Collection: Hoyer Patient Lift Slings – Safe, Comfortable Support for Every Transfer

How to Choose the Right Hoyer Sling

Key Factors to Consider

Choosing the correct sling is just as important as choosing the right lift. The wrong sling can reduce comfort, compromise safety, or make transfers more difficult. Use these key factors to select the best option:

1. Type of Transfer Needed

• General bed-to-chair or chair-to-chair transfers → Full Back, Quickfit, or Quickfit Deluxe
• Toileting / hygiene access → Access or Commode-style sling with aperture
• Sit-to-stand transfers → Deluxe Stand-Aid or Standing sling
• Single-patient or infection-control use → Disposable Comfort or Disposable Full Back
• Extended time in the sling or amputee patients → Long Seat or specialized designs

2. Attachment Style (Loop vs Clip)

• Loop-style slings attach to a 6-point spreader bar and are the most common. They work with the majority of Hoyer floor lifts (Advance, Presence, Stature, HPL450/500/700, Calibre, etc.).
• Clip-style (Comfort) slings use the Securi3 clip system and require a 4-point positioning cradle. These are primarily used on the Presence and Stature.

Never mix the two systems.

3. Patient Size and Body Shape

Hoyer uses a color-coded sizing system (binding color):

• Extra Small – Brown
• Small – Red
• Medium – Yellow
• Large – Green
• Extra Large – Blue

Weight ranges are guidelines only. Always consider the patient’s height, torso width, seated width, and any physical limitations. When in doubt, size up or consult a clinician.

4. Material Preference

• Padded – Maximum comfort and pressure relief
• Polyester – Durable everyday use
• Mesh – Ideal for bathing (quick-drying)
• Disposable – Single-patient use for infection control

5. Lift Compatibility

Confirm that the sling matches both the weight capacity and the spreader bar/cradle type of your specific Hoyer lift. High-capacity models such as the Calibre and HPL700 require bariatric (striped) slings rated to 850 lbs.

6. Caregiver Experience & Environment

Simpler, easy-to-fit designs (such as Quickfit styles) are often preferred in home care settings. Facilities may prioritize durable, washable options or disposable slings for infection control protocols.

Important Safety Notes

• Always use genuine Hoyer/Joerns slings with Hoyer lifts.
• Inspect every sling before each use. Discard any sling that is torn, frayed, bleached, or damaged.
• Perform a patient risk assessment prior to transfer.

Need help matching a sling to your lift or patient? Contact our team we’re happy to guide you to the correct model and size.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I choose the right sling for a patient?

Choosing the correct sling starts with a proper patient assessment. Key factors include:

• Patient’s mobility level, range of motion, and ability to participate in the transfer
• Type and frequency of transfers needed (bed to chair, toileting, bathing, floor recovery, etc.)
• Patient’s weight, height, torso measurements, seated width, and any physical considerations (such as amputations or limited flexibility)
• Caregiver experience and the environment where the transfer will take place

Always match the sling style to the specific task. For example, toileting often requires a sling with an aperture (opening), while general transfers may use a full-back or Quickfit-style sling. Joerns recommends performing a full risk assessment before every transfer.

2. What is the difference between loop-style and clip-style slings?

Hoyer uses two different attachment systems that are not interchangeable:

• Loop-style slings – Attach to a 6-point spreader bar using color-coded webbing loops. These are the most common type and work with the majority of Hoyer floor lifts (Advance, Presence, Stature, HPL series, Calibre, etc.).
• Clip-style (Comfort) slings – Use the Securi3 clip system and attach to a 4-point positioning cradle. These are primarily designed for the Presence and Stature lifts when fitted with the appropriate cradle.

Using the wrong attachment style is unsafe. Always confirm which system your lift uses before ordering.

3. How do I select the correct sling size?

Hoyer uses a simple color-coded sizing system on the binding of the sling:

Size Color Typical Weight Range (Guideline)

Extra Small Brown Up to ~100 lbs

Small Red ~75–150 lbs

Medium Yellow ~125–200 lbs

Large Green ~175–350 lbs

Extra Large Blue ~275–500 lbs

Important: Weight ranges are guidelines only. Body shape, height, and medical conditions also affect fit. Always assess the individual patient. Bariatric slings use a striped color system and have a higher safe working load (typically 850 lbs).

4. Are Hoyer slings compatible with all Hoyer lifts?

No. Compatibility depends on both the sling style and the lift’s spreader bar or cradle:

• Most Professional series lifts (Advance, Presence, Stature, HPL450/500/700, Calibre) use loop-style slings with a 6-point spreader bar.
• Presence and Stature can also use clip-style Comfort slings when fitted with a 4-point cradle.
• Sit-to-stand lifts (Journey, Elevate) use specific active/stand-aid slings.
• Classic series lifts (HPL402, HML400, etc.) use Classic-style slings with different part numbers.

Always match the sling to the specific lift and cradle type. Using non-genuine or incompatible slings can create a serious safety risk.

5. Can I wash Hoyer slings, and when should they be replaced?

Most reusable polyester, mesh, and padded Hoyer slings can be machine washed (typically up to 185°F / 85°C). Do not use bleach, as it damages the material and makes the sling unsafe. Air dry or use a cool/low-temperature dryer.

Disposable slings (such as Disposable Comfort or Disposable Full Back) are for single-patient use only and must not be washed or reused.

Inspect every sling before each use. Discard and replace any sling that is bleached, torn, frayed, cut, or shows damaged stitching. Joerns strongly recommends using only genuine Hoyer slings with Hoyer lifts.