“Aren’t those just for old people?” That is the response I often get when I recommend hiking poles to customers. However, a good pair of hiking/trekking poles can be handy even for the youngest and fittest among us. I am far from being geriatric but I have been using hiking poles for a number of years now and have found them invaluable. So here are three reasons why I think you should pop a pair of poles into/onto your backpack for your next hike.
1. You can move faster and further
Not a lot of people know that using hiking poles can actually increase your walking speed. By angling the poles behind you, you can use the push-off from each pole to drive you forward and increase your momentum. They also help you build a steady rhythm that eats up miles. While they do use a slightly different pole type, this is the technique that has made Nordic Walking so successful. My good friend Mark from Requiem for the Extreme often takes a pair of lightweight poles on his ultramarathon races to help him keep a good speed going. Plus, using hiking poles divides the effort of working between your legs and arms and helps make hiking more of an upper-body workout.
2. They help prevent injuries
Because hiking poles shift some of the weight from your legs they lighten the load on your knees, ankles and feet and also contribute to stability. Most people think that the hardest part of mountain walking is reaching the top, but I firmly believe that the hardest part is getting back down again in one piece. As Edmund Viesturs said “Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory.” Hiking uphill can be tiring but you get a sense of achievement with every new view that opens up. However, on the way down when you’re tired after a long day and your footing is not as precise as it was at the beginning, this is when accidents happen. Having a pair of hiking poles to keep you balanced and help absorb the impact of every downward step really does help you reduce the potential for injury.
3. They’re handy to have
The relative scarcity of trees in upland areas of the UK and mountains in general means having a pair of extendable poles is extremely useful. From helping you to reach that one wild apple just above head height to creating an impromptu tarp shelter, hiking poles are a versatile addition to your kit. I have even used hiking poles to fashion makeshift stretchers and traction splints on some of my first aid courses (fingers crossed I never have to test that in the field). Some tents now do away with the included poles entirely and you are able to save a significant amount of weight by using your hiking poles instead.
Final thoughts
While this post so far may give you the impression that I use hiking poles all the time wherever I go, which is simply not true. I do try and keep a set in my backpack but when and where I actually put them to use depends on a number of factors, including the amount of weight I am carrying, the type of terrain and the overall goal of the hike. Like any method of support (including shoes) overuse can lead to them becoming a crutch that your body relies on, but underuse when your body is not quite ready for the stresses you put it through can lead to injury. This is why I recommend experimenting with them, such as starting out a walk with them stowed away and then breaking them out for a particularly difficult climb or when you’re getting tired. If you have a particularly heavy backpack or often have knee problems I would recommend using them more often but as you build strength and fitness you can gradually taper off your use of them.
I hope this has helped you decide whether hiking poles might be something worth trying for you. If you have any questions about hiking poles or outdoor equipment in general leave a comment below and if you are wanting to know more about types and features of hiking poles then check out my guide on How to Choose a pair of Walking Poles.