Walking Poles: Your Trail’s Best Friend Or Just Extra Baggage?
Hey, fellow wanderers of the wild! Today, we’re diving into the world of walking poles, those trusty (and sometimes perplexing) companions of many a hiker. Some swear by them, others swear at them. Are they a hiker’s best friend or just a couple of overpriced sticks?
Just so you know…
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Stick with me and let’s explore the pros, cons, and the realities of using walking poles.
The Pros: Why Walking Poles Are Worth Their Weight in Gold (or Aluminium):
1. Extra Stability: Walking poles are like training wheels for adults. They offer extra stability on uneven terrain, helping to prevent those embarrassing faceplants in front of your hiking buddies.
2. Reduced Strain on Joints: Think of them as shock absorbers for your knees. Walking poles distribute the impact more evenly, which can be a blessing on downhill sections that make you question your life choices.
3. Upper Body Workout: Who needs the gym when you have walking poles? They engage your arms, shoulders, and even your core. By the end of a long hike, you’ll have biceps that rival a lumberjack’s.
4. Multi-functional: Need to test the depth of a puddle? Walking pole. Want to fend off an overly friendly squirrel? Walking pole. Need to prop up your tent? Walking pole. Need a selfie stick because you forgot yours? You guessed it – walking pole!
5. Rhythm and Pace: Using walking poles can help you maintain a consistent pace and rhythm, making long hikes feel less like a slog and more like a synchronised dance with nature.
The Cons: The Stickier Side of Walking Poles:
1. Extra Baggage: Walking poles can feel like an extra set of limbs. When you’re not using them, you’re left awkwardly juggling them or trying to attach them to your backpack without feeling like a human porcupine.
2. Coordination Required: Using walking poles effectively requires a certain level of coordination. Without it, you might end up looking like you’re directing an invisible orchestra or fending off imaginary attackers.
3. Noise Pollution: The constant click-clack of walking poles can disturb the peace and serenity of the trail. It’s like announcing your presence to every creature within a mile radius.
4. Expense: Good walking poles can be pricey. They might cost as much as a decent pair of hiking boots, which can be a hard pill to swallow for what essentially amounts to fancy sticks.
5. Environmental Impact: Improper use of walking poles can damage trails and vegetation. Rubber tips can help mitigate this, but it’s something to be mindful of. No one wants to be “that hiker” who leaves a trail of destruction.
When to Use Walking Poles:
1. Steep Ascents and Descents: Walking poles can be a lifesaver on steep sections of the trail, offering stability and reducing strain on your knees and legs.
2. Uneven or Rocky Terrain: When the trail gets tricky, walking poles can help you navigate safely, providing extra points of contact with the ground.
3. Long Hikes and Backpacking Trips: On multi-day hikes, walking poles can help reduce fatigue and distribute the load more evenly across your body.
4. Stream Crossings: Poles can help you balance while crossing streams or other tricky water obstacles, ensuring you don’t take an unplanned swim.
When to Leave Them at Home:
1. Short, Easy Hikes: On well-maintained, flat trails, walking poles might be more hassle than they’re worth. Save them for when the going gets tough.
2. Dense Forests: In areas with a lot of vegetation, walking poles can get tangled up and become more of a hindrance than a help.
3. When You’re Feeling Lazy: If you’re not in the mood for an upper body workout or dealing with extra gear, it’s perfectly okay to hike pole-free. Your legs might complain, but your arms will thank you.
4. Group Hikes: If you’re hiking in a group and the trail is narrow, walking poles can turn into accidental weapons of mass annoyance. No one wants to be jabbed by their friend’s overzealous pole action.
Top Picks:
Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Hiking Poles
Key Features:
- 100% carbon fiber shafts for strength and lightness
- Cork grips with dual-density foam for comfort
- FlickLock Pro adjustment system for secure pole length adjustment
Common Negative: Some users mentioned that the cork grips can wear down over time.
Montem Ultra Strong Trekking Poles
Key Features:
- Made from durable aluminum alloy for lightweight strength.
- Quick lock mechanism allows for easy length adjustment from 24 to 53 inches.
- Ergonomic EVA foam handles provide comfort and moisture-wicking properties.
Common Negative: Some users have reported that the locking mechanism may occasionally slip, requiring readjustment during use.
LEKI Micro Trail Vario Trekking Poles
Key Features:
- Aluminum shafts with carbon sections for a balance of strength and weight
- Folding and adjustable length design for easy packing and customization
- Aergon Thermo Long grips with extension grips for varied hand positions
Common Negative: Some users mentioned that the tips could wear down faster than expected on rough terrain, but replacements are readily available.
Conclusion: To Pole or Not to Pole?
Walking poles are like that quirky friend who’s a bit of an acquired taste. They have their quirks and can sometimes be a bit much, but once you get to know them, you might just find them indispensable. Whether you use them or not is a personal choice, but hopefully, this guide has given you some food for thought
So, next time you hit the trail, consider giving walking poles a try. Who knows? They might just become your new best hiking buddies. Or, they might end up as an expensive back-scratcher. Either way, it’s all part of the adventure. Happy hiking, and may your poles always point you in the right direction!
Did I miss anything that you think deserves a place in this post? Leave a comment below and let me know.
If you have any questions regarding any of the items recommended in this list then pop them below and well do our best to help.
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