11 Best Walker Glides In 2024, Physical Therapist-Reviewed
Specialty: Orthopedic Physical TherapyExperience: 10+ yearsDr. Dave Candy is a physical therapist and a certified specialist in orthopedic physical therapy, with over ten years of experience. He owns and manages his physical therapy firm More 4 Life in St. Louis, MO. Dr. Candy specializes in aiding individuals aged 40 and above in alleviating orthopedic discomforts without the need for medical or surgical interventions.
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In This Article
Despite having the support of a walker, some people may fear losing their balance while walking. That’s where the best walker glides come into the picture, enhancing the safety and mobility of a walker. These glides are designed with cutting-edge technology to give a smooth ride on rough and slippery surfaces alike.
With durable materials, universal size, and thoughtful design, a glider will last long and not snag on fabrics or carpets as you walk. Attach it to your walker’s hind leg, and you are ready to head out into the world.
This list of some tried-and-tested walker glides for a smooth walking experience is a great place to start your search.
Top Picks
Types Of Glides For Walkers
Below are some of the notable types of walker glides available on the market.
- Tennis ball glides: These glides look like tennis balls and are more durable than plastic guides. Make sure to buy pre-cut tennis balls that are easy to use. Dr. Dave Candy, a physical therapist and certified specialist in orthopedic physical therapy, says, “One advantage of tennis balls is that they allow you to move in any direction without resistance, whereas ski glides are generally designed to let you move forward.”
- Sneaker walker glides: These glides look like a sneaker. They don’t need special tools to install. Sneaker walker glides can glide on almost all types of surfaces.
- Plastic glides: These lightweight glides are an excellent choice because they are easy to install and durable. The tip is made of rubber material to reduce friction.
11 Best Walker Glides
1. Best For Outdoor Use:Vive Walker Ski Glides
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has received 5,164 positive Amazon reviews from its users, stating its numerous benefits.
The Vive mobility aid is made of solid composite material and offers smooth and easy mobility. The ski glides are compatible with all medical folding walkers. This curved ski glide securely fits the walker’s stick and enables the walker to glide safely on rough and uneven surfaces. The kit includes two velour covers to provide additional scratch protection when it’s being used indoors. If you want to find out more about this product and its usage, make sure to check out this review on YouTube.
Pros
- Reduces noise
- Scratch-resistant
- Durable material
- Easy to install
Cons
- Socks pad difficult to put on and off
2. Best Durable:Funski Walker Glides
The Funski walker sliding device adopts bright colors and a stylish design. These walker glides have a ball shape to allow smooth glide and are suitable for indoors and outdoors. These glides are easy to install and fit easily into all one-inch walker legs. It does not require any tools to install and easily fits with a simple push in the hole. The rolling walker glides, designed in the USA, comprises a high-quality, durable plastic material. The bottom shoe is made of self-lubricating plastic to prevent snagging on the carpet. If you need further convincing, check out this product video.
Pros
- Prevents scratches
- Glides smoothly
- Easy to use
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Can be noisy
Caution3. Best For Safety:Drive Medical Walker Wheel Ski Glides
Use these gliders by Drive Medical to reduce those high-pitched squeaky noises made by your walker and increase its longevity by creating a barrier between its base and the floor. They are made of durable and sturdy materials and are designed for use with walkers that have 1.125-inch tubing. Additionally, the gliders can be easily slipped onto your feet, eliminating the need for additional installation tools.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Smooth gliding
- User-friendly
- Suitable for all surfaces
Cons
- May not be compatible with larger walkers
"I find myself walking more comfortably with these glides on my walker. They are durable and protect my floors from scuffs, so the slight noise they make is easily tolerable. Also, installing them was a breeze."
