Weatherwear Information

Outer Fabric used for Weatherwear

As in ordinary personal outdoor rainwear manufacture, the outer fabric of Glanmor wheelchair and scooter weatherwear is a nylon with an inner coating (normally polyurethane) which prevents ingress of water. The coating may be sprayed on or laminated to the nylon fabric.

Showerproof versus Waterproof

Ordinary personal outdoor rainwear can be labelled as showerproof or waterproof. The difference between showerproof and waterproof is assessed by the degree to which water is prevented from passing through the garment fabric. This factor depends on not only the properties of the fabric, but also the wind pressure behind the rain.

A rule of thumb would be to say that the fabric is waterproof if it can withstand 1 metre vertical head of water. Obviously, not all rain conditions will apply this pressure and the distinction in real terms between showerproof and waterproof may mean the ability or otherwise, of the fabric to resist water under simple gravitational pressure.

At Glanmor we have tested our PU coated nylon fabric by making up a fabric bag with welded seams, filling it with water and checking for any seepage through the fabric over time. The result? The level of the water in the bag dropped from long term evaporation only and not from seepage through the fabric or the welded seams

Breathability

Breathability is another property given to waterproof fabrics. This property is notably important in action sports where the wearer needs natural water vapour (perspiration) to escape and not to be trapped by the fabric - thereby making the wearer feel clammy.

In other words, we need the fabric to keep out rain but to let out humid air. How dual property is achieved depends on the type of coating. Either, the pores within the coating are small enough to prevent rain “drops” in, but big enough to allow body vapour molecular “drops” to escape. Or, the moist body air is wicked away along the coating lamination to evaporate outside.

Breathability is not a 'marketed' property of Glanmor weatherwear since physical exertion is not expected to be dominant when using a wheelchair or scooter. There is also sufficient natural air circulation from beneath the rainwear to prevent overheating..

It is also worth noting that a conventional PU coated nylon has an inherent breathability.

(This breathability is adequate for most wheelchair users since fully breathable nylon is noticeably cold unless the wearer maintains physical activity to replace high body heat lost through the fabric.)

In our view the PU coated nylon that we use in our weatherwear is both warm and waterproof, and, where joined, the sewn seams are sealed by overtaping. All this can be enhanced by the addition of polyester fleece or polyester quilted linings.

Wheelchair Weatherwear

When choosing wheelchair capewear or warm clothing the most important questions to be asked might be:

Is full body, lower body or part body protection sought?

Is the “enemy” - rain and wind OR cold temps OR both?

Can the weatherwear be put on unaided or is a carer needed?

Does the weatherwear need to be fitted to the wheelchair as well as the user?

Wheelchair Leg Cape

Legs are the most exposed part of wheelchair users. As a minimum, adequate clothing might be a Leg Cape, lined or unlined, accompanied by a conventional jacket.

The leg cape is worn over the legs and armrest or just over the legs.

For leg warmth in particular one can use either a simple rug, leg bag or leg muff.

Wheelchair Rug

A Rug provides the cheapest solution but it is not waterproof and only provides protection to the front of the legs.

Wheelchair 'Leg Bag' and 'Leg Muff'

For all-round leg protection a leg bag or leg muff (as we call them!) is necessary. Both these products have a thermally lined all-round leg covering.

The Leg Bag is put on by the wearer in the wheelchair without the necessity to get out. It is tucked in at the sides and is fastened unobtrusively around the waist.

The Leg Muff, on the other hand, goes a step further by enclosing the whole body and also extends up onto the back of the wheelchair. Because the wearer sits inside the muff it must be fitted into the chair first.

Further benefits are added to the basic leg muff by the Leg Muff Plus.

The leg coverings described above can be complemented with a Shoulder Cape, lined or unlined.

Wheelchair Full Body Capes

For 100% rain protection to the upper and lower body a full body Cape with Sleeves or Cape without Sleeves is available.

These capes cover from head to toes and allow the handles of the wheelchair to fit right through the cape, so providing full back protection.

The cape with sleeves is designed for manual wheelchairs.

The cape without sleeves is designed for carer-assisted wheelchairs.

It is likely that either type of cape is best fitted with the assistance of a helper.

It is important to note that since the cape are designed to fit over the handles (or handlebars) and armrests of a wheelchair, capes sizes are chosen to fit the wheelchair, as well as the person in it! Accordingly, two adult sizes are supplied – Small, to suit wheelchairs 16” (40 cms) wide or less, and Standard to suit wheelchairs 17-18” (43-45 cms) wide.

Bespoke wheelchair capes

Capes can be made to special order. Please refer to our Sales Office for further advice.

Scooter Weatherwear

The legs are the most exposed part of the body of scooter users.

Scooter Leg Cape

As a minimum, a Leg Cape accompanied by a conventional jacket may be adequate clothing.

For leg warmth, either a simple rug or leg muff is available to choose from.

Scooter Rug

A Rug provides the cheapest solution but it is not waterproof and only provides protection to the front of the legs.

Scooter Leg Muff

For all-round leg protection a Leg Muff encloses the whole lower body and extends up onto the back of the scooter.

Scooter Cape

For all-around protection a Cape surrounding the rider and scooter is provided. This cape is a one-piece assembly with a lightweight welded-in front window.

Scooter Zipped and Zipless capes

The scooter capes also come in a design with a full length zip from head to bottom hem (Zip "throw-around" Cape). The zip makes it easier to put this cape on and off around the scooter.

We have gone further and introduced a Zipless "throw-over" Cape.