the Freedom Chair on the trail, sand, grass, or whatever "turf" you'll actually ride — at your own pace.
VA & funding support
Veterans frequently fund Freedom Chairs through the VA. Our team helps with documentation, vocational rehab, and adaptive foundation grants.
Talk to a real human
Have questions? Call 877-345-4748 or email info@gogrit.us. Happy trails!
Hiking Wheelchair Questions, Answered
Common questions from riders, families, and clinicians evaluating an all-terrain wheelchair for the first time.
What is a hiking wheelchair?
Am I strong enough to use a manual hiking wheelchair?
How much weight does the Freedom Chair support?
Does it fit in a car?
Can I hike with a friend pushing or pulling?
What's the GRIT Guarantee?
Is it covered by insurance or VA benefits?
How steep of a hill can it handle?
How long does it take to learn?
Plan Your Next Wheelchair Hike
Trail guides, rider stories, and decision tools from the GRIT blog and community.
Electric Wheelchair vs. Manual Wheelchair for Hiking
The pros and cons of each, from the Beyond the Pavement Blog — so you can make your selection and get to the trailhead.
How To Plan a Dog-Friendly Wheelchair Hike
Tips for planning a safe, fun, accessible hike with your four-legged friend along for the ride.
I Went to the Woods
Riders on what it means to get outside again — and what the Freedom Chair made possible.
Ready to Get to the Trailhead?
Join thousands of riders around the world who chose the GRIT Freedom Chair — the hiking wheelchair that helps you explore the outdoors, get daily exercise, and go on adventures with the people you love.
Prefer to talk? Call 877-345-4748 or email info@gogrit.us. Happy trails!