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How Tall Should a Walking Stick Be?

Q. I’m making my own walking stick. How big should it be?
— Owen, El Paso, Texas

A. Here’s a good rule on sizing: Standing with your arms at your side, the stick should be about 8 inches taller than your elbow. Pick a longer stick if you’ll be tackling steep terrain. If you’re just planning on walking with your stick, pick a shorter one that comes to your waist.

When it comes to actually making it, there are lots of cool options. Head to go.scoutlife.org/hikingstick for some inspiration.


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10 Comments on How Tall Should a Walking Stick Be?

  1. Put a wooden ball on top of your staff or hiking stick. It makes it very safe, believe me!

  2. If you think about it, you want the stick long enough to not impale yourself or stab your eye if you stumble on the trail. The suggestion that it should be at least nose height seems less likely to cause such injury. Too tall could also be an impediment.

  3. TheTrueScout // August 29, 2019 at 11:09 pm // Reply

    Lord Baden Powell Stated in Scouting for Boys that the staff should be nose hight.

  4. Seems some of the above contributors have never walked further than their couch. I suggest finding a suitable staff and going on a hike. Make your first route short and straight so you remember how to get back to your couch. R J.

  5. Backpacker1700+ // January 16, 2019 at 10:29 am // Reply

    I have heard that a *hiking* stick should be at least shoulder high to prevent impaling oneself if Stumbling or falling towards a shorter stick? What do you think?

    A walking stick or walking cane is a different purpose altogether.

  6. The 17th Cow // January 5, 2019 at 7:41 pm // Reply

    i once had a walking stick but it turned in to a snake

  7. thaTS WHAT hE SaID // December 13, 2018 at 6:25 pm // Reply

    my stick is .1 inch tall is that ok

  8. Thanks!!! For info on the walking stick. Now I just got to figure out how to carry a shotgun and walking stick. Guess I can drop the stick if I need to shoot.

  9. Gandalf did not adhere to the information in this article.

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