You say you'll be there for me but I just don't trust you.

Two years ago, I had a very bad virus which led to vertigo and severe off balanceness. Unbelievably, I have it AGAIN right now but one assistive device I am NOT using this time is the Folding Cane Seat. It's bulky, trips me up, and the seat is so small that I certainly don't feel safe on it. This is more of a novelty cane for those out golfing or walking long distances but not for those who TRULY need support.

About this Cane Seat

# Aluminum frame is strong and lightweight.
# Grip is made of soft foam for added comfort.
# Serves as a folding seat if needed.
# Folding design makes transport and storage easy.
# 250 lb maximum weight capacity.
# Handle height above floor is 35.5".

Manufacturer Info

The Cane Seat

This contraption tries to meld a walking cane with a small seat. It folds up and has three legs. It has a slightly padded U shaped handle and rubber feet. The seat is hard plastic and comes in a number of colors. It's small! It is no bigger than a typical dinner plate. I would say it is about eight to eight and a half inches in diameter at the most. It is about 35" inches tall. The cane is made of lightweight aluminum but the seat adds considerable weight and the three legs makes it quite an inconvenient cane for those who truly need support.

My Experience

I bought one of these cane seats with a blue seat. I thought it would be perfect for when I felt dizzy. I could quickly open the cane and sit down rather than hold onto whatever was next to me or even sit on the floor. Well, it was a good idea but it didn't work out well in reality.

For one, the cane is so incredibly cumbersome that I found myself tripping over the legs and having trouble lifting the cane with each step. Now, remember, I was very off balance so this wasn't a game to me. I needed stability. The cane felt heavy to me and I ended up giving it to my husband to hold while I held his arm most of the time.

When I felt the need to sit, opening the cane and getting the seat down was not an easy task. Once the seat was down, it felt unstable. I am a 5'5", 124 pound woman and I felt like I might fall either off the seat or through it. Although the manufacturer claims this seat will accommodate up to 250 pounds, I would never go over about 150 or 160.

I have seen these canes on the golf courses when people were walking long distances, then waiting around, then walking again. For them, it is like a portable chair and it apparently works well enough. But for someone who relies on a cane to keep her stable and upright and a seat to keep her feeling safe and sturdy, this cane fails at every turn.

The Folding Cane Seat is not my choice for, well, anything. I wouldn't even use it for sporting events. It is in my garage collecting duct and, even though I could use some help getting around right now, I have no intention of getting the cane seat back out and using it. It actually made me feel less stable!

Buying Info

These cane seats have a variety of prices depending on where you buy them. I paid about $35.00 but you may find one for slightly less and definitely some for more online. Offline, some health aids stores and some mass-market stores sell these as well. Word to the wise: Try this cane out before buying it! It looks like a great idea but, in reality, fails in many ways.

Conclusion

When you need stability and reliability, the Folding Cane Seat will fail you. It is cumbersome and unstable and the seat doesn't make you feel safe. It's an OK cane seat for sporting events and the like but if you or someone you love needs true stability and a seat that will make them feel stable, look elsewhere. This was a huge disappointment to me. 2 stars.