Why You Should Use Walking Poles
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- čas přidán 8. 06. 2024
- Walking poles are quite often an overlooked piece of kit and can come with a bit of a negative stigma. Paul's here to persuade you that they're a great investment; for performance and enjoyment.
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Went to your website, by the time l got into your cookie policy ditched out, sorry feller, just have a decline option.
Poles save your knees when walking down a mountain, and provide stability against slipping on rubble when on a gradient. They are a godsend for older hikers like me.
I hate trekking poles and advise strongly against them. They prevent the body from moving or flexing correctly, prevent building muscle strength in key areas, and destroy natural balance. The longer that you use them, the weaker becomes the muscle and tendon strength until you're totally reliant on them. It's a very unnatural way to walk or climb and are certainly not needed for negotiating a variety of different terrains at any age.
They are also good for checking the ground that you are stepping on to, if it's covered in snow or whatever you can check it's safe to step on to
Thanks, always wondered why walking poles are used
Agree, for a 60 year old, I use them going down Arizona mountains. They’ve saved me from very nasty falls several times. I don’t use them going up hills, as I want to build balance in my leg muscles.
Yea, it's a pity they all went home because of Brexit
I tried poles for the first time yesterday on a steep trail. WOW! What a huge difference they made! So much more speed and stability. Not to mention less knee pain and a better upper body workout as well. Can't believe it took me this long to try them!
Great to hear, glad we could help! Hope you enjoy many pain-free miles.
I am a huge fan of poles. My back is so bad with pain that I cannot walk for more than 20 mins max without pain. BUT with poles I can go all day. After years of walking shorter and shorter distances I am now back to all day treks. They are a better pain relief for my back than codiene. I am not being overly dramatic when I say that.
As Paul says, you must get your technique right. Practice on the level then just see how far you can go.
That sounds like as good reason as any! Good to hear you're able to enjoy the outdoors again with the help of the poles. Harry
As a Podiatrist we recommend them to reduce the stress on knees when walking downhill particularly. Wouldn’t be without mine.
This is, by far, the most compact yet informative video regarding trekking poles I have yet seen. Thank you!
🙌🙌🙌
I just got my first set of poles (Black Diamond) and have been looking at tons of videos to understand the proper way to use them. Paul, your video is the best I’ve seen! You explain well, the camera shows the important details and I love your sense of humour! Thank you so much! Hugs from Canada 😊
I'm in Michigan in the States, but your videos have grabbed my attention! The ethos of UK outdoor enthusiasm and the way you explain the gear is lacking in the States, where "outdoor clothing" is more and more just a Gucci Bag with a North Face logo slapped on it. For those of us that want to buy for quality and use the gear while being nerdy about the small quirks, your channel hits that right on the head. Americans ALL lead with marketing and vanity and the jacket is just an afterthought.
Kagan - as a Brit, a hiker and a wild camper, your post has made me warm to Americans... and you have ALL those great nature reserves! (I know what you mean about North Face tho - asides from their Summit series, they're just a fashion brand. I have the Mountain equipment jacket Harry is wearing.
Used to be a bit sceptical about the benefits of trekking poles in my youth.
As i get older and less agile or supple, i’ve learnt better and have come to rely on my well used and abused, but now indispensable, Leki Sherpa XL/XTG Aluminium alloy poles.
Really instructive video yet again.
Keep up the great work guys.
Best regards.
OK. I'm convinced. I start the Camino in 2 weeks. I was going to do it without poles. But now I think I'm going to invest. Thank you!
It's a worthwhile investment!
I bought my first set of Nordic Walking Poll a month ago and I love them. They allow me to work out 90% of my body, increase my pace, reduce stress on my back/hips/knees and get more out of my walk.
Great to hear!
This is the best and most informative video on walking poles. Really useful. And love the dry humour. Thank you!
I’m young and I use hiking poles because I’m hiking with a baby in a hiking pack!!! Makes a huge difference!!!
I’ve just gotten in to walking for my health at 68, and I find Treking poles allow me to increase my duration and distances by at least 50%. Picked up a couple of tips here I will try.
