By Bigbadwolf
15 May 2008 14:42
I've read a little bit about walking poles and I fancy the idea of using them, but how much should I pay for them? Do I buy one or two? And do I buy the compact/telescopic ones? Any advice will be gladly received.
Answer
By Country Walking magazine
Many walkers swear by their hiking poles and it’s easy to see why - they aid balance and transfer up to 20% of the walking workload from your legs to your upper body, thereby easing wear and tear on knees and ankles and providing a total-body workout.
Prices vary enormously – starting from about £40 per pair, up to the £100 Brasher Provolutions which won the latest test in Country Walking. As with most things, you tend to get what you pay for – more expensive models are often lighter and tougher. That said though, it’s worth trying a few out in the shop as the grip and comfort vary widely and depends on the size and shape of your hands.
It’s always a good idea to buy and use two poles – a single pole can help for a bit of extra balance now and again, but walking regularly with just one can lead to twisting, as you lean more weight on the side with the pole and stride unevenly.
And compact poles get our vote – the non-telescopic can be stronger as they’re made from a single piece, but they can get pretty cumbersome when not in use. We like being able to squish them down and stow them away, and most telescopic poles have a very secure locking system so you don’t need to worry they’ll give way beneath you.
And finally, to keep poles in tip-top condition it’s important to look after them – damp and dirt in the mechanism can cause corrosion. So once you’re home, unscrew or unclip the sections, wipe with a damp cloth and leave to dry.
