There are times when we require more stability as we walk. Trekking or walking poles can give you more stability when walking or hiking. Different types of poles are designed for various activities. Here we discuss the different poles and what to look for when choosing a trekking or walking pole.
Nordic or Walking Poles
They are designed to help people exercise on sidewalks, streets, or paths. It allows a person to burn more calories without feeling tired while walking on the sidewalks or streets. Their design helps a person grip the pole firmly because of the half glove allowing proper release.
Usually, they come with instruction manuals on how to use them. Most have a removable rubber tip that you can switch between soft and hard surfaces. They are made of different materials. Some are made of natural wood while others are made from aluminum sticks.
Trekking Poles or Hiking Poles
They are designed for use on trails and uneven terrain when people go hiking. Using trekking poles gives a person balance while hiking. Hiking poles can help you relieve stress from your lower body joints. As you push yourself with the poles, it helps you to navigate your path or terrain easily.
Most trekking poles are made from aluminum or carbon fiber. Hiking poles made of carbon fiber are lighter, but they are also more expensive than aluminum trekking poles.
What to Look for When Buying Walking or Trekking Poles
When shopping for trekking or walking poles, there are some things you need to consider to get the best pole for yourself.
Grip
The grips of the poles you choose should suit the size of your hands. The design of the grip differs depending on the type of pole. For a walking pole, the grip should have a positive angle as it relieves stress off your wrist. You should also consider the material used to make the grip. Most poles have grips made of cork, rubber, and foam.Cork grips wick moisture from your sweaty hands, and they easily conform to the shape of your hand. A rubber grip helps insulate your hands from cold. If you are hiking during cold weather, getting poles with rubber grips is best. But if you are hiking in hot weather, rubber grips can cause blisters to your hands. Grips made from foam are comfortable, and they absorb sweat from your hands.
Adjustable Vs Set Size
For Nordic or walking poles, it is advisable to get a one-piece, light pole that does not need adjusting. When it comes to trekking poles, you need a pole that can adjust adequately. Since it can go uphill and downhill, this allows you to keep the correct angle.Walking poles have a walking “paw” made of rubber that has been set at a proper angle to hit the sidewalk or path. The rubber is removable. Trekking poles come with baskets that help the poles from sinking in snow or sand.
Shock absorbing
Cork inside the poles reduces shock. Some poles have springs, and they act as shock absorbents. This increases the comfort of using poles.
Pack ability
When you are not using your trekking poles, it is essential to keep them stored away nicely. It is good to have poles that pack down well. Think about the storage space you have to keep your poles in. Or when traveling with them, whether they can be packed. Some poles cannot packed down. The ability of poles to telescope into smaller sections is good because storing or traveling with them is easy.
Material
The material used for trekking and Nordic poles determines a lot of things such as:- how comfortable and heavy they are when carrying them- Whether the poles can handle ground conditions like mud or snow- Durability of the walking poles
The two common materials used to make poles are either aluminum or carbon fiber. Aluminum poles are strong, absorb vibrations, and are suitable for long hikes.Poles made from carbon fiber are lighter, more robust than aluminum poles, ideal for hiking thick terrains. However, they do not absorb vibration properly. They can easily snap under too much pressure.
Conclusion
These are the essential points that you should consider when going out to shop for trekking or walking poles for hiking. Get the one that suits you best for your walking exercise.
