I've been using a singular wooden walking stick and have never tripped; I've tripped several times with aluminum walking sticks, bending the stick. At 78, I now prefer a walking stick to a cane. A walking stick maintains the center of gravity while a cane forces the person to walk into the cane, thus altering the center of gravity.
Many of the alberges out of Roncesvalles have "swap" tables in them, "Take what you want, leave what you don't". My impression is that walking poles were the most discarded item! I personally don't like having two poles. I find them mostly inconvenient. BUT I do carry a traditional staff, which I cut to length over a period of days. Opinions differ. People who like them are fanatics over them, but I never found any advantage of having two. However, for a senior - and I was 70 when I walked the Camino - some form of walking stick is a must, for support at critical moments. My own advice is to save yourself a lot of bother by doing a few day walks before you go and find out what suits you best.
I plan on walking the Santiago and I am 69 and have had back surgery and I find even walking long distance they are a big help in the support of the upper torso and keep me standing straight up!
Thank you - really helpful to learn from your experience. As a future ‘senior’, budget conscious (have to be if its actually going to happen!) walker of the Camino there is a lot if stuff you could invest in and its good to know what the priorities are. I’ve got a bit of a tricky ankle / Achilles that’s a bit tricky and ‘senior knees 😂- so trekking poles seem an essential. Thanks
Glad you found the info helpful. I’m hiking in France and they have been critical! FYI “most” airlines will not allow you to take hiking poles on plane so to avoid having confiscated, you’ll probably have to check your bag. Also good rain gear is a must / jacket and pants or a good poncho Have a great walk!
If you do a follow-up, tell people how to adjust the poles to the right height for them and how to correctly use the wrist straps. Many people do these things wrong which can lead to injuries
I didn’t bring poles because I didn’t want to check in a bag and I didn’t think they would be accepted in the plane cabin. Another pilgrim showed me that he had pulled the pointed metal ends off his poles and they were accepted in his plane’s cabin.
Hi Pipe2 - this is a highly contested topic, and I have researched it at length. Bottom line hiking poles are not allowed as carry-on. However, sometimes at various airports people get through with them, but again, the rule is no poles allowed. If you would like to explore more on this topic, go to the Camino forum, and there is a long thread on this
In most cases "no" they can't be carried on...now some people have said "they did" but in my experience"no" -have to go checked bags. Worth reaching out to your airline but of course you get to the airport and they decide something different...
I love my poles for the Sierra and the Alps but am not sure if I need them on my city walking on the Via Francigena in Italy. Any thoughts about city vs trail hiking?
Hard to say...for us poles were essential for the ups and in particular, the downs...both on the trail and on pavement I'm not sure how hilly it will be for you. So to me it's less about city vs. trail and more about terrain and in particular the hills. I use mine with the rubber tips on pavement...I read they can alleviate approx 25% of your body weight so that helps. Mine weigh very little so my vote is yes to poles. Hope this helps.
I've been using a singular wooden walking stick and have never tripped; I've tripped several times with aluminum walking sticks, bending the stick. At 78, I now prefer a walking stick to a cane. A walking stick maintains the center of gravity while a cane forces the person to walk into the cane, thus altering the center of gravity.
Many of the alberges out of Roncesvalles have "swap" tables in them, "Take what you want, leave what you don't". My impression is that walking poles were the most discarded item! I personally don't like having two poles. I find them mostly inconvenient. BUT I do carry a traditional staff, which I cut to length over a period of days. Opinions differ. People who like them are fanatics over them, but I never found any advantage of having two. However, for a senior - and I was 70 when I walked the Camino - some form of walking stick is a must, for support at critical moments. My own advice is to save yourself a lot of bother by doing a few day walks before you go and find out what suits you best.
I plan on walking the Santiago and I am 69 and have had back surgery and I find even walking long distance they are a big help in the support of the upper torso and keep me standing straight up!
I couldn't agree more, I don't walk anywhere without my poles. Great for going up and down!
Yes, I do like your video. Very helpful thank you.
Thank you - really helpful to learn from your experience. As a future ‘senior’, budget conscious (have to be if its actually going to happen!) walker of the Camino there is a lot if stuff you could invest in and its good to know what the priorities are. I’ve got a bit of a tricky ankle / Achilles that’s a bit tricky and ‘senior knees 😂- so trekking poles seem an essential. Thanks
Glad you found the info helpful.
I’m hiking in France and they have been critical!
FYI “most” airlines will not allow you to take hiking poles on plane so to avoid having confiscated, you’ll probably have to check your bag.
Also good rain gear is a must / jacket and pants or a good poncho
Have a great walk!
If you do a follow-up, tell people how to adjust the poles to the right height for them and how to correctly use the wrist straps. Many people do these things wrong which can lead to injuries
They're a good help on the Camino, I found.
Agree. Being a senior wouldn’t walk without them particularly the downhills!!
2022 is out plan I m just starting to practice with these poles. We 're in our 60s.
good to practice you'll get use to them...i found them indispensable
Great advice. Thanks so much for your clear information.
Thx for your kind feedback Elizabeth, glad you are finding the information helpful! Buen Camino.
Thank you.
I didn’t bring poles because I didn’t want to check in a bag and I didn’t think they would be accepted in the plane cabin. Another pilgrim showed me that he had pulled the pointed metal ends off his poles and they were accepted in his plane’s cabin.
Hi Pipe2 - this is a highly contested topic, and I have researched it at length.
Bottom line hiking poles are not allowed as carry-on.
However, sometimes at various airports people get through with them, but again, the rule is no poles allowed.
If you would like to explore more on this topic, go to the Camino forum, and there is a long thread on this
Then just buy a pair at your destination.
Another option is to get a mailing tube, put the poles in it and check just that. You can also put a Swiss Army knife in the tube with your poles
Terrific. Thank you. What about taking them on flights?
In most cases "no" they can't be carried on...now some people have said "they did" but in my experience"no" -have to go checked bags. Worth reaching out to your airline but of course you get to the airport and they decide something different...
There are telescopic ones now that will fit in a pack. Collapsible ones as shown.
@Maggie Door the airlines still won't allow them. We went to the Canaries in January and they specifically state no poles in carry on baggage.
No problem. They are not a banned item.
Just bring them like you would an umbrella or a crutch.
@@resurgem fly Ryanair in future.
I love my poles for the Sierra and the Alps but am not sure if I need them on my city walking on the Via Francigena in Italy. Any thoughts about city vs trail hiking?
Hard to say...for us poles were essential for the ups and in particular, the downs...both on the trail and on pavement I'm not sure how hilly it will be for you.
So to me it's less about city vs. trail and more about terrain and in particular the hills. I use mine with the rubber tips on pavement...I read they can alleviate approx 25% of your body weight so that helps.
Mine weigh very little so my vote is yes to poles.
Hope this helps.
Does that mean you checked your bag? I've heard if you don't you risk airlines taking the poles.
Yes i checked my bag which was no problem
Should have talked about left and right poles
Thx Joe...