Walking sticks are one of the most practical, portable mobility aids available, and the right one makes a difference to confidence, balance, and energy every day. Our range includes adjustable walking sticks, foldable walking sticks, and specialty styles to suit different needs. Visit our Balwyn showroom or book a free consultation to find your fit.
Find Freedom with Foldable Walking Sticks
A walking stick is about balance, confidence, and energy. The freedom to get through your day without second-guessing every step.
We have a wide range of walking sticks to choose from.
Features include:
- Swivel handles that can change from right- to left-handed
- Frames are made from lightweight aluminium
- Height-adjustable extensions
- Slip-resistant rubber tips
At Back to Sleep, we offer foldable and adjustable walking sticks for everyday support. Whether you're recovering, managing a health condition, or just feeling less steady than you used to, the right walking stick can make a real difference.
When is It Time for a Walking Stick?
There’s no single reason people start using a walking stick.
Some need one after surgery. Others use one for long walks, busy environments, or simply when energy is low. Some only need one occasionally, while others use theirs every day.
You don’t need a referral or a diagnosis to use one of our walking sticks in Melbourne. If walking feels harder, you’ve been avoiding going outdoors due to strain, or the stairs feel less manageable, these are good enough reasons.
A good foldable walking stick or adjustable model is easy to carry, fits your height, and supports you exactly where you need it.
Who Benefits from Walking Sticks?
Adjustable sticks for walking are one of the most widely used mobility aids, simply because they work.
They're used by:
- Older adults navigating strength or balance changes
- People recovering from injury or surgery
- Those suffering from conditions like arthritis, MS, Parkinson’s or joint instability
- Individuals who need occasional support on uneven ground or stairs
- Anyone feeling less steady and wanting to move with more confidence
How to Size a Walking Stick Correctly
Getting the height right is one of the most important steps, but it's one of the most commonly skipped. A stick that's too tall causes shoulder strain; too short, and you end up hunching forward, which defeats the purpose.
The wrist-crease method:
Stand upright in the shoes you'd normally wear, with your arms hanging naturally at your sides. The handle of the walking stick should align with the crease at your wrist. When you hold the stick, your elbow should have a slight bend of around 15 to 20 degrees.
Most adjustable walking sticks cover a height range of approximately 75cm to 100cm. If you fall outside that range, extended or petite options are available. Back to Sleep adjusts every stick to the correct height as part of our delivery and setup service, and our Balwyn showroom team can fit you properly in person before you commit to anything.
Different Types of Walking Sticks We Offer
We offer a carefully chosen range of walking sticks to suit different mobility levels, preferences, and lifestyles:
Adjustable Walking Stick
Perfect for daily use, and ideal if you're sharing it or using it across varied terrain indoors and out. A solid choice if your height or posture shifts over time.
Foldable Walking Stick
Compact, discreet, and easy to tuck into a bag or car. Great for travel or part-time use when you only need support in certain situations.
Standard Cane
Simple, supportive, and suited to those who want a no-fuss solution. Often used as a backup aid alongside other mobility walking aids.
Quad Cane (Four-Point Base)
A quad cane has a small four-point base instead of a single rubber tip, providing a wider, more stable footprint. It stands independently when not in use, which is helpful for anyone with significant balance challenges or one-sided weakness. Best suited to slow, careful indoor walking.
Tripod Cane
Similar to a quad cane but with a three-point base. Tripod canes offer improved stability over a standard cane while remaining slightly more manoeuvrable than a quad. A good middle-ground option for users who need more than a single-tip stick but find a quad base too bulky.
Seat Cane
A seat cane includes a small fold-out seat at the top, allowing the user to rest briefly without needing to find a bench or chair. Useful for anyone who covers moderate distances but needs the option to stop and rest along the way.
Handle Styles: Choosing the Right Grip
The handle is the part of the standard or adjustable walking stick you'll interact with every single time you use it, and the wrong grip can cause discomfort in the hand, wrist, and shoulder over time.
Here's what to look for:
Derby handle
The classic curved handle. Comfortable for general use and easy to hang over the arm or hook onto a surface when not in use. Suits most users.
Offset handle
The handle sits slightly forward of the shaft, which distributes weight more directly down through the stick rather than to the side. This reduces wrist strain and improves load transfer, a good choice for anyone putting consistent weight through the stick.
Ergonomic/anatomical handle
Moulded to the shape of the hand, these handles reduce pressure points and are available in left- and right-handed versions. Particularly useful for extended daily use.
