Anti-disclaimer: I don’t make any money from the links below. And now begin:
I don’t like pants, never have. They’re just too restricting of my manly freedom.
However, I own a lot of pants, because for the most part I’m a fashionable guy.
The problem we face here is that there aren’t many great options for warm pants. And to be clear, by warm pants I mean the pants keep you warm. Not to be confused with pants made for warm weather, which are easily found.
A lot of people, including myself, just wear normal pants in the winter, snow pants for snow-activities and sometimes thermals under the pants when going to a Christmas parade.
If you’re in a wheelchair, get cold easily, or have poor circulation to your legs, then having warm pants in the winter is as important as wool socks and good boots.
The problem is that warm pants aren’t a huge category, and the options are spread out across many sources, such as REI, Eddie Bauer, and other individual brands.
For credibility purposes: I’ve lived in the north country for a few years now and I’m still waiting for winter to end.
Here we go, a list of everyday pants that are cold weather ready!
Eddie Bauer lined pants – a variety of styles, all with an extra layer on the inside to keep you extra warm. I personally like Eddie Bauer and own a good bit of clothes from them.
Smartwool – making up 80% of my socks, I know these will be good, though keep in mind that if you’re caught in the snow, you might want to wear waterproof shell pants over any of these.
Women’s – Unfortunately, Columbia only offers the men’s. Women could still wear them if they please.
Patagonia – after reading the book, let my people go surfing in a weekend, I’ve been more aware of sustainable and durable clothing. I’m partial to Patagonia for these reasons.
Under Armour – I have an outfit of coldgear and as in the name, it’s gear made for the cold. This kept me rather warm in the cutting cold wind of Chicago.
There are many other things you can do. You can buy base layers – https://www.rei.com/c/base-layers – and wear them under any pair of pants, but then you have to put on two pairs of pants. You could also wear snow pants, there are some you can find that are pretty thin and look mostly like normal pants. Some snow pants can be found here – https://arcteryx.com/us/en/?search=pants&dFR%5Bcategories%5D%5B0%5D=Pants – further filter will be needed.
Immediate actionable items: If you live where the winters get cold, get some cozy pants.
Summary: Lots of sources to get warm pants
Overdeliver: If this isn’t sufficient for you, you can go to places similar to REI and Cabela’s and search “lined pants,” “winter pants,” (though you’ll likely get more snow pants), “warm pants,” “heavyweight pants,” “fleece pants.”
Or any other keywords you can muster, but pants will be a constant.
You may have noticed that a lot of these pants were made for winter sports. When I’m looking for something warm or lightweight, I look to the most extreme sports and find the best performing gear.
If you’re in a wheelchair, or sit down for any length of time, then you’re likely to have bad posture. It’s not your fault. Most seats aren’t designed for great posture.
My car, and most others, have bucket seats that really sink you in. As soon as I sit in my car, I can feel the poor posture, and for the many hours I’ve spent driving, it’s crazy to think I would ever tolerate such a seat.
The same goes for my wheelchair, I find that it sucks me in and I struggle to sit up straight. Not only do I look less cool, but I feel less awesome.
I don’t know of many backrests on wheelchairs that have lumbar support, same for most chairs, couches, and cars.
I’m definitely not a doctor. I don’t eat veggies, and that instantly disqualifies me, but at the end of this post, there will be an article to shock you with how unhealthy sitting is and if you don’t believe it still, try and find credible sources that say sitting IS healthy. You’ll probably find some because the internet has a knack for that, but then go to medical school and see if you still don’t believe sitting is bad. Or just sit for a while and see how you feel.
This issue is especially important with those in wheelchairs who sit quite literally all day. Having a straight back and good posture will go a very long way, as will adequate back exercises.
The solution:
Lumbar support for paraplegics.
Invest in your health and you’ll live longer to invest in whatever else you please.
Let me tell you, this is about the only suitable one I could find. In a wheelchair, you don’t need much, and a lot of them are overwhelming. This is slim enough, it shouldn’t push you so far forward and out of your chair.
If you took my advice, you came to the same heuristic conclusion – it matters. Stretching matters.
After not stretching for a while, or doing it wrong for a while (it’s possible), my legs will be much more tense, harder to move especially in the morning, though it does build up my muscles and tone.
