Trekking poles, a silly affectation for the purpose of looking the part, or incredibly useful tools that can help save our knees from the hard abuse of covering a lot of ground while carrying weight?
In truth they are both. But it depends on how and why you use them.If used correctly with the right grip, adjusted to the correct height for the individual using them, and used with the correct gait while walking, then they are indispensable for providing extra stability on rough terrain, and for reducing the stress experienced on the knees and hips. They will also help reduce the amount of energy used walking, because if you get the rhythm right you’ll feel like you’re gliding across the ground.
Trekking poles are an adaptation of the poles used in cross country skiing, where they are used to great effect to help cover huge distances with relative ease. Modified for walking these poles can give the same benefits with a little practice.
However, all to often a lack of understanding on how to use them properly leaves the user with no real appreciable benefit. I’ve seen a lot of people with poles either set far too high or too short, a hard grip on the handle instead of using the loop for hand support, no rhythm in use, or simply with just one pole used like a walking stick and held like a shepherds crook.Look….I’m not trying to be all preachy and holier than thou, if you want to spend your hard earned on a single pole, or a pair of trekking poles, and use them any way you want, then fair play. It’s entirely your choice and it’s not for me tell you that your wrong, or that you shouldn’t.
However, if you do want to get the best from them, then here’s the skinny.First off you either need to get a pair that are the correct length for your height, or adjustable ones that can be set to it. To do this hang your arms by your side then raise your lower arm so that it is 90 degrees to your upper arm. The correct length will be from your hand to the ground. Hold the pole by the handle and loosen the adjustments allowing the pole to extend all the way to the ground, then re-tighten, easy. If your poles have length markers make a note of them for easy setting next time.
Next, your poles will come with handle straps that are integral to stopping fatigue from developing in your hands and wrists. You should put your hand through the strap loop from underneath, then hold the handle with the strap between your thumb and forefinger. The padded section of the strap should be running across the back of your hand. Adjust the strap length so that there is no slack while gripping the handle, but not so tight it’s uncomfortable. It should be a relaxed easy fit so that your hand hangs on the strap at just the right point of the handle for you to hold it comfortably on the contour grip.OK, so that’s the fitting and the setting sorted, now it’s on to how to get the best from them while out on a walk.
As mentioned above, hiking poles are an adaptation from cross country skiing and in fact are used in very much the same way. With your left foot forward and your right hand forward, the pole should be trailing behind slightly so it gives you a very slight push and adds a bit of stability as you step. Once you’ve completed the first step you should then put your right foot forward along with your left hand, again with the pole trailing slightly, and then step forward a second time.Now obviously you have to repeat this process several times, alternating between your left and your right sides for as many times as required in order to complete your walk. Which if truth be told could end up being quite a few times.
Anyway, all joking aside, if you really do want to save your knees for later years and also make your current walks that little bit easier, then getting yourself a pair of hiking poles and figuring out how use them properly will definitely pay dividends in both the short and the long term.
Look after your knees, and look after your hips, because you’ll miss them when they’re gone!!