Best Walking Canes for Women (2021): 5 Top Walking Canes for Every Need

Single-Point Canes

Single-point canes are the simplest type of walking cane, as well as the least expensive. A single point cane has one rubber foot on the bottom that provides a decent, albeit imperfect, level of stability for the user. They are best suited to people who feel pain during or after walking, Such as the pain experienced as a result of sciatica. Single-point canes are the most efficient type of walking cane, but they are also unfortunately also the least stable.

Quad Canes

Quad canes are very popular with seniors who struggle with balance and stability. These canes are widely known as the most stable type of cane. They are recommended by doctors and researchers for people who have balance issues due to strokes, mini-strokes, or other conditions that affect the body's natural ability to balance. Stroke patients showed greater balance, symmetry, and stability when using quad canes in clinical studies.

The quad cane, rather than having just one foot, has four feet at the base. This creates a much wider and more stable platform for the user to lean on. The only drawback of a quad cane is that they require more energy to use because they are bulkier and heavier.

Tripod/3-Prong Canes

This type of cane represents a nice balance between the lightweight and simple design of single-point cane and the heavy sturdy design of quad canes. Tripod canes have 3 feet at the base, and therefore provide excellent stability without becoming too heavy or getting in the way of your feet as you walk.

If you have concerns with both balance and pain while walking, this is the cane that is perfect for you. In fact, research has shown that the tripod cane is the ideal cane for people who have multiple issues or concerns they are trying to address with a walking cane.

Other Cane Types

Safety/Balance

This is perhaps the most common reason that someone would choose to use a cane as they walked. In scientific studies, The use of a quad cane or tripod cane has been shown to decrease postural sway. Postural sway is a term that describes small shifts in your body is center of gravity as you walk; the greater your postural shift the more likely you are to lose your balance and Fall. Using a cane keeps your postural shift very small, helping you stay upright at all times.

Alongside that, the use of a cane helps seniors catch themselves before they fall in the moments that they lose their balance. If you experience vertigo, have had a stroke, or have had another medical event change your ability to balance yourself, having a cane in your hand gives you the confidence to walk without fear of falling.

Pain Relief

If you have sciatica or experience chronic lower back pain, knee pain, or hip pain, a cane might be able to give you some much-needed relief. A study conducted in 2008 found that patients with knee osteoarthritis we're able to relieve pressure and lessen the pain that they feel just by using a walking cane.

The reason that this works is that canes reduce the load that is placed on your hips knees and ankles. Because they are carrying less weight, your joints and lower back are placed under less pressure and do not become sore or tender as quickly. In fact, using a cane even helped some knee osteoarthritis patients slow down the progression of their disease!

Walking Motion

Even if you are not walking with a visible limp, you may have issues with your walking gait. improper walking motion leads to pain in the lower back knees and hips. Using a cane, because it takes the pressure off of your joints, allows you to walk more healthily. If you want to learn correct walking mechanics, you can check out this video.

Negative Effects of Ill-Fitting Canes

The positive aspects of using a cane are predicated largely upon whether or not the user has found a cane that fits their body. If you fail to measure yourself before you buy a cane (we'll show you how in this article), you risk aggravating your injuries or creating entirely new ones.

Canes that are too tall, especially for women, can be dangerous and lead to even worse balance issues than simply walking without one. Canes that are too short, on the other hand, cause you to stoop over to use them. Using a cane that is too short for a long period of time can damage your posture and give you a limp!

Negative Effects of Improper Cane Use

Many seniors, when they first get a walking cane, will start to use it like a crutch. By this, we mean that they will place all of their weight on the cane and use it on the side of their body that is injured. Doing this, though it may relieve pressure in the short term, can create negative long-term effects.

For instance, walking with the cane in the wrong hand can force you to “hobble” rather than walk.  You must use your cane in the hand that is on the other side of your injury so that you can continue to walk in a normal, healthy manner. If you want to learn more about this, refer to our guide on how to use a cane!

Fashionable Canes for Women

So far in this guide, we've looked exclusively at canes designed for medical benefits rather than style. So, what are you to do if you want to satisfy your sense of style and not just your need for balance?

The best place to find a stylish cane is at Fashionable Canes.  They have a very wide selection of designer canes that cover a wide range of tastes and styles. You can find stylish canes on Amazon as well, but the easiest place to find a unique designer cane is on this website!

Custom Walking Canes for Women (where to buy online);

Sometimes, the best thing you can do to get a stylish walking cane is to have a craftsperson make one specially for you. If you would like to order a custom-made cane, check out the custom cane sections of one of these reputable websites:

What to Look for in a Women’s Walking Cane

Sometimes, the best thing you can do to get a stylish walking cane is to have a craftsperson make one specially for you. If you would like to order a custom-made cane, check out the custom cane sections of one of these reputable websites: