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As strange as it sounds, it’s common to put tennis balls on the ends of walking frames to improve the latter’s stability and grip. Although this DIY solution can be practical, there are some better alternatives on the market.
The best alternative to tennis balls for walkers is the Walker Buddeez Glide Set. Created by physical therapists, it can be used on most surfaces without wearing out. The feet glide smoothly to create a stable walking experience, while the rubber balls adequately protect against obstacles.
Below, I’ll run through my top five alternatives to tennis balls for walkers and give you a primer on what to look for when choosing between these alternatives.
Best Overall: Walker Buddeez Glide Set
When using a walker, it’s important to have smooth and uninterrupted movement. And yet, it’s something few walking accessories truly manage to deliver.
Most devices that fit onto walkers are made from rubber or plastic, typically in a ski or circular shape. Although many of these offer excellent performance, few manage to circumvent the problem of limited maneuverability or getting caught in rugs.
This is where the Walker Buddeez is different. The circular glide foot is made not from rubber or plastic, but smooth nylon that moves more easily over all types of surfaces and doesn’t get caught or stuck. Its circular design also helps avoid the common problem of the tips of skis “hooking” onto deep pile carpets or rugs or banging into the surroundings.
The Walker Buddeez is made from three parts that snap together easily without the need for tools. According to the manufacturer, the kit should take less than a minute to put together because it’s designed for ease of use.
The main body of the device attaches to the walker using the holes, which makes it adjustable to your height. A nylon glider attaches to the underside, increasing the gliding area to create smoother movement. The plastic body is then encased in a foam ball which protects from scrapes and bumps for both the legs and surrounding walls and furniture.
The glider can move in any direction (including backward) and can easily navigate over mats other devices can get stuck on. Most importantly, it’s approved for regular use outside, including in the rain. This means you won’t need to worry about wearing the underside away on rough surfaces like concrete.
The Walker Buddeez is fairly durable, but if any of the components happen to wear down and require replacement, you won’t be able to buy them separately. This is one of the very few negatives in what is otherwise a truly excellent kit.
Pros
- Can be used on all types of surfaces, including wet conditions outdoors
- Robust and durable
- Can move in any direction
- Creates a smooth and stable walking movement
- Assembles quickly with no need for tools
- Rubber balls protect surrounding furniture and walls from scrapes
- Can be personalized with Walker Buddezz SKNZZ
- A fully patented design created by physical therapists and used in hospitals
Cons
- Individual components aren’t available separately
- Custom skins can be hard to find in stock
Best Budget Buy: MaxiAids Walker Coasters
Replacing tennis balls on your walker doesn’t have to blow your budget, as these Walker Coasters expertly demonstrate. An affordable option that still delivers on performance, these coasters provide enough stability and movement for most walkers.
Made from bright yellow plastic, these coasters are more of a slimline accessory than some of the other gliders. They’re certainly smaller than a tennis ball, although they’re the same color.
You don’t need tools to fit these coasters as they fit right over the existing legs with a push action, using an O-ring to stay in place. These coasters are compatible with any walker with 1″ (2.54 cm) frame tubing. The coasters glide efficiently enough over a wide range of surfaces, including doorways and cracks in the pavement.
However, it’s worth mentioning that regular use outside will probably wear these walker coasters out. Although they’re advertised for use outside, the yellow plastic can be damaged by rough surfaces such as concrete.
Generally, these coasters are safe to use with most types of flooring. But they may cause scrapes on hardwood floors, so keep that in mind if your house has those.
Pros
- Moves smoothly over a range of surfaces, including uneven ground
- Bright color makes them clearly visible
- Slimline silhouette won’t bang into things or trip you up
- Can be used inside and outside
- Doesn’t collect dirt or pick up dust
Cons
- Vivid color may not be to your liking
- Not as durable outside as heavy-duty gliders
- May scratch some types of wood flooring
Best for Quiet Use: Vive Walker Ski Glide Covers
If you already have gliders on your walker but still experience problems with scratching and noise, you may want to use these Walker Ski Glide Covers from Vive. You don’t need to replace the existing gliders, as these covers simply slip over the top.
