Hiking poles are the single most important accessory for making hiking easier for those that are not as agile or strong as they would like. Burn more calories, offer more stability and improve your fitness.
More...
I love my poles, and I don’t leave home without them, if there is even a slight chance I’ll be walking. I've been Nordic walking consistently for 9 years. I have hiked on 4 continents with them, walked the Portland marathon with them, the Portuguese Camino and French Camino, Mount Roraima, to Machu Picchu and everyday with my pooch, Lami. In 2011 my reconstructed knees were slowing me down. Arthritis has set in and my knees were getting stiffer and more painful. I left the physiotherapists surgery, skeptical, that Nordic poles were going to turn it around. I reluctantly bought the only pair left in my local drug store, and I've hardly gone a day without using them since. I lucked out and still have the same poles. I swear by my Urban Poles. I talk more about pole selection later.
Why Poles?
1. It's Just Easier..
Once you are accustomed to hiking with poles or "Nordic Walking, as it is known, it is just easier. Although more calories are burned, it is far less tiring, counter intuitive as that may seem. It's 4WD for you body and it easier both uphill and down. Hills used to be something I avoided, now I barely notice them. It’s the difference between scrambling up a steep bush track in a VW Beetle verses a Jeep Cherokee. There is more contact with the ground and more traction. The effort going uphill is spread over 2 more limbs, your arms and that takes the load off your legs. There is reason mountain goats have 4 feet and not 2. Going down, the extra 2 points of contact, with the trail again spreads the load so relieving your lower body of the impact.
2. Great for your joints
Poles reduce jarring or impact on joints, particularly your knees, ankles and hips. If used correctly, studies have found that the impact is reduced by as much as 25%. That makes a huge difference to the strain on already compromised joints. This is especially true going down hill. Both my knees were reconstructed in the 80’s and Nordic walking drastically reduces aggravation of the joints. The poles encourage better flexing at the knee with each step.
3. Improve balance and stability
An extra pair of supports increases balance. Stepping over logs, roots and rocks can be tricky for even the nimblest of hikers. On technically challenging hikes poles can make the difference between a hike being beyond your physical abilities and having a memorable experience . When going down hill I grab to top of my poles and with the flat pad at the top of the pole nestled in my palm and I have myself a portable stair handrail. Remove the feet and the spike on the end of your pole can be jammed into the soil, moss or rotten log to secure your extra point of contact and give traction. Going up hill poles give extra purchase so you can pull yourself up with your arms as well as pushing with your legs. You are much more stable on almost all surfaces.
4. Defense from Animal Attacks
Hiking with poles means you are carrying protection from animal attacks. 90% of all walking I do is done with my little dog, Lami and that attracts often unwanted attention from less than friendly dogs. Only last weekend a zealous canine warrior decided my fuzzy pooch was a threat to his territory as we ambled by. I grabbed my poles in readiness to use them as a club. The would be attacker thought better of his reaction to attack and backed away. Poles can be used to threaten would be dogs or wild animals or can be use to stab or club in the event or an animal attack.
5. Lose Weight & Tone-up
Depending on what study you read Nordic walking uses between 30% and 50% more energy than regular walking. It exercises the upper body as well as the lower body. Poles are excellent for toning upper arms, shoulders and back. That is something that can't be said about regular walking. See how quickly your upper body tones up including your abdominal muscles. Each step equates to an ab contraction. So where does all this extra energy expenditure go? You go faster as your upper body is aiding propulsion.
6. Eases the Load on your Back
Hiking with poles assists with the load on your back. If you are carrying a pack you can carry more weight while hiking with poles than without. This is due to the additional propulsion and extra distribution of load to 2 additional points of contact with the ground. Poles also make it easier to carry your pack so you can carry it longer with less stress on your body.
7. Clear your Path of Prickles and Vines
Poles clear aside pesky plants and obstructions on the path. Brambles, vines, sticks and nettle can be swept aside as you bash bash along. My wee dog, Lami walks behind me when we go through the overgrown blackberry vines across the path, as she knows I will clear her path of painful thorns. I hold them out in from like a shield.
8. Great for posture
Poles change your posture and for the better. When Nordic walking your body is more upright. You will stoop less, especially if you follow the instructions for correctly walking with poles. See 'Urban Poles' instruction page. The same general theme applies to all pole types. Instructions Follow their correct use and your back and joints will thank you.
The development of toned shoulder, abdominal and back muscles will also improve posture.
As the day progresses and you are tiring we tend to stoop. With pole hiking you will tend to lean harder on your poles but not stoop. These are your new posture coach.
9. Yes, you can walk your leashed dog with poles.
I had to figure this one out for myself. I got my dog as a puppy about the same time as I bought my first hiking poles. I started by jamming an extension lead in my coat pocket. A couple of jackets later I happened upon the idea to clip her leash into the belt of my fanny-pack or backpack. Where possible she is off leash but the leash is handy when I want to clip her on and my hands are free to hold my poles.
