Suggestions for fantastic monopod/walking stick for the recently injured
October 23, 2013 2:11 PM Subscribe
Ok, I'm healing up very nicely post a bad knee injury.
I do a fair bit of travel, including an upcoming trip to Japan that may involve quite a bit of walking. My physician suggested a walking stick when I saw him last (3 weeks ago.) I haven't even needed it, nor the knee brace much. I do some photography (DSLR, Raw) and figured why not use this as an excuse to get a good monopod that will behave as a good walking stick. I'd buy Gandalf's Staff, but I'm sure I'll have problems with TSA if I had that.
While I can't recommend a specific monopod, my mom has a giant piece of wood walking stick -- essentially Gandalf's staff sans jewelled bit at the top -- and she uses it frequently, even when flying. This thing is way taller than a standard cane, it's just a giant wooden stick with a loop of leather through one end. They give it quite the look over when she goes through security and often end up attaching a tag to it, but they've never confiscated it or had her check it. My mom has a metal knee and the associated card or paperwork or whatever that goes with it that she also provides when she goes through the security check, which may be part of why she doesn't get hassled for the big stick. You might want to get some sort of documentation from your doctor as well if you're going to go with a walking device that isn't a standard cane.
posted by macadamiaranch at 2:26 PM on October 23, 2013
posted by macadamiaranch at 2:26 PM on October 23, 2013
Just to clarify, are you wanting a walking stick for balance, or a cane for support?
I'm sorry I don't have a recommendation, but in case it is relevant: if you intend to use it as a cane, you will find that having the correct height and a comfortable, formed handle really are important. In my experience, walking with aids is uncomfortable and tiring at best.
posted by moira at 2:44 PM on October 23, 2013
I'm sorry I don't have a recommendation, but in case it is relevant: if you intend to use it as a cane, you will find that having the correct height and a comfortable, formed handle really are important. In my experience, walking with aids is uncomfortable and tiring at best.
posted by moira at 2:44 PM on October 23, 2013
I'm not sure a monopod will work as a walking stick without being damaged. They are collapsible and only designed to hold the weight of the camera + lenses securely. People weigh a lot more than cameras, and put side to side and other forces on the monopod extensions that a camera would not.
Unless you can find one designed to work for both use cases, i'd buy separate items, so you aren't damaging an expensive piece of gear.
posted by TheAdamist at 3:52 PM on October 23, 2013
Unless you can find one designed to work for both use cases, i'd buy separate items, so you aren't damaging an expensive piece of gear.
posted by TheAdamist at 3:52 PM on October 23, 2013
...seconding that I'm not sure these two items can come in one effective package.
As a user of canes for distance walking, I've found that a lack of handle or ineffective handle on a walking cane can be very irritating and fatiguing. Putting body weight through one hand/arm puts more stress on that hand/arm than usual and if not positioned correctly could be uncomfortable. Most of the monopods I've found on google do not seem equipped with any handle for grasping. Also what TheAdamist noted about the monopod not holding under such use is applicable.
(However, if you find a cane/monopod that fits all the criteria, please update because as a cane-user who takes frequent pictures while traveling, I would be interested in such a product.)
posted by warm_planet at 4:02 PM on October 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
As a user of canes for distance walking, I've found that a lack of handle or ineffective handle on a walking cane can be very irritating and fatiguing. Putting body weight through one hand/arm puts more stress on that hand/arm than usual and if not positioned correctly could be uncomfortable. Most of the monopods I've found on google do not seem equipped with any handle for grasping. Also what TheAdamist noted about the monopod not holding under such use is applicable.
(However, if you find a cane/monopod that fits all the criteria, please update because as a cane-user who takes frequent pictures while traveling, I would be interested in such a product.)
posted by warm_planet at 4:02 PM on October 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
They make trekking poles that do this. This one is similar to one I bought six years or so ago, which I use for hiking. I picked it because it looked like it would work well for hiking, and it has. I haven't done any photography with it but it should be able to support a camera well since it supports a good percentage of a person's body weight as part of its normal duty.
posted by alphanerd at 5:18 PM on October 23, 2013
posted by alphanerd at 5:18 PM on October 23, 2013
I use a stick quite a lot for pain and balance issues. I tend to use this one most of the time: the BigStik. That has an option for a tripod head on top, which I have used with a small camera. There are also a few carbon fiber monopods that might make quite decent walking sticks; Benro does one.
But, as monro said, getting the right height and handle fit is more important.
posted by baggers at 6:18 PM on October 23, 2013
But, as monro said, getting the right height and handle fit is more important.
posted by baggers at 6:18 PM on October 23, 2013
2nd alphanerd on the Leki pole. You mention finding a good monopod that can work as a walking stick- I guess this is more of a good walking stick that can work as a monopod? Anyway, same item as alphanerd's link, but this is the manufacturer's site in case you want to find one in your area.
posted by EKStickland at 9:59 PM on October 23, 2013
posted by EKStickland at 9:59 PM on October 23, 2013
Response by poster: I'm fine 95% of the time. I'm concerned during that 5%. This would be a walking stick for balance, not a cane.
I imagine I'll intentionally do some sightseeing and bring my DSLR + bag. I'll be wearing my knee brace (or bring it in my bag) not knowing how long/hard I'll be walking and particularly, I'm not sure that it will be an even surface. I doubt I'll do something like a 10 mile journey.
When I get tired, I'm aware of it. I'm looking for that 'extra' support and balance if I get really tired. I figured if I had something that could do dual duty, I'd get the benefit of a steady camera shot.
posted by Towelie at 7:00 AM on October 24, 2013
I imagine I'll intentionally do some sightseeing and bring my DSLR + bag. I'll be wearing my knee brace (or bring it in my bag) not knowing how long/hard I'll be walking and particularly, I'm not sure that it will be an even surface. I doubt I'll do something like a 10 mile journey.
When I get tired, I'm aware of it. I'm looking for that 'extra' support and balance if I get really tired. I figured if I had something that could do dual duty, I'd get the benefit of a steady camera shot.
posted by Towelie at 7:00 AM on October 24, 2013
YMMV, but I've used my TrekPod Go! Pro on several hikes primarily as a monopod, and it's held up pretty well.
posted by evoque at 10:09 AM on October 24, 2013
posted by evoque at 10:09 AM on October 24, 2013
Have you thought about finding a great walking stick and then modifying it with a simple ball head clamp, or something like that?
I imagine that you are not going to want to walk around with your camera on the monopod most of the time, because that would be heavy and awkward. And if you do need a walking stick for balance, I imagine that a top-heavy monopod with a camera on it is not going to do you much good.
Another thing to consider is the photography policy of the places you will be visiting. If you go into a location with a strict no tripods or no photography policy, and are using a monopod as a walking stick, you might run into problems trying to convince someone that you need your photo gear for walking.
On second thought, I just googled "cane doubles as monopod" and found several that might work!
posted by inertia at 10:22 AM on October 24, 2013
I imagine that you are not going to want to walk around with your camera on the monopod most of the time, because that would be heavy and awkward. And if you do need a walking stick for balance, I imagine that a top-heavy monopod with a camera on it is not going to do you much good.
Another thing to consider is the photography policy of the places you will be visiting. If you go into a location with a strict no tripods or no photography policy, and are using a monopod as a walking stick, you might run into problems trying to convince someone that you need your photo gear for walking.
On second thought, I just googled "cane doubles as monopod" and found several that might work!
posted by inertia at 10:22 AM on October 24, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
I think you may need (or want) a head to put on the monopod.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 2:16 PM on October 23, 2013