To find the best height: length ratio, refer to this chart: How to use trekking poles Long, downhill segments require a longer pole height to better aid with stabilization and shock absorption. This roughly translates to a 70-degree angle. Whether walking on flat ground or climbing steep hills, poles have the ability to increase your average speed, allowing you to cover greater distances. Why not spread the workout to your upper body for full-body fitness? 4. By increasing the length of the pole, you can make traction with the ground and have your arms not outstretched too far in front of you. When using poles the weight of each step is distributed between two extra points of contact and we can absorb this energy with our upper body. A trekking pole is popularly known as an assistant hiking accessory to help walkers or hikers achieve stability and rhythm when moving on tough terrains. Wrist straps: It’s actually pretty common to see hikers using their trekking pole wrist straps incorrectly. The forward stride and pattern of reaching out to lay down a pole and then following with your feet is a great way to get in the zone. Never ending paths of awkward foot placements make ankle twisting slips and falls very common. I find that when I use poles my posture when hiking is naturally more upright. First, it’s an extra weight to carry and secondly using poles does increase your energy output -- although the caveat to this is that you’ll be hiking further and most people don’t perceive the extra energy output. Trekking poles can be cumbersome - For us, the biggest drawback to trekking poles is that they can be limiting in some situations.On trails where you need to do hand-over-hand climbing or you have to use rope assists, it can be annoying to have to stash your trek poles on your pack, and then get them back out, and then stash them, and then get them back out. While an adjustable trekking pole will easily adhere to different heights, keep your height in mind when buying a fixed pole. This is, particularly comforting when hiking around blind corners and is a lot less annoying than bear bells. With your arm at 90 degrees the grip should comfortably come up to your hands and the tip should be resting on the ground. Like when skiing, poles provide extra points of contact with the ground which provides more traction at all times. The sharper, carbide tips will work best when they are used … When hiking in bear country, we will routinely tap our hiking poles together for extra noise in hopes of alerting a bear or other large predator that we are coming. To use them reach out with your arms, place the pole on the ground ahead of you and then step forward with your foot. This technique gives you better balance and stability. To use them the right way, put your hand up through the bottom of the strap and then pull down and grab the grip of the pole. Using trekking poles when fording rivers and streams is a great way to add stability to your frame within moving current. I can take or leave baskets. “If they don’t [have a trekking pole loop], but they do have an ice axe loop, you can twist that around a few times to make it small enough to fit the tips into. Trekking poles usually feature hard metal or carbide tips, which provide excellent traction on trails, snow and ice. You’ll benefit from a slightly shorter pole because they will naturally sit higher in the ground ahead of you. P.S I cover even more benefits of trekking poles here. When you buy poles from the store or get them shipped to you in the post -- they will often have a rubber cap at the bottom of the poles. When walking on flat terrain, your poles can help you with your forward propulsion. Improper strap use is something we, frequently, encounter out on the trail. Backpackers Guide. Unfortunately, this is one of the most common mistakes made by beginner backpackers and hikers. This Stratospire 2, from Tarptent, is a great example of a shelter that incorporates the support of trekking poles. Since this is where your body meets the pole, it’s important to find a grip that fits and works for you. Almost all trekking poles are extendable which will allow to set them up at the right height. If you are new to the world of hiking or backpacking then check out our hiking 101 guide, or alternatively, get started on your prep by going through our guides on what to bring hiking or for longer trips, our backpacking gear checklist. Slide your hand up through the strap from behind the pole’s grip, Grip the handle of your trekking pole – the strap should now be running down, between your thumb and forefinger into your palm and around the back of your wrist, Make sure that there are no extra twists in the strap and that the webbing sits flush against your skin, If you let go of the pole it should fall down out of your hand, How to adjust them for different terrains, Adjust your poles to the proper length before hiking, Use the wrist straps for reducing hand/wrist fatigue, Know basic maintenance for handling problems on the trail, Remember to use the proper tip (carbide for soft soils and rubber for rocky surfaces), Assume that trekking poles are unnecessary, Be afraid to commit some weight to the poles while hiking – that’s what they are for. There’s usually a corresponding strap that you can use. Place your pole where you feel you need it the most, or indeed where there is a place available to put it. The only time this is useful technique is when you’re stepping up onto a ledge -- which will reduce leg fatigue. Place one pole forward and follow with the opposite foot. If the terrain gets into scrambling territory, where you need to use your hands as much as you legs, you may want to stow your poles away altogether. They may help a little in mud but you are still hiking in mud. Eliminate the mystery of unknown terrain by probing with your trekking poles. The more hiking you do and the rockier the ground, the more quickly they wear down. Take advantage of the shock absorption found in most quality hiking poles to help lessen the impact your joints experience while hiking, particularly on downhill sections which can be rough on knees. OutdoorYak.