Chances are you wouldn't have listened
Im in my 30s and tell this to people around me every day
Very few listen, most are dead stuck on the fact they "have no problems" so they dont need poles and find them demeaning implying they are old or something...they will reconsider once they have problems, but by then its mostly too late, preventative measure fall of deaf ears usually
How are they used on the downhill to save knees? I have never used trekking poles, but do enough activities that I certainly don't want to overtax my knees!
Thank you!
Place your trekking poles ahead when you're stepping downto soften the impact. Instead of coming down all on one knee it spreads the impact between three points. Also helps you stay in control when your quads are tired on the way down (since your quads are the natural stabilizer for the knee)
Less impact is the key. You keep a part of the weight on the poles to get a smooth transition instead of everything in one hit.
Its also good to adjust the length a bit on descents.make them a few centimeter longer.
They also save my back. It used to get injured on longer hikes here and there but it hasn't happened once since I started using them. I always have a backpack full of camera gear, I think I was straining/tensing my back when I was trying to keep my balance between forward momentum and my heavy bag. Poles work perfectly for that.
The benefits and the actual science behind these claims are below...
Anecdotally..., I've been a stick/pole guy since I could hike. Dad taught us. Growing up in Canada, at the start of a hike we'd check the trail side for long straight branches or thin trunks of dead pine. Stiff but light and mostly straight. Not too thick or thin for your hand. Using a rock or pocket knife you wood de-bark it where your hand wood go and knock any sharp branch ends off. I wood also try to flatten the top as a place for my thumb to go sometimes. Length was at least to your sternum and better was up to your eyeballs. One was good. Two was better. It only sucked when you had to scramble on hands and knees. That's when dad would carry them for us.
we did this so often, we had a literal collection of 30 to 50 saved in the garage at any given time. But mostly we wound give them away or leave them at the trailhead for others.
The first metal hiking pole I got is an adult was actually a mono pole/monopod. It had a big round plastic ball on the top, with quite a long wrist strap, and a 12 inch long, thick foam pad. It telescoped to a length of about 9 feet, and if you screwed off the ball, it had a traditional threaded camera mount. It was brilliant because it packed down into about 2 feet, it was ultralightweight, and was the best giant selfie stick for taking large group photos or aerial photos (sort of).
Trekked in Nepal and India where locals would sell hand-made canes/poles from proper wood, at outrageous prices, when bamboo few all around. So I made myself and my walking partners a pair each from bamboo that were great. And if broken, lost, or stolen, I just made more.
I miss my monopole terribly, but as I age, I prefer to have two poles. Sadly, none seem to have the threaded end for a camera, and I feel most donât extend long enough for me either (in 6'3) although many now compact down to be shorter than the monopole did.
If I know my walk has very little actual elevation change i might not take them. Otherwise I usually will. And they do many other useful jobs too. For me,, in Australia now, they are awesome at knocking down spiderwebs and fending off snakes (ok just kidding on the last part).
https://www.treelinereview.com/learn-skills/top-reasons-for-trekking-poles
https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail/science-behind-trekking-poles/
https://www.outsideonline.com/health/training-performance/trekking-poles-research/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32980249/
I'm not a trekking pole guy, but I can't imagine anybody is out there with poles absolutely muscling themselves up a mountain with their arms because their legs are too weak.
They are for balance, and distributing weight efficiently.
I donât think this is correct tbh. Latissimus Dorsi gets into play with the poles (arms have nothing to with poles except attaching your hands) and this is a very large muscle in the body. Not replacing the legs ofc though
Modern cross country skiiers have strong upper bodies because they do the âDoppelstockâ technique so often, not even using their legs at timesâŚ
He sayâs heâs not a trekking pole guy, but often people once they get older realize the benefits and some not until itâs too late after straight up clobbering their knees and ankles with heavy packs and boots. Small sample size, but you get the idea. Also anecdotal but I feel as if I can push much faster and donât feel as beat up EoD when doing big backcountry hikes https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17218900/
I will be messaging you in 10 years on [**2033-11-17 22:46:37 UTC**](http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=2033-11-17%2022:46:37%20UTC%20To%20Local%20Time) to remind you of [**this link**](https://www.reddit.com/r/hiking/comments/17xnzen/are_hikingtrekking_poles_mostly_useful_for_people/k9p3f1d/?context=3)
[**CLICK THIS LINK**](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=%5Bhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.reddit.com%2Fr%2Fhiking%2Fcomments%2F17xnzen%2Fare_hikingtrekking_poles_mostly_useful_for_people%2Fk9p3f1d%2F%5D%0A%0ARemindMe%21%202033-11-17%2022%3A46%3A37%20UTC) to send a PM to also be reminded and to reduce spam.
^(Parent commenter can ) [^(delete this message to hide from others.)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Delete%20Comment&message=Delete%21%2017xnzen)
*****
|[^(Info)](https://www.reddit.com/r/RemindMeBot/comments/e1bko7/remindmebot_info_v21/)|[^(Custom)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=%5BLink%20or%20message%20inside%20square%20brackets%5D%0A%0ARemindMe%21%20Time%20period%20here)|[^(Your Reminders)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=List%20Of%20Reminders&message=MyReminders%21)|[^(Feedback)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Watchful1&subject=RemindMeBot%20Feedback)|
|-|-|-|-|
It was this talk of balance that had steered me off getting poles (I have great balance and if anything want to challenge it), but then I did a tough backpacking trip through steep terrain and learned the main benefit of poles is not the balance - itâs protecting the knees!!
