Want to still be tramping well into your golden years? Get some walking poles – they’ll reduce the stress on your knees and lessen the chance of injury by providing stability on uneven ground.
How poles help
Over a day’s tramping, walking poles can reduce the weight put on your knees by several tonnes. Correctly adjusted, they improve posture, breathing, speed and stability. Ascents, descents and river crossings are safer. Fatigue is reduced.
One or two?
Two poles are best – they help with balance, stride and reduce the load on both your legs.
Shaft
The shaft is generally composed of three or four telescoping or folding sections and made of aluminium (cheaper) or carbon (lighter, more expensive).
Length adjustment
Some poles are fixed length – offering extra strength and durability, but requiring careful selection to ensure the correct size is bought. Variable length poles can be adjusted to suit the terrain or the user. Each pole section is secured with external clamps or internal expanders. Clamps are more secure because expanders can sometimes slip when there is a lot of twisting on uneven surfaces.
Shock absorbers
Not as common as they once were, spring-loaded shock absorbers reduce impact on elbows and shoulders. They create a slightly heavier pole.
Grip
It should be ergonomically-shaped for comfort and made from foam, which is soft and grippy even when wet. Some grips extend to the pole – allowing a quick change of grip.
Strap
Made from a breathable, moisture-wicking material, the strap allows the pole to be carried without using a muscle-tiring grip.
Baskets and tips
A hard-wearing carbide tip provides secure placement on all surfaces. When walking on soft trails use the rubber end cap to avoid damaging the track. A snow basket prevents the pole from sinking into soft ground or snow.
Now you know what to look for, it’s time to choose a pole…
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z $259.99 |
Helinox LBB135 $196 |
Gabel Trekking Revo $199.99 |
Helinox GL145 $174 |
Helinox TL Series Folding Poles $156 |
Gabel Quad 4-Piece $139.99 |
Macpac P3 Monopod Trekking Pole $59.99 |
