Walking canes and walking sticks are designed to give you a little extra support while you walk. The best walking sticks are built from strong and sturdy materials and are designed to last. They are ergonomic, easy to hold, and can take some of your weight as you lean into the stick.
You can use sticks and canes if you often get tired when you walk or find that you are a little unsteady on your feet. They come in many shapes and sizes, and in this guide, we’ll highlight the best of them and help you find the one most suited to your needs.
What to Look For?
It’s easy to dismiss canes as being relatively simple. After all, it’s just a stick that you use to support yourself. Humans have been crafting handmade wooden canes for thousands of years and have relied on them during long journeys and in the presence of mobility issues. However, modern canes can vary considerably and there are a few features you need to look out for:
Weight and Feel
How heavy is the cane and how does it feel in your hand? The first part is simple—you need to be able to carry the cane and use it without issue. You can check the weight on an online product listing and compare this to other canes.
The feel is a little more complicated and it’s not something you can judge through an online listing. However, the handle position, material, and any ergonomic designs can tell you what you need to know.
We recommend taking a look at user reviews, as well. Focus on sites like Amazon to get honest opinions from genuine users, as website testimonials are often cherry-picked and don’t tell the whole story.
Weight Capacity
Can the cane or walking stick take your weight? If your mobility problems are the result of obesity, you may find that you have fewer products to choose from and are forced to pay more money. This is especially true for anyone over 300 lbs., as this puts them in the “heavy duty” range for mobility products.
Where canes are concerned, applying too much pressure can break, crush, or splinter the cane. This could happen over time or it could happen at once, but in all cases, you’re taking an unnecessary risk and it could lead to serious harm.
If you’re overweight, look for stronger and sturdier alloys and woods. If you’re well within the weight capacity, you can focus on lightweight canes.
The Size
How tall is the cane and how comfortable is your grip? A cane should adapt to you, not the other way around. If you find that you’re bending or stretching just to get a grip, it’s not for you.
The Tip
What is the tip of the cane made from? Can it withstand regular use, and does it offer you support when traversing different types of terrain? Pay close attention to the material used for the tip/feet and check user reviews to see how many complaints there are regarding this feature.
If it’s a cheap and poorly made product, there will be many bad reviews complaining about broken feet, poor fittings, and other such issues.
The Best Walking Canes and Sticks for Elderly People
What follows is a list of our favorite walking canes. We have focused on products that you can buy online and have highlighted the ones that have the best features, strongest materials, and most value.
Vive Quad Base Adjustable Cane
The Vive is probably our favorite cane. Not only is it made by a trusted brand known for producing high-quality mobility aids, but it’s relatively cheap, less than $40, and is incredibly well made.
It has a quad base, a comfortable grip, an aluminum body, a built-in wrist strap, and is completely adjustable. Built for users of up to 250 lbs. in body weight, it’s a non-slip, sturdy, and incredibly well-made cane.
RMS Quad Cane
With height adjustment, a solid and lightweight aluminum body, and a four-foot quad base all with rubber tips, this is a great option for men and women under 250 lbs. It can be adjusted to suit a range of users and is available for less than $30 from Amazon.
This self-standing cane can be adjusted to suit left and right-handed users and its foam grip handles take pressure away from the hands and the wrists.
Vive Foldable Cane with T-Handle
This is a simpler cane than the quad-base walker outlined above, but it does the job. It has several stylish designs to choose from and is foldable, lightweight, and height adjustable. It’s a great walking aid for traveling as it can fold down and be stored away with ease.
Hurrycane Freedom Edition Folding Cane
One of the best-selling canes in the United States, the Hurrycane Freedom Edition has a weight capacity of up to 350 pounds and stabilization features that always offer complete support.
It has a unique non-skid quadpod that is flexible and suited for all terrains, while the comfortable slip-resistant hand grips help to keep you stable.
Hugo Adjustable Cane
The Hugo Adjustable Cane is built in the same style as the Vive and RMS quad canes, but it’s a little bigger and cheaper, costing between $20 and $25 on average. Manufactured by Hugo mobility products, which is part of the vast product range from Drive Medical group, it features a curved handle and can be adjusted to suit users ranging from 5 to 6.5 feet tall.
Benefits of Regular Walking
A brisk walk is classed as moderate exercise and it’s recommended that you get 2.5 hours of moderate exercise a week. It’s one of the easiest forms of exercise you can do, and by adding a simple cane you can reduce your risk and make the walk even easier and safer.
A regular walk, whether you’re visiting a friend, talking the dog for a walk, or just going for a stroll, can increase your heart rate and exercise your muscles. It also has the potential to make you fitter, stronger, and healthier, while also helping with weight loss.
If you’re a senior, you should take some extra precautions when you go for a walk:
- Get a cane or stick
- Take a phone with you
- Walk with a friend if you’re prone to getting lost
- Don’t stray too far
- Take regular breaks and rest your legs