 Choosing the best poles for your needs
You need a pole that can be can adjusted according to the terrain and one you can collapse to put on/in your rucksack. A three piece pole is ideal.
Some poles have built in shock absorbers. With these poles walkers may have the tendency to push the pole down rather than to load it. However if you suffer from arthritic joints then shock absorbers may help.
The majority of poles are fitted with plastic cones which are fine for summer use, but for winter conditions you need to fit snow baskets to help prevent your poles sinking in the snow.
Many walkers use rubber feet on the base of the pole which are designed for slick hard surfaces and have no use in the hills or mountains. It is better to opt for a sharp/semi sharp spike tip.
If you are regularly going to be packing your poles inside a rucksack or a suitcase, e.g. when travelling abroad, choosing a compact model can save you valuable luggage space.
Obviously lighter weight poles will save energy in carrying them, even an extra 40 or 50 grammes in each hand adds up when you are lifting and swinging it several thousand times over a long days walking. |
How to hold walking poles
A common mistake for walkers is holding the pole incorrectly. If you ski you will probably hold the pole correctly as a matter of course but for those of you who don’t ski - the strap is there to allow you to place your weight onto the pole without having to grip it firmly. Put your hand upwards through the strap loop and bring it back down, grasping the pole and the strap as it attaches to the pole. This way the weight of your hand naturally tightens the strap around the wrist and pulls the hand in close to the pole, with little grip required to keep it in place. By using the strap to support your hand as described and shown in the photo below you’re transferring weight onto your arms and upper body which would otherwise be carried by the legs and knees. Although it may seem strange to start with, the correct grip is essential if you are to get the most benefit out of your of poles.
Using the correct grip also allows you to swing the pole in a more controlled fashion simply by releasing your grip a touch and allowing the strap to swing the pole forward.
 |  |
|
 Technique
To gain maximum benefit from your poles you should aim to plant the pole(s) in time with each step using a rhythm consistent with your footsteps.
If you start to feel unstable moving over steep or broken ground, it is worth considering taking your wrists out of the loops altogether, reducing the possibility of an injury to your wrists, arms and shoulders in the event of a slip.
If you are approaching a small, steep step, then either hand your poles to a person who has moved up above you, which means you can use your hand as to grip and balance as well as to carry your poles. If you are likely to need your hands for a sequence of steps or moves, it’s time to put your poles away for a while. |
Pole Length
The ideal length your should be adjusted to will depend not only on your height but also the terrain you’re walking over. Normally you should adjust the poles so that they are shorter for going uphill and longer for going down. Having them too long on ascent will mean your arms are less effective. If they are too short whilst going down your body will stoop and your back will suffer. Ideally you should adjust your poles throughout your journey to adapt to the changing angle of the terrain. Personally I try to set my poles so that my elbows are bent at roughly 90 degrees while holding the poles at rest. |
Winter Use
There has been an increase in accidents, some fatal in recent years, due to walkers & climbers using poles in a situation when an ice axe is required. These people have slipped and then fallen on snow when an ice axe would/could have arrested their fall. Unfortunately their ice axe has been on their rucksack when the pole should have been.
Poles should never be used as a substitute for an ice axe, and must be put away if a slip on a snow slope could lead to a slide. |