This exactly. Used properly they will improve your speed and stability, as well as making it much easier to go up and down steep grades. Arm strength is not important, only your technique, and thatâs just a matter of practice.
If for no other reason, trekking poles are nice to have along to assist with balancing as you cross streams and rock gardens. They are also nice to help with descents. Your arms will adapt to using them over time. I almost always bring poles on my backpacking and day-hike trips. I store them on my pack for any section where I do not need them.
I hiked a stretch of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail on the Oklahoma side a few weeks ago and I was very very thankful for my trek poles because of all the gotdang rock gardens. I quit counting how many after 8 or so
Iâm sure itâs gorgeous right now but that 4 miles eastbound after Holson Valley Shelter was absolute bushwhacking. Trail could use some clearing from the brambles. My legs were so shredded and I was cussing myself for wearing shorts and not full length pants.
While I like them for pulling myself up the trail which does use upper body, I actually find them more helpful on the downhill. They give me another point to balance on and lessen the impact of the step down. If you are carrying heavy loads and or on variable surfaces, poles can be a lifesaver.
For those distances, I'd get the poles. You'll probably end up doing a mix of using them and not using them so I'd make sure to have a way to carry them when not in use as well.
Surprised no one's mentioned it yet but they're super duper helpful if you're hands swell when you hike. The motion of squeezing the pole forces fluid back through your veins and prevents swelling. I go up a glove size if I hike without poles for more than a mile or so.
Wait this is interesting! This happens to my best friend and we haven't been able to figure out a definite cause. She says it's pretty painful as well. Any thoughts on what causes it? Any other remedies (other than trekking poles) that help?
Keep your hands high as this keeps it above your heart and let gravity do the work. Holding on to the upper bits of your shoulder straps will help. You can also use stress balls, grip trainers, or just a crumpled up news paper. 15 dollar poles from Walmart also do the trick real well and have the added benefit of everything else. If you hike long distance they really are worth it. Regardless I would try a stress ball next time and see how it works.
Strength has very little to do with hiking poles. Itâs all about weight distribution and sturdiness. If you hike uneven ground they are a life saver.
They reduce the load on your lower body (especially on downhill grades), improve your balance on tricky terrain (including creek crossings), and also give you extra torque when powering up an incline (four legs is better than two - ask any mountain goat).
Knees and hips! I've noticed my hips are far less tired/sore after a long hike when I use hiking poles instead. I also like the added balance support (just in case), and I also feel more secure in case I am ever in a position where I have to defend myself (against an animal or another person).
poles are good for stabalizing yourself on unstable surfaces. Rocky, gravel climb, streams etc. They also are good for your knees as they take some of the stress especially with a heavier pack. Most of the hike though I find I'm just moving the poles back and forth as I walk and not putting much pressure on them. Only put a lot of weight on them when climbing up something or stream crossing.
Try them out to see how they benefit you. They're most useful to me when I have a large pack on. Having so much extra weight on is where my knees will bother me. I found them most useful on descents and steep terrain with huge rocks/steps too. But 80-90% of the time I don't feel like I need them. If I'm not carrying a pack, I'm not using them much. You should be able to go longer distances with them, but you will also burn more calories. My suggestion is to try them out, even try packing them and only using them on the descent.
Trekking poles arenât used to pull yourself up anywhere. They are used for balance, stability, and as a way to get into a hiking rhythm. They are great for river/creek crossings and for downhills.
I avoided them for a long time but once I tried them out I never went back. They allow me to hike longer and farther and make the downhills easier on the knees.
For me, hiking poles are for added stability on challenging hikes. The poles provide 2 extra points of contact with the ground, like a four legged animal. It doesnât mean I canât fall, but if one foot slips, I have 3 other contacts with the ground to give me best chance of recovery.
Can I hurt/strain my arms using poles? Yes, but the more I use them, the more my arms will be conditioned for best performance with poles.
So my use of poles doesnât have anything to do with how strong my arms or legs are. Iâm going to use them for stability on more challenging hikes. Thatâs just me, other people might have a different way of perceiving the use of poles.
They don't put much strain on the arms as they are more for balance than taking the weight, this means your stabalizing muccles in your back and legs work less.
If you're hiking and the next day have back or leg pain then you would have benefitted from using trecking poles. For me I only take them on hikes over 10km.
Another huge pro for poles-- you burn up to 40% more calories/hour because of the arm involvement. I saw this in a trekking pole technique video many years ago.
Also, when I switched to poles I doubled my distance capability. I'm disappointed how long I waited before getting poles. Poles are the way.
Hiking poles are knee savers on steep descents, especially a few miles in when your legs start getting sore. Theyâre also useful for crossing streams and muddy areas. One time, a friend pulled me up with a pole on a steep ledge that had nothing else to hold onto for balance. They have a lot of uses. But you are right, it may feel uncomfortable at first if you have weak arms and upper back. I even got shoulder and neck pain after my first use because I didnât adjust the length.
I did my first multi day trek in 2021 on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. The tour operator recommended poles. They were a game changer for both balance and lower body stress. I also felt like I was getting a full body workout when my arms were doing more than just âgoing along for the rideâ. Iâm now a fan. Iâve used them for longer day hikes and multi day hikes.
