Forearm Crutch Reviews
This blog post is a transcript of the YouTube video. If you’d like to watch the video instead, click here or go to: https://youtu.be/oIBuoSbbvMk
Hey everybody! Today I'm going to be reviewing a few of the forearm crutches I have used over the past seven years. This video is for people who are either looking to buy forearm crutches for the very first time and aren't quite sure where to start, or for people who are looking to upgrade their forearm crutches and want to get more information on these brands. So, I will be reviewing Millennial Medical's In Motion Pro forearm crutches, cheap generic drugstore crutches, SideStix, and Cool Crutches.
If you are brand new to forearm crutches, I will briefly go over the different parts and features that crutches can have, but if you already know all of this, feel free to skip to the next chapter.
Crutch Parts and Features
Starting with cuffs, this is the part that goes around your forearm and it can either be an open or closed cuff, where the closed cuff has that extra piece that goes all the way around the forearm. Open versus closed cuff style is really just a matter of preference. Open cuffs are great for people who want the freedom to be able to quickly take their arms out of the crutches, whereas the closed cuff helps the crutch to stay in place so you can move your arms around freely without having to worry about the crutches falling down or having to hold onto them, for example if you're opening a door or shaking someone's hand.
Next, the "grips" or "handles" are where your hands go. Some crutches will have ergonomic handles to reduce the pressure on your wrists and make it more comfortable to put all of your weight into your hands.
Some crutches will have shocks, which are that piece that have a little give to reduce the impact as you're transferring your weight. It makes walking a little smoother and quite a bit more comfortable, especially if you're using crutches for weight bearing.
Most crutches will have adjustable heights, which serves two purposes. One, so that a person who is 5'2’’ can use the same crutches as someone who is 6'2’’, but also because you may need to adjust the height of your crutches based on the type of shoes you’re wearing, for example flats versus high heels or even casual sneakers versus hiking boots. Also, some folks may be interested in adjusting the height based on the activity you are doing, for example hiking uphill or downhill, it might help to have the crutches a little taller or shorter.
The other piece that is often adjustable is the part between the handle and the cuff; it's to adjust for the length of your forearm. You generally want the top of the cuff to be about two inches below your elbow, so make sure to adjust that part too.
And finally, the bottom piece of the crutch is called the foot, tip, or shoe. This piece is often replaceable since that's the part that's likely going to get destroyed the most from walking, but they also make different kinds of feet for different terrain, like if you're on rocky or icy terrain, it might help to change out the foot for something with better grip and slip resistance.
Millennial Medical's In Motion Pro
Okay, now let's get to the reviews. If you only listen to one review today, let it be this first one. Millennial Medical’s In Motion Pro forearm crutches have some really great features for a great price, and in my opinion, are the biggest bang for your buck. They cost $130 for the pair and come with a closed cuff, ergonomic grips, and shocks (or "spring assist" as they call it).
One thing I really appreciate about the In Motion Pro’s, is that you can buy replacement parts for the cuff, cuff clip, lower post, and shoe, so if one piece gets damaged, you can just replace that one piece instead of having to buy a whole new pair of crutches.
They also have two different cuff sizes. The cuffs that my crutches came with were too big for me, so I ordered the smaller cuffs and used those most of the time, but I also kept the larger cuffs to use during the winter with my big Carhartt jacket.
It's also really easy to adjust the height on these crutches. You just pinch these silver pieces and move the crutch up or down. This is nice because you're able to adjust it on the go much more easily and without having to keep track of a tool or worrying about losing any pieces, as with some of the other crutches on this list. (Also worth noting: In Motion Pro’s have two different size options available: tall [4’10” to 6’3”] or short [3’6” to 4’9”]).
The other thing I love is that they break down to a smaller size very easily. You just pinch, then pull out the bottom, and now they're easier to store or transport. I do this sometimes in the side-by-side, but it's also been handy for the truck and camper. I also imagine this would be really useful for putting them in the overhead bin of a plane, so you don't have to let someone else touch your crutches. Do not trust anyone at the airport with your mobility aids- just ask any wheelchair user who travels!
One of the downsides about the In Motion Pro’s is that the shocks or "spring assist" is located at the bottom of the crutch, which makes them vulnerable to dirt and rocks and other junk. The very first time I used these crutches, a small rock got lodged in one of the shocks, and it has not worked ever since. But I never had issues with the other crutch and this part is replaceable- which either wasn't available back when I was using these or I just didn't know it was an option- so it's not a huge deal, just something to be aware of if you're planning on going hiking or doing other outdoor activities with them.
The other downside is that they are quite loud. They make that classic clicking noise that a lot of crutches make and there's just nothing you can do about it. But overall, I loved these crutches. I used them for 5 years. They were my first pair of crutches that I used long term, so they will always have a special place in my heart.
