How to Get the Most Benefit from Your Trekking Poles

 If you are somewhat new to hiking you may be wondering if it would benefit you to use a hiking stick or a pair of trekking poles. Even experienced hikers accustomed to hiking without trekking poles will be convinced of the benefits when they are used correctly. Unfortunately, many hikers on the trails may not be fully utilizing the features of their trekking poles to realize the maximum benefit provided. 

When used correctly, trekking poles significantly alleviate the strain to your legs and back, shifting weight load from your legs to your upper body. This takes a lot of strain off your knees and ankles and is especially beneficial when trekking downhill. The most obvious benefit of using trekking poles is the increased support and balance when crossing rugged terrain, streams and rivers or when carrying a heavy backpack.  

By using your arms during your hike you will burn more calories, use your core muscles and improve your workout. In order to realize all these benefits, trekking poles must be used correctly.

How to Use Trekking Poles Correctly

Using trekking poles properly will offer the right amount of support to you and alleviate unnecessary stress to your body. Using your trekking poles properly will alleviate strain on your body and should give you added endurance, allowing you to hike further than without the support of your poles. 

Here are a few tips to get the most benefit from your trekking poles:

1)  Properly adjust the pole to your height - a proper height adjustment is with the tip on the ground and your elbows at your side with your arms bent at a 90° angle. You will want to shorten the pole length to give more leverage when hiking uphill and lengthen your poles to support a downhill descent somewhere between 5 to 10 cm or whatever feels best and most comfortable for your needs. 

Cascade Mountain Tech offers a wide selection of hiking trekking poles with quick lock or twist lock to easily adjust your pole height.  We recommend using the markers on your pole to help recall the most comfortable height position. 

2) Correctly use the wrist straps - to properly use your wrist straps, insert your hand through the wrist strap so that the bottom of the strap is loosely and comfortably hugging the bottom of your wrist.  Incorrectly using the wrist straps is a common problem even for some experienced hikers. When used correctly, your wrist strap should provide support without needing a firm grip on the handle. 

3) Learn to swing your poles with a rhythm - swinging your arms naturally as you do when you walk is the best way to get in a natural swing cadence. Most people walk asymmetrically, the left arm comes forward when stepping with the right foot and vice versa. You’ll find that once you get into the rhythm you can use your trekking poles to actually propel you forward.

You might be surprised how much more ground you can cover when correctly using your hiking trekking poles. You may save enough time to take more breaks and enjoy the view.  Packing a foldable, lightweight camping chair will add to a comfortable hike and alleviate stress on your joints when you find a spot to rest. 

Cascade Mountain Tech offers high quality camping gear that will last, with a wide selection of hiking trekking poles in aluminum and carbon fiber, including ultralight carbon fiber and 3K carbon fiber for added durability.  Our lightweight camping chairs are durable with a sturdy base and come with a full one-year warranty. Contact us with any questions on getting the most from your trekking poles and for all of your hiking and camping needs.