Finding the Right Cane and Tip Will Improve Your Navigation Skills

Hello Everyone,

This guide is to dispel a common misconception about white canes; There is only one type of white cane. This is incorrect!! There are not one, but FOUR types of white canes and thousands of cane tips to choose from. We hope to provide you with the full picture of white canes and give you the opportunity to find one that really fits you. We will talk about each type of white cane, some common tips, and their differences.

First, we have the symbol cane. The only purpose of this cane is to inform people nearby of your visual impairment status to improve the safety and increase awareness. And though it can be helpful with obstacles in the path, it is not consistent enough to safely dependent on it.

Second, we have the guide cane. This cane can inform users of obstacles directing in front of them or close nearby, but doesn't have the luxury of swinging left and right. This is more reliable than the symbol cane in order of identifying obstacles in your path but not the best.

Third, and the most common is the long cane, sometimes called the probing or white cane. The long cane is lightweight and the longest of all. Out of all the four options, this cane is the most reliable when navigating obstacles, and is the safest to rely on. The long cane can fully swing side to side, covering a lot of ground and identifying as many dangers as possible. The tip mostly used with a long cane is a moveable and smooth rolling tip.

Fourth, we have the support cane.  This is a short cane that you hold close to your side. It is the only cane that can safely support your weight. As you might expect, this cane is a bit heavier than the rest. The tip used for this type of cane is usually one that is doesn't glide easily and taps rather than rolls.

Not only are there four types of white canes, there are thousands of tips as well. They are usually categorized into two categories, rolling tips and tapping tips. Within those categories, tips are usually chosen based on the surface you will be walking on. Five of the major tips used are the Marshmallow tip, the Pencil tip, the Metal Glide tip, the Roller tip, and the Bundu Basher.

First, Marshmallow Tips. Marshmallow Tips are the most common type of a tip. They are chunky, slightly heavy and don't get caught in the sidewalk cracks.

Second, the Pencil Tips. Pencil Tips are light-weight, longer, thinner tips but can sometimes get stuck in crevices on the road/sidewalk.

Third, the Metal Glide Tip. Metal Glide Tips are extremely lightweight and don't get stuck in sidewalk cracks.

Fourth, the Roller Tip. Roller Tips are a heavier tip but don't get caught in the cracks of the sidewalk.

Fifth, the the Bundu Basher Tip. The Bundu Basher is a tip made specifically for rough terrain and being in the wilderness. It is build specially for that function. The Bundu Basher is just one example of a tip being specifically made to fit a certain environment or situation.

Although using white cane may not be as safe and efficient as using a guide dog, having the right cane and tip can improve both of those factors. Now that you know the full picture, which cane is right for you?

Written by Pippa and Chelsea