7 retailers that sell amazing adaptive winter coats

Fall is upon us, and that means it’s time to shop for warm clothes! I love stocking up on outerwear early in the season for my family of five. But, as a parent of a wheelchair user, I know it’s not easy for my son to wear a puffy coat, much less a thick sweater, and not feel squished in his wheelchair.

It’s important he gets outside and feels comfortable, so, I look for different styles of outerwear, depending on how long he’s going to be in the cold and how often he needs to take his coat on and off again.

From coats placed on from the front and snapped in the back, to ponchos that drape over the individual as well as their wheelchair, to full body suits that keep every extremity covered, there are quite a few innovative varieties of fall/winter wear that allow any wheelchair user to look great while staying warm.

Here are a few retailers selling some of the best adaptive coats and wheelchair coats on the market.

1. Tommy Adaptive

Tommy Hilfiger was one of the first mainstream brands to invest in adaptive clothing, which helps make its selection of winter wear fairly strong. The catalog includes a packable jacket, a hooded puffer, a windbreaker, and a Regatta jacket best suited for rain. The aesthetics look just as good as anything in the wider Tommy catalog.

Hallmark adaptive features include magnetic and Velcro closures where necessary, as well as an extended zipper pull to make bundling up a little easier. These jackets are best suited for those with mild-to-moderate dexterity difficulty and aren’t quite as tailor-made as other products on this list, but they’re still a great option for those with less severe conditions.

Shop Tommy Adaptive

2. Target

Target remains a leader in adaptive wear. The massive store has several different types of outdoor gear for both kids and adults at amazing prices. This kids’ sleeveless rain poncho has a hood and snaps on both sides for easy access.

For cool fall or spring weather, this fleece jacket has a short neck, slips on from the front, and has snaps on the back to keep kids warm. And this puffer jacket has removeable sleeves and Velcro sides as well as a zipper front so kids can get themselves dressed more easily.

Target also sells a men’s adaptive sweatshirt that slips on from the front and has snaps in the back as well as this adaptive raincoat with zippers on the side. Target seems to continually change—and add to—its adaptive clothing catalog, so check its website regularly to see what’s new.

Shop Target Adaptive

3. Walmart

While not quite as full featured as Target’s selection, Walmart has a few adaptive coats worth checking out as well. We’re partial to the selection of MagnaReady products, such as this women’s zip knit jacket and unisex hooded jacket.

Much like the Tommy Hilfiger options, these focus on extended, magnetic zipper closures. As such, while their design is familiar and extra fashionable, they’re probably best used by those with less complex disabilities. It may take a bit of hunting to find what you need, but Walmart has a larger selection of adaptive jackets than meets the eye.

Shop Walmart

4. Adaptive Coat for Wheelchair on Etsy

If you’re looking for an adult-size adaptive coat for wheelchair users, AdaptiveClothingEU on Etsy sells a popular coat for wheelchair users that features many adaptive accoutrements. It’s fleece-lined, has a Velcro back for front-to-back dressing, and has a mock collar to keep wearers warm in extreme temperatures.

Like a few other items on this list this one is fairly expensive, but sometimes you can’t put a price on comfort in cold weather. For personal safety and accessibility, this is a product loved by several reviewers.

$212 on Etsy

5. Adaptations by Adrian

These custom-made capes range in size from toddler to adult and come in a wide variety of colors. Whether you buy a warm winter cape or a lighter rain cape, both drape over the wheelchair for easy dressing and undressing, are waterproof, and are big enough to keep backpacks and other “back of the chair” items dry.

You can even get these colorful capes monogrammed! Buyers should plan ahead, though, because capes are made on a “first come first serve” basis and can take six weeks to ship. For faster shipping the retailer also sells pre-made capes and other items. You may also be able to find a used cape from third-party sellers as well.

Shop Adaptations by Adrian

$109 at Ebay

6. XAbility Store

These full body wheelchair coats were originally crafted at home, so you know they’re made with love. They were designed by a mom hoping to make a coat that kept her daughter warmer at recess.

Unlike a wheelchair poncho, these coats wrap around feet, are snug across the body, and even have a hood. Aside from the kid’s winter coat, which comes with a free pair of mittens, the retailer sells a kids’ raincoat and fleece coat. For adults, XAbility makes a winter body coat and mid-length coat. Custom orders are available as needed.

Shop XAbility

7. Koolway Sports

Another option for full-body wear is these fleece-lined, waterproof, machine-washable custom KoolKoats available in kids and adult sizes. I love how warm and cozy they look. The coat can be unzipped to fit onto the individual like a poncho and then zipped back up again for tightness and warmth. They have reflective tape for nighttime wear and can be made with an optional G tube opening.

The retailer also sells just the portion to cover legs, as well as boots and other items. Don’t be fooled by the Canadian pricing. Koolway Sports also ships to the United States.

Shop Koolway Sports