If you have generated interest in hiking for the first time and are wondering if a pair of hiking poles must be packed in your backpack or not, then you have come to the right place. The objectives of having trekking poles for considerable hikers are numerous. Trekking Poles are incredible for setting a rhythm or substantial deduction of load and consequence on hips, knees, and ankles when you are going downhill. They make your hiking easy by providing vitality.
First things first: What are Trekking Poles?
Trekking Poles are also recognized as hiking poles, sticks, or walking poles. They are a popular hiking accessory that assists walkers on the trails and decreases strain on joints on rough terrain. Unlike hiking staff, Trekking poles are manufactured to be used over a wide variety of terrain. As a result, they improve hikers’ posture, making walkers more adequate while walking.
Trekking Poles can make your travel more satisfying. They can also enhance your grip on mud, snow, or rock surface. You can also use them as a probe. If you lack strong, sharp, and rigid poles, then don’t worry; trekking poles will work that out just fine. Trekking Pole handles are very textured, and the poles are stiff and strong. You will notice that their tips are made of hardened carbon steel, which enables them to set into rock and soil to procure traction.
Types of Trekking Poles
There are three types of trekking poles that you will come across. They are-
- Telescopic poles have the strongest and stiffest structure with minimum moving parts that can break, making them more suitable for traveling on slippery trails or even snow. You can easily fine-tune them for an extensive uphill or dramatically resize them for several applications. Telescopic Trekking Poles are one of the best trekking poles for hunting.
- Foldable poles – They are similar to tent poles. Their biggest flex is that they can pack down small, and you can deploy quickly. They are popular for ultra-running and are light yet durable.
- Fixed-length poles- If you are up for only one activity and want a certain length for better backup, these will help you perfectly.
Recommendations
If you are not sure about choosing appropriate trekking poles, then suit yourself with any of them mentioned below:
- Gossamer Gear LT5, Montem Ultra Strong, Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork, Leki Micro Vario Carbon, etc., are the best trekking poles for hikers.
- Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles, Retrospec Solstice Trekking ski Poles, KingGear Trekking Poles, etc., are the best walking poles for seniors. These have always been the best walking sticks for seniors as the top choices.
- If you are a woman looking for sturdy and strong trekking poles, then Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles, Black Diamond women’s Trail, High Stream Gear Women’s Walking Sticks, etc., should be on the top of the list.
The advantages of Trekking Poles
If you haven’t figured out whether you need a trekking pole or not, you need to understand why these are essential while hiking, and they are on the top of the gear list you need for backpacking.
- A pair of trekking poles make your walk much easier.
- They maintain your balance while ascending or descending with a heavy backpack and provide necessary support on tricky trails. Even if you are just walking on flat ground, the poles will allow the burden of walking onto limbs.
- If you are about to cross a river, they will assist you in balancing.
- Hiking for a long time causes a burden on the knees and trekking poles to reduce stress on the knees. If you injure your knee or ankle on the trail, you can use them as crutches.
- If you are thinking of hiking through canyon narrows or slippery moss-covered stones, you must assist yourself with a pair of trekking poles.
- If you ever get attacked by any wild creature while hiking, you can also use them as self-defense tools.
The disadvantages of Trekking Poles
- If you fail to apply the correct technique, you will be wasting energy.
- The noise of the poles might be disturbing to you.
- Always having them attached to hands might annoy you.
Material
If you happen to know how trekking poles are made, you must know that trekking poles are made of two main materials. Depending on the material, they are categorized into two types-
- Aluminum Trekking Poles are more durable and extremely useful for hiking uphill, downhill, and on flat terrain.
- Carbon Fibre Trekking Poles are very lightweight and can be used for hunting. And they are ultralight trekking poles but more susceptible to breathing.
Why will you use trekking poles?
Using trekking poles will reduce the accumulated stress on the legs, knees, feet, and back by sharing the load more evenly across the whole body, which makes your walking easier if you are carrying a heavy backpack on your back. They will function like carrying half of your load.
Pros of using Trekking Poles
- Trekking Poles take the stress off your joints.
- They give your arms something to do as well.
- They maintain your body by balancing.
- They also help you maintain a good pace.
- They can be used to measure the depth of water or ice.
- They can help you get a hitch into town from the trail.
Cons of using Trekking Poles
- Trekking Poles can be limiting in some situations.
- Trekking Poles add extra weight during climbing uphill and downhill trails.
- They are expensive.
- They are not always friendly as they leave insight scratches on the trail.
Conclusion
Trekking Poles are one of the essential gears you will come across while packing for a hike with your friends. They will assist you in a great way by lifting away weight off your shoulder and back. Of course, they might have some disadvantages, but you cannot hike on a trail or anywhere without trekking poles. It doesn’t matter if you are hiking for the first time; with trekking poles, you will gather much confidence in the slippery trail comparatively in an easy way. So, what are you waiting for?