The walking aids market is anticipated to grow from US$ 18.28 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ 29.31 billion by 2031; it is expected to register a CAGR of 7.2% during 2025-2031. Rise in geriatric population, rise in chronic and neurological conditions, and mobility impairment from traumatic injuries are contributing to the growing walking aids market size. However, the limited reimbursement coverage and high cost of advanced walking aids hampers the walking aids market growth. Further, wearable technology for mobility assistance is expected to bring in new walking aids market trends in the coming years.

In terms of revenue, North America dominated the market in 2024. It is estimated to dominate the global market during the forecast period. The US is the largest market for walking aids in the world. In the US, mobility aids such as canes, walkers, rollators, and gait trainers are widely adopted across ages, not only by seniors but increasingly by adults recovering from injury or managing conditions like arthritis or multiple sclerosis. A US study found that many working-age individuals with MS regularly use mobility aids. Personal accounts highlight how canes now commonly support young adults in daily life one Reddit user noted they've used a cane since their mid-20s without negative reactions in public, signaling broadening social acceptance.

Insurance frameworks in the US especially Medicare and Medicaid play a big role in device accessibility. Mobility aids are classified as durable medical equipment and often covered when medically justified. However, users note insurance challenges: high costs for advanced devices and inconsistent coverage create financial barriers despite demand.

In Canada, over one million community-dwelling adults (around 4% of the population) report using walking aids primarily canes and walkers with users averaging age 68 and mostly women. Many Canadians rely on provincial funding programs (e.g. Ontario's ADP) to subsidize mobility devices, although coverage often excludes repair costs and may require out-of-pocket payments.

Healthcare institutions such as Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and affiliated research labs explore advanced mobility tools, including pediatric gait trainers, exoskeletons, and sensor-enabled aids tailored to user needs. User communities share strong preferences for aids that feel personalized stylish, ergonomic, and reliable and many express frustrations when devices look overly clinical. The stigma around basic models has led younger users to delay adoption until they can afford more modern designs.

Overall, the walking aids market in the US and Canada is shaped by aging populations and expanding use among younger, mobile-impaired adults, driven by healthcare access, personalized design expectations, and increasing social acceptance of mobility devices.

Walking Aids Market Analysis

Rise in Chronic and Neurological Conditions Driving the walking aids Market

The increasing prevalence of chronic and neurological conditions is reshaping demand for walking aids extending it well beyond traditional elderly users. Stroke survivors face heightened vulnerability, with nearly 30% falling at least once yearly due to gait deviations like reduced stride length, slower cadence, and impaired propulsion. As a result, many post-stroke rehabilitation protocols now priorities support from walking aids-quad canes, walkers, gait trainers to rebuild stability and mobility.

Meanwhile, multiple sclerosis (MS) affects a majority in ways that directly impair gait: 50-80% of persons with MS experience balance and walking dysfunction, and over half fall annually. Clinical trials demonstrate significant functional gains using robot assisted gait training (RAGT): participants showed improvements in walking speed, endurance, mobility, balance, and reduced fatigue compared with standard therapy. Another study the ADSTEP randomized trial showed that structured device selection, fit, and training in MS users reduced falls by around one fall per person per month and increased weekly walking activity.

Innovative assistive technologies are advancing rapidly. In MS populations, functional electrical stimulation (FES) for foot drop improves daily activity and reduces falls; some studies also show measurable training effects in walking speed and strength. Wearable exoskeletons such as Keeogo or the UAN.GO system are being tested in trials and show promise in restoring or augmenting gait for moderate disability, improving muscle coordination and daily function.

For individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD), which affects more than 1.5 per 1,000 globally and continues rising, gait freezing and postural instability are hallmark challenges. Although PD lacks curative treatments, assistive technologies and specialized walking aids such as rollators with sensor-based posture feedback or laser cueing devices offer critical support. A recent literature review highlights technology-based solution (robotics, wearables, cueing systems, AI-driven IoT devices) as life-enhancing, especially for managing motor symptoms like freezing of gait . Prototypes like HealthWalk show embedded sensors in rollators helping posture and reducing fall risks across users with Parkinson's, MS, or rheumatic conditions .

User-driven demand is also influencing uptake. Online forums especially in MS and related communities share firsthand accounts of younger adults adopting canes or rollators for stability. One user described acquiring two stylish canes in 2023 to avoid dangerous falls in hot weather conditions that exacerbated instability.

Challenges remain: walking aids must feel socially acceptable and physically comfortable. Studies comparing trekking poles and single point canes in MS found that those with better adaptability, increased walking speed, and positive self-esteem impact were preferred over four-point canes . This preference influences product design and patient compliance.

Across chronic neurological populations post-stroke, MS, Parkinson's the trend is clear: mobility impairment is accelerating demand for a wide spectrum of walking aids, from traditional devices to cutting-edge robotics and neuromodulation tools. As clinical evidence accumulates around improved gait, reduced falls, and enhanced quality of life, the market is shifting toward user-specific devices, long-term rehabilitation tools, and technology-integrated mobility solutions.

Walking Aids Market Report Segmentation Analysis

Key segments that contributed to the derivation of the walking aids market analysis are product, device type, application, age group, gender, and end user.

- Based on product, the walking aids market is segmented into canes, crutches, walkers, rollators, and others. The canes segment held the largest share of the market in 2024.

- By age group, the walking aids market is divided into adults and pediatric. The adults segment dominated the market in 2024.

- By application, the walking aids market is divided into neurologically impaired, handicap patients, and other applications. The neurologically impaired segment dominated the market in 2024.

- Based on end user, the walking aids market is segmented into homecare, hospitals and clinics, rehabilitation centers, and others. The homecare segment held the largest share of the market in 2024.

- As per distribution channel, the walking aids market is bifurcated into online and offline. The offline segment dominated the market in 2024.

Walking Aids Market: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments

Sunrise Medical, NOVA Ortho-Med Inc, HOGGI GmbH, Karma Medical Products Co LTD, Drive Devilbiss Healthcare Ltd, MEYRA GMBH, Merits Health Products Co Ltd, Invacare Corp, Medline Industries LP, and Carex Health Brands Inc are among the key companies operating in the walking aids market.

The European Union (EU), the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Brain Foundation, and the American College of Rheumatology, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US Census Bureau, Canadian Survey on Disability (CSD), UN Population Division are among the primary and secondary sources referred to while preparing the walking aids market report.