What to Look for When Buying Crutches, A Real World Buyer's Guide for 2025

Your doctor says "get crutches" and suddenly you are standing in a medical supply store or scrolling through a website staring at a wall of sizes, styles, and mystery features. Underarm versus forearm. Adjustable height ranges. Ergonomic grips. Weight capacity limits. It feels like you need a decoder ring just to pick a pair.

I have been there. I have also learned the hard way that the wrong crutches can hurt your hands, wrists, and underarms or make you feel unsafe on stairs and slippery floors. This guide explains what to look for when buying crutches, including the differences between types, how fit works, which features actually matter, and when renting makes more sense than buying.

You will find practical advice in plain language, first hand test notes from trying different setups, and simple checks you can do before you commit. My goal is to help you pick crutches that match your body and your daily life, not just the first pair on the rack.

Crutch Types at a Glance

Let me walk you through the main types of crutches you will see. Each one has trade offs, and the right choice depends on your injury, how long you need support, and what feels stable to you.

Underarm (Axillary) Crutches

These are the classic crutches you probably picture when someone says "crutches." They have a padded top that fits under your armpit, a handle for your hand, and adjustable height settings.

Pros: Familiar design, widely available at pharmacies and medical supply stores, usually the cheapest option, easy to find rental units.

Cons: Can cause underarm soreness and nerve irritation if you lean on the pads instead of supporting weight through your hands. They also feel bulkier and can be awkward in tight spaces like narrow hallways or small bathrooms.

Best for: Short term injuries, people who are new to crutches and want something straightforward, or anyone on a tight budget.

Forearm (Lofstrand) Crutches

Forearm crutches have a cuff that wraps around your forearm and a handle you grip. They are shorter than underarm crutches and leave your hands more free.

Pros: Better for long term use, less bulk, easier to use stairs and doorways, give you more hand freedom for opening doors or carrying small items. Many people find them more comfortable once they get used to the technique.

Cons: Learning curve if you have never used them before, usually more expensive than basic underarm crutches, fewer rental options depending on your area.

Best for: Long term users, people with ongoing mobility needs, anyone who wants to carry things on crutches more easily, or users who care about a lower profile look.

Platform and Specialty Crutches

Platform crutches let you rest your forearm on a flat platform instead of gripping a handle. They are designed for people who cannot bear weight through their hands or wrists due to arthritis, carpal tunnel, or other conditions.

Pros: Take pressure off hands and wrists, provide stable forearm support.

Cons: Bulkier, heavier, more expensive, harder to find in stores.

Best for: People with hand or wrist injuries or chronic conditions that make gripping painful or unsafe.

Other Mobility Devices

Crutches are not the only option. Depending on your injury and mobility needs, you might also consider knee scooters, walkers, or canes. Knee scooters work well for lower leg injuries where you can kneel on one leg and roll. Walkers give more stability for balance issues. If you are curious about alternatives, check out our best knee scooter reviews to see if a scooter might suit your situation better.

How I Tested Different Crutches

I tested multiple crutch setups over several months, rotating between underarm and forearm styles to compare how they performed in real life situations.

Surfaces I used: Indoor tile and hardwood, outdoor concrete and rough pavement, carpeted hallways, ramps at the grocery store, and stairs at home and work.

Distances and time: Short kitchen to couch trips, quick thirty minute errands to the pharmacy, and full "clinic day" outings that kept me on my feet for two to three hours. I also tested a long work day setup where I used crutches intermittently for about six hours.

What I measured: Weight on a kitchen scale (one aluminum underarm crutch weighed 1.4 pounds, one forearm crutch weighed 1.1 pounds). By the end of a long day, that extra three tenths of a pound per side added up. My arms felt noticeably heavier with the underarm crutches after an hour of continuous use.

Cuff comfort: I tested open cuffs and closed cuffs on forearm models. After thirty minutes, the closed cuff felt more secure but created a hot spot on the inside of my forearm. The open cuff was easier to slip in and out of but felt less stable on uneven ground.

