Trekking Poles
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- Опубликовано: 20 мар 2018
- Some people wonder if trekking poles are really necessary. I have found them beneficial in many ways. In this video I cover all the things I like about trekking poles and some features you'll want to be aware of when picking some out for yourself.
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My favorite saying "When in doubt poke it with a stick"
Tried this with a police officer when I got pulled over by the police for speeding. Didn’t work well at all.
Without my poles I feel disabled...😁 With them I feel like a four legged mountain goat.
Huge thank you for this video. I’ve been using Trekking Poles for about a year now and had no idea I was using them “incorrectly”. After watching your video I changed how I hold my poles and I put the poles behind me for going up hill. Admittedly, I did not think that was going to work for me but I was wrong. Middle aged, out of shape and recovering from an injury I have trouble stepping up onto bridges, rocks, going up hills, etc. By planting the poles behind me and pushing, rather than pulling, myself up really made a difference. Glad I found your channel.
My momma is in her 70's and I bought her some shock absorbing poles that she uses as two separate canes...she loves them! We keep one in the house and the other in the car and they have been a wonderful find!
I’ve hiked without trekking poles and really felt the fatigue in my legs knees in the past, just went for a hike to camp one night and came back out the next day with tracking polls and what a difference other than a little soreness in my calves I felt great, I really felt some of the weight from my pack going through my arms into the trucking poles allowing me to hike faster and with a lot less fatigue at night, (33# backpack) + water
Thanks for your great video’s
Get on a scale and put your trekking poles in your hands. Rest them on the floor as if standing still on the trail. Look at the scale. That weight reduction is worth a lot, IMO.
Whole heatedly agree. Many folks don't appreciate the help that poles actually offer.
You're not reducing weight, you're just transfering it to your arms
Fred Wells by spreading out the stress it reduces risk of injury.
@@fredwells7403 That's like saying hiking on your tippy toes is the same as walking normally because you're not reducing any weight.
@@fredwells7403 I'm a bit late to the party but it is reducing weight BECAUSE you are transferring it to your arms.
-reducing weight that your feet carry
As a runner for 15 years, I now have some issues with my hips and knees. So I've switched over to hiking. I started using poles and it has helped me a lot with the pain I get in my knees and ankles on very uneven terrain and down hills.
I believe the reason for going up through the bottom of the loops is so you can "hammock" your hands in the loops and keep a lighter grip on your poles. That avoids the fatigue of maintaining a tight grip on your poles all the time. I love trekking poles, couldn't backpack without them.
Marc Arndt i
Sorry to comment a decade later but that was fantastic advice for my wife that's trying to get use to trecking polls, I use a single staff But my wife said she feels unstable on a trail So I got her trekking poles, , thank you for the great advice!!
Thanks for all the great info. My wife and I were just having a conversation about trekking poles while we were in north Georgia hiking the BMT this past week.
I love your videos. You are so encouraging and approachable, especially to this casual day hiker who REALLY wants to start overnight backpacking!
I really enjoy your adventures, Dixie, but more importantly, I really love your gear recommendations. You use your own personal experience and share the research that you do to choose equipment. You've become my go to source for recommendations on hiking gear. Thanks and keep up the great videos!
Very through and informative video Dixie. You covered all the bases, thanks for sharing your knowledge... I started using my Leki poles back in 2009 and have also taken them with me since...
Thank you so much for this informative video, I just completed my first backpacking trip and the trekking poles were absolutely invaluable.
Best pole review I've seen. I have Leki with cork handles, model something or other and I love 'em. I am blind in one eye and they are invaluable. Well done and thank you.
Hi Dixie, like your channel and your videos. I started backpacking in 2017 here in Charleston, SC. and I did a lot of research concerning gear before purchasing any. You hit on every point how useful trecking poles can be. Like you, they have helped me in all the same ways. Thanks for your video.
Great timing on your video today. My new Black Diamond trekking poles were just delivered! I'll keep an eye out for the ones you lost up here in Maine.
