You'll feel the difference if you use one walking pole, but as you'd expect, you'll feel far greater benefit if you use two poles. Many people choose to carry only one pole because they feel they need a hand free for balance. If the terrain is particularly demanding, you should consider putting your poles away in or on your rucsac.
On terrain that you feel more comfortable walking on, using two poles gives you more uphill climbing power, increased leg endurance and improved balance over broken rocky terrain.
 Of course, the biggest benefit of using poles is that they reduce weight and pressure on the knees, in turn reducing the potential for knee damage.
For me, using two poles is a 'no-brainer'. Although one argument against using poles is that they can increase your overall energy expenditure, as you are forced to use muscles in your arms and shoulders that would otherwise be rested.
Make your own mind up but try using poles and make sure you stick with them for a long trial-journey before you decide whether or not to continue using them.
You need a pole that can be can adjusted according to the terrain and one you can collapse to put on/in your rucksack. A three piece pole is ideal.
Poles which adjust using a twistlock system are great for summer conditions. However, for winter use the fliplock system is more suitable as the twistlock systems can freeze up.
Many walkers use rubber feet on the base of the pole which are designed for slick hard surfaces and have no use in the hills or mountains. It is better to opt for a sharp/semi sharp spike tip.
The majority of poles are fitted with plastic cones which are fine for summer use, but for winter conditions you need to fit snow baskets to help prevent your poles sinking in the snow.
Some poles have built in shock absorbers. With these poles walkers may have the tendency to push the pole down rather than to load it. For that reason, my personal feeling is that these can prove a less effective pole. However if you suffer from arthritic joints then shock absorbers may help.
To gain maximum benefit from your poles you should aim to plant the pole(s) in time with each step using a rhythm consistent with your footsteps.
The ideal length your should be adjusted to will depend not only on your height but also the terrain you’re walking over. Normally you should adjust the poles so that they are shorter for going uphill and longer for going down. Having them too long on ascent will mean your arms are less effective. If they are too short whilst going down your body will stoop and your back will suffer. Ideally you should adjust your poles throughout your journey to adapt to the changing angle of the terrain.
A common mistake for walkers is holding the pole incorrectly. If you ski you will probably hold the pole correctly as a matter of course but for those of you who don’t ski - the strap is there to allow you to place your weight onto the pole without having to grip it firmly. Put your hand upwards through the strap loop and bring it back down, grasping the pole and the strap as it attaches to the pole. This way the weight of your hand naturally tightens the strap around the wrist and pulls the hand in close to the pole, with little grip required to keep it in place. By using the strap to support your hand as described and shown in the photo below you’re transferring weight onto your arms and upper body which would otherwise be carried by the legs and knees. Although it may seem strange to start with, the correct grip is essential if you are to get the most benefit out of your of poles.
|
 |
| The photo shows how not to hold the pole. Notice how the hand is just placed through the handle loop |
|
| This photo shows the correct way to hold a pole. The strap is now taking your body weight meaning you do not have to grip the pole too tighly. |
|
Using the correct grip also allows you to swing the pole in a more controlled fashion simply by releasing your grip a touch and allowing the strap to swing the pole forward
If you start to feel unstable moving over broken ground, it is worth considering taking your wrists out of the loops altogether, reducing the possibility of an injury to your wrists, arms and shoulders in the event of a slip.
There comes a point when poles are a hindrance and I often see people trying to move over certain terrain using poles when their use is obviously inappropriate and often make the task more difficult than it should be. One of the biggest problems, particularly if moving uphill, is that poles make upward movement more difficult, pushing the body backwards, away from the ground and increasing the likelihood of a slip or fall.
 If you are approaching a small, steep step, then either hand your poles to a person who has moved up above you or hold them as shown in the photo (left) which means you can use your hand as to grip and balance as well as to carry your poles. If you are likely to need your hands for a sequence of steps or moves – it’s time to put your poles away for a while.
I see many students trying to follow a compass bearing whilst also using poles. If you are trying to follow a bearing you need to be as an accurate as you can, so it’s time for the poles to go away
There has been an increase in accidents, some fatal in recent years, due to walkers & climbers using poles in a situation when an ice axe is required. These people have slipped and then fallen on snow when an ice axe would/could have arrested their fall. Unfortunately their ice axe has been on their rucksack when the pole should have been.
Poles will not rust but slight corrosion of the alloy can take place. To help limit this, it is better to store them in separate sections, which will stop them becoming stuck together. Do not use anything like WD40 to keep poles from sticking, as the poles will be more likely to slip when reassembled which may lead to an injury.
Pole locks can often malfunction out on the hill. If you use fliplock poles you should always carry a small screwdriver which can often be found on a Swiss army knife. On many poles baskets and tips can be changed so it may be useful to carry a spare in case one is lost, particularly when using baskets in the snow as a pole will be little use without the basket.
|
