How to choose your hiking poles for multi-day hiking adventure?
Hello fellow adventurer,
Are you struggling with how to choose the right hiking poles for a multi-day trekking adventure? I am The Sports Guru and I will help answer your question!
When it comes to hiking adventures, the most important part of your body to protect is your legs.
From the hips to the knees, and all the way to the ankles, it is of utmost importance to keep them injury free. Enter the benefit of trekking poles – as they provide stability on all types of terrain, and reduce the impact (especially when going downhill) on your legs and knees.
Before buying a pair of trekking poles, some factors should be taken into consideration.
They are as follows:
1- Type of poles:
a. Telescopic: The most common type amongst hikers, known to be durable and easy to use. The only downside of these trekking poles is that they are heavier and take more space.
b. Foldable: They are much like tent poles. They are foldable, light weight and don’t take much space. But keep in mind, these poles are limited in the weight they can bear and in the range of adjustment they offer.
c. Fixed: They are very uncommon to use especially on multi-day trips since they are difficult to pack and they offer no possibility of length adjustment. Knowing that they are very light, they can be a good choice for a single day chill hike.
2- Shaft Material:
Trekking poles’ shaft material is usually made of one of those three compounds: Aluminum, Carbon Fiber or a combination of both. While Carbon fiber poles are more durable and can handle more weight and stress, they are more expensive than the Aluminum sticks. The only drawback of sticks made of carbon is that they snap under too much stress while aluminum just bends. Perhaps the best option, taking into consideration quality to price ratio, would be to buy poles made of an alloy of both materials.
3- Grips:
Grips on the poles come in cork, foam and rubber. The best performing material would be cork. They don’t absorb sweat, are comfortable, and minimize impact on your hands. Foam is next in line offering the same level of comfort but much less of a sweat absorption capability. Rubber is not really recommended, since it tends to blister the hand especially in warmer conditions.
4- Wrist straps:
While many people don’t consider using the wrist straps, or they simply don’t understand their function, these straps are an essential element of trekking poles as they offer more stability and power to the sticks.
Do consider all of the above whilst buying your trekking poles…it is important to guarantee an injury-free trip.
Some people will say that they don’t need any hiking poles and that they are fine to hike without …
We say it is an essential part of your hiking gear!
Trust me, I am the Guru after all!