Great video Dixie, you really nailed the finer points of trekking pole use. I've been using two poles for over 15 years and it has enabled me to continue my hikes with a wonky knee. Shortened poles on long ascents, extended poles on long descents. The rubber tips you spoke about are really essential for hiking in the slickrock canyons of Utah, the larger baskets helps a little in mud and can also be used for snow shoeing in winter. I have found the proper use of hand straps helps to minimize hand fatigue on long treks. Love what you are doing and looking forward to your next videos...happy wandering!
Great video! Love the way you present topics, with appropriate backup subject matter.
For me, I have always used twist type, aluminum poles. My trips have only been lower half of the ATC, and Florida. That said, I don't do tabs due to them catching on vines and lower brush, and some underwater possibilities (thank you Florida swamps). Mine are also shock absorbing type. I also have the rubber-foot shaped plugs for the end, this is for nonstop purposes mainly. I also tend to be a clutz so awkward angles with my poles are normal and the carbide tips slip and slide.
There's more, but it's your blog, and I need to let anyone else talk.
Thanks Dixie, great info, answered most of my questions, love your common sense approch. Love your videos, can't wait to see the CDT.
A few few days ago I finished all your PCT videos So I am really looking forward to You doing the CDT!
Super helpful video and nicely timed, since my first of poles are arriving today. 😀 Thanks fo sharing your wisdom with everyone!
I dunno why but I so live for Dixie’s “Hey y’all” at the start of each video...
She so darling. We all just love her.
And then quickly gets into quoting academic studies and analyzing data. ♥️
Exactly
My soundbar sometimes cuts out in silence and skips the hey yall and I rewind it just to hear her say it 😆🤣 I feel you 💯💯
Thanks in great information Dixie always a pleasure to watch your videos
Congrats on 90k Dixie!! So happy for you! I’m so proud of how far your channel has come these past few years xoxo
Thank you, a very good video on poles. I am on the fence about buying some and I think I might purchase some soon and give them a try.
I picked up a pair of Leki poles last year while I was training for a trek up Kilimanjaro. I also found your channel while training - it was inspirational, thank you.
I've used Leki ski poles for years and I'm really impressed by the quality. After taking one short, flat hike (around a local golf course) to get used to them, I ran out and bought a second pair for my wife. As I moved into steeper terrain, I found that they made a substantial difference, particularly on the downhills.
Regarding straps - the Leki straps are easily adjustable and I tend to hike with them a bit loose, but I do use them (putting my hands up through them as you suggest - I once messed up both thumbs doing it wrong with ski poles). There is a bump on the top, forward part of the hand grip that falls on top of my forefinger. When I'm going downhill, I can let go of the grip and the bump lets the pole swing forward on my finger. This takes some strain off my wrists on long hikes. The straps keeps the poles from falling out of my hands when I do this. Also, you can push down against the strap with your wrist when you are trekking uphill, giving your hands a rest.
I almost never mess with the length once I've set it. I sometimes grip the poles on the top of the grip to give me a few inches of extra reach if I need it.
If you do adjust the length while hiking, a tip I heard is to extend the bottom section of the poles to the limit and only adjust the length using the center section (via the top clamp) when out on the trail. We have a lot of poison Ivy where I live, and doing it that way keeps your hands away from any possible contamination.
Great topic and, of course, presentation. I always appreciate that your advice is put forth as what works for you, and that you talk about and acknowledge that there are other possibilities that may also be appropriate for others. Its refreshing to see someone not put their big foot in their mouth by telling other people how they should think or what they should do... (if you follow what I mean). As always, thanks and great job!
I'd never tried trekking poles before but picked up a pair on sale and now I never hike without them. The added stability is awesome and going downhill really helps out with my knees. They've saved me countless times when a wet rock or root causes slipping underfoot. I did upgrade to the cork handles and do like them better. Thanks for your videos Miss Dixie! Anxiously waiting for your CDT hike. Stay safe and wishing you the very best!
I didn’t like them my first two days. Now I love them and I would say they are critical in many ways on my AT hike. Thank you Dixie, Feb 3rd I started watching your videos and now I’m on the trail... vbloging too!
Redpill NOBO - AT Thru-Hike 2018 I’m glad you put a comment on this video. You’ve got a new subscriber and only good luck on your journey.
Heading NOBO in June (from VT), then flipfloping for thru hike. Virtual passing high five, in advance!