I think the biggest problem people (especially in the UK) have with walking poles is the image problem of being seen as some sort of invalid who has to walk with sticks. But it took me only about twenty minutes to realise these things are a HUGE advantage on gradients and rough terrain.
Yeah, this is true. Maybe we should follow this video up by making fun of strangers without poles to even things up a bit.
☺️
New to walking poles - this is the best video I've seen - you make it very clear and I'm confident I'll soon be used to them - longish distance walker, almost 78 years old and suffer from lower back pain because of posture collapsing after 20km! Should do better now - thank you very much!
Thank you for the kind words! I'm sure poles will help dramatically. All the best.
Also good for removing spiderwebs before you walk into them :)
I am 67. I have used a cane on and off for 20 years. I just bought 2 collapsable canes on Amazon for @$23.99. Because they are shorter than walking poles, my arms rest comforably at my sides. The canes (as with all canes) help me walk more agressively and help with balance. With two canes, each side is symmetrical and I can just fly wherever I am walking. There is always something for me to lean on even in motion. Keep in mind, I am walking on flat surfaces.
Love your videos always informative and well made and a big thank you to Harry too from Neoklis Australia
Very very useful guide! Keep the silly up, that's what ultimately made me want to subscribe!!
Brilliant informative description and it has improved my knowledge on there use.
I'm excited to try these. Thanks Paul for an inspiring video.
this is a great video as an intro & discussion re the use of trekking poles -- VERY informative, no fluff, and I appreciated the "extra features" that poles can be used for.
Great video! Very helpful. I'm new to trekking poles. Your video taught me a lot, and showed me ideas for use that I'd not considered. Thank you!
Great video including the"silliness" . Quite lovely!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great tips and great instruction! I never considered the multi uses of the walking poles! Thank you for sharing ❤
Great video, very well put & quite funny, which is always good!
Thank you for this video. I was looking for a good tutorial video how to use the trekking poles for a long time but to no avail. You were able to explain it in a great and easy way and now I can see I have used the poles in a wrong way. Btw I am a Pole...
Thanks for the information
Absolutely spot-on and super helpful! Thanks
Brilliant instructional video. Thank you!
Very helpful, thank and no useless info or music 😊.Thank you.
Wonderful, thank you so much for sharing!
Awesome video! Very comprehensive. The gentleman in the video has an excellent presence. Very smooth and engaging.
Thank you!
Well done video!
Stumbled across you looking for trekking pole information and found so much more. Lots of great info. You've renewed my interest in hiking and back packing. Thank you!
Ah that's great to hear, thank you!
when you stumble on steep ground with poles and wrist straps on, you might be able to catch your fall instinctively, or grab some grass to stop a slide
So good to see you do a video on the misunderstood walking pole. When I was a young pup I had a serious downer on the humble walking pole. Now that I am a lot older and a little wiser I really appreciate the value of the humble walking pole. This has mad such a difference to my hiking especially when I am carrying an exped pack. I am so enamoured by them, and post two hip ops, I am looking to take up Nordic Walking so that I can properly make the most of this brilliant piece of kit.
When I bought some walking poles, I received a lot of snobbery from other walkers in the U.K. Yet other countries use them passionately and without remark.
Very good video. You do an excellent job of describing the correct way to hold the poles. Now that I know, I'll start to do it the right way. Thanks!
Thanks Jim!
From Canada
Just got a set of poles. Wish I had got them before
Can’t wait to get over to the UK, my favourite destination, and do some serious walking and hiking.
All the best from the colony. Really enjoyed it.
Thank you! Enjoy your trip when you make it over.
And we look forward to see you. Try the West Highland Way! Highly recommended.
