Hey, I’ll try to answer as I’m a low vision cane user, but keep in mind, this is one person’s opinion.

1. I bought my last cane from the CNIB as that seemed to be the cheapest place to find one here in Canada. But the best place to get one will vary depending on where you live. I think I saw some on Amazon, when I was looking, but that was a few years ago, and don’t remember what the selection was like.

2. My cane goes up to the top of my breasts, and that works well for me. But some people prefer it longer. I used to have a shorted cane after transitioning from an ID cane as the longer cane felt too awkward.

3. ID canes, along with being shorter, give a lot less tactile information about the ground. I used to use one, because I had enough usable vision to mostly get around without a cane. I still do. But switching to a mobility cane meant I could focus my attention more on my surroundings, and not just in what’s right in front of my feet. Which makes my travel safer, and more relaxed.

4. I prefer a roller tip as I find the pencil tips just got stuck in everything. Unless the roller mechanism seizes, it wears smoothly, unlike a ball tip. And I like how smoothly it glides over the ground. I also upgraded from an aluminum to a graphite cane, and highly recommend it. It’s lighter, and seems less prone to bending.

Hope that helps.

We use ambutech folding cane. The area we live in us rural and the towns have terrible sidewalks, with cracks, roots pushing up etc, so we got a big ball tip. And we were told the cane upright should reach your belly button, but I'm aware there are different types of cane

I am not an O and M person and everything I say may be wrong.

If you are using it to find things like levels on uneven ground you need a mobility cane. An ID cane is just symbolic, it's not for poking around to find things and will usually be way too short.

If it's near your chin then it'll be a long mobility cane. What makes it feel too short? If it feels like you're leaning forward to get enough reach or sticking your arm out, which will make your arm ache after a bit, I would think it's too short.

I like canes long, which isn't that long on me because I'm short, but I think the more warning you have of things ahead the better. You can also keep your arm closer in which makes it less achey. Some people disagree but I think if you can't put the bottom end between your feet and easily hold it up with your chin it's too short. People say they should be up to the notch of your collarbone but I think that's a few inches too short.

I like the narrow tips because they last longer, give better feedback because they are less rattly, are easier to carry around and get less disgusting but it does rely on using two point touch, otherwise like you say you constantly catch it in things and get stabbed in the stomach.

Get the lightest one you can, you will feel it after a while.

Does that help?

This is all my personal preference.
I like ambutech graphite folding canes with rolling marshmallow tips and they last a long time.
My cane is almost nose high but they can be nose, chin or armpit high. I just find I like the longer canes now as armpit high seems too short.
I use a mobility cane since an ID cane is more for identification and I use mine to get around, it is my rolling eye on the ground so to speak.

Cane length is a little bit personal preference. Some people like longer canes, but the general rule of thumb that I've heard is that you want about a step and a half warning if your cane comes into contact with something in front of you, so it should reach at least your armpit. I've known some people that like them up to their ears, though. It depends on your stride length, walking speed, etc.

If you're not sure what length you want, maybe go with a telescoping cane that has an adjustable length, so you can figure out what works best for you.

As for where to get a cane, you can order directly from Ambutech's website, or find some on Amazon, or sites like Maxi-Aid or Independent Living Aids, etc. Heck, I've seen them (new) on eBay.

What brand: I think Ambutech is probably the most common. If you order from their website, you can customize the colors of your cane. I've heard Revolution canes are good, but have never used one. The NFB canes (you can request a free rigid one if you're in the US) have, in my experience, been nice.

ID vs. Mobility - it sounds like you definitely need a mobility cane. I'm in a similar situation with the depth perception (and less field of vision) and it's what I use. The ID cane feels too flimsy for my needs. Personally, I think everyone should skip ID canes and go for a mobility cane, but that's just my opinion.

Tip type is, again, somewhat personal preference, somewhat dependent on the type of terrain you're on. Some tips like the metal glide tip of the pencil tip are meant for two-point touch. The rolling marshmallow and roller ball are probably the two most popular constant contact tips. Some like the ceramic tip can be used for both in theory - in reality you may find that you feel otherwise. Rough terrain necessitates a larger tip.

I like my cane a little on the shorter side. I'm 5'5" and use a 6-section, 50in, folding mobility cane from Ambutech. It's white, with a rolling marshmallow tip, a purple bottom section, decorated with a subtle bit of galaxy-print washi tape, with a 50's style rocket ship charm on the cord. ;)

I've always used a folding cane & find it to be most versatile. Easy storage & works as an ID cane when folded. Material is a consideration as a balance between durability & weight. I believe I have one made from graphite.

I’ve heard that a cane should be equal in length from the ground to your shoulder.

Assuming you are US based? You can order canes from Maxi-AIDS, or I think even Amazon may have some? You can also request a free rigid cane from the NFB. As for brands I think you have to try them for yourself as YMMV.

I have different length canes some at chin height, some at the top notch of my sternum. Again you need to decide your preference.

id stick with mobility cane if I were you.

My preference for tip is a metal tip, but I use a collapsible cane so if items stuck my cane doesn’t jam me.