The hiking gear and adventures thread...
Discussion
LordHaveMurci said:
I paid £22 in Sports Direct, Karrimor ones which do the job.
I’m sure Leki etc are ‘better’ but I have no intention of finding out!
I’m sure Leki etc are ‘better’ but I have no intention of finding out!
I've got a pair of Leki poles with shaped cork grips - expensive but a birthday present from my missus
. I love them: sturdy, reliable and pleasure to use.My missus has a pair of Trekmates cheap poles she bought on a whim. To be fair they are pretty good.
The main difference seems to be...
Grips: cheaper models tend to have plastic or rubber grips so you tend to get sweaty hands. Not ideal, but not the end of the world. The more expensive poles tend to avoid sweaty hand syndrome. If you're using them for hours on end, this is welcome!
Adjustment: my Lekis have quick release similar to the clamp you get on quick release bikes wheels and seats etc. Cheaper poles tend to have a 'twist' lock and unlock to adjust the length. These don't seem to be as sturdy as the clamp type.
If I was buying for the first time, I'd probably go for some cheap (ish) poles just to see how I got on with them. I'd definitely avoid carbon poles as these tend to shatter when bent too much. Alloy poles can always be bent back into true (not had to do this... yet).
In fairness, walking poles are one of the first bits of kit I recommend to novice or new hikers. I've been troubled with knee issues for years and the poles REALLY do help. Steep downhills are so much easier on the knees with poles.
Case in point: last weekend we (me, my missus and a mate) were walking an 11 mile loop around Kinder Low, Downfall and the Reservoir in the Peaks. We bumped into 3 young lads from Dudley who were well out of their depth (trainers, tracksuits, no map, no waterproofs or warm clothes) and were in a bit of trouble. We got them back to where they were parked in Hayfield and all was well. They were amazed at the difference even one pole made when walking over tough terrain...
Happy end to their story and a call to Mountain Rescue was avoided.
Faust66 said:
They were amazed at the difference even one pole made when walking over tough terrain...
Second that. I easily turn ankles, so, on rough stuff or a steep descent, a pole gives really useful additional stability. If an ankle starts to go I can catch myself without just letting myself roll.I also have s
t proprioception through feet unless I've recently been doing something like skiing. The feedback from a pole makes a heck of a difference to my balance when I'm standing somewhere exposed where your vision isn't giving you a reliable fix on the slope. If I'm climbing or scrambling, not a problem. My hands are on the hill and I'm getting feedback. Standing on a slab or a ledge; wobbly wobbly. Really not helpful. Use a poll to get feedback through my hand; sorted.I use a super-cheap and cheerful pole I bought at a newsagents in the Lake District ages ago when something was giving me jip on a long distance route. I'm sure I could shave a couple of hundred grammes off by forking out for something higher-end, but the benefit is sufficiently marginal that I've never got round to doing it.
Faust66 said:
Adjustment: my Lekis have quick release similar to the clamp you get on quick release bikes wheels and seats etc. Cheaper poles tend to have a 'twist' lock and unlock to adjust the length. These don't seem to be as sturdy as the clamp type.
I agree! Now I've I'd both types, I'd go for the quick release everytime.Faust66 said:
Case in point: last weekend we (me, my missus and a mate) were walking an 11 mile loop around Kinder Low, Downfall and the Reservoir in the Peaks. We bumped into 3 young lads from Dudley who were well out of their depth (trainers, tracksuits, no map, no waterproofs or warm clothes) and were in a bit of trouble. We got them back to where they were parked in Hayfield and all was well. They were amazed at the difference even one pole made when walking over tough terrain...
Happy end to their story and a call to Mountain Rescue was avoided.
Happy end to their story and a call to Mountain Rescue was avoided.
I see this far too regularly. Not sure how Mountain Rescue keep their cool sometimes when faced with unprepared walkers.As per Faust66: cork handles and the lever rather than twist locking
The only other choice is straight vs angled handles. I prefer the angled as the help me up hill/feel like they give more ‘drive’ on the flats and I tend to rest on the top of them when coming downhill (as I tend to run).