Hi! Nice video. I read an article in my newsfeed this morning about Nordic pole walking. I've had a slow recovery from surgeries and have become weaker than usual and a bit unstable at times. Not enough for a walker. I think these poles will help steady and strengthen me over time. No big hills in the beginning. I'm picking up a set of poles later today and will give it a go this evening when it's cooler. North Carolina is too hot and muggy during the day. I looked up videos about using the poles, yours is straight and to the point. Love the humor too! Thank you for sharing!🌄🚶♀️👍
Thank you! I'm sure they'll make a big difference. Good luck with the recovery. Harry
What a really good tutorial, thank you very much 👍👍👍
Very informative video while keeping it light. A friend was talking to me about walking poles last night, I am having all sorts of problems with my knees and feet as I am getting older. I am going to look at some poles today so watching this was very helpful thanks.
Thank you-good luck with the poles, I'm sure they'll make a noticeable difference. Harry
Thank you for sharing the video. Very informative
Excellent explanation for trekking poles 😎
I don’t wear any of the brands sold by you, but damn I love this channel! I watch them as soon as they drop. One thing I appreciate is a thorough review, not being stingy to appease the “mini vid” crowd. I need more than 3 minutes to explain why I should spend $300. You can make a cup of tea, sit back and learn about the piece 👍🏾.
Thank you!
I you sure you're not British? The tea drinking might be a give away.
Awesome video!! The “Strong Man” Paul clip had me in stitches! 🤣 but also very informative 👍
Haha, glad it was worth the editing time. Harry
Very well done. We have come to really appreciate ours.
Super helpful, 4 day trek soon so defo buying some poles! Used them before, totally wrong but no more! Fab video thank you!
I have some poles but haven't used them for a while so really need to be making more use. Never thought of being able to use them to sit more comfortably! Great tip!
You’re welcome!
Great video.. so entertaining but informative without too much waffle. Used walking poles once.. now know exactly how I was miss-using them.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for this information! I had no idea what these are for. Cheers!
Probably the best piece of outdoor gear I’ve bought by quite a margin. They help you power walk up those peaks while ascending and take a huge weight off your knees and ankles when descending.
You can test dodgy muddy and icy ground with them. Pole vault small streams and rivers, prevent a serious fall, even. Probably keep a dodgy wild animal or angry cow at bay too (Haven’t tested that part) And the folding Z versions can be easily stored in smaller backpacks.
My own preferred model is the aluminium Micro Vario folding poles by Leki. A little heavier than carbon fibre, but more resistant to damage (say if you fall on them heavily). Have tried folding poles by a couple of other brands and found them less reliable and prone to faults developing ( I do also like the MSR poles which I borrowed from a friend).
Have to agree that Aluminium alloy poles are that bit more durable. These Aluminium poles will still function after being bent, dented or twisted. As opposed to Carbon-fibre poles which seem to be inherently more brittle.
In fact. I don't think I could have completed my Annapurna and Everest base-camp treks without my Aluminium Sherpa XL's.
I subscribed ages ago for some kind of instruction video but have stayed (and ordered from you) due to the great work from everyone at Trekitt. Thanks again 👍🏽
Thank you, that's much appreciated!
@@trekitt No problem, keep it up!
Mel's
Great video. I've only got back into hill walking in the last year or so, and my knees are not what they used to be! I'd struggle to get up and down now without my poles - especially downhill when my knees take an absolute hammering!
Yup, downhill is always the killer!
Good video thanks ,I'l have to start walking with my poles now and hopefully, 🤔they will help relieve my foot pain as I do enjoy walking in the countryside 😊
I have chronic pain and a bum knee that will require surgery to repair. In the meantime, I also have a hyper doggie, and we walk on all terrain. This will ease the stress load on my body, and I appreciate you sharing this info.
Glad we could help in the meantime-hope the surgery goes well.
@@trekitt thank you so much, I appreciate it ❤️
I haven't watched this channel before. I liked this charming guy within the first minute.
Excellent video for a new munro bagger. Thank you!
That was excellently funny😂and very helpful. I just bought some poles I haven’t used them but I’m convinced I did the right thing..thanks again. I now know where to begin.
Enjoy the new poles, let us know how you get on!
Thanks good ideas tips and tricks.
Best explanation of technic I've seen so far
Thank you! Hope you can put it into practise out on the hills!
