Should I use Walking poles?

In this post, we will discuss walking poles, including their pros and cons, and whether you should use them.

The Pros of Using Walking Poles

• They reduce the stress on your knees by slightly softening the impact of each step. This is even more apparent when going downhill. A 1999 study in The Journal of Sports Medicine found that trekking poles can reduce compressive force on the knees by up to 25%.
• They give you stability over rough terrain. Using poles helps you balance on uneven ground by giving you more points of contact with the ground. This can help reduce strain on your ankles.
• Poles provide you with more traction on slippery surfaces, such as mud or snow.
• You can use them to check the ground ahead for bogs and determine the depth of puddles.
• Pointing at things in the distance is a popular hobby of most ‘pole walkers’.
• They can be helpful in First aid and emergencies. As well as having uses like a tent pole or a camera stand.
• They can help you walk faster as you use your arms to propel yourself forward.
• Great for clearing the path or holding back brambles as you walk by.
• You can also draw maps on the ground and point at small flowers and insects without bending over.

The cons of using walking poles

• They can be cumbersome and annoying to hold at times. It can make simple tasks harder, like taking your bag off or setting a bearing as they fly around your wrists.
•  They are heavier to carry and easily snag on things when attached to your bag. That’s if you can make it stay on your bag in the first place!
• Some say that they can be counterproductive when people rely on them too much, and people’s balance and stabilisation become weaker over time.
• They use more energy by using your arms more.
• Poles are noisy. Or they can be especially when you don’t use the rubber tips on hard surfaces, but who’s going to bother swapping all the time anyway?
• They can get stuck between rocks or in bogs, making it more difficult to pull them out.
• They cost money

There are a lot of arguments on both sides of the debate, but it’s really a very personal thing. You need to weigh the pros and cons for your requirements.

From speaking to people about using poles, this is one thing I couldn’t miss. That’s the fact that most people convert to using poles and not many convert back. It seems that once you start using them, they become a habit.

Some people like to have the poles for the extra stability and confidence on rough terrain, whereas some people just don’t like to have them in their hands.

My advice is, if you choose to use them, then use them wisely. Poles are handy on rough terrain and can significantly reduce pain in your joints when going downhill. However, when on easy terrain or rocky terrain, they will use up more energy than it is worth.

So, pick when you need your poles and stow them away when you don’t really need them.

When on tricky ground, take your wrist straps off so you can drop your poles easily and avoid the straps hurting your wrists.

Should I use one pole or 2?

If you use just one pole with one arm, then you can become a bit lopsided in your walking. It is generally recommended that if you use one pole, then you should make sure you swap hands to avoid this.

That being said, having one pole can be an advantage. In some conditions, where you may just need a pole now and again, then having one pole loose in your hand so that you can swap hands easily, leaving the other hand free for balance.

Most people, however, will prefer to use two poles so you get the full benefit of knee support and balance.

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How to use walking poles

1. First off, make sure the pole is the right length. Your elbow should be at 90 degrees with the spike on the floor.
2. When using the wrist straps, carry the weight of the pole in the straps. This will enable you to have a looser grip on the pole, preventing sore wrists over time.
3. Make sure the pole is properly tightened before use.
4. Place the bottom of your pole very slightly behind you on each step. This will ensure you are only getting forward propulsion from your arms.
5. Get into a rhythm with your poles and your step for easy walking.

I hope this helps you decide on poles.

As always, any questions, ask below