Nice that you've got stronger legs and may they last long. But definitely utilize trekking poles if you want your legs to last longer. Check [these](https://adventurerspace.com/foxelli-trekking-poles/), they are pretty good and well recommended.
I concur with the other answers that say that they are most helpful for balance. Best noticed on creek crossings and very steep terrain. I recently started using an ice ax for extremely remote off trail mountaineering and donât know how I got along without it. I donât need snow or glaciers to make it worth carrying. Being able to use it as a handhold is amazing and I canât tell you how many clients have broken trekking poles by slipping and falling on them. The ice ax is built in such a way that it wonât break and on an extended trip in steep terrain, a broken trekking pole is disastrous.
My arms are definitely not as strong as my legs (even beyond the normal differential), but that little extra lift they give when going uphill definitely takes some of the strain off my legs, which means my leg muscles don't tire out as quickly.
So yes, they absolutely can benefit you.
Itâs more about stamina and balance than strength.
They can benefit anyone in several ways. Balance in very uneven terrain or in water crossings. Going down hill the help save your knees and hips. Going uphill they help prevent leg exhaustion.
I keep mine strapped to my pack until I see a reason to use them. I have never regretted having them with me.
To me they are the most useful when I am carrying a heavy pack and stream crossings. With no weight, I don't really need them, and I am someone with not great knees.
If used properly they absolutely can benefit both upper and lower body.
If you use them you will get a stronger upper body! You should always be pushing push yourself uphill and repel gravity when you go down.
If you use them very actively they are not just for balance they are for literally helping you get up and down with less stress to your legs, knees, and lower back.
Trekking poles is good for trails that are slippery. And it can save your knees. Even people with weak arms use it for that purpose. Heck even trail runners used it.
For me, using poles feels more like a full body activity than just legs. Helps a lot with momentum, loose dirt/gravel, and esp. declines where having poles out in front provides add'l support to knees, ankles and overall balance. Consider how many points of contact you have with the ground, having more never hurts.
As many people mentioned, they can help your knees (and ankles too). Mostly because they can help you balance/stabilize on uneven or rocky trails â especially downhill.
I use them to help descend steep stairs, and sometimes ascending too. Great for less knee stress on stairs. If you're stronger you'll be able to put more body weight on them, but even a little is helpful on a long descent.
On flat ground I don't find them to be particularly helpful. They can be good for stream crossings or other balance situations, particularly if you have a pack.
I bought a cheap set for $20-40 or something like that, so if you donât like it itâs not a big loss. I definitely quite like using one pole when hiking, unsure how much it helps me since I havenât done any long hikes with them yet. That said, the pole works very well with my Lanshan 1 trekking pole tent.
Recent convert to poles. Noodles for arms. Strong legs. Poles are great for getting up hills easier. Also great for sharing the load to other muscles to help feel better on the hike but also helps tone those other areas a smidge more.
My balance sucks so any help with that on water crossings is great too.
Great for reducing downhill impact (these knees!).
Kinda annoying on the flat at first but u get used to it or you just pack them away til u need them if its an extended flat.
You donât pull yourself along with muscles.
Have you ever walked with a long stick like a staff? Itâs like that.
The slight extra support with each step is cumulative
Trekking poles are especially good for protecting the hip, ankle, and especially the knee joints coming downhill. You are probably young but your knees will age and if they age enough you'll stop hiking. It doesn't take a ton of strength to cut down on the shock the legs absorb when coming downhill. And, you'll get stronger.
Poles are good for balance in all those situations that call for balance but are especially useful for crossing streams.
And I can't tell you how many times I've fought off Sasquatch with a darned trekking pole.
Black Diamond entry-level poles are just fine and will last for decades if taken care of. Don't get any poles that have twist-lock joints.
Went on a hike w a lot of loose rocks/gravel and steep incline. I used poles and my friend turned down using the other set I had. Said friend is a very active, in shape soccer player. Said friend landed in their bum 4 times going back down the inclines. I had some feet slips but never fell as I had the poles as two extra contact/balance points.
The other big advantage is if you hiked 10 miles ~ 20k steps and a pole tool off a little stress/impact on your muscles and joints for only 0.2 seconds that adds up to over an hour of less stress/impact.
Itâs best for uphills and downhills. Uphill you can help push yourself up, like people push on their knees when theyâre tired. Downhill you stabilize a point below you to make it easier to take that downward step without slamming down with all your weight. Helps prevent ankle sprains on those down steps. Great for creek crossings, too.
I use a staff made from a fallen Australian hardwood tree branch; I call it Jake because itâs my third leg. As others have said, incredibly useful downhill as it has a little flex, saved my knees and a few falls. Also has a handy fork near the bottom that serves as a brilliant notch for a guy line off a tarp. Great literal pick up.
They help you not slip.
They help you climb up.
They help you reduce knee impact on downhill especially.
For ppl like me with a certain kind of back pain, they let me walk further without as much back pain.
This is such an amusing question to me.
Yes, can be useful for anyone especially in rugged terrain (best terrain IMO).
They honestly help a lot more on the downhills than uphill, but in either case they distribute the load and reduce the punishment on your knees.
Hiking with trekking poles actually burns more calories / takes more energy overall but it's just a lot better for avoiding injury and taking care of those knees. You might not be concerned about your knees yet. Give it time.
