Walking poles
Poles will power you through the hills, taking the strain off tired limbs and providing security on steep and uneven ground. Here’s how to find the perfect pair.
WHY USE POLES?
Poles are useful when carrying loads or on steep slopes, reducing wear and fatigue on your knees and hips. Stand on some scales and watch the dial when you rest a pair either side, and you’ll see how drastic this effect can be over distance! They can also offer stability in bad weather, on unstable ground or in water.
HANDLE The handle should fit snug in your hand and feel comfortable. On higherpriced poles these are well-padded and may have a forward angle for a more natural grip.
WRIST LOOP When used properly, the wrist loop takes most of the load, so you don’t have to grip the handle as tightly. It’s also useful to ensure you don’t drop the pole down the mountainside. Higher-priced poles offer adjustable straps for a perfect fit.
GET THE LENGTH RIGHT
Buying the correct pole length is vital, because it ensures you’re able to use the right technique, avoid falls, and provide optimal power transfer.
Your elbow should be bent at 90°, with the forearm parallel to the ground.
You may want to adjust the pole’s height slightly – making it shorter or longer – depending on the length of your stride.
LEKI has an online size converter: leki.com/uk/pole-length-advisor
PACKABILITY
When not in use, you will need to collapse your poles to strap them to your rucksack. If the packed size is too long it will project from your rucksack and can get caught on branches or rocks, or poke your mate in the eye!
SHAFTS
Walking poles are usually made from alloy tubing. To save weight, some tubing is thinner but this may make them bendier and less secure on uneven ground. Some poles are made with carbon or carbon composite to make them lighter. Care is needed with these though, as if overstressed they can shatter rather than bend.
TIPS AND BASKETS Poles have a metal tip to provide grip. If you need to use the poles on hard surfaces you can buy rubber tips to stop clicking noises, while a basket stops the tip sinking too deeply into soft terrain.
LOCKING SYSTEM
Length is usually adjusted by an external lever that operates a clamping mechanism, or by a twist-lock system. The latter doesn’t catch on rocks or undergrowth. Both types of poles need drying after use to prevent corrosion caused by internal moisture build-up. The lever mechanism is popular, as it’s quick and easy to use, and appears not to succumb to operating problems easily, but it can snag on undergrowth.