Every morning as part of my routine, I stretch. I read while I do it because I like to be efficient. If I want to stretch throughout the day, it’s not as convenient because I’d either have to get on my bed or down to a yoga mat and I typically have full days.
Here’s what I’ve got for you. I discovered this while I was in post-rehab. Once I got back to college after staying in Shirley Ryan Ability Center, I went to see a physical therapist for the next few months.
This is good for stretching calves, in fact that’s all it’s good for. But maybe you can get creative.
I use it in two ways – stretching in the morning and stretching throughout the day.
The great thing about this is that youcan be in a wheelchair, put this on, and stretch your calves (one at a time unless you buy two).
or
In the morning when I stretch my hamstrings, I have one leg out and my other leg’s ankle is resting just above the knee. It keeps my leg straight when I lean forward to stretch, but then my toes will point like in ballet or gymnastics.
I can either grab my foot and pull it back – a calf stretch that gets a bit tiring, keeps me from flipping pages, and then my hand smells like foot – orI place my foot in this (without strapping it down) and that keeps my foot upright.
This could also be good for nighttime use, though it could bruise or create pressure sores, so be cautious on how you wear it into the night. Wear it for a few hours and see what your foot looks like after and then make an executive decision.
Immediate actionable items: The only one I have is to buy this if you want to effectively stretch your calves. In fact, just stretch. Right now.
Summary: A calf stretcher boot.
Overdeliver: If you want to stretch even more or stand up, you can get Knee-Ankle-Foot-Orthopedics (KAFOs), which are leg braces (what I’m wearing in the picture). I use them to stretch and stand – usually while studying, writing, or reading. Just don’t fall.
Alright. Another month has passed and here we are with more life improving gear. for my favorite month – July – we’ll be looking at my favorite mindset. Going faster.
The problem we solve here is going slow. I really don’t like going slow. Another way to frame it is reducing the friction, so you use less energy and go faster and further.
I really don’t like working against friction. Right now, as I’m writing this in Australia, my bearings are completely shot. Rusted and broken. I’ll be heading home in 18 days, so I’m just camping out in the slow grounds until I get back home and address this monumental issue.
When my bearing are either broken or just the standard ones that I got with the chair, I feel like I’m pushing against some force. I actually am. Even when going downhill, I’ve noticed that I hardly pick up any speed if at all.
Having the least amount of friction allows you to exert less energy to go faster. It means that one push takes you further and you’re more agile. You’ll be surprised at the difference from the gear below.
Solutions:
Front wheel bearings
Back wheel bearings
The bearings that came with my chair, when I had them in the air and gave them a spin,they spun for only a few seconds. Once I upgraded, they spun for minutes.
Front Wheel Bearings
Front wheels in a wheelchair, I believe they’re called caster wheels, typically will be compatible with your everyday skateboard bearings. A very good thing because there’s a big market for skate bearings. The technical bearing size is 608.
You can either go all out if you’re serious about having the best or go decent if you want the minimum best.
One thing to note is that most skateboard bearing packs come with 8 total bearings, 2 for each wheel. Wheelchairs only have 2 front wheels, so this is like buying double.
Starting at the minimum end. Probably the best bearings you could get at the lowest price. Anything less than these shouldn’t be considered.
The recognized standard bearing. Reds. These will give you what you need and might be good enough if you want to go fast.
Individually sold bearings (can buy 4 instead of the pre-packaged 8)
Full ceramic to go even faster (less friction)
Not so expensive
Uses black ceramic balls
Cons
A ceramic case can crack, which will ruin the whole thing
Not skate rated like Bones
I couldn’t even find an ABEC rating
No sticker
Back wheel bearings
The bigger wheels on wheelchairs are much like (if not exactly like) bike tires. Luckily, bike (bicycle) bearings are also an existing market that we can dip into, and the water is warm. I’m back after eating dinner and doing more research, the water is luke-warm but erring on cool.
Bike bearings are few and far and they vary. I recommend taking off your wheel and checking what bearing you have. This is what mine looks like:
Cosmo’s wheel bearing
As you will struggle to see, it says “R8 2RS.” I also struggled. After some searching, I found that this bearing is 1/2 x 1 1/8 x 5/16 (inches), which is also, 12.7 x 28 x 8 (millimetres). Also called an R8ZZ or a 6001 bearing. The measurements are Inner diameter x Outer diameter x Width
There aren’t any big players that make Swiss bearings of this size, or anything of distinct caliber like Bones. I’ve found generic or ceramic. Generic will get you medium results – probably better than the bearings that came with your chair but nothing mind blowing. Ceramic (with a metal casing) will get you the results that come with ceramic, faster and better.