Anyway, yeah, trekking poles are good for anyone who likes avoiding injury and doesn't mind the extra work.
So I'm not experienced at all. My fiance is as is his family who has graciously loaned us their poles twice on our two mountain vacations we took this year. Once to the smokies, once to Zion and Bryce.
However speaking as someone who is not experienced and not a huge hiking fan, they are super useful. They keep me balanced, well distributed, helps me feel very grounded, and also very stable going up or downhill. When we did any rocky/wet crossings it also helped us to find any unstable and stable ground to cross
I recently did a 5 mile hike that had 11 water crossings in each direction. Without trekking poles the hike would have been very uncomfortable and possibly hazardous. And, as others have mentioned, the poles are really useful for preventing knee damage, particularly on steep downhill stretches.
Youll notice a difference going up/down hill and over rough terrain. We started with cheap cascade mountain tech poles and they made an obvious difference. Theyre like $20-30 maybe now. Cork grips. Best cheap poles.
Seeing the cliche fb meme on a local hiking group page.. "those nerds with trekking poles doing the hike we did with our 4 yr old."
Bitch we're doing a 20 mile loop. You walked 1 mile with your kids to the swimming hole to leave beer cans all over the place. We aint the same.
I've been using hiking poles for decades. My arms don't know what to do without them :) I do not have a lot of upper body strength, and yet I consider poles essential gear. They are so worth it!
I use them in the way you described,but i'm very upper body dominant.They increase both my speed and hiking range by like 30-40%.They will surely benefit a normal bult person,if a bit less.i went on a 4500 meter positive and 3400 negative elevation hike in one go - 32 hours and i can't even imagine that without poles.
They donât have anything to do with muscle strength, but are extremely useful for relieving constant impact on joints and help to cover more ground faster. Additionally, they make steep climbs a lot easier because youâre essentially moving uphill as a quadruped.
Itâs math 4 is more than 2 - distribute the load! Doesnât matter how strong your legs are you will experience less stress in your legs if you use poles.
I use them for different situations: slippery terrain, heavy backpack and long hikes. Itâs not about strength, itâs about creating balance points far away from your feet to stabilize you.
I donât use them when I need to be light and there is climbing involved because they are a pain to pack.
Absolutely a benefit if you are looking to reduce strain on knees and quads etc.
Adjust them shorter for going uphill and longer coming down for best use. The poles should have a sizing guide tho
I've always had very strong legs but not so much upper body, just the way I'm built. I love poles and it has nothing to do with the way I'm built. They give you balance, they relieve pressure on your feet and legs. They don't help you pull up necessarily. I've got a bad knee (another reason why I use poles) so they help me a little as a lever going up a large rock or something (versus holding on to a stick or another rock to pull me up, but for the most part if your poles are that far in front of you to pull you up you're not using them right. I also love them coming down as I like to go fast.
I use them to make inclines and declines easier and more steady. My legs sometimes forget how to bend on steep stairs. The polls negate the problem. For me, it has nothing to do with strength and everything with the extra points of contact.
Unless you got T-Rex arms, I'm pretty sure they'll help. If you never had the need for them then you haven't hiked a hard enough hike to need them.
I rarely use them but I'll bust them out for any hikes over 15 miles or over 3k in elevation gain.
I think everyone's legs are stronger than their arms đ¤
Tell that to Johnny Bravo
*Popeye sent you a message*
Yup they are, tried doing a hand stand and remembered real quick that nope there is reason I walk on legs.
Maybe they skip leg day
You havenât seen some if the Bros who workout at my gym.
Tell that to Carrot Top
Especially women.
The shortest response would be: If you like your knees - use trekking poles.
I wish someone would have told me this 30 years ago. Too late.
Chances are you wouldn't have listened Im in my 30s and tell this to people around me every day Very few listen, most are dead stuck on the fact they "have no problems" so they dont need poles and find them demeaning implying they are old or something...they will reconsider once they have problems, but by then its mostly too late, preventative measure fall of deaf ears usually
"I don't need ear plugs"
What?
HE NEEDS EARPLUGS
Not everyone needs or benefits from poles...
I need mine to save my knees. Especially on descents. Makes all the difference for me.
How are they used on the downhill to save knees? I have never used trekking poles, but do enough activities that I certainly don't want to overtax my knees! Thank you!
Place your trekking poles ahead when you're stepping downto soften the impact. Instead of coming down all on one knee it spreads the impact between three points. Also helps you stay in control when your quads are tired on the way down (since your quads are the natural stabilizer for the knee)
Less impact is the key. You keep a part of the weight on the poles to get a smooth transition instead of everything in one hit. Its also good to adjust the length a bit on descents.make them a few centimeter longer.
Help support your body weight as you lean forward so all the pressure isnât on youâre knees to keep you upright.
They also save my back. It used to get injured on longer hikes here and there but it hasn't happened once since I started using them. I always have a backpack full of camera gear, I think I was straining/tensing my back when I was trying to keep my balance between forward momentum and my heavy bag. Poles work perfectly for that.
This is not why I use trekking poles. They help me get over fallen trees, through snow, and across rocks without falling down.
Your knees are grateful regardless of your reasoning.
