Trekking poles are a type of walking poles designed for hiking. The history of their origin goes back to the 18th century. Later, travelers used ski poles, but they were inconvenient due to their fixed design. Telescopic or folding poles with adjustable lengths are now commonly used. In this article, we will tell you why you need this accessory, its use, and how to find the right model. For more comprehensive equipment reviews, visit cleverwander.com.

What Are They for

First of all, their main task is a more even distribution of the load. It is important even on simple routes: you will definitely feel how much easier it is to carry a backpack. On more challenging trails, they serve as additional anchor points and help a hiker maintain balance. By using sticks, you can avoid many injuries.

The benefits of these accessories are undeniable. However, when purchasing them, you need to remember the precautions. Trekking poles take the stress off your knees and hips, but this means more load on your upper body: arms, shoulders, and wrists. Take regular breaks while traveling to avoid disrupting blood flow by flexing your arms.

Benefits

Scientific studies of the impact of trekking poles on users' health and well-being have proven their benefits. So, in those who used them (compared to those who did not), much less lactic acid was found in leg muscles, their bodies recovered faster after hiking, and fatigue during the walk began to be felt later.

When walking on rough terrain with trekking poles, first of all, the spine, hip, and knee joints are relieved. Therefore, they are especially recommended for the elderly, overweight tourists, and travelers with heavy backpacks.

Features

Modern brands usually produce two types of trekking poles: telescopic and folding. The first ones most often consist of three segments that fold into each other. Thanks to the twist mechanism, you can fasten each element at the height you want. Such models are reliable and versatile, but their disadvantage is their heavyweight. Folding poles, as the name implies, simply fold up several times. Unfortunately, their height cannot be adjusted, so you have to choose a suitable length right in the store. But this is offset by their extra lightweight.

In modern models, manufacturers install the so-called anti-shock mechanism, which minimizes the body's stress from hitting a hard surface. It most often can be switched off, which is useful when moving up as you need to control the grip better.

Among the individual factors, it is also worth highlighting the convenience of handles. Not only the materials used are important, but also the shape and non-slip coating. Among the products, you can see accessories with inclined handles. This reduces the stress on the wrists. Some models have comfortable wrist straps, as well as removable tips that can be changed depending on the road surface. You can use a spiked attachment to move on the ice and around one to walk in the snow.