Tips Every Backpacker Should Know About TREKKING POLES

Gossamer Gear LT5 are the way to to. Buy once cry once, and on the right sale they're only $142 which is ball park for all the other brands and they're not made in China.

I fell and cracked my Black Diamond poles navigating a nasty blow down. In the future I will toss them over. BTW Black Diamond were easy to get parts for.

for downhills i like to have one pole slightly longer, to use in front and descend a bit sideways, esp on gravel or sketchy terrain

To offer an opposing view, I have never seen any benefit to trekking poles, so I don't use them, and I buy the $0 kind.

My wife and I have been using cascade mountain carbon fiber trekking poles for years no complaints. 35 dollars at Costco

Forrest Animals are looking for salt but trees use it all. Our salty sweat is a treasure to them.

Funny using trekking poles for my duplex, i have had critter climb the pole and nibble on the cork. Funny😅😅😅

Here's another safety tip: When using them on treacherous ground, it's a good idea to take your hands out of the loops. This will lower the chances of damage or injury in case of a fall.

Yeah but…….
I have used trekking poles for 20 years. I have found the benefits of left pole, right foot, - right pole left foot to be:
1. There is always 2 points of balance.
2. If I misstep a pole is already down.
3. Using the grip sling under my palm I push down on the sling and do not have to grip the pole to push. I can use a relaxed grip and is more comfortable and saves “energy” on long hikes.
4. It exercises my upper body, making a more full bodied workout.
5. This makes hiking easier on my knees. (taking a little weight off them)

The 90 degree works well, I do t typically adjust for down hill other than to grip them in the palm of my hand for downhill and use the soft grip under the normal grip if they have one for uphill. Trekking poles are also useful for digging cat holes and keeping them between you and angry critters.

I've wondered about flying with trekking poles in carry-on baggage. I assume most security systems will not allow them. Any suggestions?

Always great content, and always shared in a pleasant and enjoyable manner. Thank you! 😊

Jessica -- great tips for beginning users of trekking poles! I am an avid user of trekking poles, and while doing the Wildcats this past weekend (the steepest section of the AT), I thought it might be helpful to pass along a few advanced suggestions that apply to challenging White-Mountain-like terrain with steep ups-and downs, lots of rocks, roots, boulder fields, etc.
1) I always wear gloves with my poles. They soften the impact of each stride and come in very handy when you trip and fall.
2)You can adjust the effective height of the poles instantly by using them in four positions: a) gripping the top knob, b) normal grip c) sliding further down on the grip so the thumb and index encircle the jut-out at the bottom of the grip, and d) sliding further down so your ring finger rests just above the locking mechanism. This gives an on-the-fly range of more than 12 inches -- which is often needed in the Whites. That said, if the next 30 minutes are all steeply up or steeply down, it would be silly not to also take advantage of the adjustment mechanism.
3) I never use the loops because you can't get the full range described above, and even more importantly for safety. I have been in situations where the pole gets "stuck" between two rocks while your momentum is carrying you forward. The loop makes it so you can't let go of the pole...if you're lucky it breaks, less lucky you lose your balance, least lucky you dislocate your shoulder.
4) When clambering down steep sections, do not use the poles as a fully loadbearing device like you would a solid object like a tree or rock...unless you slow down and take time to make absolutely sure it is 100% solidly grounded. The consequences of "it seemed solid, but then it slipped" are not pretty when you are using the downhill pole to brace yourself. My motto now is that the poles are "outriggers" to help you stabilize and/or regain balance, not an anchor point.
5) On river crossings, the same principle applies. Do not use the poles as a weight-bearing anchor point--use them as a stabilizer. If your pole is planted in the water, it's difficult to tell whether it really is stable.
Suggestions #1-#4 will rarely come into play on flatter, more benign terrain, #5 still does.
It goes without saying that this is just one man's opinion and YMMV.

I bought those cascade poles for my first real hiking five years ago just by chance. They are still serving me well as a novice back packer. Bees like the cork too.

There are two tips they make for the trekking poles: the left one and the right one. Truth to be told is they are interchangeable.