I tried them three days ago for the first time. I will never hike again without them. They are great.
We're very big fans of poles here at Trekitt. Glad you found them helpful.
Thank you!
Always been a bit skeptical about poles, but watching this very informative video I may well give them a go👍
So clearly demonstrated that even Dense m got it. I bought a pair of cheapos recently and thought I would start of with one, because I have a bit of a sore hip and knee on one side and it would be easier to get the hang of it, but I was geting the technique wrong. Watched your video and started practising down the corridors with the one stick. Colleauges think I am losing my marbles. Will bring the other stick into work tomorrow, rewatch your video and go for it with both poles. Thank you so much
Both poles is definitely the way forward-good luck!
Great and simple video - thanks. Could you please make something similar for using poles uphill and downhill (and on steps too). Thanks
Very informative.
Paul - entertaining as well as informative. In your explanation about the the straps you didn't mention that the poles are left and right handed, with the twist in the straps being opposite ways on each pole and they are marked R and L. I put some vinyl tape round the shaft below the handles, using red for right and blue for left, to identify which is right and left more easily.
Did you tape around your boots too?
@@GrumpyGarry121 Now there's an idea! Red lace for right boot - blue lace for left boot.
Good plan. I do the same with headphones just to make it more obvious. Harry
good job mate
I've learnt something, thanks. I'll give them a go👍
Let us know how you get on!
Will do😃
I'm not your target audience nor in the market for this, but it was a very good explanation. Now I now what to do If I'm ever in a situation where I all of a sudden need to travel with Walking Poles & flip a goat during the journey.
Fantastic video! Thank you
Our pleasure!
Great video and can definitely see the benefits so we’ll look at getting some. The only issue for us is that we have dogs and they often have to be on a lead which will scupper us a little
Doggos on leads are always a tricky one when using poles, often finding ways to get themselves tangled around. Something like this from Ruffwear may work for your situation to keep your hands free www.trekitt.co.uk/dpt/dogs/ruffwear-trail-runner-running-belt-blue-pool__53224 I can't however promise that the dogs will walk in a straight line. Still, at least you'd get some extra assistance on the uphills...
thank you
wow great video... thky
You describe the right way how the stripes should be and that way you won't snap your wrist if you fall. Another thing, if you go up the poles should be shorter, and when going down you should adjust them to be longer.
The length of poles relative to the slope is purely personal. I’ve never felt the need to adjust the length when going up or coming down. Thanks for watching.
@@trekitt On a deep descent the reason for extending the poles is so that you avoid the tendency to lean too far forward and over balance. You yourself said the poles help to keep the strain off your back by keeping your back straight. Well you certainly can't do that with a normal set length on a steep descent. I think it was a mistake to make a video about poles and not at least explain that even though you personally don't do it.
A
Great in theory, but in practice the angle of slope is rarely constant.
@@christaylor4758 Nevertheless, if you go up, or down for hours it will be significant. Anyway, adjustments the only a minute, so it will pay off
@@DenisDuke Very well stated!
My hand don't swell and my fingers don't feel like big fat sausages when I use trekking poles.😛
I move hands down on the handle when I'm ascending, and place my hands on top of pole when descending. Each year I go on multi-day trekks for 2-6 weeks at a time and my folding z-poles have proven to be invaluable piece of gear.
Also fun to engage other walkers in impromptu sword fights🤺⚔️
I challenge you to a duel
Love the channel, and thanks for the video, which poles were you using please?
Hey Sam, they're these: www.trekitt.co.uk/equipment/walking-poles-ice-axes/black-diamond-unisex-trail-pole-pair-picante__37266
Thanks,
Another great informative Trekitt video. Dont use poles myself, but might get some in the future. Another benefit of them to me would be testing the ground you intend to walk on, particularly if snow covered or very boggy.
Always handy checking for holes in the snow and bogst
Great and convincing demostration. Please send some advice on how to use them downhill, I saw in the video that you do not alternate them in your steps and that you point them in the terrain in front of you
Going downhill is more stabilising yourself rather than pushing yourself forwards, so it's just a matter of popping the poles in front and leaning on them a little more. Harry
@@trekitt Thanks Harry for your replay, I agree 100%
Vito from Venice (Italy) using trekking poles in the mountains in my region, but I will try on the bridges of the town
Lol great video thank you!!