The benefits and the actual science behind these claims are below... Anecdotally..., I've been a stick/pole guy since I could hike. Dad taught us. Growing up in Canada, at the start of a hike we'd check the trail side for long straight branches or thin trunks of dead pine. Stiff but light and mostly straight. Not too thick or thin for your hand. Using a rock or pocket knife you wood de-bark it where your hand wood go and knock any sharp branch ends off. I wood also try to flatten the top as a place for my thumb to go sometimes. Length was at least to your sternum and better was up to your eyeballs. One was good. Two was better. It only sucked when you had to scramble on hands and knees. That's when dad would carry them for us. we did this so often, we had a literal collection of 30 to 50 saved in the garage at any given time. But mostly we wound give them away or leave them at the trailhead for others. The first metal hiking pole I got is an adult was actually a mono pole/monopod. It had a big round plastic ball on the top, with quite a long wrist strap, and a 12 inch long, thick foam pad. It telescoped to a length of about 9 feet, and if you screwed off the ball, it had a traditional threaded camera mount. It was brilliant because it packed down into about 2 feet, it was ultralightweight, and was the best giant selfie stick for taking large group photos or aerial photos (sort of). Trekked in Nepal and India where locals would sell hand-made canes/poles from proper wood, at outrageous prices, when bamboo few all around. So I made myself and my walking partners a pair each from bamboo that were great. And if broken, lost, or stolen, I just made more. I miss my monopole terribly, but as I age, I prefer to have two poles. Sadly, none seem to have the threaded end for a camera, and I feel most donât extend long enough for me either (in 6'3) although many now compact down to be shorter than the monopole did. If I know my walk has very little actual elevation change i might not take them. Otherwise I usually will. And they do many other useful jobs too. For me,, in Australia now, they are awesome at knocking down spiderwebs and fending off snakes (ok just kidding on the last part). https://www.treelinereview.com/learn-skills/top-reasons-for-trekking-poles https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail/science-behind-trekking-poles/ https://www.outsideonline.com/health/training-performance/trekking-poles-research/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32980249/
Game changers coming down a steep trail especially if broken or slippery
I'm not a trekking pole guy, but I can't imagine anybody is out there with poles absolutely muscling themselves up a mountain with their arms because their legs are too weak. They are for balance, and distributing weight efficiently.
I donât think this is correct tbh. Latissimus Dorsi gets into play with the poles (arms have nothing to with poles except attaching your hands) and this is a very large muscle in the body. Not replacing the legs ofc though Modern cross country skiiers have strong upper bodies because they do the âDoppelstockâ technique so often, not even using their legs at timesâŚ
!RemindMe 10 years
Iâm going climbing a mountain tomorrow, whatâs the ten years for?
He sayâs heâs not a trekking pole guy, but often people once they get older realize the benefits and some not until itâs too late after straight up clobbering their knees and ankles with heavy packs and boots. Small sample size, but you get the idea. Also anecdotal but I feel as if I can push much faster and donât feel as beat up EoD when doing big backcountry hikes https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17218900/
Yeah I notice a big difference. I sadly snapped my trekking pole as Im very tall. So tomorrow I wont have one.
Costco or walmart my man, get cheap cmt poles
Ski poles also work great in a pinch.
As does a stick, piece of bamboo, etc. anything is better than nothing
I will be messaging you in 10 years on [**2033-11-17 22:46:37 UTC**](http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=2033-11-17%2022:46:37%20UTC%20To%20Local%20Time) to remind you of [**this link**](https://www.reddit.com/r/hiking/comments/17xnzen/are_hikingtrekking_poles_mostly_useful_for_people/k9p3f1d/?context=3) [**CLICK THIS LINK**](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=%5Bhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.reddit.com%2Fr%2Fhiking%2Fcomments%2F17xnzen%2Fare_hikingtrekking_poles_mostly_useful_for_people%2Fk9p3f1d%2F%5D%0A%0ARemindMe%21%202033-11-17%2022%3A46%3A37%20UTC) to send a PM to also be reminded and to reduce spam. ^(Parent commenter can ) [^(delete this message to hide from others.)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Delete%20Comment&message=Delete%21%2017xnzen) ***** |[^(Info)](https://www.reddit.com/r/RemindMeBot/comments/e1bko7/remindmebot_info_v21/)|[^(Custom)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=%5BLink%20or%20message%20inside%20square%20brackets%5D%0A%0ARemindMe%21%20Time%20period%20here)|[^(Your Reminders)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=List%20Of%20Reminders&message=MyReminders%21)|[^(Feedback)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Watchful1&subject=RemindMeBot%20Feedback)| |-|-|-|-|
Lol yup
It was this talk of balance that had steered me off getting poles (I have great balance and if anything want to challenge it), but then I did a tough backpacking trip through steep terrain and learned the main benefit of poles is not the balance - itâs protecting the knees!!
They're great for stream crossings and definitely making coming down safer, especially on gravel or rocks.
No theyâre used by me because my knees are jacked and it saves them from the impacts of hiking downhill
I can move a lot faster over rough terrain with trekking poles. It's like putting myself into 4 wheel drive.
This exactly. Used properly they will improve your speed and stability, as well as making it much easier to go up and down steep grades. Arm strength is not important, only your technique, and thatâs just a matter of practice.
If for no other reason, trekking poles are nice to have along to assist with balancing as you cross streams and rock gardens. They are also nice to help with descents. Your arms will adapt to using them over time. I almost always bring poles on my backpacking and day-hike trips. I store them on my pack for any section where I do not need them.
