Strongback ErgoSteel Wheelchair

The patented backrest, now in steel.

The Strongback ErgoSteel is a self-propelled steel-frame wheelchair with our patented ergonomic backrest built into the frame. The backrest fills the natural curve of your lower back, so you sit upright without holding yourself there. Rated for users up to 300 lb. Same backrest as every Strongback chair, in a steel frame at our most accessible price.

What it feels like to use

You stay comfortable for longer. The backrest supports you where you actually need it, so you are not shifting position every few minutes to relieve the ache.

You can move it around the house. It folds narrow enough to pass through a standard doorway and store beside a wardrobe rather than in the garage.

You can get it into the car yourself. Take off the wheels, legrests, casters and anti-tippers and the frame comes down to 18.3 lb, light enough to lift into a trunk without help. Everything comes off by hand.

You are not paying for a badge. The steel frame is what keeps the price where it is. The ergonomics are not the compromise; the frame material is.

The backrest

A flat back panel pushes your lower spine backwards into a C-shape. Your pelvis tilts, your head comes forward to compensate, and your diaphragm has less room to work. That is why sitting still becomes tiring.

The ErgoSteel backrest is shaped, not flat. It fills the hollow of your lower back and lets your shoulders sit where they belong. The panel is held by broad hook-and-loop straps that release, so the tension can be set at any height and to any firmness, and the support can be matched to your own back rather than to an average one. It is the award-winning ergonomic design we build into every Strongback chair, and the reason we keep talking about it is simpler than the engineering: it is the difference between a chair you tolerate and a chair you forget you are sitting in.

Rated for users up to 300 lb

The ErgoSteel's steel frame is rated for users up to 300 lb, tested to ISO 7176-15. Steel is heavier than the aluminum in the Strongback Comfort line, but it gives a frame that tolerates years of daily use with very little maintenance.

Made for transfers and tight spaces

The footrests swing away and detach without tools, so nothing sits between the chair and a bed, sofa or car seat during a transfer. The desk-length armrests are shortened at the front, letting the chair pull up close to a table, desk or kitchen counter instead of stopping at the edge. Side panels keep clothing clear of the wheels.

Weights and measurements

The ErgoSteel weighs 18.3 lb as a bare frame. Frame, wheels and legrests together weigh 35.7 lb, excluding anti-tippers and the shipping box. We publish both, and we say which is which. Some manufacturers quote only the lightest number they can measure. You should always ask what a stated weight includes.

Which Strongback is right for you

Questions people actually ask

How much does the Strongback ErgoSteel weigh?

The Strongback ErgoSteel weighs 35.7 lb as supplied, its Total Weight, with the wheels and legrests attached. Stripped down for the car, with the wheels, legrests, casters and anti-tippers removed, the frame alone is 18.3 lb, its Carry Weight. We publish both figures and we say which is which, because retail listings often quote whichever number is lower without saying what it includes.

What weight capacity does the Strongback ErgoSteel support?

The Strongback ErgoSteel is rated for users up to 300 lb, tested to ISO 7176-15. If you need a higher capacity, the Strongback Heavy Duty is rated for users up to 375 lb.

Does the Strongback ErgoSteel fit in a car?

Folded with the wheels still on, the Strongback ErgoSteel measures 25 x 13 x 25 in (length by width by height). Taking the rear wheels off removes another 2 to 4 in of width, and they release with a push button in about two seconds. That fits the trunk of most sedans and every wagon, SUV and hatchback we have tried. If you are unsure, send us your car model and we will check it for you.

What seat width does the Strongback ErgoSteel come in?

The Strongback ErgoSteel comes in one seat width, 18 in, measured between the inside faces of the armrests. Measure your hips while seated and add an inch. If you need 20 in or 22 in, the Strongback Comfort L and the Strongback Heavy Duty cover those widths. Our measuring guide walks through it, and if your number lands between two sizes, call us before you order.

Is the Strongback ErgoSteel self-propelled or a transport chair?

The Strongback ErgoSteel is a self-propelled wheelchair: 24 in rear wheels with handrims, so the user can push themselves. An attendant can also push it from behind. If the chair will mostly be pushed by someone else, the Strongback Excursion is the transport chair in the range, built for indoor mobility and short-distance trips.

Can I lift the Strongback ErgoSteel on my own?

Most people can lift the Strongback ErgoSteel on their own. The rear wheels release with a push button and come off by hand, and the 18.3 lb frame that is left is a two-handed lift rather than a heave. If lifting is difficult for you, tell us and we will talk you through the alternatives.

Why is the Strongback ErgoSteel steel and not aluminum?

Cost. The steel frame is what keeps the Strongback ErgoSteel at its price, while the patented backrest stays exactly the same as on the aluminum chairs. If a lighter chair matters more to you than price, look at the Strongback Comfort range.

Is the Strongback ErgoSteel backrest adjustable?

Yes. The Strongback ErgoSteel backrest is a fabric panel held by broad hook-and-loop straps that release, so the tension can be set at any height and to any firmness, exactly as on our aluminum chairs. You can firm up the lumbar section and leave the upper back softer, or the other way round, and reset it whenever you want. What separates the ErgoSteel from the Comfort line is the frame material, the weight, the choice of seat widths and the 3-position rear axle, not the backrest. For transport and storage the whole backrest also folds down.

Does the Strongback ErgoSteel arrive assembled?

The Strongback ErgoSteel arrives assembled. Unfold it, click the rear wheels on and it is ready to use.

What is the return window for the Strongback ErgoSteel?

Tell us within 30 days and we will arrange the return of your Strongback ErgoSteel. Start it with a return authorization request. We would rather sort it out than have you sitting in the wrong chair.

What warranty covers the Strongback ErgoSteel?

The Strongback ErgoSteel carries two years on the frame, and twelve months on the seat, footrests and all other components, from the date of purchase. The warranty covers the original purchaser against defects in manufacturing and materials. It does not cover normal wear or damage from misuse. If something goes wrong, fill in the warranty claim form and we will take it from there.

Not sure it is right for you?

Call us at (757) 349-7790 and describe your day, how long you sit, who helps you, what car you have. We will tell you honestly whether the ErgoSteel suits you or whether one of the aluminum Comfort chairs would serve you better.

Downloads and forms

ErgoSteel user manual · Wheelchair or transport chair, and how to measure · Warranty claim form · Return authorization request

Current data: as of September 2026 · Author: Christian Grothe