Vive Walker Ski Glides | Funski Walker Glides | Walker Buddezz Glide Set | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package Dimensions | 4.17 x 3.11 x 2.4 inches | - | 7.91 x 5.47 x 4.05 inches |
| Weight | 5.61 Ounces | 0.48 Ounces | 11.36 Ounces |
| Dimensions | - | 3 x 5.5 x 3.5 inches | - |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 5,164 | 140 | 308 |
| Price | $12.99 | $15.89 | $19.95 |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
4. Best Nylon Material:Top Glides Walker Ski Glides
Walker Ski Glides is designed for easy maneuverability indoors and outdoors. The Top Glides, made of sturdy nylon material, can move smoothly even on rough surfaces and has a long service life. It comes in a pack of three, which contains six glides for the benefit of additional glides in case of wear and tear. The unique, heavy duty walker glides are compatible with all one-inch folding walkers.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Fast shipping
- Money-back guarantee
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Maybe noisy
"I like that they help me walk safely around the house, whether on hardwood or carpet floors. They also offer a snug fit and hold up impressively well, even with regular use."
5. Best Easy To Install:Tulimed Walker Ski Glides
Tulimedski glides, made of durable and robust plastic, are designed to easily attach to the walker’s rear legs to glide smoothly on rough surfaces. The high-quality rubber tip fits securely on most walkers. These hard plastic glides are easy to install and do not require any tools, making them a functional and ideal gift for an elderly person.
Pros
- Compatible with all walkers
- Does not attract dirt
- Versatile use
- User-friendly
Cons
- Installation instruction not very clear
"I'm truly satisfied with these walker glides. The quality is top-notch, and they glide smoothly on my house floors without scratching them. These are pretty easy to maintain too."
6. Best Stainless Steel:Penco Walker Ski Glides
Penco gliders are suitable for all walkers with tubes that have one-inch diameters. The ski glide is made of durable high-density resin and can glide smoothly on all surfaces. The durable structure has a longer service life. The bolts are made of stainless steel to keep the glide safe and secure. Each pack contains one pair of glides.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Snag-free
- Scratch-free
- Easy to use
Cons
- Might have to be tightened frequently
"The stability these gliders offer is reassuring for my father's safe movement around the house. They are also pretty durable, although I make sure to tighten the attachments once in a while to ensure a secure fit."
Do remember7. Best Universal Fit:Health Smart Walker Glides
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
A whopping 1,938 reviews on Amazon make it obvious that users genuinely love this product.
These tried-and-tested walker gliding caps are designed to improve moderate mobility issues. The Health Smart walker glide is made of high-density materials. The walker glide’s benefits include easy maneuverability indoors and outdoors and extra durability. These glides are ideal for the walker’s back stick, but you can use them with front wheels, too.
Pros
- Rubber walker glide tips reduce friction
- Universal fit
- Attractive color
Cons
- Limited guarantee
"Thanks to these sturdy glides, I can comfortably walk across streetside pathways without feeling any bulk or causing noise. I'd not recommend these for delicate floors, though."
8. Best Long Lasting:RMS Walker Glide
The RMS glider is an amazing walker accessory, made of durable composite material, and is compatible with all walkers with a tube diameter of one inch. The durable material stays for a long time without wear and tear. The curved tip makes it easy to move from floor to carpet. These convenient accessories can be fitted with a standard screwdriver and locked securely for perfect maneuverability. Each package includes a pair of glides.
Pros
- Reduces noise
- Snag-free
- Easy-to-install
- Scratch-resistant
Cons
- The tail of the ski runs into the wheel while folding
"Ever since I've installed these gliders on my walker, my daily movement has improved. However, I find them more effective on indoor surfaces than outdoors."
9. Best Compatbility:Carex Walker Auto Glides
The rolling and gliding walker attachments are designed for the back legs of a front-wheel walker and are compatible with most walkers. They navigate smoothly on rough and smooth surfaces and come with an added auto-brake safety feature. To activate these walker glide brakes, you need to push down the walker’s handles slightly. This action gives your walker excellent stability. You can use these auto glides with four-leg walkers or walkers with wheels.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Durable
- User-friendly
- Glides smoothly
Cons
- May not be long lasting if used extensively on concrete floors
"Compared to my previous rear pads, these walker sliders are much more stable and safe across indoor surfaces, particularly with the added brake feature. I wish they were a bit more durable for my outdoor strolls as well."