I definitely recommend checking these out, but I also think this is a good price point in general. There are probably very similar crutches at this price point by other brands that would be worth looking into as well, just double check that they have the same features like shocks, ergonomic handles, and replaceable parts. But this is where I would start if you're looking to buy crutches for the first time or for your next affordable day-to-day crutches.
Buy them here: https://millennialmedical.com/product/in-motion-pro-forearm-crutch/
Generic Drugstore Crutches
While the In Motion Pro’s were the first crutches I used long term, they were technically not my first crutches ever. Back in 2016, I had been using a cane for about seven or eight months when I started to wonder if I needed more support. So, I decided to try forearm crutches, but I didn't want to spend a ton of money and I had no idea what I was looking for, so I ended up buying just a basic, cheap pair of drugstore crutches. I don't even remember the brand name, but they cost about $50. They had open cuffs, no shocks, no ergonomic handles. They were made of cheap plastic, with that lovely beige color of medical devices. Honestly, I think the only positive thing I could say about them is that they were the cheapest option available.
These crutches were so bad that I couldn't even walk in them. Part of the problem was that I didn't know how to walk with forearm crutches in general. At the time, I thought there was only one way to walk with forearm crutches- where you lean way forward and use them one at a time. I remember trying to practice walking with them in my living room and I just could not figure it out. Of course, now I know there's not just one way to use forearm crutches; you use them however you need to in order to help with your particular needs.
The covers I sewed for my first crutches
But the other problem was that they were just truly terrible crutches. Very hard on my body and difficult to walk in. Also, open cuffs? Not my thing. I'm sure there are people out there who love open cuffs, but I am not one of those people. I did try to make them work by sewing covers to pad the handles and cuffs, to make them fit better and feel a little more comfortable, and It still did not work. The only time I actually used them for real was on a field dig in Canada for grad school, and it was a total disaster. I'm horrified thinking about all those people that witnessed that awkwardness…
It's because of these crutches that I spent an entire year thinking that crutches were not for me. So if your goal in purchasing crutches is similar to mine- to see if crutches can help you- these are probably not the right way to go. Unless you think open cuffs will be a good fit for you and you're not using the crutches for weight bearing, then maybe these would be okay to start with. But otherwise, I'd recommend avoiding these if it's at all possible. Go for the next price point up. If you can afford a $100 option or the In Motion Pro’s, then that's what I do. "Buy nice or buy twice" is the lesson that I learned.
SideStix
Okay, now let's go from the cheapest crutches on this list to the most expensive. These are the Rolls-Royce of forearm crutches, and the only crutches that are made specifically for hiking. Of course, I'm talking about SideStix. This is their Boundless model. They are custom made to your measurements with really high quality materials. They are very lightweight and very quiet- with absolutely no clicking noise! You can choose from three different cuff styles: open, closed, or this side closed cuff, which is the one that I chose to allow for even greater movement of my arms. They have ergonomic handles and an extra pad behind the forearm for comfort, and the shocks are located at the top of the crutch instead of the bottom. Also, the height is very adjustable- instead of having large one inch increments, you can adjust it anywhere you want within this two inch range.
The downsides of SideStix are: the price. When I bought these crutches last year, they cost about $700, but prices have gone up even higher since then. At the time of this video, this model is now $900.
The other con for me is that you only get a two inch range in height. So what they do is take your height measurement, and you get one inch above that number and one inch below that number, so that you can make adjustments based on the shoes you're wearing. For most people, the two inch range is all they'll need. Like for me, my hiking boots do have much thicker soles than my everyday shoes, but not by a lot, so two inches is sufficient. However, for anybody who likes going from flats to three inch heels, you might be a bit more limited there.
But the main concern I had regarding the height range, was that the way I used my crutches just so happened to change right around the time I bought my SideStix. Previously, I had leaned down into my crutches more, back when my right leg dragged a little bit, but now I tend to stand up straighter and lean to the side, so the height I was using on my crutches actually changed by an inch. So it made me very nervous that I was going to get these crutches and they weren't going to be the right height for me. And at this price, it's not like I can just buy another pair if my height needs change again, so I do wish there was a little more wiggle room to allow for people's needs changing over time. Maybe three inches, no more than four would be sufficient I think, but I feel like two is cutting it pretty close. So if you're going to buy SideStix, make sure you get that measurement right before you place your order, because there's very little room for error in that aspect. (Check out this helpful video on how to measure for your SideStix: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WdUiEWgun0g).
A few other small downsides of SideStix: you do need a tool to adjust the height so you'll need to keep track of it and bring it with you, you can’t break them down to a smaller size for easier traveling, and I also wish the grip was slightly larger. I'm pretty sure they’re custom fit for my small hands, but I feel like they're a little too small and I'd prefer them to be a little bit thicker.
