Offering a new lease of life to one’s regular struggles of mobility,walking sticks happen to be an imperative for many people. They have been around for several centuries and continue to offer support to the elderly and those with medical conditions. But there are certain things that you need to consider at the time of purchasing a walking stick that you intend to use.
The first and foremost thing that you need to think about is for what reason you want the stick and the time period for which you are going to use it. Do you need the stick for a temporary period or on a long term basis?
A temporary requirement may arise in a post-surgery period when you are slowly progressing to recovery. Again a long-term need may be because of an injury or some disease that will not get better with time.
You have to keep this in mind before you buy the stick. But apart from that, there are also some other factors that you need to consider. Just read on to know.
- Required Height – The correct height is undoubtedly one of the most vital things to consider at the time of purchasing a walking stick. The correct way to do that is to stand up straight with your arms on your side and then measure the distance from the ground to the wrist. It is vital to find out more about the measurements of a walking stick on a website before you purchase. This is because sometimes the measurements stipulated are of the total height of the stick along with the handle and sometimes it is the height of the stick till underneath the handle. This is capable of making a difference of almost an inch. Some of the sticks are adjustable and some of them are just one piece. So make up your mind before you buy one.
- Material – Wood or Metal – One of the foremost things that you need to think about is the material of the stick that you will use. The primary advantage of the metal walking sticks is that they are sturdy, light and cheap. You can also fold some of them and extend them when mobile. You can fold it up and put that back in your coat pocket or bag. The wooden walking sticks are traditional, attractive and are able to carry a lot of weight. They have greater longevity in that they do not get weaker when they corrode.
- Balance – Those who have very poor balance can go for a stick with a tripod balance. Under such circumstances you should rather consider an adjustable model that would mean a metal rather than a wooden stick. Walking sticks are not just walking aids but balance aids for those with problems in their legs or backs that call for extra support. This also means the lightweight foldable sticks may not be suitable for you. You may require something heavier and wood should be the first choice in that case.
The above are some of the primary considerations to make at the time of purchasing quality walking sticks like Vissco walking stick that will serve your purpose and also last long without any trouble.
