Wheelchair Push Rim Covers: Grip and Fitting Guide

By Scott Smith. Last reviewed 21 October 2026.

What Do Push Rim Covers Do?

Standard push rims are smooth aluminium or steel tubes, which can be slippery and cold. A cover adds a layer of silicone, rubber or foam that the hand can grip more easily, so each push takes less squeezing. This helps people with weakness in the hands, such as after a spinal cord injury, and those with arthritis. Covers also protect the rims from scratches and keep hands warmer in winter. Some users find they can push further before tiring.

Which Material Suits Hand Rim Covers?

Who Benefits Most From Covers?

Covers help most when the hands themselves are the weak link. People with tetraplegia or limited finger strength often find bare rims almost impossible to grip, and a grippy cover can make the difference between pushing alone and needing help. People with arthritis may find the softer, warmer surface less painful. Older users who push for short distances indoors often like the extra control when turning and stopping. Wheelchair athletes sometimes use covers for grip in wet conditions, though racing and sports chairs often have their own rim coatings. If you already push well with bare hands, covers may feel sticky, so try them before committing.

How Do You Get the Right Fit?

Most hand rim covers are sold to fit a particular wheel size, so check the size marked on the side of your rear tyre or in the chair’s handbook. The cover should stretch snugly over the rim without twisting or creeping round when you push. Cut to length covers can be trimmed to fit, which helps if your wheel is unusual. Also check the gap between the push rim and the tyre, as thick covers need room so your fingers are not pinched.

Are Push Rim Covers Better Than Gloves?

They do different jobs. Covers improve grip for bare hands and need no putting on, which suits people who struggle with gloves. Wheelchair gloves protect the palms and fingers from friction, cold and dirt, and give grip on any chair. Many active users use both, and our guide to wheelchair gloves compares styles. Very grippy covers can cause friction burns when slowing down on a slope, so gloves are wise for hills.

What Are Hand Rim Projections?

Hand rim projections are small knobs or pegs fixed around the push rim. They let people with very limited grip push using the palm or heel of the hand against the pegs instead of gripping. They are usually fitted by a wheelchair service or dealer. Projections make the wheel wider, so check door widths, and they can catch on door frames. If gripping the rim is very hard even with covers, ask your wheelchair service whether projections or power assist would help.

How Do You Fit Push Rim Covers?

1. Take the wheel off the chair if it has quick release axles.
2. Warm the cover in warm water or a warm room so it stretches more easily.
3. Start at the valve area and work the cover over the rim a little at a time.
4. Smooth it round so it sits evenly, with no twists or bulges.
5. Refit the wheel and test the grip and the brakes before going out.

If your chair has quick release wheels, our guide to quick release wheelchair wheels explains how they work.

Do Covers Affect the Brakes or Wheels?

Push rim covers should not touch the brakes, which act on the tyre, but check carefully after fitting. Thick covers can make the rim wider, so make sure they do not rub the frame or side guards. If you have rims fitted very close to the tyre, a thinner silicone cover is a better choice. Our guides to wheelchair wheels and wheelchair parts cover other changes you can make.

Looking After Your Covers

Wipe covers with warm soapy water to remove dirt and grease, which can make them slippery. Check them every few weeks for splits or worn patches, especially where your hands push most. Replace them when the grip fades. Bright colours can make a chair easier to spot and add a bit of personality, and some people choose a different colour for each wheel. Silicone covers also make it easier to spot when the rims themselves need replacing.

The covers below were in stock when we checked each listing. Check the wheel size and rim thickness before ordering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Push Rim Covers Fit Any Wheelchair?

They fit most self propelling chairs with standard tube rims, as long as you choose the right wheel size. Some shaped or oval rims need special covers.

Do Covers Make Pushing Easier?

For many people with weak grip, yes, as less squeezing is needed. They do not change the weight of the chair or the effort on slopes.

Can I Get Covers From the Wheelchair Service?

Some services provide rim coatings or covers after an assessment, so it is worth asking at your next review. They can also check whether a different rim, such as an ergonomic or coated rim, would suit your hands better.

Are Push Rim Covers Hard to Remove?

They are designed to grip, so removal takes some effort. Warming them first helps them stretch off.

Do Push Rim Covers Wear Out Quickly?

It depends on how far you push and where. Heavy outdoor use wears covers faster than pushing indoors. Most last many months, and silicone usually outlasts foam. Replace them when the surface turns smooth or starts to split.