By jwilder
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More than 16% of seniors in America use a walking cane. These devices are simple, effective, and very affordable. There are thousands of different cane styles and tons of different features- many of which are perfectly suited to men with balance issues or who feel pain when walking.
If you're considering what it might be like to use a cane, use our guide to the best walking canes for men to decide which features and styles are the best for you!
Types of Walking Canes for Men
Types of Cane Points
Types of Cane Styles
Benefits of Using a Walking Cane
Having an injury or medical condition that limits your mobility can be very frustrating. It keeps you from going where you want when you want. It can make you feel like you are constantly cooped up in the house, dependent upon others for help. Using a cane or other mobility aid gives you back some of your freedom. Many seniors report feeling a greater sense of autonomy over their lives when they start to use a mobility aid.
This is the benefit of a walking cane that is the easiest to see. If you have had a stroke, mini-stroke, or any other medical event that changed your body's natural sense of balance, using a cane is ideal.
The best part of having a cane for balance rather than a heavier mobility aid is that they are light enough small enough that you only have to lean on them in moments when you lose your balance. If you are walking and don’t feel off-balance, you can simply hold your cane lightly. But, the second that you start to lose your balance, your cane is there for you!
People who have knee osteoarthritis or sciatica know all too well the pain that accompanies walking. If you have these issues or another medical concern that causes pain when walking, using a cane is a wonderful idea.
One study conducted with knee osteoarthritis patients found that pain and swelling were significantly reduced simply by using a cane to walk. Some patients even reported in another study that the progression of their knee osteoarthritis had slowed down.
If you feel pain while walking, using a cane takes the weight and therefore pressure off of your major joints. This includes the lower back. Sciatica is caused by undue pressure being placed on the sciatic nerve; sometimes, your walking motion may be causing this pressure without you even knowing it. If you have sciatica or another type of lower back pain, using a cane as you walk can be very effective in reducing it.
If you walk with a limp or have had an injury/medical event that changed your natural walking form, you can benefit tremendously from using a walking cane. Correctly used, a walking cane promotes a healthy and natural walking motion. Over time, focusing on improving your walking gait will lead to reduced pain and greater comfort while walking.
Risks of Using a Walking Cane
There are two major risks to using a cane. The first is that using a cane that is the wrong size can cause more harm than good. If the cane is too small, you'll be stooping over to use it. If the cane is too tall, it will push against you in a way that throws off your balance rather than improving it.
The second risk of using a walking cane is that many seniors do not know the proper way to use one, and end up causing more problems than they solve. For example, many seniors will use their cane in the hand on the same side as their injury. This creates a hobbling motion that makes you slower and increases your pain rather than decreases it.
The Best Walking Canes for Men in 2021
1. Best Walking Cane for Men (Overall): Big Alex Quad Walking Cane
Quick Stats:
This cane is incredibly light, yet still strong enough to support the weight of a 300-pound man. It’s also large enough that it can accommodate a user up to 6’3”, ideal for most men. It’s simple, adjustable, and folds up into a small carrying bag when you aren’t using it.
One of the best parts of this cane is the pivoting base. The base, rather than being solidly attached to the shaft, is secured with a pivoting mechanism that bends and flexes like the human ankle. This makes it better at handling uneven terrain and delivering traction even when the ground isn’t ideal.
If you’re looking for an affordable cane that will fit your body and give you the freedom to go almost anywhere, the Big Alex Quad Cane is exactly what you need.
2. Best Walking Cane for Tall Men: Carex Soft Grip Walking Cane
Quick Stats:
If you’re taller than 6’3”, it can be hard to find a cane that won’t have you awkwardly stooping over to use it. The Carex Soft Grip cane may be simple, but it can accommodate users up to 6’8”! That makes it, without a doubt, the best cane for taller men.
It isn’t just great for tall people, though. This cane has a very soft handle, good for people who tend to lean heavily on their cane for support. On top of that, it’s one of the cheapest canes on the market- an all-around great deal on a cane that caters to people who are sometimes left out of the design process!
3. Best Ergonomic Walking Cane for Men: Dynamo Cyclone Cane
Quick Stats:
The Cyclone cane has a unique “crossbow” style design that is intended to help you move as naturally and safely as possible. The shape of the cane mimics the shape of your leg with a slight bend in the knee; this makes it easier to move carefree. You won’t be worrying about cane placement because the cane is taking care of most of the work for you.
This cane is a single-point cane, so it’s not ideal for people with serious balance issues. Instead, this cane is perfect for people who want to walk more naturally and relieve pain/stiffness in their joints and lower back. Normally, the term “ergonomic” only applies to the cane handle; with the Dynamo Cyclone, the term is applied to the entire cane!
4. Best Folding Walking Cane for Men: Ohuhu Folding Quad Walking Cane
Quick Stats:
This folding cane is one of the most popular on the market today. Many seniors value it for its low price, exceptional stability, and convenient folding. The Ohuhu folding cane even comes with two different bases (single-point and quad), as well as an LED flashlight that you can use to safely get around at night!
The worst part of using a cane is having to find someplace to put it when you’re in the car, using public transportation, or sitting indoors. They can be a nuisance, and if they fall onto the floor, you may not be able to easily bend over and grab them if you’re dealing with an injury. Having a folding cane lets you keep your cane within reach, but out of the way, until you’re ready to use it again.
5. Best Quad Walking Cane for Men: RMS Quad Walking Cane
Quick Stats:
The RMS Quad Walking Cane is about as stable and simple as it gets. It adjusts to accommodate any height between 4’10” and 6’3” and has a slim base that provides exceptional stability without getting in the way.
Instead of being designed in a square or round shape, the 4 feet on this cane form a slim rectangle. This allows the cane to create a large platform for stability without getting in the way of your feet as you walk.
Quad canes are perfect for people who have balance issues, but only if the base is wide enough to hold them up. With the RMS Quad Cane, you’ll have all the stability you need to avoid slipping and falling- it gives you confidence to live your life to the fullest!
6. Best Adjustable Walking Cane for Men: Hugo Adjustable Quad Cane
Quick Stats:
This simple cane can be adjusted to fit in the right or left hand and accommodates a wide range of user heights. From looking at it, you may think that there isn’t anything particularly special about this cane, and you’d be correct. But, that’s exactly the point- it’s a no-frills, no gimmicks cane that delivers on its promise to help you walk more healthily, nothing more.
If you’re looking for a sturdy cane that will help you walk despite any sort of mobility issue, the Hugo cane is for you. It’s strong, easy to adjust, and does its job wonderfully, time and time again!
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Cane for Your Needs
How to Find Designer/Custom Canes for Men
Designer canes are relatively easy to find on Amazon, but this is one product area where Amazon actually isn’t the number one option you have. Instead, for designer canes, we recommend you visit one of the websites in this list:
They have great selections of luxury cane materials and custom ordering options. If you want a truly unique cane, one of those highly reputable online stores should be able to help!
Features to Look Out For
Conclusion: Walking Canes for Men
Canes are very simple items that have been around for hundreds, possibly thousands, of years. However, just because they're simple does not mean they aren’t useful. Finding a cane that fits your height and your needs is a great way to increase your freedom without risking a nasty fall. Which cane from our list intrigued you the most? Do you have any questions about the models we looked at? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