This is great. I was on the fence before this but I see the real value in them now and I'm definitely getting some. Thanks!.
Hello, just wanted to let you know I love your videos. Im not much of an internet person and I defiantly don't comment often but your info is great and easy to watch. I'm planning on thru hiking the pct in 2019. I have never done any backpacking but have wanted to do this trail since 2011. My wife and I are in the middle of watching your full episode series. It's getting her pumped too so thank you for that haha. I noticed in one of your videos you had an AU jacket on and said you were an engineer. I will be at auburns 2018 may 4th graduation to watch my brother in law graduate with his aerospace engineering degree. Very cool that I stumbled on your videos. Thanks for all the great info.
Hi Dixie! I love your videos! Thank you for sharing your experiences and knowledge! My husband and I are starting our first section hike of the AT this weekend! We do a lot of hiking in state parks and such and we love our trekking poles. We don't tend to use them if there isn't much of an elevation change, but have found them a wonderful aid on hills, both going up and down! My husband actually just discovered recently that our poles do have the spring in them. We've been using them for about 6 months so that being said, I never personally noticed the spring. Perhaps it takes some tension off of us, but isn't so noticeable that it causes any hiccups on the trail. I can definitely tell these poles help take some weight off my legs, because after using them on a good hike, I can feel it in my arms too! Thanks again and good luck on your next adventure!
I love my trekking poles. I can't count the times they saved me from falling. Like you said I used them to tap around rocks and logs before crossing over. Helped me balance on slippery rocks when getting water. Absolutely love them.
Hi Dixie, love your videos ... My wife and I picked up a pair of the Cnoc Vertex Carbon and Cork Trekking Poles and really like them so far. We are getting a little older and have only done a few multi day back packing trips. But even after a short day hike we noticed a difference when using the poles and we are sold on them. Hope to see you on the trail ...
When I first saw this video, I suspected, as a fairly young person, that you might take the position that they aren't that necessary. I was gratified to see that you did your usual comprehensive review of these devices that, to me, are an absolutely necessary part of hiking. I come from a unique perspective as I am far older than most of the hikers on any given trail. At this point I have used these devices for many thousands of miles. I could NOT hike without them. Like you noted, when I go to fall, they save me from injury nearly every time I stumble. I do, however, see a lot of folks with poles that don't get full use out of them. I am using mine 100% of the time. When I am on level ground, they establish a cadence and I find that I hike faster with them than without. When I am climbing, I am pulling with the poles, as you noted, in order to get some of the weight off my legs, and to increase my overall stability. As I am descending, if it is steep at all, I use them to slow my descent speed, as well as take some of the normal impact off my knees. As I said, I could NOT hike without them. Bless the individual that brought them into the hiking arena.
Hi Dixie! Love the Video! I've used trekking poles at work the last year! Help me cure my Plantar Fasciitis and wrist/shoulder issues! Using the straps have help me with my wrist and taking pressure on my shoulders! I've used pole with shock absorbing help me with my wrist/shoulder issue! Great video Dixie!
Love your videos. Very informative. I use a staff or trekking poles. I use them while wading while trout fishing. Biggest thing I've noticed is I'm more stable in fast moving water and can check depth. Also I have less back pain using them.
I wasn't planning on poles for my PCT hike. I have seen many videos of people hiking just holding onto there poles. Now watching your video and as usual the facts you have, I think I might reconsider. Thanks again and for everyone else's useful comments
I recall reading alot of this information on REI's page. Great information and encouragement to use a device that will help!
While recovering from a torn Achilles's tendon (not while hiking), I learned to use a cane. I can tell you from experience that having the extra stability will save you from injury, further injury and help alleviate the stress to ankles, knees, hips and lower back. I will be using some sort of trekking poles when I start hiking again. Thank you for these videos, Daisy. You have inspired many people to try thru hiking and even just day hiking.
