Canes
Are Expensive Walking Canes Worth It?
What you actually get for the money when you spend more on a walking cane, and when a basic cane is all you need.
Short answer: if you use a cane every day, a well-made cane is usually worth paying more for. You don't need the most expensive cane on the market, but a better shaft, a more comfortable handle and a cane you like enough to actually carry make a real difference. If you only need a cane for a few weeks, a basic one is often fine.
What you're paying for
Shaft material and strength
Cheaper canes are usually thin aluminum. Better canes use solid hardwood or carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is very light and strong: our Carbon Fiber Triple Wound Cane weighs about a pound and supports up to 300 lbs. Solid hardwood canes like the Hercules Derby Handle Cane, with a 1 1/8 inch shaft, are rated up to 500 lbs.
Weight capacity
Every cane has a maximum weight rating. Many standard canes are rated around 220 to 250 lbs. If you are heavier, or simply hard on your gear, a higher-rated cane is worth it. See our Heavy-Duty Canes, all rated 250 lbs and up.
Handle comfort
You hold the handle with every step, so comfort matters more than anything else on a daily cane. Shaped handles like the Fritz, palm grip and offset spread pressure across your hand, which helps a lot if you have arthritis or sore hands. See Types of Cane Handles.
Adjustment quality
On adjustable canes, a better locking mechanism means less rattle and a more solid feel. The TriggerTech Easy Adjust Cane, for example, adjusts with a squeeze of a trigger instead of push buttons.
Craftsmanship and style
Hand-stitched leather, brass and chrome accents, hand-applied crystals and quality finishes cost more to make. They also make a cane you're proud to carry, and a cane you like is a cane you'll use. See the Genuine Leather Derby Walking Cane or the Sugar Canes by Jacqueline Kent.
When a basic cane is fine
- Short-term use after a minor injury
- A backup cane to keep in the car or at a second home
- Occasional use on longer walks
When it's worth spending more
- You use your cane every day
- You have arthritis or hand pain
- You are tall or need a higher weight rating
- You've stopped using canes in the past because you didn't like how they looked
What canes cost at WalkingCanes.com
Classic wood canes like the Classic Derby Handle Walking Cane start around $30. Most of our designer, adjustable and carbon fiber canes are roughly $35 to $55. Heavy-duty Hercules canes are around $100, and handmade leather and crystal designer canes run from about $115 to $170. Members of the Full Stride Club save 20% on every order.
Make any cane last longer
Get the length right with our sizing guide, replace the rubber tip when it wears smooth, and keep the cane clean and dry. All our items are covered for 6 months against manufacturer defects. More in How to Care for Your Cane So It Lasts for Years.