Handle feel: Standard straight grips were fine for short trips but made my palms ache after twenty minutes of walking. Ergonomic angled handles felt awkward at first but reduced hand fatigue significantly. On a warm day after a long hallway walk, my hands got sweaty and started to slip on the smooth rubber grips. Textured grips helped a lot.

Tip traction: I tested tips on wet tile in my bathroom, thick carpet in a waiting room, and rough outdoor pavement. Standard rubber tips gripped well on dry surfaces but felt slippery on wet tile. Shock absorbing tips with deeper tread gave me more confidence on wet floors and rough pavement.

Stair performance: Forearm crutches felt more nimble and easier to control on stairs. Underarm crutches worked fine but their extra length made tight stairwells feel cramped. I also noticed that crutches with worn tips made a loud squeaking noise on stairs, which was embarrassing in quiet buildings.

Adjustability: I checked how many height adjustment holes each model had and how stable the locking mechanisms felt. One pair had loose-feeling adjustment pins that clicked but still wobbled slightly. Another pair had solid metal buttons that locked tight with no play. The height range on most models covered people from about 5 feet to 6 feet 2 inches, but taller and shorter users should double check the specs.

Fit and Sizing Guide, Getting the Basics Right

Why Fit Matters More Than Brand Name

Bad fit is the number one reason people hate their crutches. If the crutches are too tall, you will hunch your shoulders and strain your neck. If they are too short, you will stoop forward and put extra stress on your back. If the handle is at the wrong height, your wrist will bend at an awkward angle and your hand will ache.

I made this mistake once. I grabbed a pair of borrowed crutches without adjusting them and used them for two days. My shoulders were sore, my wrists hurt, and I felt unstable on every step. Once I got them adjusted properly, everything felt easier.

Basic Measurement Ideas to Discuss with Your Provider

I am not going to give you exact fitting instructions because that is your doctor's or physical therapist's job. But here are the general concepts they will use so you know what to expect.

For underarm crutches: You will stand up straight in the shoes you plan to wear. The top of the crutch pad should sit about two finger widths below your armpit. The handle should line up roughly with your wrist crease when your arm hangs naturally at your side. Your elbow should have a slight bend, around 15 to 30 degrees, when you grip the handle.

For forearm crutches: The cuff should sit about one to two inches below your elbow. The handle should be at a height that lets your elbow bend comfortably, usually around 15 to 30 degrees. The tips should sit a few inches to the side and slightly forward of your toes when you stand naturally.

Why you need a professional fit: These are rough guidelines. Your provider will measure you precisely, watch how you walk, and make adjustments based on your specific injury, strength, and balance. Do not skip this step. A proper fitting takes ten minutes and can save you weeks of pain.

Signs Your Crutches Might Be the Wrong Size

Even after a professional fitting, things can shift. Here is how to tell if your crutches need adjustment.

Shoulders hunched or drooping: If your shoulders feel tight and lifted toward your ears, your crutches are probably too tall. If your shoulders sag and you feel like you are reaching down, they are too short.

Elbow angle way off: If your elbows are locked straight or bent more than 45 degrees when you grip the handles, the height is wrong.

Tips sliding awkwardly: If the crutch tips land way out to the side or too close to your feet, the overall length or your technique might be off. Ask your physical therapist to watch you walk and adjust.

Pain in odd places: Underarm soreness, wrist pain, hand numbness, or upper back aches can all signal bad fit. Do not just push through it. Get your crutches rechecked.

Features and Specs That Matter When Buying or Renting

Height Range and Adjustability

Check how many adjustment holes or settings the crutches have. Most standard models adjust in one inch increments and cover a range from about 4 feet 10 inches to 6 feet 2 inches. If you are shorter than 5 feet or taller than 6 feet 2 inches, ask specifically if the model will fit you.

I tested one pair that had ten adjustment holes and felt rock solid at every setting. Another pair had only six holes, which limited the fine tuning options. The adjustment clicks should feel tight and secure. If the pin wiggles or feels loose, do not buy that model.

Weight Capacity

Most standard crutches are rated for 250 to 300 pounds. Some heavy duty models go up to 400 or 500 pounds. Checking the weight capacity is important for safety and durability. If the crutches are rated too low for your weight, they can bend, crack, or fail.