Soft-grip / foam handle
Cushioned handles reduce vibration and pressure on the palm. Often recommended for users managing arthritis, hand weakness, or sensitivity. Pairing a soft-grip handle with a swivel design gives additional flexibility for left- or right-handed use.
If you're unsure which handle suits your grip strength and hand shape, you can try different styles in person at our Balwyn showroom, where our team can guide you through your options before you make a decision.
Foldable and Adjustable Walking Sticks: Why They Matter
If you’ve ever tried a stick that’s too tall, too short, or just plain awkward to carry, you know how quickly it ends up forgotten in the corner. That’s why we focus on adjustable walking sticks and foldable walking sticks that fit your life.
Features of a high-quality adjustable walking stick are:
- Easy to adjust to your height
- Comfortable to hold
- Compact enough to store or carry
- Strong enough to rely on
- Light enough not to be a hassle
Some people pair their stick with other supports, like lightweight walking frames or walkers for people with disabilities who need more structured support part-time. Contact us via our website, and we can offer advice about how different aids can work together.
NDIS, Home Care Package and Medicare: Funding Your Walking Stick
Walking sticks are commonly funded through Australian government programs, and Back to Sleep can help you work through the options.
- NDIS: An adjustable or foldable walking stick may be funded under Assistive Technology in your NDIS plan, depending on your assessed needs and mobility goals.
- Home Care Package (HCP): Walking sticks are a standard AT item funded through HCP budgets. Your case manager or provider can request a quote from us directly.
- DVA: Eligible veterans can access walking sticks through the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Back to Sleep is an approved DVA provider.
- Medicare: Medicare does not typically cover the cost of walking sticks directly, but a GP or specialist referral may support access through other funded pathways.
If you are working with an Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Support Coordinator, or Care Manager, we can liaise with them directly to support prescription, quoting, and delivery under your funding arrangement.
Walking Sticks and Other Mobility Aids: What Works Together
A walking stick is often one part of a broader mobility setup. Depending on your needs, it may work alongside fall prevention aids, walking frames, rollators and walkers, or mobility scooters for longer distances.
Our team can help you assess what combination works best for your home layout, daily routine, and mobility level, and adjust the recommendation if your needs change over time.
We Deliver Across Greater Melbourne
We can deliver your walking stick directly to your home and adjust it for you on the spot. If you're combining it with other supports, we can help coordinate everything so it’s all set up safely and correctly.
Helping You Find the Right Walking Stick in Melbourne
Whether you're taking the first step toward using a mobility aid or replacing a stick that’s just not doing the job, we’re here to help.
Book a one-on-one, obligation-free 1-hour consultation at our Balwyn showroom and try our range of foldable and adjustable walking sticks in person, where we can provide you with honest, straightforward advice and a chance to help you choose the right stick for your requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start using a walking stick?
There is no set threshold.
Common signs include walking feeling more effortful than it used to, avoiding outdoor activities, feeling unsteady on stairs or uneven ground, or recovering from surgery or injury. You do not need a diagnosis or referral; if an adjustable walking stick makes movement safer and less tiring, it is worth using one.
Should an 80-year-old use a walking stick?
Age alone is not the deciding factor, but for many older adults, a walking stick provides meaningful fall prevention and confidence support. If balance, strength, or energy has changed, a well-fitted adjustable walking stick can make a real difference to daily independence.
Our team can help assess what level of support is appropriate.
What are the downsides of using a single foldable walking stick?
A single stick provides support on one side only, which means it may not be sufficient for significant balance impairment or bilateral weakness. Used on the wrong side or at the wrong height, it can create postural strain. For users who need more support, a quad cane, tripod cane, or walking frame may be a better option.
Our team can help assess which is right for your situation.
Can I get a walking stick funded through NDIS or a Home Care Package?
Yes. Walking sticks are commonly funded through NDIS Assistive Technology budgets and Home Care Package allocations. DVA funding is also available for eligible veterans. Back to Sleep is an approved provider across all three programs and can supply compliant quotes and documentation to support your application.
How do I know if I need a walking stick or a walking frame?
A walking stick suits users who need light to moderate balance support and are walking reasonable distances. A walking frame provides more stability and is better suited to users who walk slowly, need both hands supported, or are at higher risk of falling.
Our team can assess your current mobility level and recommend the right option, or a combination of both.