As is known to all, the further you go on an outdoor hike or climb, the more beautiful the view. And hikers with real outdoor experience will know that the trekking poles are the equivalent of a second pair of legs. A study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine in 1999 revealed that trekking poles can reduce up to 25% of pressure on the knees and 22% of the burden on leg muscles. Whether you're hiking uphill or downhill, they can support your body well, stabilise your centre of gravity, and utilise upper body strength in order to increase walking distance, especially, when going downhill, using trekking poles properly can well protect our vulnerable knee joints. Surprisingly, in fact 80% of hikers using trekking poles, did not fully grasp the poles in the correct way. So today, let's popularise how to properly use trekking poles.
Are you really using your trekking poles correctly?
Using trekking poles correctly = increased speed & less effort + knee protection
The length of a trekking pole is actually quite important. For a typical three-section trekking pole, the two sections starting from the tip are adjustable. How to adjust the length of the trekking pole is importantand depends on the specific terrain you are hiking on.
⛰️ 1. Flat Ground
First, we need to adjust the length based on walking on flat ground. Stand still on flat ground, hold the trekking pole in hand, let your arms naturally hang down, use your elbow as a pivot point, lift your forearm so it is parallel to the ground and forms a 90-degree angle with your upper arm. At this point, the correct length for using a trekking pole on flat ground is when the tip of the pole touches the ground vertically. Then, tighten the sections of the trekking pole and adjust the length of the other pole that has not been adjusted to match the length of the locked pole.
⛰️ 2. Steep Uphill Slope
Compared to flat hiking, when tackling steeper uphill slopes, poles need be shortened a little bit for steeper slopes based on the gradient.
When going up a steep slope, you should engage the arms placing the trekking poles in front of or above the body, using the wrist straps to support the body to walk upward. By transferring some of the force from the lower limbs to the upper limbs, this method effectively reduces the burden on the legs. When necessary, both trekking poles can be utilised simultaneously to aid in the climbing motion. In such instances, gripping the handles firmly with the palms can help increase the force exerted.
⛰️ 3. Downhill
When going downhill, poles need be a little longer than flat ground for steeper slopes based on the gradient, depending on the actual situation.
As downhill hiking exerts significant impact on the knee joints, it is important to use trekking poles to reduce the load. When taking a step downhill, insert the trekking poles in front of the body, and they must touch the ground before the front foot to effectively distribute the force. It is important to note that during downhill descents, the poles bear more weight than usual, so it is necessary to fix each section of the poles to prevent sudden retraction when putting weight on them, which can lead to dangerous imbalance.
Engage all your muscles by using the wristband effectively.
Many people may think that a wristband is just a tool put on the wrist to avoid loss, and think that it is dispensable. However, the wristband actually plays a significant role; the support of trekking poles relies on the wristband, which helps to transfer body weight and backpack load to the wrist, rather than relying on gripping the handle of the trekking pole. So how do you play the role of wristband?
First, adjust the wristband to the appropriate length. Slide your hand up from underneath the wristband and press it against the palm of your hand. Then gently grasp the handle, allowing the weight to pass through the wristband to support the poles, rather than gripping the handle tightly to apply force.
After reading the above instructions, you should have a good idea of how to use trekking poles correctly! It's important to note that the quality of trekking poles directly affects your safety. Just imagine, if you were in a precarious situation and suddenly put all your weight on the trekking poles, only for them to unlock or break, it would be incredibly dangerous! Therefore, choosing the right trekking poles is crucial for your safety.
Choosing the best trekking poles for you
We highly recommend our New Arrival --Beamwalk T3 II Lighted Trekking Poles
These trekking poles are made of lightweight yet strong aerospace-grade 7075 aluminium alloy, ensuring durability and corrosion resistance. The EVA handle provide a comfortable grip, while the length and wristband tension can be easily adjusted to suit your needs. With high-performance tips and accessories, with IPX6 waterproofing, allowing you to confidently tackle various terrains and enjoy worry-free hiking in any weather.
Innovatively equipped with integrated 360-degree LED lighting on the trekking pole, featuring stepless dimming, 4 light settings, and a 30-second standby function, ensuring your hiking journey is not only illuminated but also enhanced with a sense of security!
