How to Choose a Walking Cane

Mobility & Comfort · Buying guide · 5 min read

How to Choose a Walking Cane

A cane at the wrong height does not just feel awkward. It tips the body sideways and sends the load through a shoulder instead of a hand. Get three things right — height, handle, tip — and the rest is preference.

Height: measure at the wrist

Stand upright in the shoes you normally wear, arms hanging loose. The top of the cane should sit level with the crease of your wrist. Held that way the elbow bends about 15 to 20 degrees when the tip is on the floor: enough to push down on, not so much that the shoulder does the work.

Adjustable aluminium canes usually cover 30 to 39 inches. A wooden cane is cut to length once, so measure before you cut.

Handle: match it to the hand

• Offset handle — the shaft steps in under the grip so weight lands over the tip. The steadiest choice for most people.
• Derby or crook handle — hooks over an arm or a chair back. Easy to park, less support under load.
• Palm-grip or contoured handle — spreads pressure across the whole palm. Worth the money for arthritic hands or a sore wrist.

Tip: one point or four

A single rubber tip is lighter and fine on even ground. A quad tip stands up on its own and gives more support on uneven ground, but every foot has to land flat, which makes it awkward on stairs. Replace any tip once the tread wears smooth — it is the cheapest safety upgrade in the house.

Which side to hold it

Opposite the weaker leg. Cane and weak leg move forward together, then the strong leg follows. It feels wrong for a day and right after that.

Quick checks before you buy

• Weight capacity printed on the shaft, with room to spare
• A height lock that clicks positively rather than creeping down
• A wrist strap, so the cane does not hit the floor every time a hand is needed
• Folding if it will live in a bag; one piece if it will live by the door

If pain, balance trouble or a recent fall is the reason for the cane, have a physiotherapist or doctor check the fit and the walking pattern. A cane set up wrong can make balance worse rather than better.

Browse Mobility & Comfort. Free shipping on every order, delivered in 2-9 business days.