I really appreciate this channel man you are really a blessing to people just getting started in this lifestyle. Thanks🙏🏼
Thanks for the video! Hiking/Trekking poles help me quite a bit. I also have the Black Diamond Carbon Cork models. I love these in the winter as they stay warmer in my hands than many other poles. In general when using poles I find that I keep a better pace (about half mile/per hr faster) when on flat ground and takes pressure off my knees on downhill. Help stability everywhere and have many times helped me from going head over heels. The only time they cause me problems is when scrambling up rock slides or steep territory where I need to use my hands. In those cases I put them away and prefer the foldable poles as they pack really small on my pack. While I don't use the straps when hiking I haven't cut them off as I sometimes use the straps to caribiner or otherwise connect the poles to my pack in order to avoid loss.
My first were the rubber handles. I switched to the cork and I really enjoy these better. Loving the vids!
Thank you for this video. I just got poles and love what I have. Great advice! Won’t go hiking without them.
I agree 100%
Have trekked many miles. Great video.
Keep em coming.
Dixie dropping knowledge! I just bought a pair & this helped a lot
I really love how you do your research.
You really have the most thorough videos! Thanks again Dixie!!!
Very thorough info as usual Dixie. I also remove the straps on my poles. Gasp! This allows me to slide my hand up and down the pole, effectively changing the length for uphills and downhills.
The reason you bring your hand through the bottom is so you can put your weight down on the strap instead of having to grip the pole. It saves your grip strength immensely.
IDK WHAT Skurka says, the straps are to transfer arm strength to pole to aid in walking with little to no grip strength. It comes from cross country skiing.
@@oldunion Correct. I x/c skied years before every hiking with poles so it was very natural to me. I'd lose a lot of the functionality just gripping with my hand.
Okay.
Use to section hike the A/T. My god how things have changed.
I’m trying to get into section hiking and more again.
You are Very informative. Thank you. I am adding a piece or two at a time. Aluminum poles are absolutely help me , mine are cork.
The poles sure help a 59 year old man . Thank you
I had a gentleman stop me yesterday while I was out asking about my poles. He's doing a section hike of the PCT for a month starting off at Lake Isabella and needed something better than what I saw he was using, bless his heart. Your name came up along with mentioning your channel and suggestions. I'm glad I could pass on your wisdom for him for his hike.
“bless his heart”…..such a condescending term…..good “ole” southern condescension
I didn't use trekking poles for years. Then having surgery became a hobby. My physical therapist recommended I try them and I have used them every since. Even on day hikes. They really do make a big difference and make for a more pleasant hike. Already looking forward to your next video!!!
Thank you for another great video. Everything that you said plus, my fingers turn into fat little sausages if I walk with my hands dangling for too long. I agree; the more points of contact I have with the ground, especially during water-crossings, the better.
Yeah well hard to beat Mr. Skurka in his opinions and doings but... my personal experience it´s that the straps are indispensable. The main reason of using trekking poles it´s to SAVE ENERGY and stress in your knees an blah...blah...blah...SO if you cut the straps you must clench the grips to tight, not only to control the poles but also to pull up your body by your arms and in that way you make the poles useful for the whole dynamic of hiking with them. So the straps are useful for doing this pull down and pushing UP and FORTH your body (or at least the half uper part of it) by using your WRIST...and so, you divide the whole action in two : by using your hands for only controlling the poles, and your wrist (and so your arms) for doing the "TRACTION ACTION" that makes trekking poles useful. Otherways you end up stressing your hands to much and provoking tendonitis even... and that is what makes people throwing their poles to the hikker boxes.
I agree. Strap usage saves my knees, because they most effectively transfer and distribute the load onto the poles: without hand strain.
There is a way to have straps but also not to get crazy because you have to use your hands every five minutes. Neither Dixie nor the hiking authority Mr. Skurka seem to know about it: Trigger Shark from Leki. Unfortunately I have no crew and no friends who find my hiking style tempting, so I need a system that allows me to get strapped and unstrap within a split second, every time I need to navigate and so on. Trigger shark can strap you on like automatic, while you are not looking at your hand and you can release it with the same hand, also in blind mode.
Exactly. I started using trekking poles in the late 90's because of severe knee pain. I have not been without them since. I have done some amazing trips in the US, China (Tiger Leaping Gorge), Thailand and Japan that would not have been possible without the poles. They make a huge difference for me. Now my packs are smaller and lighter, but the poles come with me on every trip.
