When you’re looking for a chair for disabled people to use when hiking, you don’t have much choice. There are two products: the Joëlette from joeletteandco and the Escargoline from Randoline.
Here’s a comparison of the two products to help you find the one that’s best for you.
Which is the best hiking chair? Joëlette vs Escargoline
1- The stability of the wheelchair
A Joëlette is available with one or two wheels, while an Escargoline has three wheels. To have 2 wheels on a Joëlette, you need to buy the Twin option for €1,354 inc VAT. Even then, the wheelbase of the Joëlette is around fifty centimetres, whereas the wheelbase of the Escargoline is 96 cm. What’s more, the centre of gravity is extremely low on an Escargoline.
2- Number of passengers
The Escargoline can carry 2 adults or 3 children, compared with just one person for the Joëlette.
3- Driving the chair for touring
On the Escargoline, the person or persons towing the chair have only this function to perform. In the same way, the driver at the rear only has to look after the brakes and watch out for the big inclines. On the Joëlette, the two stretcher-bearers must both tow and prevent capsizing.
4- The animal traction
The Escargoline can be pulled by an animal, but the Joëlette cannot. However, the Joëlette can be electrically powered, at a higher price. The electric kit costs almost €3,000 on top of the machine itself…
5- The crew
Even on a long journey, two people are enough for an Escargoline, who take it in turns to pull or drive. A Joëlette requires a much larger crew.
6- Transport
The Joëlette is foldable, but the Escargoline is not. On the other hand, the Escargoline fits into any van, with its wheels, as long as it is 116 cm high (Kangoo, Jumpy, etc…) and climbs onto any type of trailer.
7- The price
If we want to make a comparison with the Joëlette, the Escargoline, even with all its technological advances, remains largely competitive with its big sister: for €5,200 you can have a complete Escargoline in working order (human or animal traction) carrying 2 people and luggage almost effortlessly. For the same price, you can have a Twin Joëlette with 2 wheels, but carrying just one person.
Joëlette or Escargoline, what is the best choice ?
Each touring chair has advantages over the other. However, if you want excellent value for money, maximum stability and the ability to carry several people without having to bring a whole crew, the Escargoline seems to be the best solution.