Overall though, these are my favorite crutches. You would hope so for the price, so thank goodness for that. I actually waited five years to buy these. For a long time, I thought my mobility issues were temporary, so I didn't see the point in spending $700 on crutches if I was just going to get better in six months or a year, so I stuck with my In Motion Pro’s. But year after year went by and my legs started getting worse, so finally last year, I decided my legs were worth the investment, and I'm really glad I did. Honestly, I continue to be amazed by how nice they are. How lightweight, how comfortable, and how quiet they are. As much as I loved my In Motion Pro’s, you can absolutely tell the difference between $130 crutches and $700 crutches- or now $900 crutches.
They do have a slightly less expensive model called Discovery that might be worth looking into. They used to be $500, but I think those ones are now closer to $700. The Discovery ones do not have shocks, so if you don't use crutches for weight bearing or you aren't planning to walk long distances, then those might be good enough. But the Boundless model is the one to get for weight bearing and long distances, especially for hiking and outdoor activities- but I also think they're wonderful for everyday use too!
So if you've been considering SideStix and you’re wondering if they're worth the money, they were for me, considering I'm going to be using these long term and how much better they are for both outdoor and indoor activities. Hopefully this information can help you decide if they'll be worth the money for you, too.
Buy them here: https://www.sidestix.com/product/boundless/
Cool Crutches
If SideStix are my hiking boots, then this next pair of crutches is my high heels. Cool Crutches are by far the prettiest, best-looking crutches on this list. They come in a ton of different colors and designs, or you can upload your own design for a personalized pair of crutches. They cost about $200 for one of their designs, or $270 for the personalized designs. You can also choose to order a single crutch instead of having to order the pair. They come with a (detachable) closed cuff, a machine washable grip cover, and an adjustable height from 5' to 6'2”. You just pop this piece off, push the crutch up or down to the next setting, and then pop this piece back in.
The biggest downside of Cool Crutches for me is that they do not have shocks. Shocks make a really big difference when you're using crutches for weight bearing, so that was a big disappointment for me. Another con is that this material feels like a very hard cheap plastic that is pretty uncomfortable, and honestly, at this price point, I expected a little bit higher quality.
Some other minor issues I've noticed: I've had some problems with this extra piece inside the cuff (the open cuff part), because if I'm wearing a jacket and moving my arms a lot, for example if I’m opening a door and then trying to put my hand back on the grip to go back to walking, my jacket gets pinched between these two pieces and then I have to fuss with it and fix it before I can get back to walking. Also, the method of adjusting the height is a little difficult. Anybody that struggles with their hands and fingers might need assistance, and I do worry about losing this piece (the clip). And lastly, while they advertise the crutches as not making the clicking noise, in my experience they do still make a type of clicking sound, especially when I'm putting more of my weight into them and on hard flooring in particular. They’re definitely not as loud as the In Motion Pro’s, but they're also not silent like the SideStix.
Having said all of that, I love these crutches, and this company is run by some great people. It's owned and operated by a disabled woman and her mother (To read their story, visit: https://www.coolcrutches.com/pages/about-us) and I absolutely love what they’re doing. It’s so wonderful that people get to choose a mobility aid that is fun and colorful and reflects their personality, and they have so many design options to choose from. I was so excited to order a pair for Christmas a few months ago. I decided to do a personalized design featuring the disability pride flag, created by Ann Magill, and I am so in love with them. I can't stop staring at them- they're just so pretty!
I was disappointed the first few times I used them, because they're not nearly as comfortable to walk in as the In Motion Pro’s due to the lack of shocks and this hard plastic. If you aren't using them for weight bearing or you're only going short distances or you only use one crutch, they'll probably work just fine for you, but just know that for weight bearing or long distances, it's probably going to be uncomfortable. Kind of like high heels, as my husband pointed out. "You don't wear them because they're comfortable, you wear them because they're pretty."
What's funny though is that this actually ended up working in my favor, because I've been having a hard time convincing myself to use crutches for short distances. I am physically capable of walking unassisted for a short distance, but that doesn't mean that I should. Even 50 feet can lead to a great deal of pain and a loss of function in the days following, so it's best for me to use crutches as much as possible. I've just been having a hard time actually doing that due to internalized ableism. But then these beautiful crutches came along, that I can't really use for long distances but I am so excited to show them off that I am looking for any excuse I can to use them, so now I use these for those shorter trips, and it's giving me the support that I've been needing. So I think it worked out pretty well.
Buy them here: https://www.coolcrutches.com/collections/all-crutches
Alright, those are my crutch reviews! In summary, I definitely recommend skipping over the cheapest model if you can, and going straight for the In Motion Pro’s or something similar in that price range. SideStix and Cool Crutches are fantastic, but they both still do have their setbacks.
I'm definitely curious to hear what your experiences are with the different brands. What crutches did you like and dislike? Let us all know in the comments!
Take good care of you, everyone. We’ll see you next time!
