Most adults start on a 1.5' or 2'
Most kids start on 1' or 1.5'

The 1 foot height is available in kids size only.


Strap-on stilts are generally okay for coordinated kids age 7+ when provided with appropriate guidance and spotting.

It is important to choose a height that one can learn on and not have fear be prohibitive to the learning process.

You will always find that if you start on lower stilts and work up to taller that the learning curve will be much faster and less full of anxiety or fear.

You can always work up to a taller pair of stilts later when you are more comfortable.


Things to think about when selecting the height:

Have you ever tried walking on stilts?
What is the maximum height of stilts that you've walked on?
How comfortable were you?
How are you going to be using the stilts?
Where are you going to be using the stilts (what environment and surface)?
How big and tall are the spaces where you will be stilt walking?
Will there be other people around (audience or performers)?
Will you need to interact with the public?



The taller you are the more space you will need
You will need to maneuver around door jams, lights, ceiling fans, ventilation ducts, trees, signs, wires, etc

The taller you are, the harder it is to interact with people on the ground (like passing out fliers, or playing with little kids).

The taller you are, the harder you hit and the more potential you have for injury.
If you're working on a stage, around other performers or props stilt height will need to be considered and spacial awareness observed.

No, these stilts are not adjustable, they are glued, screwed, and bolted together and the peg is cut to the desired stilt height.

You'll generally need to upgrade to way more expensive metal stilts in order to get height adjustable stilts, however even most metal peg stilts are not height adjustable.



Deconstruction or alteration of peg stilts can result in a compromise in their stability and strength.

Any deconstruction or alterations void any warranty or guarantee of craftsmanship.


I would be happy to build you custom stilts for an additional cost.

If you're interested in further information about custom stilt options, please use the Contact Page.

The adult versus kid size variance is pertinent to the length of the leg brace (the wood that runs along the leg) as well as the length of the straps on the stilts.

If the primary user is over 5'2" tall, then the Adult sized stilts are recommended.

NOTE: If you are right at 5'2" feet in height, measure your leg from the bottom of your foot to the bottom of your kneecap.
E-mail me the measurement or type it in when you check out and I'll confirm which would be best for your body.

People often have different leg versus torso ratios.

PegStilts.com stilts are built to fit many people of various sizes, where the straps hit on the leg will vary based on the height of the user.

In my years as a teacher I've learned that most people who say that their stilts don't fit right aren't putting them on quite right so they will feel uncomfortable or unstable, not just with mine, but with any stilt design.

Getting your stilts on, strapped tightly, and with correct foot placement might take you a couple of tries, even if you have stilt walked before.

Each person has a different body, each body is a different size and has a different center of balance, also each manufacturer of stilts has a different design.



PUTTING ON YOUR STILTS:

You'll want the wood leg brace to be lined up with the outside of your legs.

Line up the front of the leg brace with the front of your low leg/shin (just above the bend for your foot).

You do not need to weave the straps back and forth through the strap hardware.

Instead put the strap in empty hole of the plastic hardware and then velcro the strap back to itself (the stilts are shipped with straps set this way)


Tighten the <b>knee and toe straps</b> as tight as you can tolerate.

The straps need to be tight in order for the stilts to integrate to your body alignment and to feel secure to your body.

You do NOT want your ankle strap too tight or it will pull your heel and leg out sideways and may give you unnecessary cramping and pain.



ADJUSTMENTS:

If you feel like you're walking a lot in your knees (they want to bend) then try sliding your foot forward on the foot plate (the part you stand on).
If you feel like you're walking a lot in the back of your body then try sliding your foot backwards on the foot plate.

Yes! This is foam pad is totally optional and may be removed or cut, especially if it interferes with your ability to wear your knee pads or to strap your stilts on.

Just unscrew it to remove it and be sure to keep the parts in case you change your mind!

PegStilts.com stilts are built to fit many people of varying sizes.

Where the straps hit on the leg will vary based on the height of the user.

Check the nuts/bolts and screws periodically, tighten anything that needs it.

DO NOT STORE YOUR STILTS IN THE SUN OR IN THE RAIN/MOIST CONDITIONS

Check your tread on the bottom of the stilt peg every once in a while, your tread should last a good couple of years depending on your frequency of use, what surfaces you walk on, and what types of "tricks" you do while your stilt walking.


Example: If you walk regularly on hot asphalt and spend lots of time spinning then you will need to change your tread out more often.

Your tread should last you a good couple of years depending on how often you stilt walk, what kind of surfaces you walk on, and what tricks you do while you are stilt walking.

For example, turning pirouettes (spinning) on hot asphalt is going to wear down your stilt tread faster than just walking in grass would.

If you notice that your stilt tread is wearing down and it should be replaced, here's what you can do:

I can either send you some for the cost of shipping plus $5.00, or you can go to a bike repair shop and they will often give you an old mountain bike tire for free. That is where I get mine.

Note: You want a tire that still has tread on it and is not dry rotted or cracked.


Take a straight blade like a box cutter and carefully cut out the metal rings on the edges of the tire.

