The specially designed handles and straps were easy for our young tester’s small hands to hold onto and carry as she navigated her footing and simple for her to adjust, earning the set a 5 out of 5 for ease of use and comfort. We like that they come with a steel safety tip to use while exploring the surroundings. They even come with bonus trekking baskets for helping young ones walk on softer soil and snow. Walking Frames tend to be more basic compared to rollators and tri-walkers, but they are still very useful. Sometimes called Zimmer frames, our range includes models with wheels, while some are fitted with four anti-slip rubber ferrules instead to allow you to lift and place the frame as you walk.

Four-wheeled rollators are more common than three-wheeled versions but some people find the three-wheeled models easier to turn, albeit a little less stable. You can also get smaller walkers, designed for indoor use.You can use a wheelchair if you struggle to walk or you're disabled. You can go into and around many shops and buildings in a wheelchair. How to get a wheelchair

Frames with castors that swivel may be more manoeuvrable, but fixed wheels can help to make it easier to walk in a straight line. Larger wheels are more suitable for uneven/outdoor terrain. Some studies have suggested that four wheeled walkers are more stable than three wheeled. You may find this an easy mechanism to operate, but these frames are not as compact when folded as those with other folding mechanisms. A walker with only wheels is known as a rollator. They are generally more suited to getting around outside the home as the large air-filled tyres can cope better on uneven surfaces and are easier to manoeuvre than two-wheeled walkers. If you are using axilla crutches, do not lean on the underarm pad as this may interrupt the blood flow and put pressure on important nerves that run through the armpit. The handgrips should be positioned so that the elbows are slightly flexed. Consider the size of the frame base if it is going to be used in a domestic setting, as some may be too wide to go through small doorways. Frames with four legs that are spread widely apart will be the most stable but may be difficult to get through doorways. If the doorway is particularly narrow, the user may have to walk through sideways. Narrow four-legged frames are available, but are not as stable.Your gait - the manner in which you walk. How is your balance, your strength and ability to weight-bear? The aesthetically-pleasing EVA foam handles resemble cork but are comfortable and sweat-absorbing. The extended foam grip has extra contour and texture, which we found helpful for pulling ourselves up while climbing. The wrist straps are padded and adjust nicely to prevent chafing. They also stay secure, so you won’t accidentally drop a pole while hiking, though they also need occasional retightening. Wheeled frames are usually chosen over non-wheeled frames when balance, instead of reduced weight-bearing ability, is the main concern. They are also useful for people who find it difficult to use a traditional frame as they make a more continuous walking pattern possible, and do not need to be lifted clear off the ground to move forwards. The wheels on these frames do not pivot around a corner, so the frame needs to be lifted when turning. These are also called 'gutter frames' and have forearm troughs or gutters which allow you to bear weight through your forearms rather than your hands. Thus gutter frames may be considered if you have arthritis in your hands or have broken your hand or wrist. whether you'll be able to steer it (some have special levers to steer them if you have arthritis in your hands)

If the frame is too high, you may find it difficult to straighten your elbows sufficiently and may not take enough body weight through your arms moulded plastic or foam rubber handgrips. It is possible to get models with contoured handgrips, which enable the pressure exerted through the hands to be spread evenly over the palm Your condition and the way that it affects you, e.g. does your condition give you pain or do you get very tired? A folding frame can easily be stored within the home if it does not need to be used all the time. It also makes it easier to transport in a car boot. Folding frames with four legs have hinged sides, which can be folded flat against the front of the frame when catches are released.Hand grips are important considerations too. The grips on women’s poles are usually made for smaller hands than men’s poles. Grips are often made from molded foam, rubber, or natural cork, with cork being more durable and comfortable but more expensive. “A rubber handle can be colder to the touch compared to a cork handle in cold weather,” says Martin.“It’s a small thing, but I will never buy a rubber-handled trekking pole after owning a cork handle. It’s the little things I guess,” he says. Triangular frames are sometimes called 'Delta' or 'tri-wheeler frames'. They have a single front swivel castor and two uni-directional rear wheels. The larger wheels make them suitable for use outdoors. You may find them more manoeuvrable than four wheeled walkers, although not as stable. As they are so manoeuvrable, the use of the brakes when the person stops walking is important for safety. Like two wheeled rollators they may allow you to adopt a more flowing walking pattern than a non-wheeled walking frame. The height of the pushing handles can be adjusted. Equipment that is height adjustable can show signs of stress at the height setting after prolonged use. Handgrips can also become worn. Although certain handgrips can be replaced, they are less easy to obtain. It may be easier to replace the whole walking aid. With an impressive design, compatibility, and basket tip and drawstring sleeve included, these poles are a worthy investment for anyone needing a super strong, yet light, pair of poles that are versatile for various terrains.

Fixed height or adjustable height versions are available. Some are provided with a plastic, storage wallet. There are a variety of catch mechanisms available to allow the frame to fold. You are advised to make sure you can operate the catch easily before you buy. It is suggested that some users often find it difficult to fold frames with press-button releases or levers. These are the most common type of crutch and may be single or double adjustable. Both floor-to-handgrip height and the distance between the cuff and the handgrip are adjustable on double adjustable elbow crutches. Single adjustable elbow crutches allow floor-to-handgrip height adjustment only. Standard and anatomically moulded handgrips are available. We found the large ice and snow basket easy to adjust and the grip handle and padded straps comfortable, even when wearing gloves, scoring the poles a 4.5 out of 5 for comfort and a 5 out of 5 for ease of use.These frames should not be used for people who put significant weight through the frame, as the frame can unintentionally move forward with a pushing down/forward movement. They can also be hazardous to individuals with a Parkinsonian gait (characterised by small shuffling steps which accelerate) so consult with your healthcare professional. The poles proved pretty solid thanks to the aluminum construction and versatility on different types of terrain. Our test parent noted that she would happily pay the somewhat steep price tag for the stability and features that provided a safe, positive experience for her child. The majority of walking frames are made of aluminium. Some are made of steel which may be stronger for heavy duty use, but will weigh more. Some suppliers will offer a range of colours. Tri-Walkers are made from lightweight frames with three rolling wheels for easy manoeuvrability. This design means they are compact and easy to store, especially with a foldable frame. My experience is that trekking poles make you hike 'smarter' in that your brain is receiving information from places other than your two feet when it decides to inform you how to stay balanced,” says Walker, who got his start as a guide in Switzerland where everyone carried trekking poles, “even the young ones with presumably indestructible knees."