I use the high-mileage roller ball tip which is about the size of a softball. I have an extra long cane that I run with on the beach and the roller ball doesn’t get hung up very often. Only in the deepest of footprints, if I’m running fast and I catch it wrong.
I was using the omniwheel, but it started squeeking and then I lost it in the last move.
The roller ball is quieter overall than the omniwheel (even before the squeeking began) and they both have about an equal number of times getting hung up. Generally, the roller ball rarely hangs up and it is lightweight. I got the high-mileage version for my long “exercise” cane and my shorter, regular walking pace cane, and so far, I haven’t had to replace them yet. It’s been about 9 months.

The only drawback is that sighted people aren’t used to seeing a ball at the end of a cane and one guy asked me if it was a special sensor or something. Also, a toddler got ahold of it and was licking it like an icecream cone when I was sitting around with some friends.

I've recently switched from a rolling marshmallow to a ceramic tip. I *really* like the tactile and auditory feedback it gives.

It can get stuck easier, since it's smaller, but I find that if I'm doing constant contact, I can use a light touch with it and that minimizes the catching while still giving me the info I need. I've also gotten a lot better at two-point touch since switching as that's my go-to now for rough ground.

I use a Ceramic, High Mileage Rolling Ball, and sometimes a Rolling Marshmallow.

I have used many. I use a lot of the glide nfb chris park type tips, I had a ceramic one but somehow lost it, it was stranger than fiction it came off of my cane or got broken or something. I found out my cane at one point had no tip. Oooops! Oh well. So I had to get a family member to pick me up I was just out and about walking and didn’t want to further ruin my cane tip. Using high mileage cane tip on one cane now and is very meh on that one. I use a roller marshmellow on one, had a standard rolling tip. Used marshmellow and pencil. I’ve used a lot of them. I like my standard nfb tip best I really like really light canes until they blow away that is. Need to buy another dcane at some point.

I like the little rubber ones that are metal coated. They’re light but also make enough distinct noise that I notice it better.

I don't use a cane myself, but probably 90% of my clients use a roller tip, and some use a marshmallow tip. I have a few who use the ceramic tips, but that is very uncommon. Some more use the ball tip, although that isn't as common lately.

I haven't managed to get a Dakota disc to try out yet. I'll have to special order it, my store doesn't carry them.

I like the rolling tips. I can use it for 2 point or constant contact which is my main.

Marshmallow or roller tips always feel like doing it with oven gloves on to me. Pencil all the way until very recently when I realised how awesome ceramic is. I do two point touch almost always which may be why I don't have the jamming problems other people report. I am starting to realise my technique may be a bit weird as I don't have the butt end of the thing in front of my belly button as a lot of people teach it, I have it off to the side and just aim left a bit, so if it does jam I almost never get jabbed as it just goes under my arm. I don't really know why this isn't standard technique to be honest.

The ceramic is just way better, though, it's more rigid so you get better feedback and the audio feedback tells you way more. I wish there were pencil tip shaped ceramic ones rather than the half sphere shape that's somewhere between pencil and marshmallow in size. Pencil tips are just easier to carry, I want it to be minimal and small when it is folded up and ball or marshmallows always stick out the end of the bundle awkwardly and the ceramic one I can do that a bit.

I use the standard nfb metal tip as well, light weight and versatile. However I have tried other tips in the past and here are some thoughts, note, I use the constant contact technique nearly all the time. Ceramic, not too different from metal disc, but maybe a hair heavier and makes a different sound when hitting the floor especially in doors, usually quieter than metal. Roller tip, convenient because it rolls, but too heavy for my taste. Pencil tip, I like this one too because of the lowest weight, but it is the easiest one to get stuck in cracks. You may notice that I generally prefer light non rolling tips using the constant contact technique, the caveat that comes with that is that you have to use a light and relax approach especially on pavement and rough surfaces.

I used to use a roller marshmallow tip but it got absolutely shredded on my local pavements and got caught in a lot of things, because the pavements in my area are awful. I now use a high milage roller ball tip, which so far is working a lot better! It is kinda hell on my wrists though

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A marshmallow rolling tip is the only way to go



Pencil tips are too thin and get caught in things


Rollerball tips are too big and make your cane heavier at the bottom and they're kind of unwieldy and very hard to get the folding bands around


In disc tips are just plain insane


I don't think I've ever heard of one roller tips move smoother and you can hear them better and they are generally easier than stationary tips like pencils and discs and the marshmallows a convenient size