M+D Air Crutch Review 2025: Airgonomic Comfort Tested

After four weeks of daily use, my M+D Air Crutch review lands at a 4.6 out of 5, mostly on comfort. The Airgonomic underarm cushions spread pressure so your armpits do not feel chewed up after an hour. The gel hand grips calm down wrist hot spots, and the Flexgrip air tips take a little sting out of every step. It is still a basic underarm crutch at heart, but it feels a lot less like punishment than the hospital set I started with. If you have been Googling “M+D by Drive Air Crutches” or “MD crutches review” and wondering if this is different from the old M+D forearm design, this is the underarm version with the air cushions and tips. This is the underarm M+D Air Crutch model made by Drive DeVilbiss in partnership with Mobility Designed.

• How I tested: 4 weeks after ankle surgery, mostly non-weight bearing.
• Daily indoor use plus grocery runs and bus rides.
• Surfaces: hardwood, tile, carpet, and slightly wet sidewalks.

This score is from my single hands on test, not an average of many users.

First impressions, air cushions versus standard foam pads

I went straight from generic hospital crutches to the M+D Air Crutch on the same day. The difference was not subtle. With the hospital set, it felt like a narrow bar digging into one angry line of tissue. With the Airgonomic cushions, the pressure spread out a bit, more like leaning on a firm pool float than a two by four. After the first hour, my armpits were still talking to me, but they were not shouting.

By day three, I noticed that I did not dread standing in the kitchen as much. On my old crutches, I would tap out around the time the pasta water boiled. By the end of week two on the M+D Air Crutches, I could cook a simple dinner, clean up, and still have some patience left for a shower. My wrists still tired out, just later in the day.

Drive DeVilbiss worked with Mobility Designed on this Airgonomic setup in late 2025. Important detail, this is not the old forearm M+D crutch that you may have seen on social media. It is a familiar underarm frame with three comfort upgrades on top, the air cushions, the gel grips, and the air filled tips. That also means the learning curve is mild if you already know how to use standard underarm crutches.

Specs, fit range, and what comes in the box

What is in the box

My pair arrived already assembled with the Airgonomic cushions, gel grips, and Flexgrip tips in place. Inside the box there was a quick start card that shows the height marks and grip positions, plus a small hex wrench. In practice, most of the adjustment happens with push button pins and printed height numbers, so the setup is simple if you have seen crutches before.

Key specifications that actually matter

Price point

$79.99 per pair is where I usually see these in 2025. That puts them above the bargain hospital set and below the triple-digit ergonomic crowd. If your recovery is only a week or two, that price may feel steep. If you are looking at a six to eight week non weight bearing stretch, the extra cost starts to feel more like self defense. Ask if your clinic or DME supplier will bill insurance; many people end up paying cash or HSA/FSA.

Target audience

This design makes the most sense for people who will be on underarm crutches longer than a quick sprain. If your surgeon keeps saying “a few more weeks,” you fall inside the height and weight range, and you are already annoyed at the bruises from basic pads, you are in the sweet spot. For very long term needs, I would still talk with your clinician about forearm crutches instead, since underarm crutches in general can irritate nerves if you lean into them too much on the wrong spot. Want a forearm option? Check the tested forearm picks guide.

Design and comfort, cushions, grips, and tips

Airgonomic underarm cushions

The air bladders inside each pad compress and spring back as you move. The first time I leaned into them, it felt a bit like a half inflated bike tire under a firm cover, not squishy, just slightly forgiving. On standard foam pads, I would hit real soreness around the forty five minute mark. With these, it usually took closer to two hours before I started shifting around and thinking about sitting down.

Gel hand grips

The gel grips have a light tack to them, enough to keep your hand from sliding when your palms get a little sweaty, but not so sticky that they feel like rubber glue. The angled position lets my wrist sit closer to neutral instead of being cocked back. On a longer grocery run, my palms stayed comfortable until checkout instead of complaining halfway through the produce section.

Flexgrip air tips

The air tips are the subtle part. When you plant the crutch, there is a small give that takes some of the snap out of impact. On hardwood, tile, carpet, and slightly damp sidewalks, grip felt solid. The catch is that on very polished floors, the tips can squeak. In a quiet hallway or clinic, you will definitely hear it and other people probably will too.

Durability notes

Over four weeks, the shafts stayed tight and there was no rattle in the height adjustment. The cushions did not flatten out or collapse. The tips still had clear tread. I would expect the air bladders and tips to be the first things to need attention, and Drive does sell replacements. If you are hard on gear or use these outdoors a lot, planning for new tips every few months is probably realistic.

Performance in daily recovery

Quantitative observations

• Underarm comfort threshold: Soreness crept in around two to two and a half hours for me, versus forty five to sixty minutes on standard pads.
• Wrist fatigue: With the gel grips, my wrists stayed fairly happy close to the two hour mark. On straight foam grips I usually tap out around an hour.
• Noise: Quiet on carpet and outdoor surfaces. On polished indoor floors the Flexgrip tips can squeak with each plant, which may bother you in very quiet spaces.

Underarm vs forearm, when the M+D Air Crutch makes sense

Underarm crutches like the M+D Air Crutch are usually meant for short to medium recoveries, for example six to eight weeks after ankle or foot surgery. They are easy to find, most clinics know how to fit them, and almost everyone has seen them before. The downside is that if you lean too much into the pads or use them for a very long time, they can irritate nerves and leave your upper body feeling wrecked.

Forearm crutches sit in a different category. They put the weight through your hands and forearms instead of your armpits, which can be kinder to your shoulders and nerves if you need support for months. They do take more practice and feel less familiar to many users.

The M+D Air Crutch fits best if your clinician is fine with underarm crutches, you expect weeks rather than years on them, and your main complaint is “these hospital pads hurt.” If you already know your recovery will be long term or your balance needs are more complex, it is worth asking about forearm crutches instead.

