The best walking canes are sturdy, easy to use, adjustable, and have a comfortable handle. It’s also important to ask yourself what you want or need a cane to do for you, as different types of canes have different functions and may or may not support you when and where you plan to use it. We spoke with experts about the most important features of walking canes and researched options for the top brands; here are the best walking canes on the market. Although all canes are designed to provide extra stability and assist with movement, there are different types of canes that can help you achieve different goals. What’s more, some canes work well for some people but not others, so it’s helpful to know which type you need. Our Top Picks Best for Stability: Best for Those With Arthritis or Carpal Tunnel: Best with Seat: Best for Back or Knee Pain: Best for a Heavier Person: NOVA Heavy Duty Walking Cane with Offset Handle at Amazon ($40) In This Article Types of Walking Canes What Healthcare Providers Want You to Know Our Picks How We Selected What to Look for Our Experts FAQ Pros Compact and easy to travel with Safe for use up to 350 lb 360-degree pivoting base is comfortable to walk with Cons It doesn’t always stand up on its own Pivot function can be noisy Weight Capacity: 350 lb | Handle Type: T-shaped | Base Type: Pivot | Adjustable: Yes, 30.5 to 37.5 in The HurryCane Freedom Edition Folding Cane is Anderson’s favorite cane to recommend to her patients, and it’s easy to see why: It has a convenient folding design, and it’s lightweight and portable, but not flimsy at all. In fact, thanks to the flat, three-point pivoting base, the HurryCane is extra stable, helping to distribute your weight evenly. We also like that it has rubber grips on the base and can move easily over many different types of terrain, including indoor carpeting and outdoor pavement or gravel. Plus, it can support individuals up to 350 pounds and has eight different height settings (that you can alter at the push of a button) to accommodate users of different heights. If you prefer a cane with a wider base for additional balance support, the KingGear Adjustable Cane is also a great alternative to the HurryCane Freedom Edition Folding Cane. Unlike the other canes on our list, it has a square base for extra support and balance; its wider, flatter surface gives users a larger platform of support and also allows the cane to stand up when not in use. Plus, the bottom of this base is anti-marking rubber, which will not only keep your floors clear of any scratches but also prevent the cane from slipping out from under you while walking. One of the major benefits of a pivoting cane is that it can stand up on its own, but the HurryCane doesn’t always live up to that promise. It frequently falls over, making it less reliable than other standing canes for people who need to grab on for support. Pros Orthopedic-designed handle Left- or right-handed designs Lightweight Cons Cannot stand up on its own If your hand doesn't fit into the palm grip, it may not be comfortable to use Weight Capacity: 300 lb | Handle Type: Palm/orthopedic | Base Type: Single-point | Adjustable: Yes, 29.75 to 38.75 in A comfortable grip on a walking cane is necessary, especially if you have arthritis, carpal tunnel, or other dexterity issues. The Nova Medical Orthopedic Cane has an ergonomic, palm-shaped handle designed to support the wrist and reduce any hand fatigue that you might experience when using a cane. Additionally, the cane is lightweight, so it should be easy to carry when on the go. We also appreciate that you can choose between a left-handed cane and a right-handed cane for maximum comfort. Since the majority of canes are designed to fit either hand interchangeably, they’re not always comfortable for left-handed people. Even if you’re a righty, though, the wide contoured handle should allow plenty of room for you to grip the cane comfortably. While there’s a lot to like about this cane, it’s a straight cane and doesn’t have a four-legged base or even a larger, flatter base, so it won’t provide as much support as other devices on this list and won’t stand up on its own when not in use. Another thing to keep in mind is that this one won’t fold up on itself to become more compact for storage or travel. Pros Slim profile Three heights to choose from Lightweight for carrying Cons Not height adjustable Not stable enough for everyday use Weight Capacity: 242 lb | Handle Type: D-shaped | Base Type: Convertible | Adjustable: No, but available in sizes from 32.2 to 36.2 in high Seat canes aren’t for everyone, but if you need one, the Step2Gold Ta-Da Chair Series 2 Portable Walking Stick is a reliable option. Anderson says these devices are often hard-to-use canes and uncomfortable seats. However, she occasionally has patients with good balance and mobility who need an assistive device for pain that includes the option to sit. In those cases, a seat cane can work well. The Step2Gold cane has a lot to like: When in use as a seat, the cane gives you a wide, 10-inch by 9-inch base to sit on about 19 inches off the ground, and when in use as a cane, the seat folds up into a neat rectangle with a slim profile that doesn’t stick out much. It’s available in three heights (32.2, 34.2, and 36.2 inches) and has a fairly stable three-legged base when fully opened in the seat position. It only weighs about two pounds but has a weight capacity of 300 pounds, making it an option for users of many different sizes. Although it comes in three sizes, it’s not adjustable—if you can’t get a size that comfortably fits your height, you won’t be able to use it (and the seat height isn’t adjustable, either). It’s also not the most comfortable or sturdy cane around; it’s definitely more for