How to Choose Trekking Poles
There are times on the trail where grabbing on to a nearby tree or boulder to brace yourself is very helpful. Climbing down a steep step or onto a slippery rock in a river, you may want something to assist you in keeping your balance.
Unfortunately a conveniently placed tree or boulder isn’t always available for you to hold on to. That’s where trekking poles can really come in handy.
Those occasional awkward steps aren’t all trekking poles are used for. They also help you tackle large ascents and keeps you in a rhythm as you walk. There are a lot of benefits to using trekking poles. There are some downsides, as well. If you are considering purchasing a pair, keep reading. We’ll show you how to choose trekking poles.
What Are Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are essentially ski poles that you use while hiking. You hold one in each hand and lightly tap the ground as you walk, moving them in a rhythmic tandem. As you tackle steep hills or unstable surfaces, you can use these poles to brace yourself and keep balance.
Trekking poles refer to the pair of poles people use together. When people use one stick as they hike, it is considered a hiking staff. People may use a staff for similar purposes, but they are less effective at keeping your balance on steep terrain or when you are carrying your backpack. Staffs are best used on flat terrain for individuals who are hiking without much weight on their back. How you’d find the right staff is similar to how you choose trekking poles.
The Benefits of Trekking Poles
- Trekking poles makes you more stable on steep hills. As you ascent up the side of a mountain, you can use these poles to dig into the earth and pull yourself up. This takes a little bit of strain off your legs and can keep you from sliding if the hill is muddy.
- Poles help decrease the impact of descending deep steps. When you come across a particularly high portion of the path that you need to step down from, it can be nice to grab on to something to lower yourself down with. Trekking poles can lessen the shock on your knees as you step down.
- Trekking poles help you keep your balance. If you find it difficult to stay on your feet while walking on uneven terrain, it might be helpful to use some poles. You can catch yourself with the poles when you begin to topple or trip so you don’t take a digger.
- Water crossings are easier with trekking poles. If you dread crossing rivers or streams, these can give you the helping hand you need. Brace yourself against the ground as you find your balance on slippery rocks and avoid falling in the water! Poles also make a great tool for testing water and mud depth.
- In the winter trekking poles might save you from icy injuries. Use them to catch yourself if you slip on a patch of ice or stabilize yourself as you slowly cross a frozen waterway.
- Trekking poles can keep your hands from swelling. Dangling your arms as you gain elevation can cause poor circulation. This is why your hands may swell up when you ascend the side of a mountain. Elevating your hands with a pair of poles can help alleviate this issue by improving blood flow through your arms.
- Poles can have alternative uses. For ultralight packers, a pair of trekking poles, some rope and a tarp can make for a super lightweight tent. You can also use poles for drying clothes and boots, stoking a fire, or to help you hang your food bag in a tree.
- Use poles as a backup weapon. Hopefully it doesn’t come down to this, but if a bear, wolf or mountain lion becomes aggressive toward you, you can use your pole as a type of weapon. Bear spray would be a preferred defense, but it’s always good to have a backup plan.
The Cons of Trekking Poles
If you’re researching how to choose trekking poles, chances are you are interested in buying a pair. That’s great! However, you should also consider the potential cons.
- Trekking poles are another piece of gear to purchase. For a backpacker on a budget, these shouldn’t be on the top of the list for things to buy for your first trip. There are a lot of other more important items to spend your money on, like a nice sleeping bag, tent or sleeping pad.
- If you have poor balance, you’re not doing yourself any favors. While it is helpful to use trekking poles if you have poor balance, it’s not helpful in the long run. It might be more beneficial for you to struggle through awkward movements in order to improve your balance and athleticism. After all, practice improves bodily movement. However, this really depends on your goals, health, and how much you want to push yourself.
- Poles can be a burden to carry. You might not always need your poles. I have some that I occasionally bring along for the sole purpose of water crossings, then I strap them back onto my pack. Though tucking them away gets them out of your hands, they do add a little extra weight to your bag that might not be necessary.
- Proper technique is important. If you bring along trekking poles but you don’t know how to use them correctly, you may hinder your hiking. They will get in your way and make you use more energy than you would by hiking on your own. Make sure you know how to use them before you bring them with you.
Are Trekking Poles Right for You?
