The simplest way to measure for a walking stick is to stand upright in your usual shoes, let your arms hang naturally at your sides, and measure the distance from the floor to the crease on the inside of your wrist. That measurement is your ideal stick length. When you grip a stick cut to this height, your elbow will sit at a comfortable slight bend, which is exactly what you want for efficient support.
The Floor-to-Wrist Method
This is the standard technique used by mobility specialists, and it takes about 30 seconds with a tape measure. Here’s how to do it accurately:
- Wear your regular shoes. The pair you’ll actually use when walking with the stick. Heel height changes the measurement, so sandals will give you a different number than trainers or boots.
- Stand up straight on a flat surface. Keep your shoulders level and relaxed, not pulled back or hunched forward.
- Let your arms hang naturally. Don’t reach down or hold them stiffly. Just let them rest at your sides.
- Find your wrist crease. This is the fold line on the inside of your wrist where your hand bends. It’s your measurement target.
- Measure from the floor to that crease. Having someone else hold the tape makes this easier and more accurate.
The reason the wrist crease works so well is that it naturally positions your elbow at a 15 to 30 degree bend when you grip the handle. That slight bend lets your arm absorb weight efficiently as you walk without forcing your shoulder up or making you lean forward.
Quick Reference by Height
If you can’t measure right now or you’re ordering a stick as a gift, these general ranges from Cane Masters can get you close:
- Under 4’8″: 41-inch stick
- Under 5’4″: 48-inch stick
- 5’4″ to 5’11”: 55-inch stick
- Over 5’11”: 58-inch stick
These are starting points, not substitutes for the wrist measurement. Two people of the same height can have different arm lengths, and shoe choice shifts everything by an inch or two. Always verify with the floor-to-wrist method when you can.
How to Check a Stick You Already Have
If you’ve already got a walking stick and want to know whether it’s the right size, there’s a simple elbow angle test. Stand on a flat surface in your usual shoes, grip the handle, and look at your elbow. You should see a slight, comfortable bend of roughly 15 to 30 degrees. If your arm is completely straight, the stick is too short. If your elbow is sharply bent or your shoulder is hiking up, the stick is too tall.
What Happens When the Length Is Wrong
A stick that’s even a little too long forces your shoulder upward and puts unnecessary strain on the muscles at the back of your arm. You end up working harder without actually transferring your weight onto the stick. A stick that’s too short is worse in a different way: it pulls you into a forward lean, which throws off your balance and puts extra stress on your lower back. Either way, a poorly sized stick increases how much energy you burn while walking and can leave you sore in the shoulders, back, or wrists after regular use.
Cutting a Wooden Stick to Size
Most wooden walking sticks come in a standard long length and need to be trimmed. This is straightforward, but keep one rule in mind: you can always shorten a stick, but you can never add length back. Many retailers will cut the stick to your measurement for free before shipping, which is worth taking advantage of if the option exists.
If you’re cutting it yourself, mark the length clearly, use a fine-toothed saw to avoid splintering, and sand the bottom smooth afterward. Fit a new rubber ferrule (the rubber cap on the tip) once you’re done. Before you make the cut, stand the stick next to you one more time and double-check against your wrist crease.
Adjustable Sticks
Aluminium and folding sticks typically have a push-button or twist-lock mechanism that lets you adjust the height in small increments. These are useful if multiple people share the stick, if you switch between shoes with different heel heights, or if you want to fine-tune the fit over time. Set the height to your wrist crease measurement, lock it in place, and do the elbow angle check before you walk.
Measuring for Hiking Poles
If you searched for walking stick sizing but you’re actually shopping for hiking poles, the measurement is different. Hiking poles are set so your elbow forms a 90-degree angle when you hold the grip with the tip on the ground. That’s a much sharper bend than a mobility walking stick, because hiking poles are designed for pushing off terrain rather than bearing body weight. Most hikers also adjust their poles longer for downhill sections and shorter for climbs.
Choosing a Handle Shape
Handle type doesn’t change how you measure for length, but it affects comfort enough to be worth considering while you’re sizing up. The three most common options:
- Derby handle: The most popular style. It has a curved, right-angle shape that distributes pressure across your palm and hooks over your arm when you need a free hand.
- Crook handle: The classic curved hook, often seen on traditional wooden sticks. It also hooks over the arm easily but concentrates pressure in a smaller area of your palm.
- Fischer (anatomical) handle: Molded to the shape of the hand, with separate versions for left and right. Originally designed for people with arthritis or joint pain, these spread the load across the entire palm and fingers. If you have hand stiffness or grip weakness, this style is worth trying.
Which Hand Should Hold the Stick
If you’re using a walking stick because of a leg injury or weakness, hold it in the hand opposite your bad leg. So if your left knee is the problem, the stick goes in your right hand. This feels counterintuitive, but it mirrors the natural swinging motion of your arms when you walk. Your opposite arm naturally swings forward as you step, so placing the stick on that side lets it absorb some of your body weight at exactly the right moment in your stride. Holding it on the same side as the injured leg actually disrupts your gait and gives you less stability.