Here’s what we got. Keep in mind these are both individual bearings, so you’ll have to buy four.
If you want to look for another size bearing and you figure out the metric size or the name (6001, etc.) filter through this page to find a good bearing.
To make this process much more efficient, here are some amazing tools
There are probably more tools and gear that I’ll discover over time, but here are a few great tools and some gear that you can start implementing now.
Tire Pump
Starting off with the issues we face in the tire pumping department. It’s not easy to find a pump to use on wheelchair tires if you’re doing it yourself. Problems: You’ll most likely have to get out of your chair, which isn’t always easy to do. Once you get out of your chair and ready to start pumping up your tires, then comes the issue with actually pumping them up. If you’re not wicked strong or maybe you have trouble using your arms, it’s difficult to actually pump up the tires. I keep my tires pumped up at around 100PSI and it takes some energy to get up to that number. If you do find a tire pump that’s easy to use, it probably isn’t travel friendly. You can see my first tire pump here and the difficulty that comes with it
I found a few variations of tire pumps, some are manual, some aren’t. Some are travel friendly, some aren’t.
2. If you’re skeptical about the electric pump but still want something that you can use without having to break a sweat, then you’ll be best using this sexy tool: Mini Bike Pump with CO2 Inflator
This even comes with a mounting set that, depending on your chair, you could attach to your chair!
3. If you still want to pump your wheels by hand, you’d be defeating the purpose of me showing you cool gear and tools that you can use to mitigate this problem. However, if you must, this hand pump is still a lot more portable than the first tire pump that I bought and it comes with a repair kit!
Now that we solved the issues that arise from having to pump up our tires, whether at home or traveling. Problem: What are we to do if the tire is beyond deflated and actually needs to be changed or patched? It’s hard to take off the wheel and replace the tube, especially if you have limited hand function or aren’t at home. What about decreasing the chance of having to change the tube? This right here is a 2-in-1 gear. Not only is it useful as a tire repair kit, but it doubles as extra storage space!
1. The WOTOW Bike Tyre Repair Kit not only has the tools needed for on the go tire repair, you can fix other small nuances with the multi-tool provided. If you have an inflated seat cushion, the repair kit can also work to patch any holes you might get. If you dont really need the tools – maybe you already have them – then the bag itself can be useful and it’s up to your imagination as to where you can attach the bag.
2. If you want to minimise the chance of getting a flat tire, then you can get the Slime Self-Sealing Smart Tube, of course, the size will differ and you’ll need to check your tires to see what size tube will fit your wheels.
3. If you’d like to have a more advanced tire repair kit that will make the tedious and frustrating process of replacing a tire tube easier, there aren’t many options.
Typically, a tyre repair kit will come with flimsy plastic tools that have bent and broken when I used them.
This is something that I recently stumbled upon and I see huge potential for it, not only in my arsenal of awesome, but in the homes of many people who are in wheelchairs and love to travel and explore against the odds.
The problem we solve here is that if you live in an area known to get a surplus of snow and you plan on going on a trail in the outback the following month, then you’ll have to carry around tyres and a kit along with a resentment for having to change your bike tyres so much.
The solution is presented here and best speaks for itself:
It comes in at a reasonable price considering the benefits.
As a hearty conclusion to this months gear/tools, you’re mind might be busy at work with new ideas and or excitement to use these products to improve your life. It’s worth remembering that wheelchairs are, to some degree, a bike that just got bent and twisted. A lot of bike tools work well for wheelchairs and our tires are basically bike tires with a bar on the side. I look around the cycling community and often adopt some of what they have.
If you haven’t ventured into the possibilities, these products above are just the beginning of how those of us in wheelchairs can be creative by using what exists in new and great ways.
PS, I have plenty of gear/tools to write about, I might post more than just one a month, but we’ll see about that.
In case you’re eager for more cool gear or tools that I’ve uncovered during my internet archaeology, here’s something that you’ll see featured in a future post that’ll be talking about EDC: Beer Bike Keychain
I’m part of the lululemon collective and will receive a commission if you make a purchase through the links below
Hey!