10. Best User-Friendly:Top Glides Travel Walker
Top Glides travel walker, made of thick nylon material, is easy to install and does not require any tools and hardware. The Top Glides walker glides can be removed by pressing the side buttons and pulling down. It is compatible with only Able Life Space Saver Walker.
Pros
- Money-back guarantee
- User-friendly
- Lightweight
- Prevents snagging
Cons
- Not compatible with all walkers
"These are robust enough to handle my day-to-day demands on different surfaces, and the no-fuss installation is a lovely perk."
Quick tip11. Best For Smooth Move:Stander Ski Glides
The easy-to-operate Stander ski glides are compatible with the Stander EZ fold-and-go walker, Signature Life Elite travel walker, and the Able Life Space Saver Walker. They come in a pack of five glides that offer a total of 10 individual glides. It includes an Allen wrench to facilitate easy installation.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Easy to use
- Boosts the mobility
- Scratch-free floor
Cons
- Not compatible with the Stander Metro Walker
"For me, the standout feature of these glides is the bolt-on design; it offers a superior attachment to the walker's feet and remains secure through my regular use. Also, the included tools and clear instructions made installation pretty smooth."
How To Choose The Right Glides For Walkers?
Consider the following suggestions before buying glides for walkers.
- Compatibility: The glides you choose should have a universal fit and be suitable for all walkers. Some glides are designed to fit walkers by specific brands.
- Installation features: Most standard walker glides are easy to install. Choose a glide that does not require tools to install.
- Usability: Choose glides that are suitable for indoor and outdoor surfaces.
- Durability: The material should be made of high-quality and durable plastic to withstand your body weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How should I install glides on the walker?
Follow these simple steps to install your glide on the walker: pull out the plastic cap from the walker, push the glide in the one-inch hole of the tube, and tighten it with a screwdriver while ensuring the curved part faces outward.
2. How can I prevent my walker from scratching the floor?
You can insert glide socks or glide covers to protect your walker from scratching hardwood floors or any other type of flooring.
3. Why do walkers need glides?
Adding glides to walkers minimizes noise and prevents scratching of smoother surfaces such as tiles and carpets. Further, it can enable you to move smoothly on various surfaces.
4. Are walker glides better than tennis balls?
Walker glides are a more hygienic and safer option than tennis balls. They also work better on hard surfaces, such as concrete, compared to tennis balls, which tend to snag. Further, tennis balls tend to collect debris, unlike walker glides.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Our team of dedicated writers, researchers, and reviewers bring you this list of the best walker glides available in the market. We have chosen these walker glides after exploring several trusted websites and considering several reviews and ratings by users. Furthermore, we have provided a detailed description and listed the pros and cons of each product to help you choose the right one that meets your requirements.
The Bottom Line
Walker glides are designed to increase your safety and mobility and give you a smooth walking experience on slippery surfaces. The glide options listed here are durable and ergonomically designed to ensure additional safety and comfort. They also come in a universal size, making it easier for you to choose the right glide for your walker and preventing them from snagging on carpets or scratching your floors. When buying one, ensure you check the compatibility, usability, durability, and installation features, so you can start gliding around pronto. Our top recommendations include the RMS Walker Glides with curved tips, the Drive Medical Walker Wheel Ski Glides, which offer tool-free installation, and the scratch-resistant Vive Walker Ski Glides. Moreover, consult a certified physical therapist for recommendations before choosing the best walker glides.
Infographic: What Are The Advantages Of Using Walker Glides?
Walker glides are essential accessories that enhance the maneuverability and functionality of walkers. They provide smooth gliding and effortless movement on various surfaces, making your rehabilitation period easier. To gain a better understanding of how walker gliders prove to be helpful, take a look at the following infographic.
Illustration: The Bridal Box Design Team
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Read full bio of Dr. Dave Candy