Look for the weight limit printed on the crutch or listed in the product specs. If you cannot find it, ask the store or manufacturer. This is a safety issue, not a judgment call. The right crutches should support you confidently.

Handles and Grips

Handles make a huge difference in comfort, especially if you are using crutches for more than a few minutes at a time.

Standard straight grips are round and smooth. They work fine for short term use but can cause hand fatigue and pressure points over time.

Ergonomic handles are angled and contoured to match the natural shape of your hand. They felt weird to me at first, but after a day or two they reduced palm soreness noticeably. On longer walks, my hands stayed more comfortable with the ergonomic grips.

Padding and texture: Some handles have foam padding, gel padding, or textured rubber. I preferred textured rubber because it gripped well even when my hands got sweaty. Foam padding felt nice initially but broke down and got grimy after a week of heavy use.

If hand or wrist pain is a concern for you, read more about grip strategies and padding options in our guide on how to prevent hand and wrist pain on crutches.

Cuffs and Underarm Support

For forearm crutches: You will see open cuffs and closed cuffs. Open cuffs are easier to get in and out of quickly, which is nice if you sit down a lot or need to free your hands often. Closed cuffs wrap all the way around your forearm and feel more secure, especially on uneven ground or stairs. The trade off is that closed cuffs can create pressure points and feel hot after thirty minutes.

I preferred open cuffs for daily errands and closed cuffs for longer outdoor walks where I needed extra stability.

For underarm crutches: Check the quality of the underarm pads. They should be thick, soft, and covered in a material that does not irritate your skin. Cheap pads are thin and hard, and they will make your underarms sore fast. Remember, you should not be resting your weight on the underarm pads anyway. Your hands should carry most of the load. But the pads still matter for comfort and stability.

Tips and Traction

Crutch tips are small but critical. Worn or cheap tips can make you slip, and slipping on crutches is terrifying.

Standard rubber tips are round and have shallow tread. They grip well on dry floors but can slip on wet tile or smooth surfaces.

Shock absorbing tips have a spring inside that cushions impact. They feel softer when the crutch hits the ground, which can reduce arm fatigue. They also tend to have deeper tread, which gave me better traction on wet bathroom tile and rough outdoor pavement.

Aggressive tread tips look like mini tire treads. I tested these on a rainy day and felt much more confident on wet sidewalks.

Check your tips every week. If the tread is worn down or the rubber is cracked, replace them. Tips are cheap, usually five to ten dollars per pair, and they can prevent a dangerous fall.

Materials and Weight

Crutches are usually made from aluminum, steel, or carbon fiber.

Aluminum is the most common. It is lightweight, affordable, and durable. Most aluminum crutches weigh between 1 and 1.5 pounds each.

Steel is heavier and stronger. Steel crutches are usually marketed as heavy duty models and weigh around 2 pounds each. The extra weight can feel tiring by the end of the day, but they are more durable if you need a higher weight capacity.

Carbon fiber is the lightest option, often under 1 pound per crutch. They are also the most expensive, sometimes two to three times the price of aluminum. I tested a carbon fiber forearm crutch that weighed 0.9 pounds, and by the end of a long day my arms felt noticeably less fatigued compared to heavier models.

If you are using crutches short term, weight might not matter much. If you are on crutches for months, every ounce counts. My advice is to hold a pair in the store and imagine carrying them for an hour. If they feel heavy in the first five minutes, they will feel worse later.

Renting vs Buying Crutches

One of the first decisions you will face is whether to rent or buy. Here is how I think about it.

When Renting Makes Sense

Renting works well if you need crutches for a short, predictable recovery period, like four to six weeks after a sprain or minor surgery. Rental fees are usually around $10 to $30 per month depending on your area and the type of crutches. If you only need them for a month or two, renting is cheaper than buying.

Renting also makes sense if you want to try a specific type of crutch before committing. Some medical supply stores let you rent forearm crutches or specialty models so you can test them in your daily life before deciding to buy.

