Navigating the world on crutches is more than a mild nuisance and anything but easy. The fact that you’re on them means you’ve been injured, had surgery or are coping with an ongoing condition. If that’s not challenging enough, add in a couple stiff, artificial “limbs” and life can look pretty bleak. But do not despair!
We’re here to make selecting crutches the simplest part of your healing, recovery or coping process. Our Complete Guide to Best Crutches will provide you with information on what type to choose (under-arm or forearm), which features are most important, and how to ensure you get a pair that not only fits well, but is comfortable.
Things to Consider
The first order of business will be to choose underarm or forearm style.
The underarm style is somewhat cumbersome but, if you’ve never used crutches before, the learning curve with them is much shorter than with forearm crutches.
Forearm crutches, on the other hand, are a navigational challenge in the beginning, but most users claim they are much more comfortable once you adjust. Fortunately, we have great options for both types in our top 6 best crutches list.
Top 6 Crutches Table
| Picture | Name | Type | Weight Limit | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Lumex Universal Aluminum Crutches | Underarm | 300 lbs. | $ | 4.6 |
 | 2. Hugo Mobility 721-785 Hugo Lightweight | Underarm | 300 lbs. | $ | 4.5 |
 | 3. Graham Field Lumex 6342A Deluxe Adjustable | Forearm | 300 lbs. | $$$ | 4.5 |
 | 4. Drive Medical Euro Style | Forearm | 300 lbs. | $$ | 4.4 |
 | 5. Medline Aluminum Forearm Crutches | Forearm | 250 lbs. | $$$ | 4.2 |
 | 6. Ergobaum® Prime By Ergoactives | Forearm | 300 lbs. | $$$$ | 4.1 |
Buying Information for Crutches
Making the right choice about which crutches to buy determines how well you will be able to get around and plays a large role in your safety. To achieve both stability and comfort, the primary considerations are:
Proper Fit
- The top of underarm crutches should be 1-2” below your armpits.
- Handgrips should be even with the top of your hips and elbows should be slightly bent when you’re holding the handgrips of either type of crutch.
- Most crutches have a height range of 5’2” – 5’10”, but shorter or taller options are almost always available.
Weight Capacity
- If you exceed the weight capacity of the crutches in our top 6 list, contact the manufacturer and inquire about their big and tall products.
Cushioning/Comfort
- If you begin to get soreness in your palms or armpits, additional pads are available in all shapes and sizes.
Crutch Tips
- If you live or work in areas that get lots of rain or snow, you might want to consider swapping the standard tips for something more rugged.
Last, but not least, if you get your crutches and they are uncomfortable, the manufacturers of all the models in our best crutches guide have a liberal return policy and encourage you to make an exchange if the fit isn’t quite right.
Top 3 Best Crutches Reviews
1. Lumex
The top consumer choice is a traditional underarm crutch made of lightweight anodized aluminum. These crutches are easy to lift into and out of a car, and to manage while getting up and down from a sitting position. But even though they are extremely lightweight, the reinforced center tube and foot piece provide stability and safety.
With a weight capacity of 300 pounds, these crutches make height and handle adjustments quick and easy with spring-loaded buttons for height changes and wingnuts on the side for handle adjustments. And the height range of 5’2” to 5’10” is adjustable in 1” increments meaning you can get the height precisely where you need it.
The underarm and palm padding are adequate but were the only minor complaint users had about this product. Because most felt that the crutches themselves were so stable and value-added, however, they were more than willing to purchase additional padding if necessary.
Due to the lightweight construction, these crutches are best-suited for use in shorter-term recovery rather than continual use. Overall, however, these crutches were a winner with everyone as a cost-effective, solid product.
2. Hugo Mobility
Also made of lightweight anodized aluminum, these Hugo crutches have a weight capacity of 300 pounds and can accommodate a user height of 5’2″ to 5’10” adjustable in 1” increments. Height adjustments are made with the same dual push button and wing-nut processes of our top product.
A couple features on this model that set them apart are washable hand grips made of cushioned, sponge-like material and contoured crutch tips that will make you feel more stable while maneuvering stairs and adjusting to uneven ground.
The underarm pads seem to be a bit more comfortable than those on other models but consumers did note the pads will tend to bunch your clothing under your arms.
These crutches are a great choice if you have a physical challenge or disability that requires crutch use at all times since they hold up nicely with constant use for 6 months to a year without any issues.
3. Graham Field
The number 3 product in our list is a forearm model so the mechanics are somewhat different. Whereas underarm crutches are adjusted to fit your height from underarm to floor, forearm crutch adjustments are made based more on arm length.
Overall height accommodation of this lightweight aluminum product is 5’ to 6’2” (in 1” increments) with a weight capacity of 300 pounds. The forearm cuffs are vinyl-coated and can be shaped to your arm for a semi-custom fit. The handgrip is made of durable vinyl and the telescoping rods have internal mechanics that make these crutches very quiet.
The tips are extra-large and have a non-skid coating, which means excellent traction and stability, making these crutches one of the safest forearm models available.