If you are looking at walkers or wheelchairs you are not alone. As we age the process of walking under our own power and without help can become an issue. This is where walkers, canes, and other devices that help with mobility issues come into place. As technologies get better so do the products we count on every day also get better. Take the UPWalker for example. This is a more advanced walker system but is it worth it? Let’s look at the UPWalker review in detail to see where it stands in today’s walker completion.
Upwalker
An excellent walker with innovative design features.
Our Rating: 4.8/5
The UPWalker has been seen a lot on TV commercials as the next great mobility aid in walkers. Known for the ability to make walking more comfortable and with less stress on the body.
So, let’s take a look at this UPWalker in-depth review and take a look at user reviews and testing to see if the UPWalker is right for you.
UPWalker Specifications
UPWalker | Small | Standard | Large |
---|---|---|---|
Height range: | 4’4″ – 5’5″ | 4’7″ – 5’10” | 4’10” – 6’5″ |
Weight capacity: | 300 lbs. | 300 lbs. | 300 lbs. |
Length: | 30.5″ | 33.5″ | 36″ |
Width: | 21.5″ | 23.5″ | 25.5″ |
Armrest Height: | 31.5″ – 40.5″ | 32.5″ – 43.5″ | 36″ – 49.5″ |
Seat depth & width: | 16″ W x 10″ D | 18″ W x 11″ D | 20″ W x 16″ D |
Ground to seat: | 20″ | 20″ | 21″ |
Sit to stand handle height: | 28″ | 30″ | 32″ |
Wheel size: | 8″ | 8″ | 8″ |
Upwalker folded dimesnions | Small | Standard | Large |
---|---|---|---|
Length: | 30.5″ | 33.5″ | 36″ |
Height: | 35″ | 37.5″ | 40″ |
Width: | 10.5″ | 10.5″ | 10.5″ |
UPWalker Review Features In Terms of Design And Build
The UPWwalker features are what sets it apart from other walkers. Stability, design, brakes, and more are what makes a basic walker and the UPWalker different?
The UPWalker uses a revolutionary design that allows the user to walk safer and in the upright positions making them secure than the hunched-over position from other walkers. Let’s take a look at the features.
Design: The Walker is made from aluminum and was designed to keep the person using the walker weight in the center of the unit with the person’s weight directed downward within the wheels.
This allows the person to stay much more stabilized while using the UPWalker. Along with aluminum allow the UPWalker also uses composite plastic and polyurethane.
Weight: At thirty-three pounds. This can be a problem for some as this is not as light as some other walkers. If you need to move this walker into a car and do it by yourself it may be an issue if you cant lift weights around 35 pounds. Keep this in mind as it can be an issue.
If you are someone that does not have help and is limited by what you can pick up then this walker would be an issue for you if you have to move or lift it to transport.
Assembly: The UPWalker unlike a lot of other walkers comes pre-assembled so there is no reason to have to put anything together. You simply can start using your walker.
Wheels: The UPWalker is made from large rubber wheels that are 8 inches. After researching it should know that there are other walkers with larger wheels that do better outdoors on uneven grounds or grass.
With that said most people who use walkers indoors or outdoors on even pavement the UPWalker does great.
Breakin System: The UPWalker has two breaks that are mounted on the grips in a large, ergonomic grip handbrake style that are responsive when pressed.
Folding Ability: This particular walker folds nice and becomes compact for travel within your vehicle. However, there are reviews that state that the walker was too large even when folded to fit in a car.
Our recommendation would be to measure your trunk opening to see if the UPWalker when folded will fit. We provided the folded dimension above so you can check against those numbers.
Sit-To-Stand Handles: The handles bar which is padded helps you get the standing position easier and after then a lot of other walkers.
Accessories: Currently the UPWalker will come with a personal item bag, backrest support, and a beverage holder. These are nice features to have and with some walkers, you would need to purchase these accessories separately.