When Buying is Smarter

Buying is better if you need crutches long term, have a condition where you will use them on and off for months or years, or if you expect to need them again in the future. It is also worth buying if you want specific ergonomic features, custom colors, or higher quality materials that rental units do not offer.

Standard underarm crutches cost around $20 to $50 per pair. Basic forearm crutches start around $40 to $80 per pair. Premium ergonomic models can run $100 to $300 per pair or more.

If you know you will use crutches for three months or longer, the math usually favors buying.

What to Inspect on Rented Crutches

If you rent, inspect the crutches carefully before you leave the store. Check the tips for wear and cracks. Make sure the adjustment pins lock securely and do not wobble. Test the padding on handles and underarm pads to make sure it is not torn, stained, or worn flat. Check all bolts and screws to make sure nothing is loose.

I rented a pair once and did not check them closely. The tips were nearly bald and one adjustment pin was bent. I had to go back the next day to swap them out. Save yourself the trip and inspect everything upfront.

Matching Crutch Type to Your Life

Let me paint a few real life scenarios to help you think through which crutch type might fit your situation best.

Short term sprain or fracture: You twisted your ankle and need crutches for six weeks. Standard underarm crutches from a pharmacy will probably work fine. Keep them simple, make sure they fit properly, and focus on resting and healing. If you are worried about hand pain, consider upgrading the grips.

Ongoing condition: You have a condition where you will use crutches on and off for months or years. Invest in good forearm crutches with ergonomic handles and quality tips. The upfront cost is higher but the long term comfort is worth it. For tips on staying active and strong enough to handle long term use, check out exercises to stay in shape on crutches.

Busy parent or student: You are juggling kids, school, or work and need to navigate stairs, carry bags, and move quickly. Forearm crutches give you more hand freedom and are easier in tight spaces. Pair them with a good backpack or crossbody bag so you can keep your hands as free as possible. Our guide on how to carry things on crutches has more strategies for managing daily stuff.

User who cares about aesthetics: You want crutches that do not look clunky or medical. Forearm crutches have a lower profile and come in more color options. Some brands offer sleek designs that look more like mobility aids than hospital equipment. If style matters to you, read fashion tips for crutches for ideas on how to coordinate your crutches with your wardrobe.

Example "Best Fit" Scenarios Instead of Brand Only Picks

I am not going to tell you to buy one specific brand because your needs are unique. Instead, here are archetypes that match common situations. Use these as a starting point and then compare actual models that fit the description.

Best Setup for Short Term Everyday Comfort

Type: Underarm crutches with padded grips and good quality tips.

Key features: Adjustable height range covering 5 feet to 6 feet 2 inches, weight capacity 250 to 300 pounds, soft underarm pads, textured rubber handles, shock absorbing tips.

Who it suits: People recovering from sprains, fractures, or minor surgeries who need crutches for four to eight weeks.

Trade offs: Bulkier than forearm crutches, can cause underarm soreness if you lean on the pads instead of using your hands correctly.

Who should skip it: Long term users who need crutches for months, people with hand or wrist issues who need ergonomic handles, anyone dealing with narrow doorways or tight spaces daily.

Best Option for Frequent Travelers or Commuters

Type: Lightweight forearm crutches, ideally aluminum or carbon fiber, with folding or compact designs if available.

Key features: Under 1.5 pounds per crutch, ergonomic angled handles, open cuffs for quick on and off, durable tips with good tread.

Who it suits: People who use public transit, travel for work, or need to pack crutches into a car or luggage frequently.

Trade offs: More expensive than basic underarm crutches, learning curve if you have never used forearm crutches before.

Who should skip it: People on a very tight budget, anyone uncomfortable with the forearm crutch technique, users who only need crutches for a week or two.

Best for Tall Users with Long Forearms

Type: Forearm crutches with extended height range and adjustable cuff positions.

Key features: Height range extending up to 6 feet 6 inches or more, cuff adjusts independently from handle height, sturdy construction rated for 300 plus pounds.

Who it suits: Users over 6 feet 2 inches who find standard crutches too short, people with long arms who need extra forearm clearance.

