Choosing the Right Poles for your outing

When it comes down to go shopping for walking poles, one must know which one they would need according to the requirements of their outing.

One must choose the best walking or trekking pole that perfectly fits the terrain where it’ll be used. A hiking or walking stick is the traditional way to give yourself a little more stability.

Some people decide to go for a single pole. A single walking stick or pole can give you stability, especially on loose terrain or when crossing streams. As we’ve mentioned in our previous blogs, a single walking stick can also act as deterrence against unwanted intruders.

Hiking and trekking poles are specially designed to be used on different terrains. Using a pair of hiking poles or trekking poles gives you balance and takes more stress off the lower body joints. The grips and straps on the poles are great to get a firm hold and grip on your poles. You can always push down on them to help you adjust properly while you’re out. Sometimes, when the poles might get stuck in a rock or crack, these straps and grips can be quickly released.

When you buy poles make sure they come with instructions on how to use them properly to avail maximum advantage. One must fully read the instructions before embarking on a walk to avoid misusing them and eventually end up not using them properly which can sometimes even result in injuries. So make sure that when you buy poles then try to make sure that it comes with an illustrated booklet on the proper usage.

Try rehearsing with the poles once or twice before actually using them on your hike. It’s always good to pre-test your poles before stepping out.

Check the grip of the poles. Make sure you’re happy with it that you don’t feel stress on your wrist when you’re using the poles. Grip designs differ for fitness walking and for trekking - select the pole to match your activity.

Even the straps are different for different kinds of walk. So make sure that you choose the right strap. Consult a senior or pro walker for advice in selecting the right ones for you. Retention straps also differ, with a half-glove used for fitness walking and a simpler strap for trekking.

So, next time you go out to buy a new pair of poles for yourself, make sure that you keep in mind all the pros and cons before settling down on them. That would make your outings and trekking that much more easier and fun.