Tuesday, 11 March 2014

Why Use Walking Poles or Trekking Poles


You may not know but trekking poles are for everyone – the old, the young, the amateur walker, the infrequent rambler and the veteran outdoor enthusiast. Trekking poles are also a great way to increase your walking, trekking and hiking ability and even improve your outdoor experience. 

Leki Trekking Poles

Using Trekking Poles – What You Get

When someone says “trekking poles”, you might assume that they are to help people with sore joints, movement issues and posture problems, but actually trekking poles are not an “assist,” they are an “improvement.” Due to the way trekking poles are held, they ensure that the user has an upright, straighter and stronger stance. This improved postural stance creates a knock-on effect, which increases all-round stability and grip with the ground, alleviating the stress and strain on your joints, muscles and general body. The use of hiking poles involves using your whole upper-body to help you move, producing longer, faster steps, making your journey quicker and easier. The most notable difference that walking poles will have, will be with uphill walks. Due to your corrected posture, you will be able to breath better, as your airways have been opened up, and you are actually able to take in your surroundings and admire the view – one of the main reasons people go walking.

Choosing Trekking Poles – What To Get

Choosing the right trekking poles for your self can be a daunting and confusing task, especially as there are so many things to consider. To start with, Leki Trekking Poles are split into two key groups – Ultralite and SuperStrong. The Ultralite would be better for the lightweight backpacker or someone of a smaller stature or lighter weight, whereas the SuperStrong are better for taller, heavier or stronger, more forceful trekkers. There are two different locking adjustment systems that a hiking pole could have, internal – which requires twisting the walking pole segments to tighten or loosen for adjusting length. The other is external – which is a quick release clip, which tightens and loosens the segments, each having their own advantages – the internal is lighter, stronger and less bulk, but the external is much quicker and easier to adjust. The sections of the poles come in different materials – Aluminium, re-enforced aluminium and carbon – each lighter and stronger than the previous. There are a variety of handles and grips to choose from – rubber grip, a closed-cell foam compound and a blend of natural cork and rubber. The standard rubber is durable, rugged and firm. The foam handle is softer, more spongy and absorbent, allowing moisture and sweat to be drawn away from the user’s hand. And finally the cork grip has the anti-sweat features of the foam but handles and grips are more about personal preference than the other trekking pole features. More and more of the hiking poles are now being built with a integrated shock absorber, meaning all vibrations through your walking poles will be dampened. Your movements will become more fluid and smooth, allowing you to keep the same rhythm and pace for longer trips and walks. You can easily spot which trekking poles have an anti-shock absorber as they will have a white ring of material around the join of the lowest two sections of the walking pole.

Any questions?

If you do have any questions about trekking poles and how to choose the best set to suit your needs and requirements then please do not hesitate to contact our enquiries email address. Or why not visit us in store where we would be more than happy to help you find the right hiking poles for you. 

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