Of course they come in handy in keeping the cob webs out of your face when on trail. 😉
Another alternate use is clearing spider lines across paths.
Yup, good shout
These are great and a good video.
Do you have any advice for those of us who live in the city and walk mostly on concrete?
You can purchase rubber tips to slot on the end of the poles: www.trekitt.co.uk/equipment/walking-poles-ice-axes/leki-rubber-trekking-pad-pair__33647
Very useful and entertaining.😂
Jolly Good!
I think I might be in love with Harry! Great video. I always use poles for hiking. (err... never realised they came R and L - whoops!) Have been training an octogenarian how to use walking poles and he loves it. Has no co-ordination tho (childhood polio) so actually harder to train that most. Vid doesn't mention that poles should be opposite to feet i.e. right foot, left pole, left foot, right pole. Any reason? Or does it not matter in Harry's opinion?
Hi, Harry is behind the camera-I think you may be in love with Paul. Perhaps it was just forgotten, but you are right and it definitely does matter. Good luck with your training!
Hey, great video, super helpful.. quick question: do you need to adjust the height if you're going up or downhill or is the height just fixed and you never change it?
This depends a little on your poles. Some will have an extended grip that runs further down the shaft so you can move your hand lower without adjusting the length, both black diamond and Leki have these in their ranges. When going uphill a shorter pole is useful because you're placing the poles above you on the slope, so moving your hand down the pole can be useful, or adjusting it shorter if your poles don't have an extended grip. Going downhill you may find it useful to have a longer pole, or at least taking your hand out of the straps and using the top or the pole a bit more like a pommel, rather than gripping the pole and leaning further forward.
As a Norwegian cross country skier, your poles seems too short. Normal length for skiing poles is up to the arm pits.
You get a much longer swing and push with longer poles.
But I haven’t tried it with hiking, so there may be other considerations to take into account.
If you grab the pole through the strap from below as you show if you trip your hand is free to help break your fall.
Gute arbeit, Engländer!
Danke!
Thank you for this info. I have very bad arthritis in both my feet. I’ve been wondering if walking poles would help with support and stability as I walk. One cane is no use to me since both my feet are arthritic so walking poles seem like they might be a solution. Can you comment on this, please?
A pair of poles will help with support and stability when walking. Whether they will be enough to make a difference to your walking enjoyment or not will be subjective, but we would recommend giving them a try.
Any difference between this and Nordic walking poles, thinking about upper body workout on the flat.
This should help: britishnordicwalking.org.uk/blogs/news/what-is-the-difference-between-nordic-walking-and-pole-walking
Thank you…looks like you’re in Wales..?? My mum is from Llanidloes…greetings from Houston, Texas
We are indeed, this was filmed near Hay Bluff. Great to know our content is reaching all the way to Texas!
Thank you for letting me know that y’all were in Wales…. I just received my Nordic walking poles and you’re video was probably the most informative one by far…especially things you can do with the poles other than walking and hiking…ie, resting against them, supporting a tarp, and drying your sweaty clothes..!!! Question: do the poles have to be in the ground for the tarp idea??? Or are they just sitting on top of the ground….????
Depends a little on your tarp setup, you'll either have the tip in the ground and the handle tensioned onto your tarp, or if your tarp has eyelets you would normally pop the tip through them and have the handle resting on the top of the ground.@@sterlingdafydd5834
How about adjusting the length for going up or down steep hills?
Yeah, is a good shout. Lengthening going downhill is especially useful.
Most useful if you have to cross a mountain river where it helps you maintain balance while your feet will feel like they are burning due to freezing water running off the mountains.
Very true
❤
I was sold on using poles by a PTI when on an exped. Use them probably and they work well. Just one thing, my dogs is called Bracken and………
😂
My dog is called Rover but is in another room so he's not taken offence....