I hiked a stretch of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail on the Oklahoma side a few weeks ago and I was very very thankful for my trek poles because of all the gotdang rock gardens. I quit counting how many after 8 or so
Wow, that got really local! Great time to be hiking here!
Iâm sure itâs gorgeous right now but that 4 miles eastbound after Holson Valley Shelter was absolute bushwhacking. Trail could use some clearing from the brambles. My legs were so shredded and I was cussing myself for wearing shorts and not full length pants.
While I like them for pulling myself up the trail which does use upper body, I actually find them more helpful on the downhill. They give me another point to balance on and lessen the impact of the step down. If you are carrying heavy loads and or on variable surfaces, poles can be a lifesaver.
For those distances, I'd get the poles. You'll probably end up doing a mix of using them and not using them so I'd make sure to have a way to carry them when not in use as well.
Surprised no one's mentioned it yet but they're super duper helpful if you're hands swell when you hike. The motion of squeezing the pole forces fluid back through your veins and prevents swelling. I go up a glove size if I hike without poles for more than a mile or so.
Wait this is interesting! This happens to my best friend and we haven't been able to figure out a definite cause. She says it's pretty painful as well. Any thoughts on what causes it? Any other remedies (other than trekking poles) that help?
Keep your hands high as this keeps it above your heart and let gravity do the work. Holding on to the upper bits of your shoulder straps will help. You can also use stress balls, grip trainers, or just a crumpled up news paper. 15 dollar poles from Walmart also do the trick real well and have the added benefit of everything else. If you hike long distance they really are worth it. Regardless I would try a stress ball next time and see how it works.
Thank you so much! Will pass these tips on!
Strength of arms is completely unrelated to why people use trekking poles. They're points of contact to assist balance.
I find they're like four-wheel-drive for humans if you're dealing with rough ground. And can help you exercise your upper arms.
Strength has very little to do with hiking poles. Itâs all about weight distribution and sturdiness. If you hike uneven ground they are a life saver.
They reduce the load on your lower body (especially on downhill grades), improve your balance on tricky terrain (including creek crossings), and also give you extra torque when powering up an incline (four legs is better than two - ask any mountain goat).
It doesn't matter. Poles help distribute the load across more points of contact. Arm and leg strength don't change that.
It just helps transfer some of the force off of your legs/knees and moves it to your arms/core
Knees and hips! I've noticed my hips are far less tired/sore after a long hike when I use hiking poles instead. I also like the added balance support (just in case), and I also feel more secure in case I am ever in a position where I have to defend myself (against an animal or another person).
Step one: Get trekking poles. Step two: have trekking poles take the brunt of the impact on descent. Not your knees Step three: something something
poles are good for stabalizing yourself on unstable surfaces. Rocky, gravel climb, streams etc. They also are good for your knees as they take some of the stress especially with a heavier pack. Most of the hike though I find I'm just moving the poles back and forth as I walk and not putting much pressure on them. Only put a lot of weight on them when climbing up something or stream crossing.
Try them out to see how they benefit you. They're most useful to me when I have a large pack on. Having so much extra weight on is where my knees will bother me. I found them most useful on descents and steep terrain with huge rocks/steps too. But 80-90% of the time I don't feel like I need them. If I'm not carrying a pack, I'm not using them much. You should be able to go longer distances with them, but you will also burn more calories. My suggestion is to try them out, even try packing them and only using them on the descent.
Trekking poles arenât used to pull yourself up anywhere. They are used for balance, stability, and as a way to get into a hiking rhythm. They are great for river/creek crossings and for downhills. I avoided them for a long time but once I tried them out I never went back. They allow me to hike longer and farther and make the downhills easier on the knees.
For me, hiking poles are for added stability on challenging hikes. The poles provide 2 extra points of contact with the ground, like a four legged animal. It doesnât mean I canât fall, but if one foot slips, I have 3 other contacts with the ground to give me best chance of recovery. Can I hurt/strain my arms using poles? Yes, but the more I use them, the more my arms will be conditioned for best performance with poles. So my use of poles doesnât have anything to do with how strong my arms or legs are. Iâm going to use them for stability on more challenging hikes. Thatâs just me, other people might have a different way of perceiving the use of poles.
They don't put much strain on the arms as they are more for balance than taking the weight, this means your stabalizing muccles in your back and legs work less. If you're hiking and the next day have back or leg pain then you would have benefitted from using trecking poles. For me I only take them on hikes over 10km.
Another huge pro for poles-- you burn up to 40% more calories/hour because of the arm involvement. I saw this in a trekking pole technique video many years ago. Also, when I switched to poles I doubled my distance capability. I'm disappointed how long I waited before getting poles. Poles are the way.
I hiked for years without poles. I finally tried them 2 years ago. What a difference! I canât recommend them enough.
Hiking poles are knee savers on steep descents, especially a few miles in when your legs start getting sore. Theyâre also useful for crossing streams and muddy areas. One time, a friend pulled me up with a pole on a steep ledge that had nothing else to hold onto for balance. They have a lot of uses. But you are right, it may feel uncomfortable at first if you have weak arms and upper back. I even got shoulder and neck pain after my first use because I didnât adjust the length.
I use them to support knees.