Before you think about how to choose trekking poles, you should think about whether trekking poles are right for you. They can be a game changer for some people, but a total waste for others. Ask yourself these questions.
What Terrain Do You Hike In?
Do you typically stay on mild trails that have little to no water crossings, high altitudes, or steep ascents? If so, you might not need them. On the other hand, if you like to challenge yourself on difficult trails these may give you an extra boost. Just be sure to choose trekking poles that are fit for the intended terrain.
Are You Experiencing Discomfort While Hiking?
If you are noticing your joints are aching, your hands are swelling or your ankles are stiff, you might want to consider using trekking poles. Not only will they help reduce some of the stress on your joints, but they will also give you a helping hand when the pain restricts your movement or balance.
How Much Do You Need Them?
Before you read up on how to choose trekking poles, you need to decide whether you really need them. If you are just getting them because they might be nice for the occasional steep ascent, you should consider whether bringing them along will be worth it. Consider whether you are going to benefit from using them. Otherwise they’re just going to get in your way. If they’re tucked away in your pack all day, all they are doing is adding extra weight.
Bottom Line…
If you’re just getting started backpacking and you’re overwhelmed with all the gear you need to purchase, don’t worry about getting trekking poles. For most people, they’re not entirely necessary. However they can be nice to have in some instances. If you have the opportunity to rent or borrow a pair for a trip, try them out and see whether you enjoy them! Then if you do like them, come back here to learn how to choose some trekking poles for yourself!
How to Choose Trekking Poles
If you decide you do need a pair of trekking poles, you should make sure you get the right ones for your needs. There are a few key factors to consider. Be sure to also check out our favorite trekking poles!
Pole Material
You’ll want to choose trekking poles that are made from a lightweight, sturdy material. The best options here are aluminum and carbon fiber.
Aluminum trekking poles are durable and affordable. You don’t need to worry about them splintering or breaking, but they might bend if you put a lot of stress on them
Carbon fiber poles are the most lightweight option, but they come at a higher price. They are also more likely to break in high pressure.
Grip Material
The material that your handle is made of is also something to keep in mind when trying to choose trekking poles. Your hands will constantly be gripping this part of the pole, you’ll want it to be comfortable! There are 3 common materials for these, cork, plastic and foam.
Cork grips are a great grip option because they resist moisture. This means that your sweaty hands won’t chafe and the handles won’t deteriorate from the moisture. These will also mold to your hands with use for a comfortable fit. The downside is that cork is heavier than options such as foam and may be more expensive.
Plastic handles are an affordable and sturdy option. Unfortunately they aren’t suitable for warm weather. The plastic can make hands blister quickly with moisture and heat.
Foam grips are an inexpensive, lightweight option for someone who wants to keep their hands free of blisters. The drawback to foam grip is that they absorb water and may break down faster because of it.
Adjustable Height
One of the most important tips for how to choose trekking poles is to look for ones that are the right height. It would be your best bet to find a pair that is adjustable so that you can alter their height to fit your needs.
For a majority of your hike, you’ll want your poles at a length so that your elbows are at 90 degrees when the tips touch the ground. You may want to adjust them to be slightly taller or shorter when you are on a hill. Going uphill, you may benefit from having slightly shorter poles. When you’re on your way down, longer poles will help you keep your body more upright.
Collapsible or Foldable Design
If you are unsure whether you will use your trekking poles the entire time you are backpacking, make sure they are collapsible. If they are unable to fold down to a smaller size, you won’t be able to fit them in or strap them to your backpack.
Shock Absorption
You may or may not want trekking poles that are shock absorbing. The benefit to this is that it can take away some of the impact of descents to make it easier on the knees. The downside to this is that it can decrease your stability and make them less helpful when you’re going uphill. This feature will also add some weight to the poles. How you plan to use your poles will determine how to choose trekking poles when it comes to shock absorption.
Conclusion
Trekking poles can be a great help for some people! For others, they can be a hindrance. They can help you cross waterways more confidently and descend steep hills more gracefully. However, poles can also weigh you down and be useless on certain stretches of the trail. It’s a toss up. The only way to know for sure if you’ll like them is to take a pair for a spin! If you like them, make sure you know how to choose trekking poles so you can find the right ones for you.
Cover photo by Stéphane Fellay on Unsplash
