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Hiking Poles?
- Thread starter Andrew Colglazier
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2006
- Messages
- 4,409
Doesn't bother me; here was your question: "Question on Length Adjustment: I've done a lot of X/C skiing and my X/C ski poles come up to my armpits. I like my Komperdells about the same length. However, I have seen a few people of similar height with trekking poles adjusted 6-12 inches shorter.
What length trekking poles do you like and why?
Thanks,
DancesWithKnives"
I adjust my hiking poles so that when I am standing holding them, my forearms are positioned parallel to the ground. I like this proportional length because it feels natural, and it makes the poles long enough so that when I am using them, the tips never come in front of my feet, unless I want them to.
Andy
Thanks---very kind of you to resurrect my question!
I find that by having my poles longer, when I hit a climb I feel like I'm pulling harder with the substantial muscle groups of my shoulders and chest. With a shorter setting, it feels like I'm using mainly my arm muscles and not getting as strong of a pull. On descents, I can plant the longer poles a bit farther ahead of me and I sense that I am more effectively decreasing my downhill impact. I also like the longer length on stream crossings, where I am frequently standing on a substantial rock and have to reach a bit farther to plant the poles. Of course, the longer poles aren't quite as convenient on flat ground---which I hike very infrequently.
I'm sure that pole length is largely a matter of individual body mechanics and personal comfort. One of my hunting pals, who hit 84 yesterday, hikes with homemade poles that just reach from his hands to the ground with a slight bend in his elbows. They have wooden balls on the ends rather than Komperdell/Leki style grips. His elbows are pretty much locked straight when he pushes on his poles. Sort of like gorilla arms. They work great for him.
I find that by having my poles longer, when I hit a climb I feel like I'm pulling harder with the substantial muscle groups of my shoulders and chest. With a shorter setting, it feels like I'm using mainly my arm muscles and not getting as strong of a pull. On descents, I can plant the longer poles a bit farther ahead of me and I sense that I am more effectively decreasing my downhill impact. I also like the longer length on stream crossings, where I am frequently standing on a substantial rock and have to reach a bit farther to plant the poles. Of course, the longer poles aren't quite as convenient on flat ground---which I hike very infrequently.
I'm sure that pole length is largely a matter of individual body mechanics and personal comfort. One of my hunting pals, who hit 84 yesterday, hikes with homemade poles that just reach from his hands to the ground with a slight bend in his elbows. They have wooden balls on the ends rather than Komperdell/Leki style grips. His elbows are pretty much locked straight when he pushes on his poles. Sort of like gorilla arms. They work great for him.
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2006
- Messages
- 4,409
I completely agree with your observations, and that's one reason I like the telescoping poles - you can adjust their length infinitely for whatever you are doing.
When traversing hillsides, I like to lengthen the "down" side and shorten the "up"side.
I use the poles the same way you do when going downhill or when stepping down off of rocks or logs.
Andy
When traversing hillsides, I like to lengthen the "down" side and shorten the "up"side.
I use the poles the same way you do when going downhill or when stepping down off of rocks or logs.
Andy
I just tried some trekking poles at the recommendation of a friend of mine thats been using them for a few months now. He began by telling me how to adjust them and the techniques involved. After that we began a short (3 ish mile) moderate climb. I found the poles to take some getting used to. Even when instructed on their use and trying to make the most of it, to be honest i'm not totally sold on them yet. I felt that even though they seemed to help a little on the climb, i felt like i just had to carry more weight.
The clicking noise also, since i read this thread shortly before my trip, drew my attention after about 10 seconds of using them. Their were 4 of us on the hike, 3 were using the trekking poles and it sounded horrible i must admit. If i was on the outside looking in i'd be thinking why bring all that noise to a beautiful quiet place?
I was hauling a pack that was a bit heavy for me, but i was bringing a few things i normally wouldn't take (lots of extras for fishing, extra food and general camp luxury items) since it was centered around the camp comfort with old friends, not just the backpacking this time. I found that uphill was moderate help for the steepest parts, and flat ground was just dead weight. Downhill i found to like them the most, as they provided extra stability and speed that i wasn't used to and enabled me to quicken my normally steady careful pace. This however, i found out near the end of the return hike led to a blister, wearing the same boots i've worn for many trips without issue. Even with the added weight i shouldn't have had a problem at my normal pace. I think in the future i might give them another try, but without using them to increase speed, only to provide assist uphill, and stability downhill. I'm a hiking pole rookie, so if i missed something please fill me in. At this point i'm not sure they're worth the trouble.
The clicking noise also, since i read this thread shortly before my trip, drew my attention after about 10 seconds of using them. Their were 4 of us on the hike, 3 were using the trekking poles and it sounded horrible i must admit. If i was on the outside looking in i'd be thinking why bring all that noise to a beautiful quiet place?
I was hauling a pack that was a bit heavy for me, but i was bringing a few things i normally wouldn't take (lots of extras for fishing, extra food and general camp luxury items) since it was centered around the camp comfort with old friends, not just the backpacking this time. I found that uphill was moderate help for the steepest parts, and flat ground was just dead weight. Downhill i found to like them the most, as they provided extra stability and speed that i wasn't used to and enabled me to quicken my normally steady careful pace. This however, i found out near the end of the return hike led to a blister, wearing the same boots i've worn for many trips without issue. Even with the added weight i shouldn't have had a problem at my normal pace. I think in the future i might give them another try, but without using them to increase speed, only to provide assist uphill, and stability downhill. I'm a hiking pole rookie, so if i missed something please fill me in. At this point i'm not sure they're worth the trouble.
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2007
- Messages
- 1,236
I have a set which are really Black Diamond collapsible freeride or back country ski poles. In the summer I take them if I am going up and down a lot of steep stuff...
But I agree about the trendy aspect. I am just back from a 3 day trip, 10 km hike on day one, 35 km on day two, and 5 km back to the truck on day 3. We probably did a total of only 600m of vertical over the entire route, up and down. The biggest elevation gain was a set of switchbacks I would put at 125m...not a lot of climbing. We had full packs on, in the 35 pound range for the gf and 45 pound range for me. I saw a few people on the trail with day packs on, on the flats, with trekking poles, going half our speed!
Now I guess it's possible they were all people with mobility or balance issues...but I believe it's more likely that they just had some nice poles and wanted to use them.
I didn't even consider taking mine. If I am going "scrambling" as we call it, I'll take them. I like them a lot, but unless there is a sharp elevation gain or loss of hundreds of meters I don't bother.
But I agree about the trendy aspect. I am just back from a 3 day trip, 10 km hike on day one, 35 km on day two, and 5 km back to the truck on day 3. We probably did a total of only 600m of vertical over the entire route, up and down. The biggest elevation gain was a set of switchbacks I would put at 125m...not a lot of climbing. We had full packs on, in the 35 pound range for the gf and 45 pound range for me. I saw a few people on the trail with day packs on, on the flats, with trekking poles, going half our speed!
Now I guess it's possible they were all people with mobility or balance issues...but I believe it's more likely that they just had some nice poles and wanted to use them.
I didn't even consider taking mine. If I am going "scrambling" as we call it, I'll take them. I like them a lot, but unless there is a sharp elevation gain or loss of hundreds of meters I don't bother.