intermittent use in special situations. Pros Pivoting base Easily adjustable shaft Ergonomic handle Cons Base may squeak when using Does not always stand up on its own Weight Capacity: 250 lb | Handle Type: T-shaped | Base Type: Pivot | Adjustable: Yes, 30 to 37 in If you are experiencing back or knee pain when using a walking cane, that could mean your device is not adjusted to the proper height, resulting in bad posture and misalignment. The HoneyBull Walking Cane offers an adjustable shaft of 30 to 37 inches, which means it is suitable for people who are 5 feet to 6 feet 5 inches tall. Plus, it’s a pivot-base cane, which Anderson says is a good type of cane for people experiencing pain because it helps keep you steady wherever you go. We also like that the HoneyBull cane has an 8-inch-long ergonomic handle, a lightweight aluminum construction, and can stand up when not in use. Plus, it can fold up nice and compact for easy storage when traveling or in between uses. Another great adjustable option is the NOVA Heavy Duty Walking Cane with Offset Handle, which is also listed in this article. This option may be better for you if you’re heavier and need a cane to accommodate a weight of more than 250 pounds. We like the comfort provided by the pivot design and the adjustable height, but we wish the HoneyBull cane had a weight capacity of more than 250 pounds because that limits who can benefit from its pain-relieving features. Pros Weight capacity of 500 lb Easy push-button adjustability Solid aluminum construction Cons Not a weighted cane Handle is hard Weight Capacity: 500 lb | Handle Type: Offset | Base Type: Single-point | Adjustable: Yes, 30 to 39 in Standard canes usually limit their weight capacity to 250 to 350 pounds, but the NOVA Heavy Duty Walking Cane with Offset Handle can accommodate users up to 500 pounds with its solid aluminum construction. It has an offset handle design that makes the cane more stable and takes some of the pressure off your hand and wrist during use and can be adjusted for users anywhere between 4 feet, 11 inches and 6 feet, 4 inches. The cane is easily adjustable with a single push-button, allowing you to still support yourself when changing the height, and has an anti-rattle lock for quiet use. Finally, even though this cane is well-constructed and supports heavier users, it somehow only weighs one pound itself, making it particularly easy to handle, carry, and transport. Some bariatric cane users prefer weighted canes for maximum stability, and while this cane is durable, a weighted feature would provide even more support. Plus, older versions of this cane had soft, cushioned handles and now the handles are hard and often uncomfortable. There’s no single walking cane that will work for everyone who needs to use one, so we evaluated products across a range of styles and designs. Our goal was to offer consumers multiple options to choose from based on their personal preferences or needs. To find the best walking canes, we spoke to a number of experts throughout the research process. We asked them to share their insights on the different types of walking canes, as well as how to choose the best one for you and use it safely. They also advised us about the most important features to look for when shopping for a walking cane, including stability, adjustability, and functionality. What kind of walking cane provides the most support? Hornyak says that a hemi walker provides the most stability for individuals, followed by a quad cane. But, ultimately, the type of cane that works best for you depends on your own needs as well as your physical capabilities. Does Medicare pay for walking canes? Medicare Part B covers canes as durable medical equipment (DME), says Chandler, though you typically will pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after meeting your Part B deductible. You may also be able to rent a cane with Medicare coverage, he adds. But whether you’re renting or purchasing, it’s important to make sure the supplier is enrolled in Medicare before choosing one. Do you need a prescription to buy a walking cane? Walking canes are typically available OTC at medical supply stores, pharmacies, and online retailers without needing a prescription, says Chandler, but you may still need one if you’re hoping to receive Medicare or insurance coverage (to prove medical necessity). Check with your healthcare or insurance provider if you’re not sure whether a prescription is required. Sarah Bradley has been writing health content since 2017—everything from product roundups and illness FAQs to nutrition explainers and the dish on diet trends. She knows how important it is to receive trustworthy and expert-approved advice about over-the-counter products that manage everyday health conditions, from GI issues and allergies to chronic headaches and joint pain.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/vwh-best-walking-canes-tout-0bb7bbbb1dde42ebb682fd30fed93790.jpg "Reduce Pain and Become More Mobile With These 5 Expert-Approved Walking Canes (1)")
Types of Walking Canes
What Healthcare Providers Want You to Know
Key Specs
Why We Recommend It
Keep In Mind
Best for Those With Arthritis or Carpal Tunnel
Nova Medical Products Orthopedic Cane
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Key Specs
Why We Recommend It
Keep In Mind
Key Specs
Why We Recommend It
Keep In Mind
Best for Back or Knee Pain
HoneyBull Walking Cane
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Key Specs
Why We Recommend It
Keep In Mind
Key Specs
Why We Recommend It
Keep In Mind
How We Selected the Best Walking Canes
What to Look for in a Walking Cane
Our Experts
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Trust Verywell Health
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