Trekking poles
Poles can transform your walking experience on steep and uneven terrain. They’ll power you uphill, aid your balance on the downhill and take the strain off your knees. Here’s what to look for when picking your pair...
DURABILITY
Over rough and rocky mountainous terrain, poles can take a real battering – so they need to be sufficiently strong, sturdy and durable to avoid snaps or cracks. Heavier aluminium poles can take more abuse, but lighter carbon poles are more popular these days.
WEIGHT
For moving fast and light, an ultralight carbon pole is most energy efficient – but might feel flimsy and at risk of snapping. For general hillwalking, a slightly heavier pole weighing 200-250g will generally be stronger and more durable.
PORTABILITY
For ease of transport and storage, including carrying in your backpack, they should pack away compactly. Z-shaped poles fold into thirds, while telescopic poles slide into themselves like a telescope. Either way, a collapsible design is generally preferable.
HANDGRIPS
This is all about comfort. Select your preference from foam, cork or rubber designs, and for enhanced comfort choose an ergonomic grip with shaping and cushioning. A longer handle allows you to slide your hand up and down, depending on the steepness of terrain, to effectively adjust the pole length on the move.
POLE TIPS
Pole tips are usually made of hardened metal such as tungsten or carbide, housed in a plastic body They provide increased stability and traction by ‘biting’ into the ground. If you’ll be walking on roads or very rocky terrain, you can use rubber feet over the tips.
MATERIALS Carbon or aluminium? That’s the big dilemma. Carbon poles are lighter and stiffer, but more expensive and brittle. Aluminium poles are generally cheaper and more durable, but heavy. Some poles combine both materials.
FEATURES
Good wrist straps or slings help prevent poles being dropped, while baskets – the little round discs near the tip – stop them from plugging in the ground. Swapping in wider baskets is a good strategy if hiking in snow. Some poles also have shock absorbers – spring-like mechanisms that cushion the impact of striking the ground.
LENGTH
With pole in hand your elbow should be at 90°. In this position, measure the distance from your hands to the ground and you have your optimum pole length. Opt for a pole that will lengthen 5-10cm up or down either side of this for when you’re ascending or descending.
LOCKING MECHANISM
How the sections of a pole fasten together is vital to its integrity and performance. Some use a twist-lock mechanism, while other have a clamp or lever style lock. The latter is considered more secure, longer lasting, easier to use and less prone to slippage.