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 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 the trekking poles 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.

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.

Tips For Buying Seat Sticks

Seat sticks, or folding seats, are the relatives of walking aids such as walking sticks and trekking poles, and even the the traditional shepherd’s crook. For recreational hikers, trekkers, or hunters, seat sticks can be valuable travel goods. Seat sticks can also be used outside of athletic activities, to enhance the comfort of daily life.

Outdoors-men can use light, well-constructed seat sticks the same way that they’d use trekking poles. A long-distance hiker ascending a hill can use the seat stick to support his or her weight, thus conserving energy. The trekker can similarly use his or her seat stick to help stay upright while fording fast-running streams.

Meanwhile, the folding seat that graces the top of the seat stick is especially useful to those sportsmen who hike as part of a hunting excursion. A gentleman hunting ducks will need to take steady aim at the flying, terrified ducks that his dog has just roused from the bushes. A seated position helps immensely with the steadiness of one’s aim.

However, the hunter needs to remain standing in order to be able to see the ducks; he can’t just crouch. This is where the seat stick demonstrates its utility. Indeed, this is what the seat stick was originally developed for, back in the 1850’s. The man simply jabs his stick into the ground and spreads out the folding seat at the top. As the hunter uses his two legs to balance, the stick upholds the majority of his body weight. As a consequence, his aim is fair. To this day, seat sticks used for hunting are known as shooting sticks.

Five Seat Stick Buying Tips

1. First, consider your aesthetic preferences. Are you going to be using your seat stick to help you hunt quail at your estate? Do you want to adopt the look of a nineteenth century English gentleman? If so, consider buying a slim, simple lightweight seat stick, of leather and light, strong wood (or lightweight plastic). Game-bird seat sticks, manufactured in England, are some of the best-known seat sticks of this kind.

On the contrary, if you just want a prosaic but convenient object that lets you momentarily rest your legs while you’re waiting in line at the bank, consider purchasing a walking stick tripod seat. These are bulkier and don’t look as elegant, but offer more support for your body.

2. Second, ask yourself how much money you intend to spend. A top-of-the-line Game-bird shooting stick, with a fully adjustable leather seat and tips of polished metal, will cost. Do you balk at paying that much for a 30″ length of plastic? If so, perhaps you’d be more interested in purchasing an ordinary metal seat stick with a plastic seat, for a lower price.

3. Third, determine how much seating comfort you want your seat stick to offer. Are you going to be using your new purchase primarily as a walking stick, or are you going to be using it primarily as a portable seat?

During the twentieth century, seat sticks have become popular among golfers. Since golf involves both walking and waiting, many impatient golfers have started to use seat sticks to ease the process of waiting for other golfers to finish putting. Golfers are more likely to want a heavier seat stick with a comfortable seat. By contrast, hunters and hikers are going to want a seat that’s light to carry. They’re going to want a seat on which they can perch themselves at a moment’s notice.

4. Fourth, consider what accessories you’d conceivably want to buy for your seat stick in the future. Are you going to be using your seat stick while walking primarily on turf and dirt–or are you going to use it on paved city streets? If the latter is your answer, buy a ferrule to go on the end of your seat stick. A ferrule is a blunt metal or rubber tip that covers up the pointy end of your stick.

5. The final tip: be a cautious buyer, especially if you’re going to be purchasing your seat stick over the Internet. Make sure your vendor is reputable, and ask the vendor for references if you have any doubts.