Walking Poles

...Are they worth it?

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Mick w.
26/08/2006 at 12:18
I've been toying with the idea of getting a couple of walking poles for a while, primarily to help with the uphill bits when I start flagging on a long walk, but can they be used to ease the downhill bits as well, or do they just get in the way?

Is one adequate, or do they work best in pairs?

Are cheapy ones from places like Lidl's as good as flash ones from 'proper' shops?

Am I better off without any?

-Please help!
Ddyrchafedig Gyrrwr (Beic Modur)
26/08/2006 at 12:21
If you do a search, you Will find that this is a regular subject that arises from time to time and OMers have given some relevant and excellent replies in the past!
Ddyrchafedig Gyrrwr (Beic Modur)
26/08/2006 at 12:24
#


Heres one to start you off


(but there are others)


Dave Mycroft
26/08/2006 at 12:25
Basically Yes they're worth it and it's better to have two than one with the anti-shock system poles being better than fixed ones.
Paddy Dillon
26/08/2006 at 12:31
They're worth it if you use them properly, and worse than useless if you spend all your time tripping over them, which is what some people seem to do!
Mick w.
26/08/2006 at 12:34
Cheers for those replies.

I did a bit of a search as Tony suggested, and the bulk of opinion seems to be in favour, if only towards the tiring bits of a walk - which is just about what I'm after, I think!

Perhaps poles, combined with losing a bit of lard, and an increase in my own personal fitness, is what I need.
morph
26/08/2006 at 13:33
i bought some really cheap poles from aldi (£5 each) to see if I liked them.

I would suggest doing the same before exchanging your hard earned cash with some expensive poles you never found useful.

i find that they take some of the strain off my knees, espicially going down steep terrain.

one of the poles came in particlarly useful at breaking an 8' fall by jamming itself between some rock below me and when i landed on it (feet first) the bending of the aluminium allowed for a very cushioned landing. how the pole ended up below me in the first instance is a mystery, needless to say the the pole now has a fixed curvature in the middle! but with a little bending here and there is still functional
Saffa1982
26/08/2006 at 13:57
I would have to agree with the general opinion of getting some. I used to think that with youth on my side and only seeing, ummm "older generation" walkers using them that it must be age that is the required factor for poles. However I recently got a pair and they are great, with anti-shock and like Dave said, they are the way forward!
James Tingley
26/08/2006 at 14:35
Have used a set of poles on a few walks to see how I liked them. I've come to the decision that I prefer walking without them. I just got tired of having something in each hand all the time, and changing lengths for different slopes and gradients is just a hassle. I prefer to walk without them.

I would suggest buying a cheap pair first to see how you like them. Then you can get another pair if you choose to stick with them.

James
Chris Oates
27/08/2006 at 00:50
I'm a thorough convert - I've got nerve damage in my right leg and snag my foot a lot - a single pole is very useful for avoiding the stumble/probing mud/bramble retraction/pointing at things/descending - ascending anything.
I'd never use two - one is just right and then only when needed - I see summer walkers around here using them on flat tarmac !!
Creaky Oldman
27/08/2006 at 01:40
Agree thoroughly with Chris Oates's iconoclastic position: one pole and only when needed. I use mine, often two-handed, primarily on steep and rocky descents that would otherwise put too much pressure on my knees. I occasionally use them for balance, too: crossing streams is the best example. I don't like all the folderol of carrying two poles, and wouldn't use even one if my body weren't gradually but definitely turning traitor.
rowan
27/08/2006 at 05:47
I'm against them. When coming down steep rocky slopes my arms are waving about to give me balance - which is compromised by poles.

further - my fear of lightning is'nt helped by carrying two conductors round with me

a
Marko
27/08/2006 at 08:23
Without a doubt they are worth it. I struggled for years with Leki regular, Leki antishock, and others and just didn't get it. Then I got a pair of Lekisport anti-shock in Switzerland and they are marvellous - they are much less springy that the Leki, look cool, and have rubber (not plastic) handles. I use them going up and down and they make all the difference. And I'm only 42 ;-)
"Cunning" Duncan
27/08/2006 at 14:18
Walking Poles - ...Are they worth it?

Yes, they are worth it to me. Comments on earlier threads.
rowan
27/08/2006 at 14:20
well Im 50 and disagree

a

gritty
27/08/2006 at 15:00
I have some but have not used them for a couple of years. The knee issues I was having have gone as my joints have got stronger.
There is little doubt though, that they take stress off your knees, particularly on descents. I also agree that only a few people use them properly. the strain should be taken by the strap, not by a white knuckle grip. My wife is using them a bit as she has had some knee aches and they help.
Personally I stopped using them as I don't see the need in the peaks/cheshire, just got out of the habit. I also like to have my hands free for taking pictures, checking GPS, blowing nose etc. It's a pain to have to keep dropping your ploes to do anything.
I must admit that if I ever get a knee twinge I start to wonder if |I should have brought them, been OK so far though. If I get issues again they will be out I'm sure.
Mick w.
27/08/2006 at 20:08
Well, plenty of food for thought there then!

I think I'll take just the one along with me on my next longish walk, and use it when I start to flag a bit, on the latter hilly bits.

I've got one at home, unsprung as it were, bought for Mrs W. but she doesn't use it, largely due to the fact that she doesn't like walking - she isn't keen on my imaginary 'border collie', either! (she's called Meg...)
Tonyk
27/08/2006 at 20:31
I used none for the first 10 years or so of walking then when I started using one I wished I'd got one earlier. I have recently started using two and again wished I'd used 2 earlier. You dont just gain in safety on steep descents/ascents but you get a great upper body workout on sections of a walk that allow you to walk without having to pick your way, almost like cross country skiing and on long walks this can save valuable energy for your legs and hips and also provide less wear and tear on these areas.
Mick w.
27/08/2006 at 21:01
DO you, or did you ever, feel a bit daft using them though, especially on flatter terrain?
Paddy Dillon
27/08/2006 at 21:12
That's a minor craze in itself isn't it... 'Power Walking' with poles on the flat? The difference is in the handles and 'feet', as you're supposed to propel yourself along quite forcibly from the arms as well as the legs.
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