I had been toying with the idea of buying some walking poles for a long time before I purchased some. Many people recommended them to me as they can take the pressure off the knees when walking down hills, and also help propel you forwards when walking up hills.
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As a keen walker and hiker, having the walking poles to aid my walks was always going to be a benefit. If you are considering buying walking poles yourself, then check out this guide covering all the benefits of having walking poles in your hiking kit.
Benefits Of Using Walking Poles
Walking poles, or hiking poles whichever you decide to call them are a great way to be able to focus on something when you’re walking. They are also great for preventing getting sausage fingers, something I struggled with when training for the Moon Walk. My walking poles were also a godsend when climbing Mount Snowdon and completing the Jurassic Coast Mighty Hike.
Which Walking Poles To Buy
Which are the best walking poles to buy? After some research I bought these poles as the price was right and the reviews were mostly positive. I didn’t want to spend a fortune on something I may only use a few times, but at the same time I wanted them to be reliable and not fall apart.
My few main requirements when selecting my poles were that they had to be telescopic. I don’t want to be lugging around long poles when walking longer distances, or realising they aren’t needed all the time on a walk.
Choose The Best Walking Poles
- Lightweight
- Telescopic
Walking Poles Review
On first impressions my walking poles looked to tick all the boxes. They are easy enough to extend and put away again when needed, and also have rubber tips. They are also very lightweight which is another added benefit.
I took the walking poles out for their first outing on a hike between Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. This is a favourite walk of mine and one I complete often.
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The picture doesn’t do the incline any justice, but let me tell you it was difficult. I was finding small spaces to get a grip with my feet to propel myself up the hill. Coming down it was another challenge in itself.
I was grateful for my walking poles on this hill as I found they were helping me to steady myself in the uneven ground.
Related Post – Walking equipment for beginners
How To Use Walking Poles
It’s important to find your rhythm with walking poles. Once you get into a comfortable stride, you’ll almost forget they’re there at all.
before you set off, get the correct height on your poles and secure in place. If the pole is too high or short, then your walking stance wont be comfortable. I recommend using the strap at the top of the pole to keep around your wrist.
By holding the poles on the grips and striding with your arms, the poles become a natural part of your walking stride. They act as a great way to focus your walking and also help prevent your fingers becoming swollen which can happen on longer walks.
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I like to compare walking with the poles and walking without to see if it makes a difference. I can see how much better the walking was with the walking poles over uneven and hilly terrain.