# How high should my cane be?

Category: Let's talk

## Post 1 by Spanish Cloud (Veteran Zoner) on Monday, 23-May-2005 23:14:58

Hi people. I hope all of you are doing well. I'm planning on buying a new cane since my old one is so worn but there is a problem. I don't know what should be the appropriate height of it. I'm buying the cane through the internet so there's no way I could try one and see if it's suitable for me, so I have to be very careful to buy one that fits me. I stand five feet three inches tall (yes I'm a damn shortie man and I'm not proud of it at all! hahaha( so I wonder how many inches my cane should be, based on my height. So if someone as tall as me tells me how high his/her cane is, or how high my cane should be, I would really appreciate it. Bye for now, Joaquín

## Post 2 by krisme (Ancient Zoner) on Tuesday, 24-May-2005 8:31:48

Well it depends on how tall you are. I think most people prefer canes to come up to about the hieght of their nose, or maybe a little lower than that.

## Post 3 by Daydreamer27 (Newborn Zoner) on Tuesday, 24-May-2005 8:45:52

Hi, I am five foot three too, and my cane is 127 inches long. It comes up to the top of my chest. Hope this helps.

## Post 4 by Goblin (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 24-May-2005 11:11:20

how high was your last one or have you grown since then ..Dont take this personally its not meant to be, but you could take a rough measurement from your old cane,and judge it from there..and I'd be wary of purchasing something so vital from the internet..if the cane is inadequate you may not have the same come back

## Post 5 by Resonant (Find me alive.) on Wednesday, 25-May-2005 1:50:58

I was always told they should come up to the armpit, or else the top of the breastbone, so you could measure that on yourself.

## Post 6 by Twinklestar09 (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Wednesday, 25-May-2005 13:53:17

I've heard 2 different ideas: In the rehab center I went to, we had to use these long nonfolding canes that were almost as tall as ourselves. But my mobility instructor here in my hometown says they should be up to your chest. I'm used to using the ones according to my mobility instructor's opinion, but I hear that the reason the rehab places make you use the long ones is for people who walk faster. But the fact that that cane doesn't fold is really annoying and there fore I rarely use it.
Leilani

## Post 7 by Big Pawed Bear (letting his paws be his guide.) on Wednesday, 25-May-2005 15:44:01

the general rule is that a cane, when the tip is on the ground between the users feet, should extend to the middle, or just above the breastbone to be safe. The clearance that gives is roughly two paces in front of the user. Any shorter than that and the cane becomes dangeroous, as the arc of protection is lessened the shorter the cane gets. hth

## Post 8 by the sexy gentleman (Generic Zoner) on Friday, 24-Jun-2005 9:07:59

hello there, this is really based on preference. I used to use the canes which came up to my breast bone, but once I converted to a cane which reaches the tip of my nose, I have enjoyed those canes more. Yes, they may not fold, but they give you added protection, and allow you to have more reaction time.

## Post 9 by Spanish Cloud (Veteran Zoner) on Friday, 24-Jun-2005 11:07:57

Thanks guys for your answers. I finally bought a cane. It's a fifty-two inches cane and it comes to the top of my chest. Thanks to all for replying and for helping me take the right decision. Joaquín

## Post 10 by Dave_H (the boringest guy you'll ever know) on Friday, 24-Jun-2005 23:09:47

Glad you like the new cane; happy wielding...lol...

## Post 11 by Wraith (Prince of Chaos) on Saturday, 25-Jun-2005 8:17:48

Daydreamer27: You're 5' 3:, and you're using a 127 inch cane? *laughing* That'd make the cane approximately 10 and a half feet long! I'm sure the NFB would like your using a long cane, but, er, I think even they would shrink away from that, grins. I'm not even sure they make canes that are 10 feet... probably have to use a fishing pole, lol.

## Post 12 by yankee g wolverine (Account disabled) on Friday, 22-Jul-2005 2:22:23

maybe you meant 27 but that wouldn't make sense either

## Post 13 by The Shuck Fitter (My name is Liam) on Friday, 22-Jul-2005 2:44:46

if it pokes you in the face when you whip it out, then I think it's a little too tall.

## Post 14 by Manwe (The Dark Lord) on Tuesday, 02-Aug-2005 7:32:40

well there's no hard and fast rule. If you are a fast walker then the longer the better, well that's my experience.

## Post 15 by Harp (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Tuesday, 02-Aug-2005 7:59:21

i've got a really long one! my cane is a fare size too!

## Post 16 by kgs4674forever (Zone BBS is my Life) on Tuesday, 02-Aug-2005 19:05:12

my cane is about 52 inches, since I'm 5-6.