Sheepskin mobility aids are small covers and pads of medical sheepskin or dense Merino wool that fit over the hard parts of walkers, crutches and wheelchairs, or protect hands and elbows, so the skin rests on soft wool instead of plastic, metal or webbing. Most people know medical sheepskin as a bed overlay, but the same 30 mm wool pile works anywhere skin presses or rubs for long periods: it cushions, absorbs sweat and keeps the skin drier. Down-Under Wool has made and supplied these aids since 1988, and this guide covers the ones customers are often surprised to find, starting with those in stock.
Which sheepskin aids are there?
Here is a quick overview before the details:
| Aid | Where it goes | Made from | Fastening | Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walker handle covers (M111) | walker or rollator handles | medical sheepskin, 30 mm pile | Velcro; pair | hand wash, air dry |
| Walker seat cover (M119) | rollator seat, 15" x 12" | Australian medical sheepskin, 30 mm pile | adjustable straps | hand wash, air dry |
| Crutch covers (M109) | underarm pads and hand rests | medical sheepskin, 30 mm pile | Velcro; set of 4 | machine wash, air dry |
| Hand posies (M115) | palm of the hand | HiTemp medical sheepskin | elastic strap; pair | machine wash, air dry |
| Palm protector (SC115) | around the thumb and hand | Merino lambswool | Velcro; single | wash in Woolskin |
| Elbow pad (M110) | elbow | medical sheepskin, 30 mm pile | Velcro; single | hand wash, air dry |
Walker handle covers and seat covers
Sheepskin walker handle covers make a walker more comfortable to grip, especially for hands that get sweaty in summer. The dense medical sheepskin pile cushions the palm and absorbs moisture, which helps keep the skin dry and less likely to break down. They wrap around the handles and close with Velcro, and they come in two versions: champagne or ivory medical sheepskin for a low temperature wash, or green HiTemp Australian Medical Sheepskin with an extra dense pile. The same covers can go on golf bag straps or car seat belts.
The walker seat cover fits the 15" x 12" seat of a rollator and is held on with adjustable straps, so the person has a soft, pressure-reducing place to sit when they stop to rest. Sheepskin absorbs moisture up to about 30% of the weight of the wool without feeling wet, which makes it comfortable for long use. Check the handle height too: OrthoInfo, from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, says the top of a walker should reach the crease of your wrist when you stand up straight.
How can you make crutches more comfortable?
You can make crutches more comfortable by setting them to the right height, keeping your weight on your hands, and padding the hand grips and underarm pads. OrthoInfo advises that the tops of the crutches should sit about 1 to 2 inches below your armpits, with the handgrips level with the top of your hip line, and that your weight should rest on your hands rather than on the underarm supports, to avoid damaging the nerves and blood vessels in your armpits.
Our sheepskin crutch covers pad both pressure points. The set covers each crutch's underarm pad and hand rest, so there are four pieces in all, made from champagne medical sheepskin with a 30 mm deep pile. The hand rest covers are held on with Velcro strips. Sheepskin absorbs moisture readily without feeling wet, so hands and underarms stay drier, and all four pieces are machine washable.
Hand posies and palm protectors
Hand posies are soft rolls of sheepskin that sit in the palm, for people whose fingers curl in or stay bent, so the fingers rest on wool and the nails don't press into the palm. We stock three versions:
- Sheepskin hand posies (M115): made from Australian HiTemp medical sheepskin, held on the palm by an elastic strap, sold in pairs and machine washable in Woolskin.
- Hand posies with spacer (M115S): the same posy with a spacer inside the sheepskin roll. The spacer is easy to adjust: add to it if a larger insert is needed, or trim it with a sharp knife if it is too big.
- Shear Comfort palm protector (SC115): soft Merino lambswool that goes over the thumb and around the hand, giving the fingers a cushioned pad to curl onto. A Velcro strap adjusts the fit, and it is sold singly for either hand.
The wool reduces pressure and absorbs moisture so air can circulate through the palm. If fingers are curling because of a medical condition, ask the person's nurse or occupational therapist which hand support suits them.
Elbow pads and protectors
The medical sheepskin elbow pad protects the elbow from abrasion and pressure, for people who spend long hours in bed or in a chair. It has a beige 30 mm medical sheepskin pile, closes with a Velcro strap, fits all elbows and is sold singly. For a denser wool, the Pressure Smart XD1900 elbow protector (SC110B) forms a soft cup around the elbow and is sold in pairs. Elbows are one of the bony areas where Mayo Clinic notes pressure tends to build in people with limited mobility, along with the spine, tailbone, shoulder blades, hips and heels. For heels, see our guide to heel protectors for bed sores.
Wheelchair arm pads
Wheelchair armrests are hard, and arms rest on them for hours. Our HiTemp medical sheepskin arm pads strap over the armrests with Velcro and are sold in pairs; there is also a beige or champagne LowTemp version and a blue Pressure Smart XD armrest support.
How to wash sheepskin aids
Wash sheepskin aids in Woolskin, which cleans, conditions and disinfects both the wool and the leather, and air dry them away from direct heat. Follow each product's label: walker handle and seat covers and elbow pads are hand washed; crutch covers and hand posies can go in the washing machine. Never use ordinary household detergents, which can damage sheepskin leather. Our guide on how to wash sheepskin has step-by-step instructions.
Sheepskin aid FAQs
Do sheepskin covers fit any walker?
The walker handle covers wrap around the handle and close with Velcro, so they fit most walker and rollator handles. The seat cover fits a 15" x 12" seat with adjustable straps.
Should you lean on crutch underarm pads if they are padded?
No. Even with padding, your weight should rest on your hands, not your armpits. The covers make contact more comfortable but don't change how crutches should be used.
What are hand posies used for?
Hand posies are soft palm supports for people whose fingers curl or stay bent. They give the fingers a cushion to rest on and help protect the skin of the palm.
Can sheepskin covers be machine washed?
Some can. Crutch covers and hand posies are machine washable in Woolskin; walker covers and elbow pads should be hand washed. All should be air dried.
Are sheepskin aids a good gift?
Yes. A walker seat cover or a pair of handle covers is a practical gift for someone who uses a walker every day.
The short version
If a walker, crutch or wheelchair rubs, presses or makes hands sweaty, there is probably a sheepskin cover for it: walker handle and seat covers, crutch covers, hand posies, elbow pads and arm pads. They all use the same dense medical sheepskin or Merino wool that we use in medical sheepskin bed overlays. See the full range on our wheelchair and walker products page, or contact us if you are not sure what fits.
