HurryCane Freedom Edition Review

What the HurryCane is, and who makes it

The HurryCane is the folding cane with the three-pronged rubber foot that became well known through its TV adverts. The brand is now sold by Drive Medical (Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare), a large US maker of home medical equipment, and the current model is the Freedom Edition.

It is an anodized aluminum cane with a T-handle at the top and a small three-point rubber base at the bottom. The base sits on a pivoting joint, so it can tilt as the shaft tilts. It adjusts in height with a push button and folds to about a third of its length.

HurryCane has sold other versions over the years, including earlier editions and the HurryCane GO. This review covers the Freedom Edition, which is the model on Amazon and in most US pharmacies.

How the pivoting base works

A standard cane touches the ground at a single rubber tip. As you walk, the shaft leans forward and back, so the tip is only fully flat for part of each step, and on a slope it often is not flat at all. That is when a tip can skid.

The HurryCane’s foot has three contact points on a pivoting joint (Drive calls them the SteadiGrip base and WhisperFlex design). The joint lets the base stay flat while the shaft moves, so more rubber stays on the ground through each step. Drive says the base copies the way your own foot spreads its weight.

Where it helps most: sloped driveways and ramps, grass and gravel paths, curbs, and the edges of rugs and door thresholds. On a flat kitchen floor the difference is smaller.

What it is not: a three-point base the size of a large coin is still a cane tip, not a quad cane. A quad cane’s four feet spread over a much wider area, which is why therapists use them for people who really cannot balance on their own. If that describes your situation, the HurryCane is the wrong tool.

Does the HurryCane stand on its own?

Yes. Drive states the base lets the cane stand upright on its own, and on hard floors, short carpet and pavement it generally does. That is a bigger deal than it sounds: a cane that falls every time you let go means bending down to pick it up, which is itself a fall risk.

Owners do report it tipping over on soft or deep carpet, and it can fall if knocked. Treat “stands on its own” as a convenience, not something to rely on. Lean it against a chair or table when you can.

Height, weight limit and fitting it properly

The Freedom Edition adjusts from 30.5 to 37.5 inches in eight steps, using a push button. Drive rates it to support 350 lb.

To set the height, stand up straight in your usual shoes with your arms hanging loose. The top of the handle should line up with the crease of your wrist. When you hold it, your elbow should bend slightly, roughly 15 to 30 degrees. Too high and your shoulder hunches; too low and you stoop.

• Hold it in the hand opposite your weaker or painful leg. If your right knee is the problem, the cane goes in your left hand.
• Move the cane and the weaker leg together, then step through with the stronger leg.
• On stairs, use the handrail where there is one. Go up with the stronger leg first, then bring up the cane and weaker leg. Come down with the cane and weaker leg first.

If you have never used a cane before, ask a physical therapist to check the height and your walking pattern. One session is often covered by insurance and makes a real difference.

Folding, travel and the T-handle

The cane folds to about a third of its length, roughly 13.75 inches, and opens again in seconds. Drive’s own store lists a wrist strap and travel bag with it. Check the listing for what is included where you buy.

Folding makes it easy to carry in a handbag or car door pocket, or to tuck away at a restaurant or doctor’s office. Before every walk, make sure each joint has clicked fully into place.

The T-handle fills the palm, which most people find more comfortable than a thin crook handle. People with severe arthritis in the hand or wrist sometimes find a T-handle presses in the wrong place. An offset or ergonomic palm-shaped handle may suit them better.

Replacement feet, parts and common problems

The rubber base is the part that does the work, and it wears with outdoor use. HurryCane sells replacement feet for the Freedom Edition. Buy the set made for your edition, because older HurryCane models used a different base.

Replace the feet when the tread looks smooth, the rubber has split, or the base no longer flexes freely. A worn base grips less, which defeats the point of the design.

If it no longer pivots, check the base is fully seated and clean grit out of the joint. If it still does not flex, replace the feet or use the warranty. If the handle feels loose, stop using it and contact Drive Medical, because the warranty covers manufacturing defects.

Price, where to buy, and Medicare

Drive Medical lists the Freedom Edition at about $40. It is sold on Amazon and Walmart, and in pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS, in several colors including black, blue, red and purple.

Retailers list it as FSA and HSA eligible, so you can usually pay with those pre-tax accounts.

Is the HurryCane covered by Medicare? Medicare Part B can cover a cane as durable medical equipment when a doctor says you need it and you buy it from a Medicare-enrolled supplier. A cane bought on Amazon or off a pharmacy shelf will not normally be reimbursed. At this price, most people simply buy it outright.

HurryCane vs HONEYBULL, quad canes and walkers

HurryCane vs HONEYBULL: the HONEYBULL takes the same idea, folding and free-standing with a pivoting three-prong base, at a lower price. The HurryCane has the higher weight rating, the longer track record and a lifetime warranty.

HurryCane vs a quad cane: a quad cane has four feet spread over a much wider base. It is heavier and does not fold, but it is the safer choice for serious balance problems.

HurryCane vs a walker: a cane supports a little of your weight on one side. If you need to lean on your aid with both hands, or you are falling, a walker or rollator is the right step up. Our walker vs cane guide explains how to tell.