Every week, I look around and see what type of gear I’m using or anything I’ve come across that’s cool and useful. Something that has made my life easier and solves a problem I’ve had for too long.
I’ll be keeping these fairly short with one tool/gear item that I’ve used and I’ll talk about how it’s useful (solving some problems).
There are many ways to use everyday items in a unique way. As an engineer and minimalist, I like to use what I have and see if I can make it work. It’s a fun little challenge that keeps my brain sharp.
Today’s tools are belts, created by Arcade and lululemon. We have two styles, two problems and infinitely great ways to use them.
The problems we solve:
So, I have a strap behind my legs that keeps my feet from sliding off the back of my footrest, but I spend my entire day pulling my feet back on the footplate after they’ve slid forward as a result of bumpy pavement or sidewalk cracks.
Pockets. Pant pockets are near impossible to use while you’re in your chair. I often go out for a walk and need to carry my keys, wallet, catheter and phone, but they’ll either fall out of my pocket or wont fit. Keeping them on my lap becomes a bit much and they easily bounce off.
Luckily, we have a solution for these problems, it’s more than a solution. It’ll tell the world that you mean something, that you’re on your way to success! (and you’ll feel as amazing as you look)
Contrary to popular belief, I’m a man who cares about style and presentation. Even if I do wear the same few clothes over and over again, I want them to be high quality clothes.
The solutions:
The Arcade belt.
It’s made for adventure, it’s durable, and it’s personal. There are many different styles for every mood and season.
This belt solves all of our problems. It’s easy to take on and off, it can even be useful when we’re not using it (like using it as a belt). It comes in many sexy designs, which means we look cool and get to show off a little. The size is adjustable so you can keep your legs where you want them. It’s a lot more versatile and when you watch the video below, you’ll see how it doesn’t actually wrap around where my other strap is. Best of all, the clip is super easy to put together and unbuckle. So, even if you struggle using your hands a little, it’s not hard at all!
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, imagine what you could do if the belt could also hold your keys!
Now we solve the second problem: Pockets.
You may have noticed that there’s a trend to wear a belt bag (fanny pack) across your chest. The timing has never been as perfect as now. Look trendy, be efficient, feel great!
This Fast and Free Run Belt is perfect for keeping your keys and a few essentials ready to grab and toss on before you head out (keys are small and valuable, they easily fall off my lap)
The On The Beat Belt Bag is big enough to hold more essentials (even a catheter or two) and even though the model is a woman, I would proudly wear this as a man.
Try this gear out and let me know how much it helps!
(Just some over delivery) This is my “efficiency outfit” I can wash less with the anti-stink tech, they dry fast (I avoid the cost of using a dryer), makes the perfect first impression and I feel like I can do anything (I can go to work and then workout without changing)
This is my first “blog.” I wanted to at least have one or two for you when you got here.
I’m hoping to have at least one blog post per week. They may be short, like a little paragraph weekly challenge or long enough to split into two separate posts. I’m focusing on two things, equally ranked: give value, have fun. I enjoy giving value, so, having fun while doing it should be easy 😉
Also,
I’m extremely excited! Not only am I able to reach and help more people, but I’ll improve my writing skills, and I really enjoy writing.
Even though I don’t have much in terms of blog posts, all the pages on this site have a lot of new info on them, stuff I haven’t talked about on Instagram or YouTube. I think the Cosmo page has the most on it. I had fun writing that one.
As I’m writing this, I just finished recording about 20 minutes of video content for Instagram.
I’m in Australia and I did a campus tour & talk. All about my time hear up to this point. More or less rambled about my time here, and ranted and raved about the nature on the the campus. It’s probably a little cringey but I was just free flowing, having fun recording some videos.
I’m also putting this blog in every category that I’ve made so you ‘ll have an idea of what kind of topics we’ll cover together. More will be added over time.
For now, check out my Instagram and YouTube after you’ve gone through all the pages on this amazing website!
There are a couple forms you could fill out on the FAQ page and the Keynote page
Remember to share this website, you never know who it could help.
Much love to Team Cosmo
Stay healthy!
-Cosmo
PS, I’m writing this post while outside doing a time lapse of the sunset for my Instagram video and I got bit TWICE on my pinky by mosquitoes. That’s the type of devotion I have to Team Cosmo
Wheelchair DNA 
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