Most importantly is to learn how to use them properly, particularly the straps as these are what do the work rather than the handles.
https://youtu.be/7q2YwOE4okA?feature=shared
My ‘pole wker poles’ go pretty much everywhere with me. Then you need a rucksack/fanny pack with a pole carry system and finally figure out to keep a dog on a lead with them 
The only other choice is straight vs angled handles. I prefer the angled as the help me up hill/feel like they give more ‘drive’ on the flats and I tend to rest on the top of them when coming downhill (as I tend to run).
Most importantly is to learn how to use them properly, particularly the straps as these are what do the work rather than the handles.
https://youtu.be/7q2YwOE4okA?feature=shared
My ‘pole w
ker poles’ go pretty much everywhere with me. Then you need a rucksack/fanny pack with a pole carry system and finally figure out to keep a dog on a lead with them sparkythecat said:
I'm getting older and my knees are not as good as they used to be, so I've been looking at walking poles. They start at £20 a pair and go north of £200 a pair, and so other than by budget. how do I choose?
Controversial but actually bodyweight impact forces when running/walking are good for the knees and increase synovial fluid production. If you have a weakness in your knees perhaps consider a visit to a physio? Long term use of walking poles, ie taking more weight on your shoulders/wrists only increases the chance of a shoulder/wrist repetition injury and decreases the training effect on leg/lower limb muscle and connective tissue. If you carry an injury and have to walk then short term pole use is ok I guess..long term not such a good idea. An idea might be to carry them until you get tired, then use them say, on the way down from the top/way back.popeyewhite said:
sparkythecat said:
I'm getting older and my knees are not as good as they used to be, so I've been looking at walking poles. They start at £20 a pair and go north of £200 a pair, and so other than by budget. how do I choose?
Controversial but actually bodyweight impact forces when running/walking are good for the knees and increase synovial fluid production. If you have a weakness in your knees perhaps consider a visit to a physio? Long term use of walking poles, ie taking more weight on your shoulders/wrists only increases the chance of a shoulder/wrist repetition injury and decreases the training effect on leg/lower limb muscle and connective tissue. If you carry an injury and have to walk then short term pole use is ok I guess..long term not such a good idea. An idea might be to carry them until you get tired, then use them say, on the way down from the top/way back.MRI scan revealed a tear in the cartilage. A combination of rest, targeted exercises and physio therapy has helped it heal fairly well and I’m now back on the hills.
I’m anxious to avoid aggravating the injury and so under guidance have been using a knee support and a walking stick. Until my knee and confidence are 100%, walking poles would appear to be a good aid to have to hand.
popeyewhite said:
Controversial but actually bodyweight impact forces when running/walking are good for the knees and increase synovial fluid production. If you have a weakness in your knees perhaps consider a visit to a physio? Long term use of walking poles, ie taking more weight on your shoulders/wrists only increases the chance of a shoulder/wrist repetition injury and decreases the training effect on leg/lower limb muscle and connective tissue. If you carry an injury and have to walk then short term pole use is ok I guess..long term not such a good idea. An idea might be to carry them until you get tired, then use them say, on the way down from the top/way back.
Sorry, but no. Poles are fine, they take load off your knees by aiding control as much as putting that on your wrists and shoulders. And in the same way that your knees respond to load so do other joints.Bill said:
Sorry, but no. Poles are fine, they take load off your knees by aiding control as much as putting that on your wrists and shoulders. And in the same way that your knees respond to load so do other joints.
Agree, impact forces are definitely not good for my knee(s). In fact my consultant specifically advises against it. OA of right knee and no ACL..Bill said:
Sorry, but no. Poles are fine, they take load off your knees by aiding control as much as putting that on your wrists and shoulders. And in the same way that your knees respond to load so do other joints.
You may not share my opinion of walking poles but it is scientific fact that sensible impact such as walking or running is good for healthy knees. If you decrease load you are therefore gaining no benefit joint wise from the exercise. Instead, you are loading up other joints... .sparkythecat said:
I was cutting a long story short in my OP. A keen hill walker for many years, I’ve had no bother until a couple of months ago when I sustained a knee injury.
MRI scan revealed a tear in the cartilage. A combination of rest, targeted exercises and physio therapy has helped it heal fairly well and I’m now back on the hills.
I’m anxious to avoid aggravating the injury and so under guidance have been using a knee support and a walking stick. Until my knee and confidence are 100%, walking poles would appear to be a good aid to have to hand.
