5 Features To Look For When Buying Trekking Poles
Trekking poles, also known as walking poles, are now becoming an increasingly popular trekking accessory. Veterans of the outdoor sport often refer to these helpful pair of sticks as the enhanced ‘cousins’ of the conventional ski poles and walking sticks, being quiet similar in function but indeed in a highly advanced form.
Trekking poles offer a straight-laid relief for the knees, especially for the long trek enthusiasts. The key logic behind the impact is that the entire weight and shock of the activity is transferred straightaway from two limbs to four of them, thereby drastically cutting down on the stress caused. Often made from lightweight aluminum or carbon fiber, this practical trekking accessory is compact to store, being retracted fully and easily tucked in the side pocket of a backpack.
Rhythm to the gait and support for the knees and the limbs are often the leading causes of the increasing popularity of trekking poles. However, all of them do not come with similar features and even their structure might vary in various brands. As a trekker, you will have to carefully analyze your own needs and trekking ambitions to decide upon the best possible set of trekking poles for yourself. That goes without saying for all your outdoor gear.
5 Features to Look For When Buying New Trekking Poles For Your Next Expedition
- Look For Telescopic Adjustment
With the activity of trekking becoming increasingly ambitious and competitive, it is important to look for accessories which offer features to support the need for increased efficiency. Trekking poles having the feature of telescopic adjustment offer various key benefits.
To begin with, multiple people can use the set of trekking poles just by adjusting the length. When trekking along a long downhill segment of a trail, you can simply adjust the poles to be longer and take away a lot of strain from your knees. Similarly, when climbing uphill, you can shorten the poles and gain more power as you take each step.
- Go For Anatomic, Soft Grips
For better efficiency, it is always advisable to have grips that have been shaped to fit in the hand comfortably which will make them easier to use over a longer period of time. Harder grips tend to get wet with sweat and hence, can be quite uncomfortable to hold. Look for another model if the grip does not fit too well as this is likely to have a great impact on the overall comfort level.
Moreover, poles with some extra padding below the handgrip are also preferred as you can simply grasp the pole below the grip on a short uphill climb, instead of taking time to adjust its length.
- Choose Poles With Anti-Shock Systems
Trekking poles which have inbuilt shock absorbers in them are far more effective than the normal ones. Such anti-shock systems offer a vast range of settings in accordance with the kind of trek being undertaken and the trekker’s preferences. It helps to absorb the impact that is created when the pole strikes on the ground as you walk, thereby easing the strain on the shoulders and arms. Such anti-shock mechanisms are especially helpful if you are on a long downhill climb.
- Ensure That The Baskets Are Changeable
Baskets are basically round rings on the bottom of the trekking poles. It is these baskets which enable the trekker to maintain a ‘float’, which is a term used to describe the ability of the poles not to sink into the snow or the ground.
If you are planning to take up snow trekking, choose the baskets that are cut out like snowflakes. On the other hand, if you intend to use your trekking poles on a soft and muddy ground, choose the baskets that are large and solid. In any case, it is always advisable to purchase a set of additional set of baskets with your poles that will suit various types of trekking expeditions.
- Look For The Right Tip
Trekking poles basically come with three different styles of tips, including the single point, chiseled and rubber tipped. Though each of these is more beneficial in typical environments, the tip with a chiseled point is overall the best and is effective in most of the settings. This particular style offers traction in almost any terrain, ranging right from ice to a paved path.
Meanwhile, rubber tipped poles work the best on hard packed surfaces or boardwalks while a trekking pole with a sharp point on the end is best for the icy conditions. In addition, carbide tips are generally going to be more useful than the aluminum ones, though it is often beneficial to have a rubber tip that can be added or removed in accordance with the sensitivity of the area.
Click Here For Outdoor Gear and Trekking Poles
Related posts: