Benefits of a Folding Walking Stick

Folding walking stick design and construction has greatly improved over recent years, offering the strength and durability for everyday heavy use, with a high degree of practicality. Whilst once one of the most popular choices for a second stick or a backup mobility aid, they are increasingly being chosen as the main means of support, and are especially popular with young adults due to the extensive fashionable styles on the market. Folding walking sticks give the maximum chance of expression of one's individuality, with an extensive choice of patterns, colours and designs catering to all tastes and all age groups.

Naturally, the main benefit of a folding walking stick is its convenience. The design allows the stick to be collapsed into 3, 4 or even 5 pieces to make transport and storage easy, with a super lightweight design easy to fit in a bag and carry around all day. For the greatest versatility the folding variety is the most convenient and easy to use. All of the pieces are connected by a central cord, with the double cord models offering the longest lifespan. A simple and easy to use locking system ensures that the canes to not fold or collapse when in use, yet are quick and easy to disassemble as required, without requiring much wrist strength. Screw fittings offer greater strength and usually a more robust style, with designs in wood for traditionalists, although they tend to be heavier, and some may have difficult in unscrewing the sections. Whilst telescopic poles are probably the most convenient, care should be taken as they are often the weakest, with the telescopic system prone to slipping and the design rarely being able to take the full body weight.

Folding walking canes offer a full range of handle designs for maximum comfort. The most popular walking stick handle designs are the Fritz and Derby, however left and right handed ergonomic handles are becoming a popular choice for the comfort they offer. They ensure that the bones and muscles in the wrists and hands are perfectly aligned, to reduce the strain and to help prevent twists and sprains.

Whilst the strength has improved with new advances in material technology, a folding walking stick has a maximum safe weight limit, which is typically around 250 lbs. This is considerably less than a fixed length wooden cane although for many it is sufficient for light to moderate support. The stick needs to cope with forces far greater than the body weight, so if you are above average weight, or need full support, it is important to choose a stronger stick, offering support up to 300 lbs or even as high as 600 lbs.

The convenience and practicality of a folding walking sticks makes them an ideal mobility aid and a great back up stick -however the designs, styles, bright colours and lightweight construction make them ideal for everyday use too. If you have not considered buying a folding walking canes before, it may be time to take a closer look at what they can offer.