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. (If the tension is too high or too loose the clasp won’t lock properly. Press the push button to release the lock and collapse the poles. Once this part is removed you’ll be able to tighten and or loosen the strap making the hole smaller or larger. You may not recognize it at first, but there are, actually, several strategies behind the method and rhythm to which you swing your poles forward. This extra balance means you can walk faster on more challenging terrain. To ensure that you do get the best possible results when using a trekking pole, you will need to ensure that you use the correct tip for the right environment. Best Camping & Hiking from an Amtrak train – Glaciar National Park, How Long Do Hiking Boots Last? If you put your tip first, you’ll have less leverage and you walking will be less efficient. Push-button lock: Poles with this locking mechanism snap into place and lock with a single pull. If you’re hiking uphill then there are a few key tips making your poles work better for you. Easy Trail Guide. Note that to avoid poles skidding on rocks even with rubber tips, be careful where you place them. Walking Downhill For long descents, the trekking pole is supposed to be a bit longer. Hi, I’m Simon, the hiker behind OutdoorYak.I love to love to travel, hike and explore new mountain trails. Trekking Pole CONS. The strap should now be comfortably be wrapped around your wrist. If the strap is too tight or lose you can adjust the length by pulling the tension block out. You may also want to shorten the length of your poles in deep snow. Knowing the differences before you hit the trail will help in determining which may work best for you. That's not to say you can't leave your pole tips on, but you might lose a tip to the suction … Thanks for checking out my trekking pole technique, I hope it helps. Rubber tips absorb shock and vibration better than metal tips on paved terrain. Trekking poles come in handy to help out with stability. Take a mental note of this number so you can easily extend them to this each time you get them out ready for the hike ahead. When adjusting the height it’s important to have it locked in properly so it doesn’t slip and cause injury. It is designed to be used primarily on softer surfaces such as grass, sand and non-metalled tracks. Combination lock: Some poles use a combination of two locks. Steel tips are great for all around use. Sure there are some negatives. One of the best adjustments you can make when using trekking poles in deep snow is to add a large diameter basket near the tip. We'd love to hear your comments about any lessons you've learned about tip protectors over the years- just share them in the comments box below. This results in a more powerful pole plant helping to boost you onward and upward. In this guide, we will be covering the following: Trekking pole use for hiking, walking, and backpacking is a given for most experienced outdoor travelers, yet we often see new hikers hesitant to bring them along. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 2. For lengthy, uphill sections of trail, it is recommended that you shorten the length of your poles (1” to 4” depending on gradient). Different poles using different mechanisms, but usually, it involves: Here are the other types of trekking pole locks; Twist lock: Uses an expander and screw to lock the pole into place. My point here is that there are a time and place for both methods, with neither being the only ‘right’ way. Confirm that yours are set properly – wide enough that you can easily slide your hand up through them yet small enough that you still feel slight tension from the strap while holding the handle. Using poles is pretty straightforward and intuitive but there are few key things to get right which will make using them much more enjoyably. You can rely on your poles most of the time but prepared to react to any slips or poor pole placements. That is the simple premise of trekking poles. yourself over trail obstacles. Heading out for a day hike or a backpacking trip and wondering if you should get a pair of trekking poles and how to use them correctly? This is here to stop the pole damaging the box or other items when in transit. By using trekking poles, our knees are better protected. This method provides greater joint support and helps with propulsion forward. Keep it neat, relaxed and … Combination lock: Some poles use a combination of two locks. If you’ve ever taken a wilderness first-aid class or read through what you should carry in a backpacking first aid kit, you’re familiar with the need to sometimes improvise emergency medical supplies in a backcountry setting. You hold the grip similar to how you would hold a ski pole. Putting each pole forward with that 1-2 motion really helps to set a pace and keep a constant speed. Trekking poles are designed to give you extra stability and confidence when you are hiking. Most trekking poles also come with a variety of tips, baskets and grips. Trekking pole length (how to size) The right size trekking pole will put your elbows at a 90-degree bend when the tips are on the ground. Generally, one might take rubber tips off when hiking on trails that are "unimproved." You see people recommending trekking poles. Most poles have markings which indicate how extended they are in CM/Inches. Whether it’s a misunderstanding of how they are