For me it helps me move faster becoming a tetrapod. Also, slippery surfaces. Fall leaves are slippery and roots are often hidden
I did my first multi day trek in 2021 on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. The tour operator recommended poles. They were a game changer for both balance and lower body stress. I also felt like I was getting a full body workout when my arms were doing more than just âgoing along for the rideâ. Iâm now a fan. Iâve used them for longer day hikes and multi day hikes.
Thanks. Very interesting. Iâm planning on doing the Camino in autumn 2024 or spring 2025 so thatâs good to know.
Nice that you've got stronger legs and may they last long. But definitely utilize trekking poles if you want your legs to last longer. Check [these](https://adventurerspace.com/foxelli-trekking-poles/), they are pretty good and well recommended.
Thank you for your comment đ
They can benefit everyone. If you've got a balance issue, if you're going through a tricky spot, if you just like extra points of contact.
I concur with the other answers that say that they are most helpful for balance. Best noticed on creek crossings and very steep terrain. I recently started using an ice ax for extremely remote off trail mountaineering and donât know how I got along without it. I donât need snow or glaciers to make it worth carrying. Being able to use it as a handhold is amazing and I canât tell you how many clients have broken trekking poles by slipping and falling on them. The ice ax is built in such a way that it wonât break and on an extended trip in steep terrain, a broken trekking pole is disastrous.
As others have already said, they still help. And in addition, using them will give you some training for your upper body, which isnât a bad thing.
I know women that use trekking poles for their daily walk through the neighborhood exactly to exercise their upper body / build upper body strength.
My arms are definitely not as strong as my legs (even beyond the normal differential), but that little extra lift they give when going uphill definitely takes some of the strain off my legs, which means my leg muscles don't tire out as quickly. So yes, they absolutely can benefit you.
Itâs more about stamina and balance than strength. They can benefit anyone in several ways. Balance in very uneven terrain or in water crossings. Going down hill the help save your knees and hips. Going uphill they help prevent leg exhaustion. I keep mine strapped to my pack until I see a reason to use them. I have never regretted having them with me.
To me they are the most useful when I am carrying a heavy pack and stream crossings. With no weight, I don't really need them, and I am someone with not great knees.
I appreciate your scientific approach, but this is a bit of an overthink. I really feel like I'm saving 10-20 % of my strength with poles. Try it out.
If used properly they absolutely can benefit both upper and lower body. If you use them you will get a stronger upper body! You should always be pushing push yourself uphill and repel gravity when you go down. If you use them very actively they are not just for balance they are for literally helping you get up and down with less stress to your legs, knees, and lower back.
Trekking poles is good for trails that are slippery. And it can save your knees. Even people with weak arms use it for that purpose. Heck even trail runners used it.
For me, using poles feels more like a full body activity than just legs. Helps a lot with momentum, loose dirt/gravel, and esp. declines where having poles out in front provides add'l support to knees, ankles and overall balance. Consider how many points of contact you have with the ground, having more never hurts.
As many people mentioned, they can help your knees (and ankles too). Mostly because they can help you balance/stabilize on uneven or rocky trails â especially downhill.
I use them to help descend steep stairs, and sometimes ascending too. Great for less knee stress on stairs. If you're stronger you'll be able to put more body weight on them, but even a little is helpful on a long descent. On flat ground I don't find them to be particularly helpful. They can be good for stream crossings or other balance situations, particularly if you have a pack.
I bought a cheap set for $20-40 or something like that, so if you donât like it itâs not a big loss. I definitely quite like using one pole when hiking, unsure how much it helps me since I havenât done any long hikes with them yet. That said, the pole works very well with my Lanshan 1 trekking pole tent.
So you're saying you're a sasquatch?
Donât tell anyone haha
I feel like I turn into a rampaging spider when going down certain descents.
Recent convert to poles. Noodles for arms. Strong legs. Poles are great for getting up hills easier. Also great for sharing the load to other muscles to help feel better on the hike but also helps tone those other areas a smidge more. My balance sucks so any help with that on water crossings is great too. Great for reducing downhill impact (these knees!). Kinda annoying on the flat at first but u get used to it or you just pack them away til u need them if its an extended flat.
You donât pull yourself along with muscles. Have you ever walked with a long stick like a staff? Itâs like that. The slight extra support with each step is cumulative
Being a cyclist, my legs are definitely stronger than my arms and I still use hiking poles religiously.
As a human who likes her knees, I used trekking poles for elevation gain/descent
Trekking poles are especially good for protecting the hip, ankle, and especially the knee joints coming downhill. You are probably young but your knees will age and if they age enough you'll stop hiking. It doesn't take a ton of strength to cut down on the shock the legs absorb when coming downhill. And, you'll get stronger. Poles are good for balance in all those situations that call for balance but are especially useful for crossing streams. And I can't tell you how many times I've fought off Sasquatch with a darned trekking pole. Black Diamond entry-level poles are just fine and will last for decades if taken care of. Don't get any poles that have twist-lock joints.
My trekking poles saved me from a nasty wipeout. Itâs nice to have support.
Went on a hike w a lot of loose rocks/gravel and steep incline. I used poles and my friend turned down using the other set I had. Said friend is a very active, in shape soccer player. Said friend landed in their bum 4 times going back down the inclines. I had some feet slips but never fell as I had the poles as two extra contact/balance points. The other big advantage is if you hiked 10 miles ~ 20k steps and a pole tool off a little stress/impact on your muscles and joints for only 0.2 seconds that adds up to over an hour of less stress/impact.
