Standard equipment for many hikers, backpackers and snowshoers, the use of hiking or trekking poles has exploded in popularity.
Looking like a traditional ski pole, they help with balance and weight distribution and if they are not a part of your hiking kit, they should be.
There are many things to consider when choosing a set of poles including weight, locking system, shock absorbency, strength and others and we'll cover each of these in detail.
To start however, here are advantages of using them: - They provide for superior balance and footing.
- They reduce the amount of stress on your joints and legs, transferring some of the weight to your arms.
- They make crossing difficult sections of a trail easier and safer.
- They assist in the crossing of streams.
- They can be used as a third arm to move brush or branches out of the way.
- They can be used to probe to check for boggy sections or other trail hazards.
For those with weak or damaged joints, poles can be particularly beneficial When should poles be used? Hiking poles can be used on any trail whether a flat hike or steep scramble - it's up to you.
On flat or gentle terrain the pole grip should be the height of your hand with your elbow at a 90 degree angle.
On longer uphill sections, you may wish to shorten your pole and on downhills, lengthen them slightly for better control.
Shock or anti-shock: There are typically two main types of poles, those with an anti shock system and those without and choosing one over the other is a matter of personal preference.
We have used both and have not seen much difference between them.
One, two or three piece poles: Most poles are made in three pieces and these are the most compact form and offer the widest range of height adjustment.
I have however have seen two piece poles and even some one piece models.
I would recommend against the latter however as while the lightest and possibly strongest of the three examples cited, they offer no height adjustment.
Oval vs round shafts: Most pole shafts are round and these work well enough for most.
Other shafts can be oval or tear- drop shaped and while stronger and stiffer these tend to be overkill.
Plus they are somewhat heavier.
Grips, soft foam vs cork vs plastic: This a personal preference.
I find foam ones to too soft and they wear out to easily.
In hot weather, cork seems better than plastic, although most of the poles we used were the later and we've never had much of an issue with them.
Aluminium or carbon fibre? Most poles are aluminium and that should suit you just fine.
Carbon fibre is lighter, but the weight advantage is offset by higher cost.
Carbon poles are usually the top of the line and the most expensive.
Locking mechanisms: There are generally two styles of locking mechanism, either a twist compression lock or some form or clamp lock.
Of the two, and we have tried both, the clamp lock is by far the superior style.
The twist lock is prone to loosening over time and this could lead to collapse when you need them most.
A clamp lock however will never collapse if adjusted right, and I can put full weight on them without fear.
Actually you'll probably bend the pole before the clamp lock fails.
Tips and baskets: Typically your pole will have carbide tips and may come with small removable baskets.
This is usually sufficient for most people although those who snowshoe may wish to add larger baskets for stability in deep snow.
If you use your poles in an urban environment you may wish to add rubber tips which afford better stability on concrete and asphalt and are quieter than the metal ones.
Wrist straps: Most poles come with straps.
Some prefer to use them, while I don't, so it's a matter of what you feel comfortable with.
Sometimes the straps can be a liability, say it gets caught in some vegetation.
Other times, it's an asset and the strap may help you from losing a pole if you drop it in a stream for example.
It's 50/50 I guess.
Poles and damage: Some hikers complain that poles impact the surrounding trail, poking visible holes in the ground and damaging adjacent vegetation and scrapping or scratching rocks.
Proper use will lessen this impact, so be mindful when using them and one should be extra careful in the more fragile environments.
Urban poling: Most poles can be fitted with rubber tips to be used in urban environment.
While most city walking is easier than in the woods, the benefits of poles can still be appreciated by those who need additional stability or balance, or those who wish to help take some weight off their joints.
We see urban poles becoming more popular each year.
Pole maintenance: Most poles will require no maintenance ever.
It is however possible that a screw will come loose in a clamp or a washer with wear in a twist lock, but in most cases you will never need to pay any attention to maintenance.