Yeah unfortunately she was not quite correct in her explanation of how to use straps. She might be right about it not dislocating your thumb in a fall, but that is definitely not the reason for going up through the loop. It's so you can put your weight back down on the strap, without invoking any grip strength.
Eric E - why not just use the strap properly so you don't need to use your grip strength? If your muscles are getting fatigued, that's not some indication of hiking prowess. If you have to get up and do it again day after day, you don't want anything causing discomfort. A lot of folks are prone to repetitive motion injuries in the wrists too, and wrist soreness is going to be a bad sign for them.
Another awesome informational vid. Well presented.
Well done video. I've used trekking poles for years now and would feel lost without them. Even for short hikes, I enjoy how they help me with setting up a rhythm to my stride. And they provide a sense of security in knowing that I can depend on them to support me through something as simple as a minor trip over a root or rock, or getting over a bigger obstacle like a fallen tree. As Dixie says, they become a natural extension of your arms. And I agree with the type of clips on the poles. They can be adjusted to get a tighter grip if you need that. I'll make a mark on the pole where I like the clips to be, so if I do collapse them, I can quickly reset them to match my height.
Good one. I've been using a pair of Swix non-adjustable poles for ski walking for years. I bought them because they were
supposed to take the pressure off knees and hips as you age. (72) . I have to replace the rubber tips occasionally.
For off the beaten path, I have a pair of adjustable REI traverse with cork handles. Great advice. Thanks.
Thanks for another great and informative video Dixie. I have been a convert to trekking poles for a number of years and have had a number of different styles of poles over the years. My current poles of choice are carbon fiber with the clamp locks. Things I like about this combo is the light weight of the carbon poles and the positive feel of the clamp locks. One thing that I have not heard anyone mention is the corrosion factor of aluminum poles. I have thrown out aluminum poles that have gotten wet, corrosion set in, and then I was unable to unlock or extend them out. This can happen even after rinsing with fresh water, drying and applying WD40. I am also not a big fan of the shock absorbing poles or the twist locks.
My trekking poles have saved my knees and ankles numerous times from being twisted and injured.
As far as snakes go, I’ve used my trekking poles on a number of occasions to move a pesky rattler off the trail.
Great video. Always learn so much.
Thanks for this video. I had been wondering about trekking poles and how useful/helpful they really are. Very interesting!
I use a hiking stick walking in the woods. I call it my “hikey pokey pole” because sometimes you DO need to poke around for snakes and holes.
I've been a hiking staff person since the 1970s. These days I have a Leki Sierra. Starting out The Complete Walker was my bible. As Colin Fletcher said, "it turns you from a unsteady biped into a confident tried." I totally get Trekking Poles.. Cheers Dixie!
Very informative. I had no idea there were so many components to consider when looking for trekking poles. Thanks for posting.
I know this vid is old but I was at rei earlier shoppin for trekking poles and this really helped me out, thanks!
I'm on Rei site shopping for hiking poles now
I’m here a year later doing this hahaha
Yo, Dixie. Great video as always. I switched to trekking poles in 2003 and have never looked back. You'd have to pry them from "my cold dead hands" type of loyalty. I use older Leki poles (tough poles!) with shock absorbers. They have never failed me, and they don't give much, just a little to absorb some of the shock. I barely notice the movement, but they do work. They are great and I have had no difficulties with them. Keep up the great videos. I'll watch them all! Hike on, Tortoise
Nice informative vid Dixie. Thanks for sharing.
Very good examples Dixie, nice job thanks
Thanks for the video. As usual-- an excellent video. I'm only a day hiker (at this time), 80% of the day hikers I see don't have them and most of them who do are in my age bracket (older). I find them exceptionally useful. One more use--tells you how deep something is and perhaps how slippery. I feel the straps are a good reminder to hold loosely, since it does give you an advantage in swinging them and a tactile reminder to hold loosely.
Your southern accent is getting stronger now that you're home. Purtiest sound a southern boy ever hears. I've used the old bent handle wood canes for years. They make great snake locators(that's the original reason I started using them) & the hook makes a good extended hand on a steep climb especially up a river bank. The wood canes also make a good defensive tool in the wild hog country I'm often in: kinda helps that my grandparents raised pigs when I was growing up so I'm well versed in using a cane that way. I have considered trekking poles for a long hike & this is great information. Thanks Ms. Dixie!
