Wherever you walk, hike, or trek, a sturdy pole or set of poles makes you more stable and more efficient, particularly in uneven or challenging terrain. When you hike with poles, you have three to four points of contact with the ground instead of just one or two.
Trekking poles help spread the load, whether that's your bodyweight or the weight of a backpack. They significantly reduce back strain while hiking with a pack, be it a day hike or week-long backpacking trip, and help tone your arms along the way.
Watch any four-legged animal scramble through steep or technical terrain where your own footing is unsure, and you'll easily see even more of its advantages. While we can't promise that a pair of trekking poles would turn you into a mountain goat, they do reduce your chance of slipping, twisting an ankle, or taking a tumble.
What to look for in a trekking poleThe poles we reviewed here are made from either aluminum or carbon. If you're someone who's hard on gear, aluminum is more dent, ding, and abuse resistant. If you're gentler on gear or want lighter weight gear, carbon fiber is strong and light but more brittle. Keep in mind, aluminum bends. When carbon fails, it breaks.
The best trekking poles are adjustable, too. With a twist of the pole sections or a flick of a clip, sections fold or retract making them easier to stash in a backpack or carry in a suitcase. For walking, poles quickly telescope to length.
How long you set your hiking poles is a matter of personal preference. On flat terrain, I adjust poles so my arm at my side is at a 90-degree angle with my hand on the trekking pole grip. When I walk steeply uphill, I shorten my poles to create more natural contact points and when the trail descends for an extended stretch, I lengthen them.
In varied terrain, or when I'm climbing or sidehilling, I remove my wrist straps altogether and hold one or both poles below the grip to functionally shorten them without actually changing their length, too.
Buy trekking poles that are easy to collapse and deploy so that when you don't need them you can easily stash them. Then, when you do need them, you're able to easily pull them out of your pack again. If you plan to travel with your hiking poles packed in a suitcase, choose a pair or a pole that collapses small enough to fit in your bag.
How weather and hiking surfaces affect your polesWeather and terrain also dictate what baskets you'll need. If you plan to use poles in snow, deep mud, or sand, you'll want a pair that has or is compatible with saucer-sized winter baskets. Snow baskets also prevent your pole from plunging in sand and deep mud. Most trekking poles come standard with quarter-sized trekking baskets, though some do allow multiple baskets to choose from.
Trekking poles typically have carbon-metal (carbide) tips that bite into rock and dirt for grip. If you're on pavement, concrete, or cobblestone, or if you'll be using your poles indoors, slip rubber tips over the carbide spikes to avoid causing damage.
On slick surfaces, rubber tips give you a much better grip. These are easy to find as an aftermarket attachment if they're not included, as well. Keep in mind that with hard use, carbide tips wear out. Some trekking poles do allow them to be replaced but don't be surprised if you notice wear and tear.
Don't forget about shock absorbers and wrist strapsIf you have joint issues, or if your back, neck, or arms are sore at the end of a day hiking with poles, choose poles with a built-in shock-absorber. Shock poles diffuse the vibration of your poles tapping the ground. A pole strike seems insignificant until you multiply it by the thousands of steps a hiker takes on any given outing.
Don't underrate the value of a good wrist strap, either. The best wrist straps support your weight when you lean on them to give your hands a rest. A soft and supportive wrist strap takes the weight without chafing your skin, too.
Every pole or set of poles has unique features and benefits. When you first get a pair, hold the grip to check for comfort and swing the pole to get a sense of how it moves. A lighter pole takes less energy to swing and ultimately is less fatiguing.
Here are the best trekking poles available:Read the original article on Business Insider