Some gliders are fantastic for stability and easy movement but tend to scratch the floor, especially when pressure is exerted on the handles. Vive’s ski glide covers allow you to enjoy all the practical benefits of the gliders — albeit with a little more protection for your flooring.
These soft velour covers stretch to fit over the gliders without affecting the balance of the walking frame. Acting as a buffer between the glider and the floor, they prevent scratches and minimize the noise of the walker moving around.
The soft and stretchy covers are compatible with all types of indoor flooring, including laminate, carpet, tiles, and wooden surfaces. However, because they’re made from fabric, they’ll wear away very quickly when used outside.
These covers fit around the gliders snugly, so they don’t impede movement. This means they can be a little tight to get on at first, but with a little wiggling, it’s possible to get a tight and accurate fit. You can remove them far more easily, allowing them to be washed and re-fitted for use.
Pros
- Stretches to fit different sizes of gliders
- Easy to clean
- Suitable for all types of indoor flooring
- Won’t scratch or mark surfaces
- Provides whisper-quiet movement
Cons
- Not suitable for outdoor use
- Can be a tight fit to get them on
- Will only work if gliders are already fitted
Easiest to Fit: Startop Deluxe Pre-Cut Walker Tennis Ball Glides
Tennis balls are a great solution for walking frames, but the problem is it can be tricky to slice up rubber balls yourself. The DIY option means the balls can split, or it’ll take a while to ensure they’re the right fit for your walker.
One great alternative to using real tennis balls is these tennis ball gliders. They look just like tennis balls, but they’re pre-split and ready for use. They’re designed to be gliders rather than balls, so they work even better than real tennis balls.
Some of the gliders and tennis ball alternatives for walking frames require tools to fit them in place or that the existing feet be removed first. In contrast, these pre-cut tennis balls are easy as they simply slot onto the legs. Once in position, they don’t twist or move, creating a firm and stable base which allows the frame to move smoothly.
However, although these glider balls are the easiest of them all to fit, those with weak or arthritic hands may find them a challenge. This is because the balls must be firmly squeezed to open up for the leg to slot in.
Grip strengtheners can sometimes help, even in the case of arthritis or carpal tunnel. Equipment such as these Vive Squeeze Balls from Amazon.com can help build strength and are typically recommended by occupational therapists.
Once in position, these pre-cut tennis ball gliders offer grip and facilitate easy movement across a range of surfaces. They tend to wear down more quickly when used regularly outside, but on most surfaces, they offer excellent durability.
Pros
- Pre-cut balls mean no awkward prep work
- No tools required to fit
- Slots simply onto the frame legs for an instant solution
- Glides smoothly across most surfaces
- Will not scuff or scratch even with heavy use
- Hold firmly in place after installation
Cons
- Opening may need to be widened for larger walkers
- Hand strength required to squeeze the balls to install
- Wear down more quickly when used outside
Most Stylish: Top Glides Sneaker Walker Glides
Just because a walking frame must be sturdy and stable doesn’t need it has to be boring, as this funky Sneaker Walker Glides show. Available in a range of different colors and styles, you can add a little quirky style to the walking frame without compromising on any of the practical functions.
Rather than resembling the conventional tennis ball style commonly used to stabilize walking frames, these gliders look just like little sneakers. They’re available in pink, blue, and purple and operate just like a regular gliding foot but with the added benefit of looking like a miniature sneaker.
Of course, safety is always important, and the priority for any walking frame accessory should be functionality. However, there’s no reason your accessories can’t be stylish and fun too, which is what’s on offer here. If you’re bored of the plain look of most walking frame accessories, these sneaker gliders make a fabulous alternative.
These sneaker gliders will fit a variety of 1″ (2.54 cm) tubes and are designed to replace the original feet. Since they won’t slot over feet, you’ll need to remove the existing feet first. Once you’ve done this, attaching these gliders is easy as they simply slot into position without needing tools.
