There is no stigma anymore about trekking or walking poles, in fact they are the sign of a strident walker rather than a struggling one. For many of us, hiking without poles is like cycling without padded cycling shorts or a gel saddle. They protect your body and, in so doing, power you to go further. Keep yourself in ‘pole position’ by reading more about why it’s great to have walking poles for hiking holidays, how to use them, pack them and be proud of them.
What’s the difference between walking sticks and walking/trekking poles?
A walking stick or staff has been the preference for many while walking, with the classic shepherd’s or scout’s staff being the most famous for generations. Today, however, walking poles are more flexible and collapsible, and often used as a pair. The traditional staff is also much higher than a modern walking pole, sometimes as high as the shoulder. They would be held in different positions, depending on the elevation of the land, but today’s walking poles are designed to help make that magic happen. It’s also easier to bring a walking pole home, rather than a huge walking stick carved, although more of that anon.
Do walking poles help when hiking?
The proof is in the pudding, or the plodding as the case may be. Personally, when someone asks me what’s the biggest difference when walking with poles, I tell them, about 5km. I resisted them at first, as I thought they would get in the way of walking. But when I realised that I actually got more mileage out of my engine by using them, I was sold. And never looked back. They do divide opinion, however, but one thing’s for sure. It’s definitely worth trying them before rejecting them. Trust us, they’re not a pain, they take the strain. And, as a result, you tire less quickly and ache less the next day.
My partner took a bit more convincing, until we went on a hiking holiday in Mallorca, which has some seriously stony terrain. He had promised to try them out on this holiday, was totally sold in terms of maintaining stability, and is now a devotee of the Leki.
Stability isn’t the only selling point of a walking pole, however. They also decrease the strain on your lower body and turn walking into an almost full body exercise. Mainly because you’re putting your shoulders and upper body into the movement, not just your legs. They are also brilliant for stream crossings, or going through wet terrain, helping you make sure things aren’t going to get too deep.
Should I use one or two trekking poles?
Walking pole experts will always recommend two over one, in order to get that full body benefit. However, if you’re resistant to poles period, then try one to see if you notice the difference on your knees and general fatigue levels. If you’re happy, and have gotten over any pole prejudice, it’s time to double up. The great thing is that it’s easy to find collapsible walking poles now. So you can just fold them up and tuck them into a side pocket in your backpack, if you don’t want to use both of them all the time. Most people find, however, that when they don’t double up, they feel out of kilter if they just walk with one after that.
Why do walking poles make a difference when hiking?
Some people compare walking poles to having an extra set of feet, or indeed four wheel drive, if you prefer that analogy. What you do have is two additional contact points from which to push off, meaning there is less stress on the body. Giving you a lot more propulsion into the bargain. If this is starting to sound like an episode of Top Gear, that’s the last time we’ll do engine talk. But we do, however, think that walking poles are top gear to have when preparing and packing for a hiking holiday.
How do you use trekking poles properly?
The most important thing is to make sure that they’re adjusted to the right height, extending them or shortening them so that your arm is at a 90 degree angle. If you’re going uphill they need to be shortened, and then lengthened if you are going downhill. This means that your body won’t be bending awkwardly to cope with a change in elevation, and you can let the poles do a lot of the work. Most walking poles have numbers on when you extend them, so you can easily find the right position each time you adjust them.
Another trick is to make sure you insert your hand into the wristband from underneath, not from the top. Then grip both straps, place them between the fleshy part of your thumb and index finger, and grasp the handle. But don’t grasp it too hard, just enough to keep you stable. So keep a grip, but don’t stress!
How do you walk with two poles?
Well, just as you walk without them really. The secret is not to overthink it, and just let your poles mirror your arms, and allow them to take a bit more of the strain. You shouldn’t lean forward into the poles, but try to keep your body upright. Some people think they aren’t necessary on flat terrain, but walking poles help you speed up, because you’ve got that four wheel drive, foot-on-the-gas thing going on.
What sort of trekking poles should I buy?
Like most things, they range from £20 to £200, so if you’re trying them out for the first time, don’t spend a fortune. The lower budget ones are usually made of aluminium and they’re fine. You should make sure that they have a rubber tip (ideally more than one, as they do come off), for good grip and to protect fragile landscapes. The upper end of the market poles are generally made of super light carbon fibre, they have ergonomic cork grips, breathable straps, and some have mechanisms to hold cameras, so doubling up as monopods. None will make you a cup of tea yet, when you most need it. There’s clearly a gap in the market for that one.
Can you take walking poles on airplanes?
This must be one of the world’s greatest walking windups, driving most hikers round the bend. Because, in short, you can only carry your walking poles in hold luggage. No walking poles as carry on? What a carry on. They are still perceived as being potentially weapon-like, with their spiky ends and so on. In reality, some airline security staff turn a blind eye, especially if it’s collapsible, but this is at your own risk.
If you get someone on a bad day, they are in their rights to confiscate, and that wouldn’t be a good start, or end, to your holiday. Let’s hope someone starts and wins a campaign so that walking poles can be stowed safely in cabins but, until that day comes, we recommend putting them in your hold luggage, or just buying some cheap ones when you get there. It’s annoying, we know. We didn’t make the rules. Many of us have bent them though, and hoped for the best. Or just opted to travel the green way, and taken the train.
We hope that this blog has changed your mind about adding walking poles to your packing list. Or encouraged you to move from one pole to two, especially if you’re considering going from an easy walking holiday to a more challenging one. You may also find some of these other blogs useful for getting in gear for a walking holiday: What to pack for a hiking trip; Our top hiking jacket tips; Our top hiking boot tips and, Our Camino de Santiago tips.
