Hiking poles are a great way keep you stable especially when going up or down hills with a heavy weight on your back. Poles can help when crossing water or navigating over slippery rocks and terrain. Many hikers with bad knees like the addition of poles to help them reduce the weight on their joints particularly when descending. Hiking poles tend to be a personal choice and hikers might carry one, two, or none. Some hikers swear by them, but others find them a hassle to manage and a tripping hazard. If using poles for the first time they definitely take a bit of practice before you hit the trail, but can be a helpful addition to your gear list.

​

Many hiking packs will have bungee cords to secure your poles within easy reach so you can choose when to use them.  If considering poles, look for ones that are light, durable, adjustable, but most of all are comfortable to grip for many hours.

​

TIPS

​

• Telescoping poles are able to be adjusted more than folding poles, but folding poles are often lighter.

• Choose poles that have lever locks vs twisting locks as these are less likely to fail and are more reliable.

• Carbon fiber is much lighter than aluminum but not as durable and significantly more expensive. Aluminum poles should be fine for the casual hiker.

• Grips can be made of cork, foam, or rubber. Cork is really comfortable, will mould to your hand shape over time, and wicks sweat really well.​​