Each time you use them, do a quick check to see if anything is out of place, and that's about all you'll need to do.
Looking like a traditional ski pole, they help with balance and weight distribution and if they are not a part of your hiking kit, they should be.
There are many things to consider when choosing a set of poles including weight, locking system, shock absorbency, strength and others and we'll cover each of these in detail.
To start however, here are advantages of using them: - They provide for superior balance and footing.
- They reduce the amount of stress on your joints and legs, transferring some of the weight to your arms.
- They make crossing difficult sections of a trail easier and safer.
- They assist in the crossing of streams.
- They can be used as a third arm to move brush or branches out of the way.
- They can be used to probe to check for boggy sections or other trail hazards.
For those with weak or damaged joints, poles can be particularly beneficial When should poles be used? Hiking poles can be used on any trail whether a flat hike or steep scramble - it's up to you.
On flat or gentle terrain the pole grip should be the height of your hand with your elbow at a 90 degree angle.
On longer uphill sections, you may wish to shorten your pole and on downhills, lengthen them slightly for better control.
Shock or anti-shock: There are typically two main types of poles, those with an anti shock system and those without and choosing one over the other is a matter of personal preference.
We have used both and have not seen much difference between them.
One, two or three piece poles: Most poles are made in three pieces and these are the most compact form and offer the widest range of height adjustment.
I have however have seen two piece poles and even some one piece models.
I would recommend against the latter however as while the lightest and possibly strongest of the three examples cited, they offer no height adjustment.
Oval vs round shafts: Most pole shafts are round and these work well enough for most.
Other shafts can be oval or tear- drop shaped and while stronger and stiffer these tend to be overkill.
Plus they are somewhat heavier.
Grips, soft foam vs cork vs plastic: This a personal preference.
I find foam ones to too soft and they wear out to easily.
In hot weather, cork seems better than plastic, although most of the poles we used were the later and we've never had much of an issue with them.
Aluminium or carbon fibre? Most poles are aluminium and that should suit you just fine.
Carbon fibre is lighter, but the weight advantage is offset by higher cost.
Carbon poles are usually the top of the line and the most expensive.
Locking mechanisms: There are generally two styles of locking mechanism, either a twist compression lock or some form or clamp lock.
Of the two, and we have tried both, the clamp lock is by far the superior style.
The twist lock is prone to loosening over time and this could lead to collapse when you need them most.
A clamp lock however will never collapse if adjusted right, and I can put full weight on them without fear.
Actually you'll probably bend the pole before the clamp lock fails.
Tips and baskets: Typically your pole will have carbide tips and may come with small removable baskets.
This is usually sufficient for most people although those who snowshoe may wish to add larger baskets for stability in deep snow.
If you use your poles in an urban environment you may wish to add rubber tips which afford better stability on concrete and asphalt and are quieter than the metal ones.
Wrist straps: Most poles come with straps.
Some prefer to use them, while I don't, so it's a matter of what you feel comfortable with.
Sometimes the straps can be a liability, say it gets caught in some vegetation.
Other times, it's an asset and the strap may help you from losing a pole if you drop it in a stream for example.
It's 50/50 I guess.
Poles and damage: Some hikers complain that poles impact the surrounding trail, poking visible holes in the ground and damaging adjacent vegetation and scrapping or scratching rocks.
Proper use will lessen this impact, so be mindful when using them and one should be extra careful in the more fragile environments.
Urban poling: Most poles can be fitted with rubber tips to be used in urban environment.
While most city walking is easier than in the woods, the benefits of poles can still be appreciated by those who need additional stability or balance, or those who wish to help take some weight off their joints.
We see urban poles becoming more popular each year.
Pole maintenance: Most poles will require no maintenance ever.
It is however possible that a screw will come loose in a clamp or a washer with wear in a twist lock, but in most cases you will never need to pay any attention to maintenance.
Each time you use them, do a quick check to see if anything is out of place, and that's about all you'll need to do.
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