WALKING POLE FAQs

Q What are they made of?

Usually lightweight aluminium or carbon fibre, with a carbide tip.

Q Are they all the same?

No. Standard poles come in either two or three extending sections and require you to extend them manually, then secure each section with either a flick-lock or a screw collar.

Z-folding poles (usually lighter and more expensive) fold up for easy storage thanks to cables that keep the sections together. Extend them with a simple shake-out. Set the height to your liking, and they should snap back to that height every time you unfold them. Finally, poles are either rigid or anti-shock (their shafts bounce slightly to help absorb impacts). Some walkers swear by anti-shock, others find the vibrating effect annoying.

Q What else can I use my poles for?

Checking the depth of mud, bog or river (and vaulting them if you have to). Emergency tent poles (handy for bivvying – you can support a tarp with a single pole). And some have camera mounts, creating a monopod for stable photography (eg, timer shots).

Q Do I need just one or a pair?

A single pole is helpful but it can make you twist your body slightly to compensate for the side that doesn’t have one. One designer told CW: “Two is better than one, but one is better than none.” But then, he would say that, eh?

Q Any downsides?

The carbide tip is good for grip, especially on softer ground. But it can gouge holes in the ground and leave scratch marks on rock. Also, the tips can make an annoying clacking noise on rock. A rubber cap or

ferrule solves these issues – but it’s not as precise as the carbide tip.