Hiking poles were so dumb, I always thought, typically for old people. During some small hiking trips I took later I saw also young people with hiking poles, but they were carrying heavy, overloaded backpacks. So I thought that hiking poles were for old people and for hikers who want to be professional but are not. Couple years later I found the wonderful world of thru-hikers vlogging, and I found out many cool people, and not cool people, use those poles! They are certainly not pretending to be professional because if you complete one, two or all three legs of the triple crown (Appalachian, Pacific Crest and Continental Divide Trail), you are a hiker professional in my dictionary.
This made me a little bit curious, because if you want to learn something you have to look at professionals. I dived into literature on this topic and indeed all papers I read state that poles are good. They reduce risk for injuries, reduce impact on knees and increase calorie consumption. Okay, the last point is nice for day hikes but not for multiple day hikes in which you already have to carry loads of calories to maintain your weight. But, as a person sensitive to all sorts of injuries the other points I liked a lot. Logically, I started to watch other vloggers to see how to use those poles and with that knowledge I set off to an outdoor store.
When trying the poles out, it was so unbelievable awkward and I would just hold them in one hand every time I saw people. I was tripping over the poles, lost the bottom rubber pieces within first kilometer, I pierced a slug with the metal bottom, and I had no clue how to walk anymore! Usually you balance with your arms, having the opposite arm going forward when a leg goes forward. Well, my body somehow forgot this basic walking thing for the first kilometers.
However, once used to those awkward arm extensions I started to love them so much! I was going quicker, going uphill was super easy, going downhill felt so soft on the knees. I did not even noticed my knees getting that impact when going downhill until I did not felt it at all with the poles.
The main downside for me is not holding the map. Normally I always just read the map, keep myself updated where I am and where to go next, now with the hands full of poles there is no room for a map anymore. I keep it in my side pockets of my backpack, but those are a bit too inconvenient so it takes long for me to get the map and to put it back. Instead of doing that whole the time, I try to trust the trail markings, which makes me go the wrong way all the time.
My conclusion is that the poles are amazing! In more hilly, or mountain areas I would definitely recommend them. All those young people who say that poles are only for old people or wannabes, can just keep on judging, you will be cruising along with less risk for injuries. Just find a way to know the route without the map.
Hike on!
My favorite hiker vlogger: Homemade Wanderlust http://homemadewanderlust.com/
On how to hike with poles: Follow Bigfoot – How to use trekking poles the proper, improper and … my way https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jH9e4QGUP4 Literature
Effects of hiking pole intertia on energy and muscular costs during uphill walking. Foissac et al. JSSM (2008) 6, 1117-1125.
Exertion during uphill, level and downhill walking with and without hiking poles. Perrey and Fabre, JSSM (2008) 7, 32-38.
Effects of hiking downhill using trekking poles while carrying external loads. Bohne and Abendroth-Smith, JSSM (2007) 1, 177-183.
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