Walking poles
Telescopic trekking poles are the most useful in the mountains. You’re always going up and down, higher and lower, so it’s important to be able to adjust the length of your poles according to the terrain (longer for descending, shorter for ascending). Telescopic trekking poles consist of two or three parts and are adjustable.
An extra-long grip is useful so that you don’t need to adjust the stick for every hill and can simply hold it a bit lower down or higher up. And when you don’t need the sticks anymore, you can easily collapse them into a small pack attached to your rucksack.
Even though most trekking poles are adjustable, it’s very useful to work out how long they should be. You don’t want to carry poles around that are too big (and so heavier) if something more compact will do just fine. Most poles are 110 - 145 cm long. Here’s a little trick to help you work out the correct length: with your arm down by your side, bend your elbow 90 degrees so your lower arm is parallel with the floor. Then make a fist as if you’re holding a stick. The length of your walking poles needs to be the same length as the distance between your clenched fist and the floor.
Answer the following four questions to find the right walking poles in no time:
- What are you going to do? Are you going hiking on flat terrain or in the mountains? Your activity determines the amount of support you need.
- What length do you need? Are you tall or short, and are you going hiking on flat or mountainous terrain? Your height and activity determine how long your poles should be.
- What extras are important for you? An ergonomic grip, shock absorbers and protective caps, for example?
- What material do you need? Carbon is extremely light, for example, but much less durable and more difficult to repair on the move than aluminium.
There are lots of advantages to using walking poles when you’re hiking, especially if you’re carrying a heavy rucksack or exploring mountainous terrain. Walking poles ensure you remain stable wherever you go, even in a wild river. You find a certain walking rhythm, so you can maintain the same tempo for miles on end. You distribute your exertion over your whole body, instead of just letting your legs do all the hard work. And you relieve your knee joints, especially downhill!
The most important points are:
- The shaft material: carbon, aluminium or titanium
- The grip material: cork, plastic, rubber or EVA foam
- The size/length
- The tip and basket (at the bottom of the sticks)
- The mechanism for storing them: folding or telescopic