Indoor Use
The UPWalker excels in indoor use based on extensive review study. The UPWalker wheels are smooth and steady on indoor surfaces including carpets.
When needing to stop the independent brake system works great. The brake system works when you press the brake on the handle depending on the right or left brake. Squeeze the right break and it stops the right back wheel. Same of the left.
There is also a function as a parking break so that you can sit and rest. This locks the wheels until you unlock them.
What is the narrowest door opening you can pas through?
Depending now what model UPWalker you get or currently have will determine the narrowest door opening. Below would be the type of UPWalker and the narrowest door widths.
Small UPwalker: 21.25 inches Wide. This will fit through most normal doorways.
Standard UPWalker: 23.5 inches wide, This will also fit through most doorways.
Large UPWalker: 25.5 inches wide and this will require a wider doorway than the standard or small units.
It should be noted that the UPWalker is heavier and larger in terms of some other walkers and could be more of an inconvenience in smaller apartments or living quarters where the room is limited, there are multiple levels or smaller apartments. If this is the case you may want to look into other types of walkers.
Outdoor Use
Reviews suggest that outdoor use is good with the UPWalker. The main reasons are because of sufficient tire size that is made from rubber along with the seat that allows for resting when the person gets tired.
There are some reviews that state it’s difficult over gravel and slanting surfaces but we cannot fault the walker too much in this area because a lot of walkers have a difficult time transition from indoor to outdoor surfaces that are not smooth.
Is This Walker For You?
Not every walker no matter how good you think it is may still not be the right fit for you. While this walker is built extremely well and has an excellent design that helps improve the walking experience by stability and better posture this walker may not be for everyone
If you suffer from balance and stability issues this walker checks the box because of the design and build is to help stabilize the weight of the person in the middle of the walker.
This walker is known to allow the person to stand straighter if this is something you are not comfortable with then this walker wouldn’t be for you.
There is also the question of where you will be using this walker. As stated above if you have a smaller place with tight doorways with smaller areas to turn and maneuver this walker may also not be for you.
Also, make sure you choose the right size walker for your height as there are 3 sizes that you can choose from and each has a specified height limit and weight limit.
Last, if you are alone and cannot lift anything heavier than 35 pounds then this walker could be an issue. Especially if you would need to move this walker from a car or transport it yourself without help.
Upwalker
An excellent walker with innovative design features.
Our Rating: 4.8/5
3 Accessories Free With The Purchase
As stated above in the review you do get some accessories that are worth noting with your UPWalker purchase. These accessories are actually useful and would be used often so they do bring value to the purchase. You get:
Personal item bag: The polyester bag is a perfect accessory that will help you stow away any items you want to carry with you like a phone, drinks, and more. The bag is 13 inches wide by 6 inches deep, and 10 inches high.
Beverage holder: This is another useful accessory that almost anyone who uses a walker would want to have. It will attach to the arm for easy access.
Backrest support: The backrest support is great especially when you want to sit and rest on your walker. By having this backrest you can get comfortable. It is made from cloth-backed mesh.
Would Medicare Cover The UPWalker?
According to UPWalker they are sold as a cash pay product. However, you will have to check with your insurance provider to see if you qualify for a reimbursement. It should know that the UPWalker can be prescribed by your doctor for a medically necessary diagnosis.
Our Final Thoughts
So what do we think of the UPWalker after we did our UPwalker review? We really like this walker but only if you meet the right criteria. Because this is not a cheap purchase you need to make sure you check the boxes with the proper space and lifting ability if you are alone.
If you do fit the criteria then we believe this walker would be a great purchase. With its excellent stability, easy folding, and storage, the right accessories, make this a hard walker beat.
The fact that this walker improves your walking ability by keeping you straighter is a big plus for us compared to other walkers. We would feel confident if you purchase this walker you will be pleased with the results.
We hope this result has shed the correct light on if you should purchase this walker and better understand what this walker has to offer.