Our Guide to Measuring Yourself for a Cane & Stick Shortening Information

Free Stick Shortening Service

We offer a FREE stick shortening service at the Stick & Cane Shop. When you order, simply enter the length required in the box provided and it will be cut to size before dispatch. If the stick can not be shortened the comment box will not appear in the checkout.

Please be aware however that we cannot refund or exchange walking sticks that have been shortened, as these have been personalised for you. All sticks are fitted with a rubber ferrule after cutting in order to protect the cut end and to limit wood bloating from water ingress.

If you would like a metal ferrule attached to your stick, or have any other specific requests for your stick, please contact us directly before placing your order.

How to measure for a walking stick

How to Measure Yourself for a Standard Walking Stick

To measure someone for a walking stick, ask them to stand with their weight evenly on both feet, looking straight ahead and with their arms relaxed by their sides. You then need to measure from the floor to the prominent bone of the wrist. This is the length of walking stick required.

Please note this is just a rule of thumb. If the person has special needs, they may need to be measured by a medical professional. Alternatively they may have personal preferences for a longer or shorter walking stick.

We measure our sticks from the top curve of the handle where the palm rests to the bottom of the stick without the ferrule. The ferrule should not be included in the measurement as this will vary over time due to wear.

How to Measure Yourself for a Hiking Stave

When it comes to hiking staves of any variety (e.g. standard hiking staves, thumbsticks, shepherd's crooks), these tend to be longer and are held with the hand aligned vertically with the shaft. The 'rules' on which length to choose are less strict and are subject to user preference.

However, a good rule of thumb to follow is to ensure the point at which you hold the stick is somewhere between the height from the ground to the elbow, or the ground to the sternum (i.e. the bone at the centre of your chest where your rib cage ends). Remember, this is the height at which your hand will hold the stick, and in the case of thumbsticks, this is the height at which your thumb will rest in the notch. The overall length of the stick will be slightly longer. So please consider this when working out the overall length you need. Please see diagram below.

Please note that if you choose to have your hiking stave, thumbstick or shepherd's crook shortened, we will fit it with a rubber ferrule. However, for an additional charge we can fit the stick with a steel ferrule or a combi-ferrule. Please contact us before purchase if you would like to have one of these fitted to your stick.

How to measure yourself for a Hiking Stave