Hiking poles can make your walks safer and easier, but if you want to use them it's all up to personal preference. You don’t have to use them, but they do help!!!
I invited Hiker Stu to write this blog post today as she has seen the most benefits from not using poles, to using 1 and then both!!! So heres Hiker Stu weighing in on it.
1 Pole, 2 Poles, No Poles?
Decisions, decisions, decisions like there isn’t enough equipment to think about already. Whether your someone who carries a pack every time your out hiking even if its short or long is the same as should I use 1 pole, 2 poles, no poles?
Coming back from a hiatus with hiking and I am also older now, have noticed changes in the ole skeleton (sucks getting old right!). First month of hikes no poles. Now remember just getting back into hiking so building up to 2-2.5 miles and so on… Even with these short treks felt soreness in lower back, feeling the knees and having to take rest breaks. Then NE Hikes a month later gave me the best early birthday present ever! Yes you guessed it a set of hiking poles.
Not having used poles ever in my life started with 1 pole thinking it would be like a walking stick. We’ve all used walking sticks at one time or another so no awkwardness there. It was so much more than a walking stick not only does the pole have a grip handle it has a point at the end to dig into surfaces to assist with inclines or getting over rocks and small streams of water. All though whenever crossing over anything we’ve all learned to test the rocks or branches for rolling. I’ve done many a dance moves trying to steady myself, you know what I’m talking about. The poles also have grips the cover the tips which I forget to take them off quite often oh well always learning right! Now during this time by using the pole and with building up hiking miles started noticing more of an endurance, lower back not as sore and most of all not having to stop as frequently.
Getting past 3-3.5 miles began feeling the soreness in the lower back, knees and having to take rest periods all over again even with the hiking pole. So that's when I brought out the twin lol. After all came as a set. Again never having used poles before it was quite awkward figuring out how to use them. And no not a downhill skier, cross country skier or never even used a naudic track thingy either. So had no real life experience just the basic knowledge of how to use them. You know what they say about a little bit of knowledge its is a dangerous thing lol.
Off I go all geared up backpack all packed up and a hiking pole in each hand. I’m ready for the big time. So I thought, well I’m like a baby giraffe trying to take his first steps lol very awkward indeed. Good thing NE Hikes was there because problem number one poles were not adjusted properly, Your elbow should be at a 90 degree angle for comfort and easier use. Okay now I’m ready, well it still took awhile and practice to get a comfortable rhythm with coordinating arms and legs. Once mastered it was a beautiful thing especially steady inclines, going downhill and trekking down long paths. Able to hike a good 3.5-4 miles just with the overall stamina you get with the use of 2 poles. Assists with keeping your body erect which is less strain on your lower back and knees.
Decisions, decisions, decisions 1 pole, 2 poles, no poles? Hiking poles aren’t for everyone it is definitely a personal choice. Experience has taught me no matter the distance this hiker, Hiker Stu will be using 2 poles. And if your an older hiker or not the benefits are far greater! As mentioned earlier benefits are less strain on lower back, knees, keeps your body erect especially carrying a backpack and best of all upper body strength gained.
Hiking can be hard on your knees and lower back, it is a lot of extra strain they might not be used too. There is also more strain if you are carrying a large pack around with you. The poles allow you to adjust your weight when walking, letting your poles take the part of load managing. The biggest benefits to your knees And lower back are when going downhill, as there is much less strain on them.
So, do you need hiking poles? That is up to you. There are so many benefits to using them, especially if you plan to be walking over very long distances. Navigating difficult terrain, crossing streams, is much easier with the help of hiking poles . They are particularly useful when going up and down hills!
Like to thank NE Hikes for inviting me to contribute
writing this blog on the benefits of hiking poles.
-HIKER STU
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