As I grow older, mid 70s, I have somewhat lost my balance. I use a cane when I might a little help. Most of my hunting is in the hill country. As most of you know it can be rocky and rough. Although, at this time, I don't need a walker, normally, I am now considering one, for hunting I've never really used one. I don't plan on going on any long range treks, but sometimes from truck to stand might be 100-200yds. Any suggestions? If you know of one on Amazon, it would help. thanks in advance capt david
Over the years, I've had several instances where I have not had complete use of both legs.
I've had a broken ankle.
I've had a few Baker's Cysts. One came on at the front end of a backpacking trip.
Another time I had Muldar's Neuroma flair up while I was out bowhunting. I had to crawl out a half-mile to the truck. That one required surgery, and I was gimping around for two months.
Most recently, I had something go wrong at the attachment point of my right Achilles Tendon.
This is just normal wear and tear for a guy who liked backpacking and such things.
Around town, around the house and office, I've found a stout cane to be generally the best. For getting around in the field, I prefer a hiking staff--the longer the better. When you have a set distance where you can stuff a cane down like a rug or a sidewalk, this is the way to go. Indoors a hiking staff is too long and cumbersome. On the other hand, when your on broken ground or going up or down hills, It's best to have something that can adjust to the change in elevation. What's more, I can grab hold of the staff with both hands when needed. My best staff is about shoulder height and has a leather strap.
The worst I ever had was the Baker's Cyst. I was doing an over-nighter in Shawnee Forest near Portsmouth, Ohio and mistook a Baker's Cyst for a simple charlie horse. I didn't recognize the problem until about 8 miles in. I had to come out on one foot and the staff. I came close to dumping the 55 lb backpack, but gutted through.
Bottom line: I'd experiment. YMMV, but my choice is a staff.
Here's what I would pick:
https://www.amazon.com/Brazos-Twist...ing+Staff&qid=1589361992&sr=8-17My only criticism of this one is the cheezy rawhide. I'd use a leather strap that was easier on my wrist and that I could hang off of if needed. Mine has a brass cap on top that unscrews to reveal a 1/4-20 thread for camera.
One other thing: When I broke my ankle, they put me on crutches for a while. I was living in an urban environment and I needed to get to and from work on the bus. While I had the crutches, I was a target. Street scum were on me like white on rice. As soon as I could I got off the crutches and went to a staff. All of a sudden, I became Moses parting the Red Sea. Nobody dicked with me. One night I was out walking and went by the neighborhood saloon. There was a fight going on outside on the sidewalk. As soon as I came into the light carrying the staff, the fight stopped, and the crowd parted. From there on, I always carried a staff when I was out walking. The staff I kept for in-town trekking got beefed up. I drilled out the end and sunk an 6" lag screw in it. I also added a copper joint and poured lead in and the finished it off with a rubber tip. If that thing ever got brought into action, it would have been of significant benefit.