Back-sparing leaf rakes: one size does not fit all.(home)

The Ames Ergo Concept ($15) and the Smart Handle Adjustable Rake by Delta ($30) promise relatively painless raking, courtesy of their curved handles, which the companies claim reduce bending and stooping compared with using a conventional rake.

The premise behind those claims is straightforward: Standing upright improves posture, which can reduce back pain. But as our testers found, both rakes work better for some people than for others. And both have some performance shortcomings for all users.

Homeowners roughly 5 feet 8 inches tail or taller are likely to get some benefit from the Ames Ergo Concept. Its long, undulating handle allowed our taller panelists to stand straighter than they could using a conventional straight-handled rake with a similar head. But the Ames didn't eliminate all bending for taller panelists, and shorter testers complained that the Ames made raking harder without improving their posture.

The smaller, shorter Smart Handle Adjustable Rake by Delta helped our shorter panelists stand slightly straighter while malting ratting easier. A head you can adjust from 8 1/2 inches to 22 inches wide also lets you use this rake for open spaces and in between plants and shrubs. But as with the Ames rake, the Delta's curved handle makes it harder to maneuver when scooping leaves or grass clippings up and into a bag.

Curved handles that help reduce stooping for some also give these rakes a tendency to twist in your hands, making them less stable than straight-handled rakes. What's more, the Delta's flexible tines make it hard to rake heavier debris.

The Bottom line: These rakes may help spare some backs this leaf season. But we suggest that you see how they fit before buying--and keep the receipt.

healthwise