If you think trekking poles are just a crutch for older hikers or people with bad knees, think again. Walk any major trail today, and you will see elite thru-hikers and trail runners utilizing them. Trekking poles are a vital piece of performance gear that can drastically improve your hiking efficiency. Here is why the Trail Tribe highly recommends them.
The Surprising Benefits of Trekking Poles
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Massive Knee Relief: Studies show that using poles can reduce the compressive force on your knees by up to 25%, especially on steep descents. Over a 10-mile hike, that equates to tons of weight removed from your joints.
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Full Body Workout: Poles engage your arms, shoulders, and core. You are essentially adding a mild upper-body workout to your hike, which helps propel you forward and reduces leg fatigue.
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Superior Balance: When crossing fast-moving streams, navigating muddy trails, or traversing slippery scree fields, poles give you two extra points of contact with the ground. They are the ultimate stabilizing tool.
How to Size Your Poles Properly Incorrect sizing can cause shoulder pain. To find the right height, stand on flat ground and grip the handles. Your elbows should be bent at a perfect 90-degree angle.
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Going Uphill: Shorten the poles by about 2-4 inches to increase your pushing power and prevent shoulder strain.
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Going Downhill: Lengthen the poles by 2-4 inches so you can plant them ahead of you to brace your descent.
The Proper Grip Technique Most people use the straps wrong! Do not just push your hand down through the strap. Instead, push your hand UP through the bottom of the loop, then bring your hand down to grip the handle over the strap. This allows the strap to support your wrist, meaning you don't have to grip the handle tightly, which prevents hand fatigue.
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