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Trekking and hiking poles
Trekking poles are a great support for treks while you are carrying heavier loads and the terrain is perharps challenging.
Whether you want to use trekking poles or not is you personal choice. However there are many positive sides on using trekking poles. Poles give you support on downhill hikes, when the pressure on legs and joints in the biggest.
There are available fixed length poles and trekking poles which length can be adjusted. Trekking poles can be also used as tent poles, especially for ultralight tent models, which don't have their own tent poles.
Trekking poles are usually made of aluminum or carbon. For example Leki uses aircraft-grade aluminum and 100 % high modulus carbon on it's trekking poles. Antishock poles a feature, which reduces the impact on hard terrain. Some brands have even own models for women, with smaller grips and lighter overall structure.
Trekking poles can be a very useful gear to have, especially on longer treks and on challenging routes. Using trekking poles makes walking much more stable and the heavy weight on your back feels lighter when using poles.
Some advantages on using hiking poles
- Support on downhills, uphills, crossing streams
- Better rhythm on walking
- Takes some weight off you legs
- Helps weaker people to enjoy trekking
There are also some disadvantages on using hiking poles. One of the biggest is that when using poles it increases total energy expenditure. Another one is that your hands are not available for other tasks durinhg walking. Without poles it is easy to take photos with your camera or to drink from your water bottle. With poles it is a lot harder.
Buying trekking poles
Best known trekking pole and nordic walking pole brands are Leki and Komperdell. Exel, Start and One Way are some of the nordic walking pole manufacturers. Prices for hiking poles are approximately between and $50 and $100. If you are buying adjustable poles, make sure the locking mechanism is reliable. The grip should feel comfortable to your hand and the wrist starp shouldn't feel uncomfortable on your hand.
Nordic Walking
Nordic walking is gaining some popularity in many countries. As it name suggets, it's origanally from Nordic, mostly from Finland. Nordic walking is basically normal walking with trekking poles. With poles walking is much more efficient and better excercise for whole body. Nordic walking poles are usually lighter than trekking poles. Nordic walking is a really effective way to train for hikes too! Take your backpack with you on your walks and walk for an hour. When you go to the real hike you will notice how much easier it is to walk. It is said that nordic walking burns 40 % more calories than regular walking withous poles.