Interesting read about trekking poles

[denvermikey]

We get people from time to time ask if trekking poles are worth it. This article does a pretty good job of breaking down pros and cons.

https://www.outsideonline.com/2418032/t ... ket-newtab

[Lioness]

We get people from time to time ask if trekking poles are worth it. This article does a pretty good job of breaking down pros and cons.

https://www.outsideonline.com/2418032/t ... ket-newtab

"So, in summary, you burn a little more energy with poles in exchange for better balance, less joint stress, faster speed, and less effort."

What he needed to add is "when used properly". Many of the people I see don't use them properly. Gripping the handles for support instead of putting the weight on the straps and pushing down. Not adjusting the length - generally too short.

[Wentzl]

I did not read the article, but I do have an opinion based on experience.

If you are leaning into the poles to support your knees, you will injure your rotator cuff.

[mikefromcraig]

"People will say, 'Hey, you forgot your skis.'"

I'm a centennial finisher who used poles on about 90% of those summits and not once did I ever hear anyone say that.

And for me personally, I think I burn fewer calories with poles than without, just because they allow me to balance so much better it takes that load off my leg muscles. Kind of like the difference between doing a free-weight squat and doing a machine leg press (the latter is much easier).

Of course to each his own. Just try it out and go with what you prefer. If you are choosing not to use poles because you are afraid of what others think, that's really sad.

[Dave B]

Anyone who was worth their salt athletically in grade school, probably appreciates them in their adulthood.

Grade school? Wut?

[aholle88]

I did not read the article, but I do have an opinion based on experience.

If you are leaning into the poles to support your knees, you will injure your rotator cuff.

That’s simply not true. Ever seen an XC ski race? They do specific workouts just to train the arms/lats to improve the pulling power and endurance. If your shoulders are strong, using poles and driving through with them does no harm, in fact it engages the core more because of the lat involvement.

[justiner]

trekking poles for hiking != ski poles for XC skiing.

Rarely do I push off using trekking poles, as I cannot glide like I can with skis. My trekking poles are what: 110 - 115 cm length? Much shorter than XC ski poles.

I'll choke up on that length when going up hill. Trekking poles help with balance, and can take some weight off your legs, but it's simply the weight of your arms that are being supported by the trekking poles. If the point of trekking poles was to take the majority of the weight off your feet for locomotion, we'd all be hiking with crutches or in a manner that looks like quadrupeds.

[NathanRL]

"People will say, 'Hey, you forgot your skis.'"

I'm a centennial finisher who used poles on about 90% of those summits and not once did I ever hear anyone say that.

The link in the article was to this story about "urban poling." I wouldn't be surprised if people said that to someone walking on that sidewalk with poles.

[WanderingJim]

"People will say, 'Hey, you forgot your skis.'"

I'm a centennial finisher who used poles on about 90% of those summits and not once did I ever hear anyone say that.

I actually just had someone comment today that "I admire people who are prepared for snow wherever you go". Basically, I was passing them on a day hike in the hills near my home and was using my trekking poles. I think he was trying to be funny.

[Lioness]

Anyone who was worth their salt athletically in grade school, probably appreciates them in their adulthood.

Grade school? Wut?

Be nice. Those participation awards hold fond memories.

[rijaca]

What he needed to add is "when used properly". Many of the people I see don't use them properly. Gripping the handles for support instead of putting the weight on the straps and pushing down. Not adjusting the length - generally too short.

After 30 years of using hiking poles, if someone were to tell me that I wasn't using my poles properly, I would probably poke the person in the nose with my pole. It's easier when you don't have your hand through the straps.

[Chicago Transplant]

What he needed to add is "when used properly". Many of the people I see don't use them properly. Gripping the handles for support instead of putting the weight on the straps and pushing down. Not adjusting the length - generally too short.

After 30 years of using hiking poles, if someone were to tell me that I wasn't using my poles properly, I would probably poke the person in the nose with my pole. It's easier when you don't have your hand through the straps.

I never use the straps either, but that comes more from tree skiing - using straps is a good way to break your wrist if you catch it on a branch or something. I guess I figure the same risk comes in hiking, catching it on a branch, root, stuck in between rocks, marmot hole, etc. I like the ease of release.