Safety notes and limitations

Comfort upgrades do not turn underarm crutches into a cure all. Steep stairs, icy sidewalks, and crowded spaces can still be risky. I treated anything wet, shiny, or uneven with extra respect and always used railings when I had them. If a surface feels questionable under your good foot, assume your crutch tip will not love it either.

Also, underarm crutches in general are not meant to carry your entire body weight through the armpits. If you catch yourself hanging from the pads, pause and reset. Over time, that habit can irritate nerves and leave your hands more numb than they should be. If you are unsure about your technique, a quick session with a physical therapist is worth it.

Setup, fit, and day to day use

Setup and fit tips

• Stand upright with the crutches about six inches to the side and slightly in front of your feet. Set the pads roughly one and a half to two inches below the armpit. If the pad is jammed into your armpit, it is too high.
• Use the printed height marks so both crutches match. When you hear the pin click, pull gently to confirm it is seated in the hole, not resting on the edge.
• Adjust the hand grips so your elbow bends about fifteen to thirty degrees when the tip sits roughly six inches in front of your toes. If your elbows are locked straight, lower the grips. If they feel cramped, raise them one hole.

Common fit issues and quick fixes

• Rib or armpit pain: Pads are probably too high or you are hanging your full weight on them. Drop the underarm height one hole, keep a small gap under the armpit, and let your hands carry more load.
• Burning palms: Grips may be too low, straightening your elbows. Raise the grips a notch so your elbows keep a gentle bend.
• Crutches feel wobbly: Make sure both height pins are fully snapped into a hole, not resting on the edge. Tug each leg before you walk.
• Sliding on wet floors: Flexgrip tips help, but they are not magic. Slow down on wet tile, dry tips after rain, and replace them when tread looks smooth.

Learning curve

If you have already been on underarm crutches, these feel familiar, just softer on contact. The weight increase is noticeable if you pick them up in one hand, but once you are moving, it fades into the background. If you are brand new to crutches, plan a day or two of awkward practice while you learn the rhythm and sorting out your height and grip settings.

How it compares to other options

M+D Air Crutch versus standard hospital crutches

Standard aluminum underarm crutches live in the roughly $20-$40 range and weigh around two pounds each. They are fine for very short recoveries and for loaner closets. Most people I talk to start to hate them once they are on them full time. The M+D Air Crutch asks you to spend more and carry a little extra weight, but it gives you noticeable relief at the underarm and at the grip. If you are staring at several weeks on crutches, that trade usually feels reasonable. If you are new to sizing or deciding between styles, see the crutch buying basics guide for a quick refresher.

M+D Air Crutch versus premium ergonomic underarm crutches

There are more feature heavy ergonomic crutches that cost between one hundred and one hundred fifty dollars a pair. Some add built in lights, folding features, or more elaborate shock absorption. The M+D Air Crutch sits below that price tier and keeps the extra features focused on cushions, grips, and tips. If you are excited by lots of bells and whistles, this set may feel a bit plain. If you mainly want your recovery to hurt less, the Airgonomic system is the main draw.

Pros and cons after four weeks

Care and maintenance

Most of the care routine is simple, but it makes a difference if you are on crutches for a while. I wiped the pads, grips, and shafts with a damp cloth and mild soap when they started to feel sticky or dusty, then let everything dry fully before using them again.

• Cushions and grips: Spot clean with mild soap and water. Avoid harsh cleaners that can dry out the material.
• Flexgrip tips: Check the tread once a week. When it looks smooth or your traction feels worse on tile, plan on replacing them.
• Height pins: Every so often, press the pins in and out a few times and check for any sticking or rust. If they do not move freely, address that before you trust them on stairs.

Small checks like these tend to catch problems early, before they show up as a slip or a scary wobble in a parking lot.

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

Best for

• You already feel bruised, numb, or rubbed raw on basic underarm pads and need real pressure relief.
• Your recovery is measured in weeks or months, not days.
• Your wrists complain on standard straight grips, and you want a bit of help from angled gel handles.
• You fit within the stated height and weight range, and you plan to use underarm crutches only for the short to medium term.

Skip if

• You need maximum stability, for example a walker or forearm crutch recommended by your clinician.
• You fall outside the listed height or weight range and need a heavy duty or pediatric setup.
• You only need crutches for a few days and simply want the cheapest workable option.
• You care more about keeping the weight of the crutch as low as possible than about extra cushioning.

Where to buy the M+D Air Crutch

• Drive Medical direct: Buying from Drive DeVilbiss or Drive at Home gives you the cleanest path to warranty support and replacement parts.
• Medical retailers: Stores like Allegro Medical, Vitality Medical, and Healthline Trading often stock this model, and they sometimes run bundle promotions.
• Amazon and other marketplaces: Easy to order and often fast shipping, but double check that the seller is authorized so your warranty is not a question mark.

As of November 2025, typical pricing sits around $79.99 per pair, with replacement tips and cushions sold separately.

What other users report

• Most praise the underarm cushions for killing the “bruise line” they got from hospital crutches.
• Common gripe: the Flexgrip tips squeak on polished floors and wear faster than solid rubber.
• Some note the extra weight compared to basic aluminum, especially on stairs, but keep using them for the comfort tradeoff.

Verdict, a softer landing for short term recovery

For me, the M+D Air Crutch turned crutch days from “I hate this” to “this is annoying but manageable.” The Airgonomic cushions, gel grips, and Flexgrip tips really do reduce underarm and wrist pain compared to the standard set my clinic sent home. You spend more than you would on basic crutches and you carry a little more weight around, but if you are looking at several weeks of non weight bearing life, that trade is likely worth it.