used, lack of knowledge on their benefits, or simply an ‘I don’t need those’ mindset, we see many hikers choosing to hit the trail without them. When walking downhill the terrain ahead is always lower than you so to maintain a comfortable grip it’s a good idea to slightly increase the length of your poles. The length at which you set your hiking poles (if adjustable) will depend on the terrain you plan to hike. It wouldn’t be much fun to retrieve your nice camping tent from a gear duffel only to find it has been punctured by the sharp tip of your trekking poles, which you stored in the same place. Trekking pole use for hiking, walking, and backpacking is a given for most experienced outdoor travelers, yet we often see new hikers hesitant to bring them along. These poles also come with a padded wrist strap for added comfort, as well as rubber tips, trekking baskets on each pole, and protective caps. Screw on the mud baskets when hiking through sand or mud. Trekking poles are really nice to have when hiking through areas that have dense vegetation or heavy foliage. When hiking without trekking poles, your feet, legs, and knees take a beating with every step. Metal tips can wear down when used on ‘improved’ surfaces like asphalt or pavement. That said don’t rely too heavily on your poles when distributing your weight. Here’s a quick rundown of the various trekking pole tips & baskets you can use to improve your hiking experience. There are hundreds of different poles out there from ultralight carbon fiber (more expensive) to durable aluminum (more common). When you’re carrying around a heavy pack and have a ton of weight on your shoulders trekking poles, allow you to use your upper body strength to help you carry a pack load, remain balanced and give you stability and traction while staying upright. Some hikers may find that they’re putting their pole forward as they put their foot forward but this doesn’t feel very comfortable and won’t offer nearly as much stability. When going uphill, try to incorporate a solid pole plant and arm push to better launch (that is what it feels like when you time it correctly!) Almost every single trekking pole on the market comes with hardened steel/carbide tips(cheap poles might not). At What Altitude Do You Need Oxygen When Hiking? With all the positive things to say about hiking poles are there any arguments against using them? Ergonomic grips have a slight forward lean for a more natural hand position. Walking or trekking poles are designed to give the hiker maximum support so that they provide propulsion. The pole tip can easily gain traction in mud, dirt, snow or ice without leaving any permanent damage to the trail or making much noise. These foot pieces have no sharpened edges and this will keep them from sinking in. This helps spread your weight around your body rather than being direct directly in front of you. Your tips will wear down eventually, and they can be replaced(it’s a pain). Aaron shows you how to use trekking poles like a pro.You see people using trekking poles. Trekking poles were the most commonly used item for improvising splints during scenarios throughout my training as a Wilderness First Responder. How to Correctly Size Your Trekking Poles Determining pole length. Move the pole and the foot together when stepping up or down ledges. ). This is the more natural way to walk and most hikers will naturally get into this pattern without instruction. The broader rubber tips will be perfect for hiking in muddy and snowy conditions. Consider these clever ways in which you can, also, incorporate trekking poles. Here are the other types of trekking pole locks; Twist lock: Uses an expander and screw to lock the pole into place. The wrist strap on hiking poles are there to help transfer load and weight as you use the poles. Giant steps and plant poles are not the way forward. Trekking poles are a great way to support your tent or tarp each night while backpacking, especially since you will already have them with you on most trips (hopefully, we’ve convinced you of this by now!). Grips come in different sizes, shapes, and materials. Aim to walk in a relaxed fashion but still with an awareness of posture and good pole use. This technique supports your wrist and heel of the hand and allows you to keep your hand relaxed on the grip. It is commonly recommended to plant trekking poles opposite your forward leg (right pole plant when the left foot is forward and vice versa), providing maximum stability while matching the natural inclination of our arm movement whilst walking. For short works or day hikes, I generally don’t use poles. Another way to get the right pole height is by using multiplying your height by .68 in centimeters. Poles help with posture. I, often, find myself switching between the two methods throughout a hike based on my rhythm and the terrain. A properly adjusted strap should be tight enough to help support the weight of your hand on the pole. The best method of pole walking is to put your opposite pole out after each step. This prevents the tip from sinking too deep and provides better traction. KNOW When to Replace Your Hiking Boots, What Pants to Wear Hiking? Consider purchasing a small handle accessory that turns a trekking pole into a convenient monopod for better photos. Additionally, take the time to learn about your their internal components. Many common problems experienced on the trail, such as a pole section not locking in place, are easy fixes with just a little know-how. Some of these poles do not adjust in length. Trekking or hiking poles reduce fatigue on your joints, provide additional stability in challenging terrain, and can even be combined with shelters to create multi-purpose use. 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