Great tips! I wasn't sure on how to select the correct length of pole, now I know :) Thank you Dixie!
I have been using trekking poles of one sort or another hiking in the Cascades for 20 years. I started with a broken rake handle and never turned back; your arms are just hanging there anyway. After trying every kind of pole I settled on the Leki mono-pod pole with a ball head on it. I like the round head for putting my hand on top of when going down hill and it screws off to expose a 1/4" camera mount. I prefer the cork handles but not having that option I wrapped my foam handles with athletic tape. The foam turns my hands black. I hate the straps and always take or cut them off. Poles are also nice to lean on when resting or propping your pack up to keep it out of the dirt when taking a break. Thank you for your videos.
Thanks for looking up the study!
Hey Dixie I also have a tip. When hiking along a slope I make the downward pole much longer and the upward pole much shorter. This helps keep balance on those slippery slopes. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to what's up next.
Thank you Dixie, I never really thought of walking aids as necessary but after watching your video the thought of water crossing and uses for defense gave me enough reason to seriously consider getting a set.
wow thank you so much for all the good advice!!! very informative!!
A thought I had when you mentioned lengthening and shortening the trekking pole for going down or up hills... When I do that I change my hand position. When going up hill I hold the pole the same as on flat ground. The obvious way, and I think it allows you to push your way up the hill/mountain. Going downhill I put the palm of my hand up top as if I'm operating a manual shift transmission. That will give a few more inches and better allows me to more or less throw the end of my pole ahead of me down the hill in order to better control my balance and speed. It's always been something I've just done and not put much thought into until just now.
Me too. When I go downhill I palm the top of the hand-grip. It gives you more reach and it also helps "line up" the palm/wrist/arm to take the higher shock of supporting your upper body while going down hill. When going up hill I grip the foam under the normal cork handle, you get a shorter trekking pole without having to stop and adjust them.
Nice video - After doing bushwalking for nearly 30 years I've never used these but always looking for new ideas etc. After looking at your video, I just got a set of aluminium trekking poles with the lever locking mechanism and cork handles. (See was listening not that there's anything wrong with the other ones) I do a lot so long days hikes and planning a BIG hike next year for nearly 60 days so looking at anything that can help me. Looking forward to seeing how my new Cascade Trekking Poles work on my next bushwalk at the end of next month. Thanks for advising the ideas / issues etc.
Another Great Vid Miss M! Trekking poles are the best! started using them last year and will never go back! The main benefits I find are: It's like 4 wheel drive for your body, you can power up hills, move faster, stability over terrain, less impact on body and muscles, better recovery. In my mind they are the best bit of kit you can own...
Great info - using trekking poles have proven REALLY useful for my knees as I really screwed them up a few years back from running. When I use them when I climb/hike I never get knee pain which used to prevent me from walking (like even to the fridge!) for up to a month.
It's important to add that since walking on flat ground the best way to use them is to push off, I can walk much faster than without them... And they make a great upper body workout
Triceps look great now 10/10
PS shock absorbing is brilliant - I have some from Leki and they're designed to activate "intelligently" so if I'm just balancing for example and not putting so much weight on the springs won't compress at all, but going downhill and putting a lot of pressure on them you feel the impact get taken out of your hand, and they did a bunch of research into it and found it's better for the muscles in the arms and joints
I love poles and have used them for years. Great on the down hills. I use the straps but have been in more then one situation where I've started to loose my balance and possibly fall. My pole is planted in the completely opposite direction than it needs to be to correct the fall, and to counter that...I want to take my hand out of the straps to brace my potential or actual fall. The strap keeps me from doing that and I actually fall because my hand is stuck in the strap! Sometimes my pole gets doesn't get planted firmly and bounces between my legs causing a unbalance situation and I have the strap problem. You'd think I'd learn...but sometimes I do like the strap as an alternate method of holding the pole while not grasping the cork handle. Nice blog!