The smooth underside of these gliders allows for faster movement of the walking frame without any friction. This works well on indoor surfaces, especially on hard flooring and short-pile carpets.
The sneaker gliders can sometimes snag on deeper pile carpets, and they don’t run as smoothly outside where the ground is bumpier. They also tend to wear out more quickly when used regularly outside or on harder surfaces.
Pros
- Bright and fun design
- Available in different styles and colors
- Glides smoothly over carpets
- Quick and easy to fit
- Won’t scratch the floor
- Can be fitted by hand without any need for tools
Cons
- Not as durable as other products
- Wears down quickly on harder surfaces
- Needs to be tightened regularly
- May sometimes twist and need to be straightened
What You Should Know About Buying Devices for Walkers
The first time you see a tennis ball on a walker, you may do a double-take because it’s certainly not an obvious pairing. However, a tennis ball adds stability and aids smooth movement, enhancing the walker’s performance.
Slicing into a tennis ball is inherently risky, and there’s also a chance the hole may gape and tear. This is why there’s such a large market for professional, high-quality alternatives that are also relatively affordable.
Most alternatives can be split into one of the following types: coasters, gliders, and tennis ball replicas. Each can offer excellent performance, but depending on your personal needs, you may prefer one type over the others.
Things to consider include:
- Durability. Some last better than others, particularly when used outside.
- Recommended surfaces. If you have many rugs or deep-pile carpets in your home, not all alternatives will be compatible with them.
- Type of flooring. Hardwood flooring can be scratched by some types of tennis ball alternatives.
- Ease of use. Tools or a strong grip may be required to install the product onto the walker.
- Size of your walking frame. Not all of these products will fit a larger frame.
- Ease of cleaning. This is especially important if you plan on walking outside.
- Noise. If this is an issue, then rubber or fabric will offer quieter movement than plastic.
All types tend to be very affordable unless they keep wearing out and need to be replaced. That’s why it’s important to consider your environment and where you’ll likely use the walker.
For example, if you’re more likely to use a grab rail rather than your walker to move outside, then it might be better to focus on your indoor environment. Alternatively, if you regularly take your walker outdoors, a more robust, waterproof design is important.
Here are the pros and cons of the most common types of tennis ball alternatives for walkers.
| Best for: | Disadvantages: | |
| Ski gliders | Moving more quickly. Smooth movement with no need to lift the walker too high. Best performance for indoor use. | Can twist during use. Can get hooked under rugs, mats, and deep-pile carpets. Not as durable outside. |
| Coasters | Dirt and water-resistant. Can cope well with uneven surfaces. Suitable for use outside. Budget-friendly price. | Can wear quickly when used outside. May scratch some wooden flooring. |
| Tennis ball replicas | Easy to fit Can adjust to different size frames more easily. Offers stability and bulk. | Not very easy to clean. Picks up dirt. Walker needs to be lifted higher to move than gliders. |
How do you know if your elderly parent needs to use a walker? Read my guide in which I listed the signs that show it’s time for the elderly to use a walker. 13 Signs It’s Time for the Elderly to Use a Walker
Conclusion
There’s no need to keep on exposing yourself to potential injury by cutting up tennis balls when there are so many better solutions for walkers. All of the five products I’ve mentioned above perform better than a tennis ball and require less preparation.
Overall, the Walker Buddeez Glide Set is my top pick because of its durability, versatility, ease of use, and clever design. It can be used inside and out and provides superior movement on all surfaces.
You know, I’ve been thinking. While we’re on the subject of keeping our dear seniors mobile and safe, there’s something else that’s just as important as a sturdy walker. It’s staying connected, and knowing help is just a button press away if they need it. That’s where Jitterbug phones and emergency response products come in handy. These intuitive devices are easy to use, and they accompany our loved ones wherever their walker takes them. With Jitterbug by Lively, if they stumble or need assistance, help is immediately available. No worry, no fuss. And hey, don’t just take my word for it! I encourage you to explore more about these fantastic products on the Lively website. Together, let’s ensure that our seniors enjoy not just mobility, but also peace of mind. Learn more at Lively.com.
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