Trade offs: Harder to find in local stores, may need to order online, usually more expensive.

Who should skip it: Average height users, people who need crutches immediately and cannot wait for shipping.

Best Budget Friendly Setup for Occasional Use

Type: Basic aluminum underarm crutches, standard grips and tips.

Key features: $20 to $40 price range, adjustable height, weight capacity 250 pounds, available at most pharmacies.

Who it suits: People who need crutches for a very short time, anyone on a tight budget, users who plan to return or donate the crutches after recovery.

Trade offs: Minimal comfort features, basic grips can cause hand fatigue, tips may wear quickly if used outdoors heavily.

Who should skip it: Long term users, people with hand or wrist pain, anyone who will be walking long distances daily.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Crutches

Here are the mistakes I see people make, and a few I made myself.

Letting price be the only factor. I get it, crutches are an unexpected expense. But the cheapest pair might cost you more in pain, frustration, and replacement tips. If you can afford to spend a little more for better grips or lighter weight, it is usually worth it.

Ignoring weight capacity. I watched someone try to use crutches rated for 250 pounds when they weighed closer to 280. The crutches bent slightly and felt unstable. Do not gamble with safety. Check the weight limit.

Choosing a style without considering your daily routes. If you live in a small apartment with narrow hallways, bulky underarm crutches will drive you crazy. If you climb stairs every day, forearm crutches are usually easier to manage. Think about where you actually move, not just what looks easiest.

Skipping a fit check with a professional. I borrowed crutches from a friend once and skipped the fitting because I thought I knew what I was doing. Two days later my shoulders and wrists were killing me. A ten minute fitting would have saved me a lot of pain.

Using worn tips or broken parts because they were cheap. I used a pair of crutches with worn tips for three days because I did not want to spend ten dollars on new ones. On day three, I slipped on wet tile in a public bathroom and nearly fell. I bought new tips that afternoon. Do not be like me. Replace worn parts immediately.

Watch How a Basic Crutch Fit Check Works

This section is designed to be video friendly if you want to see a visual demo. Here is a simple fit check sequence you can follow, but remember this is illustrative only. Your provider or physical therapist should do your actual fitting.

Step 1: Stand in the shoes you will actually wear. Do not fit crutches in bare feet or slippers if you plan to wear sneakers. Shoe height changes everything.

Step 2: For underarm crutches, check the top pad position. The pad should sit about two finger widths below your armpit. If it is touching your armpit, the crutches are too tall.

Step 3: Check the handle position. Let your arms hang naturally at your sides. The handle should line up roughly with your wrist crease. Your elbow should have a slight bend when you grip the handle, not locked straight and not bent too much.

Step 4: For forearm crutches, check the cuff placement. The cuff should sit one to two inches below your elbow. It should feel snug but not tight.

Step 5: Check tip placement. When you stand naturally with the crutches in position, the tips should sit a few inches to the side and slightly forward of your toes.

Step 6: Take a few steps and check for comfort. Do your shoulders feel relaxed? Does your wrist bend naturally? Do the crutches feel stable? If anything feels off, adjust and try again.

Crutch Type Comparison Table

FAQ: Buying or Renting Crutches

Pick Crutches That Match Your Body and Your Life

The key to what to look for when buying crutches is matching type, fit, weight capacity, and features to your body and your daily life, not just grabbing the first pair on the rack. Underarm crutches work fine for short term injuries. Forearm crutches suit long term use better. Fit matters more than brand name. Weight capacity is a safety issue. Handles, cuffs, and tips change comfort and control in real ways.

Make a short checklist before you shop or rent. Write down your height, weight, and how long you expect to need crutches. List any concerns you have, like hand pain, stairs, or carrying bags. Bring your questions to the pharmacy, medical supply store, or your provider's office. Do not be shy about asking to try different types or asking for a fitting.

Ask your provider which type they recommend for you, then use this guide to compare your options. Check the weight capacity, test the grips, inspect the tips, and make sure the height range fits. If something feels off, speak up. The right crutches should feel stable, comfortable, and safe from day one.