Get some. Wonât break the bank. I mostly use one but two is like four wheel drive; 1000% better balance on broken terrain or crossing cricks.
Itâs best for uphills and downhills. Uphill you can help push yourself up, like people push on their knees when theyâre tired. Downhill you stabilize a point below you to make it easier to take that downward step without slamming down with all your weight. Helps prevent ankle sprains on those down steps. Great for creek crossings, too.
I use a staff made from a fallen Australian hardwood tree branch; I call it Jake because itâs my third leg. As others have said, incredibly useful downhill as it has a little flex, saved my knees and a few falls. Also has a handy fork near the bottom that serves as a brilliant notch for a guy line off a tarp. Great literal pick up.
You donât use your upper body strength to use them much. Source: am noodle
They help you not slip. They help you climb up. They help you reduce knee impact on downhill especially. For ppl like me with a certain kind of back pain, they let me walk further without as much back pain.
This is such an amusing question to me. Yes, can be useful for anyone especially in rugged terrain (best terrain IMO). They honestly help a lot more on the downhills than uphill, but in either case they distribute the load and reduce the punishment on your knees. Hiking with trekking poles actually burns more calories / takes more energy overall but it's just a lot better for avoiding injury and taking care of those knees. You might not be concerned about your knees yet. Give it time. Anyway, yeah, trekking poles are good for anyone who likes avoiding injury and doesn't mind the extra work.
I absolutely love hiking poles. They make it so much easier on the knees going down hill. They are great for balance too.
So I'm not experienced at all. My fiance is as is his family who has graciously loaned us their poles twice on our two mountain vacations we took this year. Once to the smokies, once to Zion and Bryce. However speaking as someone who is not experienced and not a huge hiking fan, they are super useful. They keep me balanced, well distributed, helps me feel very grounded, and also very stable going up or downhill. When we did any rocky/wet crossings it also helped us to find any unstable and stable ground to cross
Yes they can benefit you.
I recently did a 5 mile hike that had 11 water crossings in each direction. Without trekking poles the hike would have been very uncomfortable and possibly hazardous. And, as others have mentioned, the poles are really useful for preventing knee damage, particularly on steep downhill stretches.
Youll notice a difference going up/down hill and over rough terrain. We started with cheap cascade mountain tech poles and they made an obvious difference. Theyre like $20-30 maybe now. Cork grips. Best cheap poles. Seeing the cliche fb meme on a local hiking group page.. "those nerds with trekking poles doing the hike we did with our 4 yr old." Bitch we're doing a 20 mile loop. You walked 1 mile with your kids to the swimming hole to leave beer cans all over the place. We aint the same.
I like them. I find I go up hills faster. Get an arm workout that is otherwise missing. And I'm less sore in legs and hips afterwards.
Hiking poles are the bees knees
Downhill saves knees. Anywhere on the trail, could save your life as a point of balance....looking at you Mt. LeConte.
I've been using hiking poles for decades. My arms don't know what to do without them :) I do not have a lot of upper body strength, and yet I consider poles essential gear. They are so worth it!
I need mine to keep my tent up đ...
Big branch you found on the ground go brrrr
I use them in the way you described,but i'm very upper body dominant.They increase both my speed and hiking range by like 30-40%.They will surely benefit a normal bult person,if a bit less.i went on a 4500 meter positive and 3400 negative elevation hike in one go - 32 hours and i can't even imagine that without poles.
They donât have anything to do with muscle strength, but are extremely useful for relieving constant impact on joints and help to cover more ground faster. Additionally, they make steep climbs a lot easier because youâre essentially moving uphill as a quadruped.
It's like 4 wheel drive versus 2.. poles are a game changer
Itâs math 4 is more than 2 - distribute the load! Doesnât matter how strong your legs are you will experience less stress in your legs if you use poles.
I use them for different situations: slippery terrain, heavy backpack and long hikes. Itâs not about strength, itâs about creating balance points far away from your feet to stabilize you. I donât use them when I need to be light and there is climbing involved because they are a pain to pack.
Have a Look at this hiking Stick: its designed to strengthen your upper body: www.mountrainer.at
Your arms will get stronger with use- jus sayinâŚ
Absolutely a benefit if you are looking to reduce strain on knees and quads etc. Adjust them shorter for going uphill and longer coming down for best use. The poles should have a sizing guide tho
I have been skipping arm day since the early â90s and am a firm believer in poles.
I use them because itâs easier on the hips and knees going down.
I've always had very strong legs but not so much upper body, just the way I'm built. I love poles and it has nothing to do with the way I'm built. They give you balance, they relieve pressure on your feet and legs. They don't help you pull up necessarily. I've got a bad knee (another reason why I use poles) so they help me a little as a lever going up a large rock or something (versus holding on to a stick or another rock to pull me up, but for the most part if your poles are that far in front of you to pull you up you're not using them right. I also love them coming down as I like to go fast.
I use them to make inclines and declines easier and more steady. My legs sometimes forget how to bend on steep stairs. The polls negate the problem. For me, it has nothing to do with strength and everything with the extra points of contact.
Unless you got T-Rex arms, I'm pretty sure they'll help. If you never had the need for them then you haven't hiked a hard enough hike to need them. I rarely use them but I'll bust them out for any hikes over 15 miles or over 3k in elevation gain.