By jwilder
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As we grow older, many of us start to experience problems with pain, instability, and lack of balance while walking. If you are one of these people, you may benefit greatly from using a walking cane.
Unfortunately, women (who tend to be shorter than men on average) often have a tough time finding a cane that truly fits them. Check out our guide to the best walking canes for women to find the model that fits you and your needs perfectly!
Types of Walking Canes for Women
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
Benefits of Using a Walking Cane
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.
Risks of Using a Walking Cane
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!
At a Glance: The Best Walking Canes for Women
Image | Name | Length | Width | Height | Weight | Best For | Header |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeneCane Quad Cane | 8" | 6" | 38" | 0.82 kg | Stability & Comfort | |
| BigAlex Folding Walking Cane | - | 4" | 35" | 0.52 kg | Antiskid property & wearability | |
| Asterom Designer Wooden Cane | 6" | - | 36" | 1.1 lbs | High-Quality Italian Coatings | |
| NOVA SugarcanePrinted Walking Cane | 3.75" (D) | 5" | 36" | 1.15 lbs | Fade Resistant Finish | |
| Walk Buddy Adjustable Cane | - | - | 38" | 0.56 kg | Anti-slip rubber base |
The Best Walking Canes for Women in 2021
1. Best Walking Cane for Women (Overall): BeneCane Quad Cane
BeneCane Quad Cane | |
|---|---|
Length | 8" |
Width | 6" |
Height | 38" |
Weight | 0.82 kg |
Quick Stats:
This tough and stylish quad cane is ideal for any senior woman looking to walk with better balance and safety. It has a wide base that takes a rectangular shape (rather than square) to deliver excellent stability without getting in the way of your foot. It is adjustable, good for users who are as short as 4’7”; if you’re worried about getting a cane that’s too tall, the BeneCane is perfect for you.
If you are looking for a cane that over-delivers on balance and convenience without resorting to gimmicky features, the BeneCane is the way to go. It’s simple, effective, and incredibly affordable!
2. Best Folding Cane for Women: Big Alex Folding Cane
BigAlex Folding Walking Cane | |
|---|---|
Length | - |
Width | 4" |
Height | 35" |
Weight | 0.52 kg |
Quick Stats:
This cane uses a pivoting base to recreate the flexibility and adaptability of the human ankle. As such, it’s extremely stable even on terrain that isn’t completely flat. It’ll go anywhere you need it to go, keeping you upright and safe, and fold up tight enough to fit in your purse when you aren’t using it.
There are many canes that fold; this feature alone isn’t enough to make a cane the “best folding cane”. Rather, the superior stability and ultralight design of the Big Alex Folding Cane are what put it over the edge. It weighs just 1.3 pounds, barely more than a 16-ounce bottle of water. It’s light, easy to store, and it outperforms most canes in terms of balance and ease of use. What’s not to love about that?
Best Wooden Walking Cane for Women: Asterom Designer Wooden Cane
Asterom Designer Wooden Cane | |
|---|---|
Length | 6" |
Width | - |
Height | 36" |
Weight | 1.1 lbs |
Quick Stats:
Wooden canes are a bit harder to find, but they have an undeniably stylish appearance. This cane is delivered in a 36-inch size. That may be too tall for many senior women, but wooden canes are intended to be cut to size by the user rather than adjusted. If you don’t have access to a saw (or a friend with one), you may want to steer clear of this cane.
If you don’t mind a bit of measuring and cutting, this stylish cane might be ideal for you. It’s classic, chic, and perfect for people who have simple needs. Getting this or a similar all-wood cane is a great way to become the envy of your cane-using friends, too!
Best Quad Cane for Women: Nova Sugarcane Printed Walking Cane
NOVA SugarcanePrinted Walking Cane | |
|---|---|
Depth | 3.75" |
Width | 5" |
Height | 36" |
Weight | 1.15 lbs |
Quick Stats:
Available in 13 different designs, this colorful and simple quad cane is sure to satisfy your desire to find a cane that fits your style just as well as it does your body. After all, a cane is just as much an accessory as it is a medical product!
Beyond style, this cane still has a lot to offer, though. It’s very sturdy (it has a 300-pound weight capacity) and it uses a 4-inch quad base to provide great stability without getting in the way. You can walk with it all day without getting too tired or constantly bumping it with your foot. If you’re looking for a cane that looks just as good as it works, the Nova Sugarcane is the way to go, hands down!
Best Adjustable Cane for Women: Walk Buddy Adjustable Cane
Walk Buddy Adjustable Cane | |
|---|---|
Depth | - |
Width | - |
Height | 38" |
Weight | 0.56 kg |
Quick Stats:
The WalkBuddy has lots of built-in tech that make it more convenient than you’d believe at first. It has an LED flashlight, USB charging port, and an SOS button, all built into the handle! The SOS button, when pressed, will emit a very loud sound, alerting anyone nearby if you slip or fall.
The cane itself adjusts from 33.5 to 38.5 inches, perfect for any user between 4’10” and 6’3’. This cane over-delivers in terms of quality, functionality, and versatility. If you want a cane that’ll adjust to your height, help you avoid falls, and go anywhere you want to go- the Walk Buddy is here to live up to its name!
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Cane for Your Needs
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 online 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:
Final Thoughts
And, there we have it! There are many different things to consider when buying a cane, but the most important is that it fits your body and needs. Did you find the cane you needed from our guide? Do you have any questions about buying a cane for your needs? Leave your thoughts below!
