Off-Road Wheelchair Tyres: What I Run on the Beach & Snow

My everyday tyres are thin and fast. They're brilliant on pavement, but useless on sand. So when I'm heading to the beach, the bush, or the ski field, I swap to something with a bit more bite.

Here's the off-road wheelchair tyre I run, why it sits on a smaller rim, and what else helps when the ground gets rough.

This is part of our guide to wheelchair wheels: rear wheels, casters, tyres and push rims.

The short answer.

For the beach, snow and rough trails, swap to a tyre with deeper tread. I run the Schwalbe Table Top: its tread is aggressive enough to grip but still rolls well. Off-road tyres are taller, so a smaller rim keeps your overall wheel size the same. Add suspension wheels for kerbs and speed, and a front wheel attachment to stop your casters sinking.

My off-road tyre: Schwalbe Table Top.

The Table Top has a reasonably aggressive tread, but it's not the most aggressive out there, so it still rolls pretty well. That's the balance I want. A super-knobbly tyre grips everything but feels like pushing through mud on the way to the beach.

I use it at the beach and in the snow, because the deeper tread gives me extra grip. It's also what I run at the ski field.

The trade-off is that it's a bit rougher on the hands than my everyday Schwalbe Ones.

Why my off-road tyre runs on a smaller rim.

I run the Table Top on a 24" rim, even though my everyday wheels are 25".

An off-road tyre is much chunkier than a thin pavement tyre, so it adds height to the wheel. Putting it on a smaller rim evens out to roughly the same overall size as my usual 25" wheel. That keeps my seat height, seat angle and push rim position the same, so my chair doesn't feel completely different when I swap.

If you're setting up an off-road wheelset, check the overall wheel size with your dealer or seating specialist, not just the rim size.

Everyday vs off-road tyres.

	Everyday (Schwalbe One)	Off-road (Schwalbe Table Top)
Tread	Smooth	Medium-aggressive
Rolling	Fast and light	Still rolls well
Hands	Very soft	A bit rougher
Best for	Pavement, urban pushing	Beach, snow, ski field, trails

The easy way to swap.

Changing tyres every time you head out is a hassle. A second set of wheels with off-road tyres already fitted means you can pop off your everyday wheels with the quick-release axles and swap in seconds.

Suspension wheels: Gem's take.

Gem uses suspension wheels that swap spokes for three carbon loops. The loops act like springs.

They let her drop off kerbs and travel at speed while soaking up the vibrations. The catch is that they're very expensive and very heavy.

If your off-road pushing is more kerbs and rough footpaths than sand, suspension wheels might suit you better than a different tyre.

Don't forget your casters.

Your rear tyres can be perfect and you'll still get stuck if your casters dig in. Small front wheels sink into sand, snow and soft grass. Wider casters help a little. A clip-on front wheel attachment lifts your casters off the ground and rolls on one big front wheel instead.

Off-road tips.

Check your pressure before you go. Some people drop their pressure a little for sand to get more grip. Stay within the range printed on the sidewall.
Go with someone the first few times. Soft ground can stop you dead, and tipping on sand or snow is easy.
Use your anti-tips if you have them, especially on slopes.
Rinse your wheels after the beach. Sand and salt get into bearings and casters. Rinse with fresh water and let them dry.

What do you run off-road? Tell us in the comments.

FAQ.

What are the best wheelchair tyres for the beach?

A tyre with deeper tread grips sand far better than a smooth pavement tyre. I run the Schwalbe Table Top, which has a medium-aggressive tread that still rolls well. A front wheel attachment helps too, because small casters sink in sand.

What wheelchair tyres work in the snow?

The same thing applies: deeper tread for grip. I use the Schwalbe Table Top in the snow and at the ski field.

Can I use my everyday wheelchair tyres off-road?

On firm gravel or grass, often yes. On sand, snow or mud, smooth tyres lose grip quickly. Swapping to a treaded tyre makes a big difference.

Do I need a smaller rim for off-road tyres?

Often, yes. Off-road tyres are taller, so a smaller rim keeps your overall wheel size close to your everyday wheels. I run my off-road tyre on a 24" rim to match my usual 25" wheels.

Do suspension wheels help off-road?

They help with kerb drops, rough footpaths and speed by soaking up jolts. They're heavy and expensive, and they don't help with grip on sand or snow. That's what the tyre is for.

How do I stop my wheelchair casters sinking in sand?

Small casters dig in on soft ground. Wider casters help a little, and a clip-on front wheel attachment lifts them off the ground completely.

Keep going.

I am a T10 complete paraplegic and acknowledge that not everyone has the function I do. Do your best with what you've got and continually look to improve your skills.

This article is general information. Talk to your seating specialist or dealer before changing your wheel or rim size.

Happy Adaptdefying. – Mike