Cut off (2) 6" pieces of tire

Do this for each stilt leg:
Put one of your stilts in a table vise or clamp it to a stable surface so that the peg end is sticking out off the table and the triangle of the foot plate is facing up
Note: You'll be rotating the stilt as you attach each side of the tire

Remove the previous tread, pay attention to how it was put on

Take (1) of the new 6" tire pieces and place it centered on the end of the peg (like a letter "T")
Cut slots into the tire that will allow it to fold (see previous tire set)
Make the (4) cuts go all of the way to where the tread starts

Place the tire flat on the upside of the stilt
Line up the edge of the cut with the edge of the stilt end
Screw the tire down (use previous screw holes if possible)

Flip the stilt over so the exact opposite side is up now
Screw the other end of the tire piece down

Turn the stilt to one side, tuck the flap, fold the edges over and staple (w/ gun not office stapler) and then place screw also

Turn the stilt to the last side and do the same as the last step

Generally speaking concrete, carpet, asphalt, wood floors, grass etc are just fine.

Avoid water at all cost!
Water is worse than banana peels to stilt walkers (really!), especially on smooth or polished surfaces!

Other surfaces to be aware of are:
gravel or small pebbles
polished concrete
extra tall grass
gopher/mole holes in fields/yards
mud
squishy surfaces like mats

Stilt Walking Safety:

It is very highly recommend to ALWAYS WEAR KNEE PADS!

NOTE: I recommend the kind with the plastic cup on the outside (NOT the all-fabric type).

No matter what your skill level is, if your knees are protected, and you learn to fall properly, then you know that you can land on your knees safely and lessen your chances of injury.


Use a spotter (helper) at first, until you figure out the balance and rhythm of being up tall.

NOTE: You MUST always be moving your feet (marching in place) when on peg stilts. You can not stand still.


Practice how to fall safely (on knee pads) like this:
**Practice this off stilts first, and then with a spotter the first time or two, once you're up on the stilts**


Basic Idea:
--Drop forward to your knees (meanwhile leaning your chest back), sit your bottom onto your feet heels.

Technique:
--when you lean your chest back, you are trying to make a straight line from your knees, through your hips, chest and up to your head.
--try not to bend forward at all
--do not to use your hands to "catch" yourself
--think "rock-n-roll guitarist slide"

Physics:
--by sitting your bottom on your heels and leaning back you decrease the amount of pressure on knees
--also by leaning your chest back you slow down the velocity of the fall and likelihood of needing to use your hands


DO NOT:
Land straight up (vertically) on your knees, you will send shock and pressure into knees, hips, back and you're more likely to have to use your hands which could result in injury to arms, hands, fingers, etc. as well.


DISCLAIMER:
Stilt walking can be quite safe provided that safety precautions are taken.

However, ALL activities do have risks, and by attempting to stilt walk you acknowledge that you are responsible for the safety of yourself, others around you, including property and possessions.

By purchasing or using our products, you assume all responsibility, liability, and risk to yourself and others around you.

If you injure yourself, others around you, or any property, while stilt walking, training, or otherwise using our products or suggestions, Kricket, PegStilts.com, and any/all affiliates assume no responsibility for injuries or damages.

I recommend that you always stretch before you stilt walk, this will help reduce injury potential and will let your body know that your about to make it work so you'll find that you're less tired!

It is common to get fatigued and have some pain in your legs after performing and stilt walking, unfortunately it is the nature of walking on stilts, they are heavy and reduce circulation in your legs, and they use different muscles in your legs and hips than what you usually use.

It takes a while for your body to get used to it (depending on how active you are and how often you use your stilts) but over time you will notice that it is not so hard on your body or as tiring, and that you can do it for longer and longer periods of time.

Yes! Mark your shoe placement on the foot plate of the stilt.
Be sure to use tie on shoes/sneakers!

Use a large washer and a screw or flat-headed bolt that will not slip through the washer hole.

Remove the insole of your shoe and screw through the sole of the shoe into the foot plate.

Replace insole of shoe when you are done.


PROS OF ATTACHING SHOES:

Security and Stability - You will notice a huge difference in the amount of physical work you need to do when you attach your shoes, you'll feel like you can really lift with your whole foot, also any drops to the ground would not require re-placement of the foot or any toe strap adjustments.


CONS OF ATTACHING SHOES:

Can't share your stilts with your friends unless they have the same size feet.

When you put your stilts on you'll need a place to leave your street shoes, then later when you take your stilts off, you don't have your shoes unless you've circled back to get them or have carried them with you. (This can be an issue in parades and marches)

Yes! Tape off all of the straps and then paint the area you'd like to paint.

Do not remove the straps from the stilts, this may compromise the integrity and security of the design if not put back together properly, and this could be dangerous.

I've seen some people decorate their stilts with duct tape or electrical tape, it does look great and is really easy to do however, if you're stilts were to ever be damaged in any way, it would be harder to see the damage if it were covered by tape and you could miss a crack or a compromise in the structure.

Also duct tape gets really sticky in heat and over time.