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If you’re over 6 feet tall then you’ve probably struggled to find a walker you can comfortably use. When I was researching walkers for my dad we found most common models don’t extend enough for a tall person to use without hunching over. Others are simply too unstable when fully extended to use with confidence.
And if you’re 6’4″ or more your options are extremely limited. In fact, in all my research I found only one walker suitable for someone this tall.
Here’s what I discovered after 23 hours researching and testing different walkers and rollators designed for tall seniors…
Top Walkers for Tall People
#1 – Drive Medical Nitro Euro Style Tall
Drive Medical make some of the slickest-looking and highest-rated rollators on the market. And their specialist entry into the tall walker category is no exception.
It’s got adjustable handles that go from 36 inches up to a huge 41 inches — making it the only walker I’ve found suitable for someone well over 6 feet tall. The handles adjust with the press of a button. At the highest setting it will accomodate someone up to around 6’8″, depending on your exact measurements. And at the lowest setting my 5’5″ mother had no problems using it.
The combination of the lightweight aluminum frame (17.5 pounds), narrow width (23 inches), and large wheels (10 inch front castors) make this walker a breeze to zip around with. We started around the house and didn’t have to move a single piece of furniture. Popped it in the car for a doctors appointment and had no problems there. Then went for a walk along the foreshore and it handled the bumpy planks on the walkway without a hitch.
And not that style is everything, but we got more compliments and questions about where to get one in the first hour of testing than any other walker we’ve used.
Why we love it:
- Tallest available walker with a max handle height of 41 inches!
- Large 10 inch front castor wheels work great indoors and out. (Cruises over half inch bumps in the sidewalk.)
- Seat is surprisingly comfortable even if you’re at the max weight of 300lbs.
- Removable zippered storage compartment.
- Brake cables are inside the frame so they never get caught on anything.
- Lightweight aluminum frame looks great and can be folded with one hand. (Plus it fits easily in the trunk of a car.)
What could be improved:
- When seated, the handles are a touch narrow, so if you’ve got particularly wide shoulders they might touch.
- The Drive Universal cup holder does not work with this model.
The bottom line was the best of the tall walkers we reviewed, and frankly the only suitable option for anyone 6’4″ and up.
Drive Medical Deluxe Two Button Folding Walker
Are you on a budget, or just need a basic walker? The Drive Medical Deluxe adjusts up to an impressive 39 inches, making it one of the most cost-effective options for taller elderly people.
At just 7.5 pounds and 24 inches wide we had no problem navigating around the house, even our smallest bathroom was easily accessible. (Hot tip: You can install the front wheels in the inside of the frame to shave another few inches off the overall width.) It folds and unfolds easily simply by pressing on the red release buttons. And despite the light weight it felt really sturdy during all of our outings.
Why we like it:
- Super lightweight and easy to transport.
- Good quality 5 inch wheels that don’t leave marks on the floor.
- One of the cheapest walkers on the market!
- Perfect as a second walker for around the house.
What could be improved:
- The rear leg sliders can drag a bit on some carpet so you might want to get some Ski Glides.
OasisSpace Heavy Duty Folding Walker
Supporting up to 500 pounds, with a wide frame and double 5-inch wheels on the front legs, this is an extremely sturdy unit suitable for both indoors and outdoors.
Despite the size and strength it still folds down flat for easy transportation. And because of the light alloy frame it only weights about 8 pounds. We had no problem lifting it up steps or getting it onto the back seat of the car.
Why we like it:
- Wide frame perfect for larger people or those with broad shoulders.
- Height-adjust from 31-39 inches.
- FDA approved.
- Heavy duty weight capacity up to 500lbs.
- Vibrant color that does away with the old “recycled shower curtain rod” look of the past.
What could be improved:
- Some people have troubles with the ski glides falling out.
- The wider frame makes it a little tough to maneouver in tight spaces.
Carex Crosstour Rolling Walker Rollator
Another “Euro” style walker, the Crosstour from Carex is suitable for people up to about 6’4″.
Similar in design to the Nitro (although not quite as nice and lacking some of the finer details ) the Crosstour is a solid option if you’re looking for a 4-wheel rollator but find the Nitro a little out of your price range.
The handles adjust from a max of 38 inches down to 34 inches — a 4 inch range for those counting — so it will fit most average to above average height people.
Why we like it:
- Lightweight 14 pound foldable frame fits in the trunk easily.
- 8-inch wheels front (6 inch rear) go over cracks and bumps without jolting.
- Seat with backrest is quite comfortable for short sits.
- Water-resistant nylon pouch for safe keeping of personal items.
- Stays standing when folded.
What could be improved:
- The bag gets in the way when folding closed, especially if you have things in there.
- 38 inch handles means it’s only good for people up to about 6’4″ — if you’re taller check out the Drive Medical Nitro earlier in this article.
- Took about an hour of trial and error to put it together. (Pay special attention to how the cables and wheels are supposed to go!)
What To Look For in a Tall Walker
Height-adjustable
Rollators usually have adjustable handles, while standard walkers have adjustable legs. Either way you’re looking for something with at least 38 inches of reach from the floor to the handles. Most walkers average just 36″ which means if you’re over about 5’10” you have to hunch to use them, which is not only uncomfortable but bad for your back/neck and potentially dangerous because it puts you in an awkward position.
Large wheels
Without getting too deep into a physics lesson, tall people have a higher centre of gravity than shorter people. This makes them more susceptible to falls. And small wheels are more likely to get stuck on rocks, thick carpet, or cracks in the road. So you want the largest wheels possible. For a rollator, look for wheels at least 8 inches. And for a front-wheel walker, don’t go any smaller than 5 inches.
Sufficient weight-bearing capacity
Tall people tend to be heavier than their shorter counterparts, so it’s important to pay attention to the weight limit of the products you’re looking at. 250-300 pounds is pretty standard but if you’re heavier you might need to look at a heavy duty or bariatric walker.
How To Fit Yourself For a Walker
You can measure yourself for both a walker and a rollator in the same way:
- Put on your regular walking shoes.
- Stand upright with your arms hanging naturally at your sides.
- Have someone measure from the ground up to your wrist.
- This measurement (in inches) is the correct handle height for you.
In Summary…
There really are only a few good walkers available designed for people 6ft tall and over.
In short:
- If you’re looking for a rollator (or are 6’4″+) then the Drive Medical Tall Nitro is king of the hill with it’s 41″ max handle height.
- If the Nitro is out of your budget for a rollator then the Carex Crosstour is a solid runner up.
- If you just want a basic walking frame then the Drive Medical Deluxe represents good value for money with a 39″ max handle.
- Or if you’re on the heavy side and need a heavy duty walker then the OasisSpace HD gives you a maximum 39″ handle height and can support up to 500lbs.
Let me know which one you choose!
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