Good explanation of trekking poles and their benefits. My recommendation is the Cascade trekking poles from Costco. They are 1 lb, carbon fiber, flip lock trekking poles that have been great for me, and only $30. They also come with snow and gravel baskets. I found the snow baskets useful in deep snow. The tips are pressed on, and there are videos on RUclips showing how to replace them. I use straps so I only hold the pole loosely in my hand. It eliminates any muscle fatigue by transferring the force through the straps to the wrist. The different handle materials aren't a big deal for me since I use gloves (old cycling gloves) to protect my hands anyway. Gloves are definitely a necessity with the rubber handles to avoid blisters from the constant rubbing.
I got a pair of Black Diamond Trail Shock poles for me and another pair for my daughter when we trekked to Everest Base Camp. At the time, I was 63. I can tell you they saved my knees and made it possible for me do the trek. 23 y/o daughter rarely used hers. they've been part of our kit hut to hut hiking in the Whites, and on the Portuguese Camino and are really helpful, for me, intermittently so for my daughter, but more so as she nears 30 and isn't in the same shape she was in when she was in college. The shock reduction is really just a dampening effect from what essentially is a couple of rubber washers between the shaft and handle that give stability to each pole plant, and I find the molded rubber handles are ideal and have never had a problem with slipperiness from sweat with them. A note about straps. BD recommends that you do place your hand through the strap from the "underneath" side, but then grip one strap, the one closest to the grip, obviously, between your palm and the actual grip. In effect, you have your hand only part way in the grip, with part of the strap on the back of your hand, and the inner part in your palm and against the grip. This is different than what you show in your video, Dixie, where you suggest one method is to put your entire hand through the strap and grip the bare handle, and I think a better and safer way. What the recommended method gives you is an ability to very quickly slip out of the strap, so a safety feature, but also you have a sort of extra lever on the trekking pole via the strap, allowing you both to open your grip on the handle and lever your way up with the straps and giving some hand comfort during less strenuous use by allowing you to not have to maintain a grip on the pole at all time, instead being able to sort of swing the pole forward. Lever action of the strap and grip is akin to the use of an atlatl by early man to increase spear throwing speed and distance, if you've ever checked those early devices out.
So, I'd argue with Mr. Skurka about cutting the straps off poles. I think they are very useful and by doing that, cutting them off, you aren't saving much weight, but you lose much of the leverage and weight transfer they help provide, when used properly. Here's a place to take a look at the Trail Shock.
www.rei.com/product/863069/black-diamond-trail-pro-shock-trekking-poles-pair
I have been using the same REI trekking poles for over 15 years. They are aluminum, rubber grip, twist lock and have never had a problem with them. I have seen videos on the "proper" way to use them and I'm convinced that many of us do it "wrong". Hahaha! It's great to have them when dogs come at you on the trail. Actually had this happen a few times and twice within an hour. People really need to keep their mutts on a leash. Another handy video Dixie! Rock On!!!
Hey amazing Vid. Keep Up the great Work
Dixie,
Nice job on what I think is a very important piece of equipment. I'm a hammock hanger and use my poles to adjust my tarp into porch mode. Because I'm vertically challenged, love the snap adjustments of my poles. I have both a pair of both Leki and Back Diamond poles, with cork grips.
I prefer the easier adjustability of the straps on my Black Diamonds and the incorporated thumb rest on the strap. I only bought the Leki's based on videos and blogs in which people said that Leki stands behind their product with a lifetime, no questions asked, guarantee. I'm only taking others' words and experiences for that statement.
One last comment to hammockers about using trekking poles with their tarps, attach the handle of the trekking pole to the tarp, not the pointed end. Following a rather rainy and muddy hike in Florida, I pitched my tarp with the points through the D-rings of the tarp. During the night we had more rain and it caused the sand/mud on the poles to run into the locks and jammed the snap locks and shafts with mud, making very hard to unlock and adjust. I didn't washing the mud out of the joints after the hike. I noticed when I did use them again, and extended the segments, the numbers on the shafts were more or less sanded off. Just my experience!
Sorry I'm late to the conversation, trekking pole user for 14 years, and I'm an old country ski guy, my take: straps are good, use the lever adjustment instead of the others, failures with the others, and I use shock absorption all of the time, it doesn't give that much and doesn't fail, love your videos
Trekking poles seem like a must.
i feel like I would need them on an overnight backpacking trip! Great video Dixie!