Yes absolutely pole use will help with spread the load across other joints if the knees are a weak point. MRI scan revealed a tear in the cartilage. A combination of rest, targeted exercises and physio therapy has helped it heal fairly well and I’m now back on the hills.
I’m anxious to avoid aggravating the injury and so under guidance have been using a knee support and a walking stick. Until my knee and confidence are 100%, walking poles would appear to be a good aid to have to hand.
popeyewhite said:
You may not share my opinion of walking poles but it is scientific fact that sensible impact such as walking or running is good for healthy knees. If you decrease load you are therefore gaining no benefit joint wise from the exercise. Instead, you are loading up other joints... .
Sensible impact is good. Agreed.If poles allow you to do more with less grief then how is that bad?
People who use poles probably (and particularly in the context of this thread) do more walking than the average. So I wouldn't worry about a small reduction in load while walking because their total is likely still sufficient for healthy joints.
And even in the elderly who use a stick. If their walking distance is increased and pain reduced then it's win win. Not least because the benefits of walking aren't limited to joint health.
And further to that (Since you've made me put my professional argumentative head on... 
) if you consider someone who regularly walks an hour or two once or twice a week with the occasional longer walk at the weekend. Then when they go for a weekend or a holiday with multiple hilly walks then poles make absolute sense because they reduce excessive, unusual impact and prevent injury.
) if you consider someone who regularly walks an hour or two once or twice a week with the occasional longer walk at the weekend. Then when they go for a weekend or a holiday with multiple hilly walks then poles make absolute sense because they reduce excessive, unusual impact and prevent injury.Bill said:
And further to that (Since you've made me put my professional argumentative head on... ) if you consider someone who regularly walks an hour or two once or twice a week with the occasional longer walk at the weekend. Then when they go for a weekend or a holiday with multiple hilly walks then poles make absolute sense because they reduce excessive, unusual impact and prevent injury.
I come from the 'train properly for health and longevity camp', believing correct technique and training is the path to enjoyable and continued exercise. I also believe that people are foolish to undertake a much longer walk in the great outdoors than they are used to, holiday or not. Tiredness is the no.1 factor in hiking injuries, as I'm certain you're aware. Poles do not prevent injury, they spread the load a bit. If people want to use poles they can do so with much greater physical intensity and safety on a ski-erg machine in a gym. ) if you consider someone who regularly walks an hour or two once or twice a week with the occasional longer walk at the weekend. Then when they go for a weekend or a holiday with multiple hilly walks then poles make absolute sense because they reduce excessive, unusual impact and prevent injury. Oh yes further to your comment about the benefits of impact switching to the joints involved with using poles this is not the case, there is nowhere near the load transference.Of course there's a middle ground where poles are useful if people aren't really fit enough through age or injury... . Don't see their usage any way near as much in my part of the High Peak, people were crazy for them a decade ago.
Using hiking poles in the UK is rare. It’s odd. Go to other countries and they’re normal hiking equipment that most people use. They massively help people of all ages and skill levels to have an easier time hiking, especially on steep terrain. They also help hugely if you have a heavier pack. Obviously poles aren’t a magic fix that suddenly lets someone hike routes they normally could not hike.
In summary… use poles.
In summary… use poles.
https://www.atlasandboots.com/travel-blog/does-usi...
Couple of studies referenced in this recent article.
Summary seems to be ...
"Essentially, the prevailing picture is that using trekking poles helps you climb faster up steep slopes, not because they conserve energy but because they transfer load from your overworked legs to your underworked arms."
Personally I always have them with me on any multi day hike where I'm carrying a rucksack. Side benefit is that walking in Europe they're handy to fend off any aggressive dogs.
S100HP said:
Do steps still get recorded correctly when using poles?
Good question.I use my phone for step counts (kept in a leg pocket of my trousers) so I'd imagine using walking poles would not affect it.
If you use a smart watch it might mess up your count as the action of using your poles would show more movement.
Personally, I'm not that bothered by step counts so it's not something I place a great deal of interest in as it's almost academic: step counts won't necessarily reflect how tough or steep the terrain is/is not when you're hiking. And as you (well, I do) take much shorter steps when traversing rough ground, step counts are not that much use IMO
That said, you do raise an interesting point...
I'm bored today... was planning a 11 mile route around Standege Edge in the Peaks, but the weather forecast looked pretty bad.
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