Rigid Ride, Folding Frame
Traditional folding wheelchairs have large, heavy cross-braces that flex when propelling, wasting your energy. The Champion has nothing of the sort - the single horizontal folding bar is completely unique to the Champion, and has set the benchmark for foldable wheelchairs since it was developed by active wheelchair pioneer Rainer Kuschall back in 1986. High levels of stiffness and rigidity result in unrivalled performance, while the minimal frame design keeps the weight low. When you wish to transport your Champion, only a single movement is required to fold both the chair and its backrest, and the soft locking mechanism on the backrest ensures it doesn't open when folded. The quick release wheels can be popped off, and the Champion can then fit neatly into even the smallest of cars. This makes it the ideal choice for active individuals who are constantly on the go.
Champion SK 2.0
If you want an even smaller wheelchair, the SK ("Swiss Knife") version is the smallest wheelchair of its kind. It offers all the features of the Champion, with the addition of the front frame folding too, tucking the legrests out of the way. When folded, the Champion SK is comparable in size to an A4 folder, making it the perfect companion for both day to day commuting and essential for any holiday destination. The Champion SK is slightly more expensive than the standard Champion - but well worth the cost if you want the smallest folding active wheelchair on the market.
Seating and Configurability
Each Champion is bespoke built to meet your requirements and provide perfect positioning - it is available in a wide range of sizes, and each section of the chair can be customised, with different legrests, cushions, frame angles, and industry standards such as Spinergy wheels and Schwalbe tyres. Despite being a high-end lightweight chair, the Champion remains extremely adjustable, including the seat and backrest position and centre of gravity - allowing it to suit all individuals, and be reconfigured to changing needs and developing skills. The full Matrx range of cushions and backrests can be supplied for extra support and positioning to enhance your driving experience, and third party seating options can also be fitted if preferred.
Style
The new Kuschall 2.0 range is turning heads for all the right reasons, with uniquely shaped hydroformed tubing for an ergonomic grip giving it a rugged yet elegant look. The Champion is available in a wide choice of colours, with a discreet tag or bold decal (tag only for the SK version) in an accent colour. Our demonstration Champion SKs are in black with red tag, and monochrome white with black tag, and both look great.
Our Verdict
The Kuschall Champion 2.0 Wheelchair is the definitive folding active chair - no other manufacturer has matched its rigid feel, and there is nothing else on the market that comes close to being as compact as the Champion SK. If you want a folding chair that doesn't compromise on performance, the Champion is the one to go for. We would recommend comparing it to Progeo's Ego, which features features a different crossbar system that nonetheless operates on a similar "folding frame, rigid ride" principle.
Otherwise, the closest competition is Quickie's Xenon2 and Krypton F - these are lighter and have discreet cross-braces that offer a stiffer ride than normally associated with a folding chair, but don't match the Champion's responsive, rigid ride. For the ultimate performance travel chair, the Champion 2.0 is our choice.