Totally agree on everything you have said as I am never without them in NE forests and FL swamps if I am backpacking. Andrew Skurka’s book, “The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide, page 122, has extensive narrative on why you never leave home without them. Also, Dixie, as I am sure you already know, this book is a honey hole of info for serious hikers. Thanks and love and am inspired by your videos. BTW, will be 72 this year and still backpacking on trails for days. Love it! In FL now checking out the swamps!
A good explanation and review. I’ve been backpacking and rucking for decades without poles and will continue to do so. The poles would be in the way and extra weight I don’t need.
Good topic; good video; great comments, much shared wisdom. I had a love/hate feeling toward poles for hiking because the forward propulsion gain seemed awkward and not very beneficial, unlike x-c skiing where it’s intuitive and obvious. Now I use poles often, loving the quadra power on uphills (diagonal stride) and the shock absorbing on downhills (either double poling or caning, i.e. palming on top of handle). Yep, Dixie, GASP :), the key is to use the straps, thus releasing the hand-grip muscles so they don’t tire and transferring thrust through the arm into the shoulders, easiest to see/feel on uphills where you’re pulling down hard on the straps. I like rubber ends on roads and rocks, no clic clic clic. I’ve seen several tips break as people pole across a wood plank bridge, tips dropping into the cracks. Airlines won’t let you pack them aboard. Baskets depend on snow, depth and consistency. ... Uh, that’s what I can contribute. Everyone has their own style.
I can’t wait for you to get back on trail!!!
I always thought that people who use trekking poles are kind of stupid. But when I started watching your videos and started using them. I changed my mind. Now I can't imagine going on a hike if I don't have them with me.
Your comment says so much about you 😂. They probably thought the same thing about you not using any trekking poles 😂. I didn't go to that extent of thinking of people that use trekking poles as "stupid". I found it intriguing and so here I am researching and now I have a pair of mountain Cascade for my first beginner poles.
I know what you mean, we use to be amused too but we've just bought some and I'm sure we'll benefit. I think going down hill especially they'll be useful.
Good luck and God bless to all starting next week. I wish I was. Maybe next year. My wife used trekking poles on the AT and said she wouldn’t have done it without them.
Great info as usual, thanks Dixie.
I cut a X into the a tennis ball and glued it to my trekking pole and it works very well for me. I also use a sheepherders staff , the kind with a hook on one end. It works well when going up steep trails with trees to use the hook on. I have a painters pole that extends to 16 feet with a GoPro mounted on it's end to get videos from a different prospective, like videoing up high in a peckerwoods hole or fish down deep in ice cold water, with out me getting wet.
Not so long ago my knee was so sore, I was not so sure I was going to do any hiking. Now it's fine, Trekking poles even though used improperly may have played a role. I'm breathing easier, my lungs have opened up, who knows? But I'm sold on them! Plightoffreedom has excellent videos showing simple way of using your poles as tent/Tarp supports.
Will read Andrew Skurkas article when get the chance, l mix the technique up a bit.
When I was a boy I'd go fishing in a small stream (almost) every day after school. I didn't have a commercially manufactured trekking pole but I would often find a piece of wood from a dead fall I could make into a pole and would use that along the trail and crossing the stream. It gave me better stability. Now that I am older I use trekking poles for much the same reasons. They can save you from getting hurt and sure save energy. A lady I met on a nearby mountain trail says she has noticed she goes faster when hiking because the poles help her to lengthen her stride. I hadn't noticed before but think they definitely help me to lengthen my stride too.
If you want to see how much trekking poles help going up and down hills just go to a set of stairs and walk up and down them without holding on to the hand rail then do it again using the hand rail much easier with hand rails
The first thing I noticed when I started using them was no more swollen hands!! I love my poles! Dixie, you’ve gotten really good at twirling them too! 😊
Not just that, but it gives you something to do with your hands while walking for long periods of time.
Good information. When it comes to trekking poles, there are literally dozens of choices. Best to have some idea of what to look for going in and buy the poles best suited to your purpose than get stuck with a set that don't measure up.