Regardless of getting stability while hiking over an uneven terrain with a heavy load, hiking poles are having huge benefits even if you are on easy trails.
Hiking poles will help you to get better balance on uneven terrains and in this way you can save your energy while moving around the steep trails. It even reduces the impact of force on your knees when you are on long downhill.
If you are having knee issues or even if you are simply trying to prevent them from occurring in future, choosing the best hiking poles can be appreciated by hikers under all ages. This guide will help you choose the best one which fits for your activities and body nature.
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Quick Comparison: Top Hiking Poles
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**Below, you'll find our expert's reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
How to Choose the Right Hiking Poles For You?
There are quite a lot of things which you should consider while shopping for a hiking pole. Well! We will help you in choosing the right pair for you. Below mentioned are certain factors which you should look into before placing your order.
Hiking Poles vs. Hiking Staff
While going on a flat terrain with minimal load, try to get a singular hiking staff instead of two poles. We suggest you to buy those poles which are sold as a pair. If you wish to use just one at a time, then pack the second one in your backpack safely.
Sections and Design
The three major designs with the hiking poles include: folding/tent versions, two section telescoping and three section telescoping. In certain cases, a combination of folding and telescoping is also used for easiness and comfort.
Hiking Poles Grip
The common choices of grips are rubber, cork and foam.
Choosing the type of grip is one of the most important decisions which you should take and this in turn will narrow down your choice.
Women’s Hiking Poles vs. Men’s Hiking Poles
When compared to men’s hiking poles, the women’s hiking poles are having smaller grips. This is highly important to note down if you have smaller hands. The hiking poles of Women usually come in shorter lengths.
Wrist Straps of Hiking Poles
If you are hiking during winter season, then poles with straps should be considered in order to prevent post-holing. There are even hiking poles which have detachable wrist straps. This can be used for long distance hiking if you have concerns for the overall weight of your hiking poles.
Hiking Poles Material
The two most important materials which are used for the making of hiking poles may include carbon fiber and aluminum.
The carbon fiber is comparatively lighter, stronger as well as stiffer. Make sure that you don’t put much pressure on these as there are high chances for them to crack.
On the other hand, aluminum is somewhat heavier and lasts better. They can make a dig or two on the move and can be repaired easily while hiking too.
Storing
It is really important to think about packing and storing your hiking poles safely while not in use. Majority of the hiking backpacks are having loops on the back. So don’t worry anymore.
Shock Absorbing
Certain hiking poles are shock absorbing. This is highly important if you are having damaged or weak ankles or even weak hips. So think and take a decision wisely whether you need a shock absorber or not before you focus on buying your pair of poles.
Adjustable Hiking Poles
It is critical that you select adjustable hiking poles as this can help you lengthen it when you are going downhill and shorten it while you climb up the hills. On the other hand, if you are a taller person (say 6 feet or more), then try to buy one which is having a minimum of 51 inches.
Locking Mechanism of Hiking Poles
This is yet another factor which you should look into while choosing your poles. Majority of the hiking poles available in the market comes with an external lever lock as an alternative for the twist locks.
The external lever locks are those clamp-like tool which helps to adjust the hiking poles quickly as well as easily.
Basket size
The basket size depends on the activity which you plan. The hiking poles come with varying diameter holes and so the baskets are not the same. If you are planning to buy baskets for your hiking poles, then bring them to the store and ensure that they fit to them correctly.
Weight
Keep the weight minimal. The major consideration regarding the weight of the hiking pole is that, when compared with the bigger items such as tents or backpacks, there does not exists a big difference among the various hiking pole weight.
Major Features of Hiking Poles:
How to Clean and Maintain Your Hiking Poles?
It doesn’t make any sense if you buy an expensive hiking pole and really don’t know how to take care of it. There are various types of hiking poles available in the market and each type has got its own way of maintenance and cleaning based on the material used for the making.
Below mentioned are some of the useful tips which will help maintain your poles at its best condition.
The first and foremost important factor is to go through the directions which the manufacturer has mentioned in the pack of the hiking pole. The next step is to buy and keep additional parts.
All parts of the pole can be bought: the basket, tip, plug and so on. If your hiking pole is damaged during hiking, try to correct it with the additional parts which you have in-hand.
Make sure that you take out the poles after each hiking and wash it properly. Keep in mind not to wash the interior portion. Also, don’t make use of any kind of oil or lubricants on the interior portion unless it is recommended by the manufacturer.
Check for the bent pole. If any section of the pole is bent, then take apart and then with a slow motion, make it straight approximately.
How to Wash Your Hiking Poles?
Review of some of the Best Hiking Poles
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Our Recommendation
Premium Ultralight Trekking Poles w/ Sweat Absorbing EVA Grips
Hiking is really the most excellent way to enjoy your outdoors if you are having the right gears with you. The Premium Ultralight Trekking Poles comes with many options which provide the hiker the best comfort they were in search for.
The accessory kit includes snow baskets, monster feet as well as a suitable carrying bag. All the hiking poles are shipped along with mud baskets and a protective cover which fits well for the tungsten carbide tips.
Keep in mind that the accessory kit can be either bought along with the kit or ordered separately.
Major Features:
- The poles are stronger, light in weight and have a low impact
- It is made out of aerospace-grade 7075 aluminum and weighs just 8.7 ounces each
- The low impact will help your knees feel lighter while hiking
- It has flip lock adjustable height telescopic poles
- Fits well for both tall and shorter hikers
- Comfortable grips
- It suits for almost all terrains
- The product comes with a one year warranty period
Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles – Pair
The Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles will help you hike in all seasons with all the comfort. The price is reasonable and hence can be chosen by anyone. It comes with the best external lever locking mechanism which helps the hiker to adjust the poles while on the go.
The 15-degree angle of the poles grip will assure that it provides better grip position. The cork grip provided will help to wick away your sweat in the hands while trekking.
Major Features:
- 3-section poles features patented FlickLock adjustability
- Easy to set the desired length
- Handles comes with cork and dual-density rubber tops which provides the perfect grip for the hiker
- Grips feature a 15° corrective angle
- The grip provided prevents from repetitive-motion injury and fatigue
- Sturdy carbide pole tips aid traction
- The poles feature padded and adjustable wrist straps which offers the best support
Foot Note!!!
The hiking poles are having various benefits other than just using it for hiking or trekking purposes. It greatly helps to lower the indices of muscle damage and helps in maintaining the function of the muscle during the hiking period. This in turn will help to reduce the risk for subsequent injury as well.
Once you have gone through all the benefits of using a good pair of hiking poles and finished your research work on the poles, you can now choose the best fit for both your short and long-term requirements.
There are a wide range of poles available in the market and each one of them is having its own advantages and disadvantages. So make your move wisely.
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