Choosing a Walker
Choosing the Right Walking Aid for You
Choosing the right walking aid for you or your loved one can be confusing because of the many varied mobility products to choose from. Below are some tips to make shopping for a walking aid easier.
Basic Walker (without wheels)
This is the most common type of walker, and it is available in heavy duty (bariatric) and junior styles. These are best used on indoor surfaces. Because there are no wheels, basic walkers provide the most stability for those who need a little extra help.
Wheeled Walkers
These are simply walkers with wheels. The wheels provide easier mobility and ease of movement outdoors. On our website, wheeled walkers are classified as those walkers with two wheels in the front of the walker. These wheels are often fixed, meaning they do not swivel side to side. Wheeled walkers are a good choice for those who want extra stability but want help traversing uneven terrain.
Rollators
Rollators are walkers with wheels on all four legs. Rollators offer the greatest range of movement and the most mobility with many models offering swivel wheels and hand brakes. Rollators with larger wheels offer the most mobility. Rollators are often equipped with seats and baskets making them the perfect choice for those who are on the go.
Canes
There are a variety of canes to choose from, with the difference being the handle type and whether the cane is a folding cane. Handle choice is dependent on the style and which would be most comfortable. Folding canes are worth considering for traveling and storage ease.
Which Mobility Aid is Best for You?
- In deciding whether to go with a basic or wheeled walker, consider whether the user will be able to handle having wheels. If so, the next decision is to make sure the user will be able to use the walker comfortably. Take into account the user’s height, weight, lifting capability if they need to lift or shift the walker away from uneven surfaces, and whether the walker should fold down for easy storage and travel.
- If selecting a wheeled walker, decide whether the user will be able to control the walker and brakes effectively.
- Most walking aids are adjustable to fit a user’s height, so finding the height range is more important than finding a walking aid that matches the user’s height exactly.
- See our comparison chart to quickly help decide which features are right for you.