Tip: Having left at least two pairs of polls at a trailhead over the years, I highly recommend putting a little label on your polls with your contact info on them. 😜

👍👍👍 .. good tips.
Cost .. I have a set of budget poles bought at Decathlon. Aluminium, adjustable with a lever lock mechanism. Have had them for years and have never felt the need to 'upgrade' to Carbon Fibre aka more expensive ones. I use them on average, 5 days a week as I also Nordic Walk.
The Straps .. I keep the Pole Hand Grips lightly in place in the wedge between my thumb and forefinger .. no 'gripping' of the Hand Grips at all, 'death' or otherwise 😏. My Wrists and upper Palm, pushing down onto the Straps, do all of the work.
Going up or down in rough terrain, especially downhill .. uncouple the hands / wrists from the Straps (then, it is permissible to use a 'death grip' 😁). In event of a tumble, less chance then, of 'becoming one' with one's Poles.
The 90° Arm Position is a good base to work from. Experience will determine which is the most comfortable / effective pole length. My ideal is 1.05 metres.
A good share .. thanks. Take care .l

Another way to avoid impaling: When you tuck them under your arm, put the tips in front of you. This is also courteous if you're hiking with other folks who might be behind you. Keeps the tips where you can see them.

No kidding about trekking poles and animals! I had marmots run off with mine overnight in Sequoia NP, and when I found them yards away in the morning, the wrist straps were absolutely shredded, with a small bunch of marmots still gnawing on them. They were reclaimed but never quite the same!

It has been awhile since I last watch your channel and this vlog is great with lot of great information. ❤😊

Since trekking poles evolved from cross country ski poles, I just used that gait and the transition was pretty smooth for me. They sure do prevent hip pain on my old frame.

Good info…bought my first pair at W mart 6 years ago and they are still going strong!

I have to agree with the Austrian pro. Hiking with poles is like having an extra pair of legs, which comes to the fore😂 when ascending and descending hills particularly.

EXCELLENT!!!

Trekking poles are not required to go on long hikes. I have hiked hundreds of miles with no trekking poles and never fell once. I have seen more people falling down that do use trekking poles.

I have probably 1000 miles with my $15 Ozark Trail. Ive brought them into REI to compare to expensive ones and i genuinely cannot tell the difference outside price.

Regarding straps. After hiking and backpacking and serious trail running, thousands of miles, I know far too many people who used pole straps in the recommended way, became tangled in their sticks/poles, fell and seriously sprained a wrist, or broke a wrist.

I use 1 pole to keep a hand available for my dog’s leash. One pole is good to help go up and down big steps.

I use 1 pole to keep a hand available for my dog’s leash. One pole is good to help go up and down big steps.

I used a cheap aluminium pole (<$10 on eBay!) for over 20 years, I only replaced it this year with a more expensive (but still lower-end) carbon-fibre pole. I prefer a single pole over two, I just can't get a natural rhythm going with two poles and also, I like to keep one hand free for grabbing onto rocks, trees etc when scrambling up hills. I also insist on a suspension system inside the pole, I always wind up with painful wrists if I don't have that spring and, as a consequence, I also prefer screw-up adjusters over lever-locks (unless anyone knows of a lever lock with a suspension?) And I always adjust the pole height going up (or down) steep hills and when fording streams. I know a lot of that goes counter to trecking-pole theory but it's what works for me.

Another consideration for trekking pole height: if you are going on an extended downhill section, you might feel it is more comfortable to slightly lengthen your poles. Similarly, try shortening the length on long uphill sections to see how that feels.

Also, I like to lengthen my poles when crossing streams where I’m reaching down while rock/tree trunk hopping…feels more stable to me.

Was at Costco this am. Buford Ga. Has set of poles for 32.00 with cork grips. Brand name was Mountain something.

I tripped and my black diamond flexed over a rock. I thought it was going to bend but it flexed without damage.

Hi sweetie Dixie i use a wood staff 2 M made from hazelive had it over 20 years sometimes while walking i put it accross my shoulders with both arms outstretched the use it uphill or down the pole is polished to protect it with a brassring at the bottom...

Love my cork handles. After a while, they’ll get a bit slick from dirt and oil. But a good rubbing with sand paper gets them as good as new.

Great tip on informing people about the salt on pole grips. On the High Sierra Trail at Upper Hamilton a buck carried my friend’s pole off. We got it back but he had to get in the lake drainage to get it. And in another camp nearby another deer was stealing bandanas. And once at Moose Lake out of Wolverton a marmot stole a sock that was airing out. The hiker chased it down, shoved his arm down the hole, got his sock back and a few other clothing items with it.

Of course we all have our personal preferences, but I personally don't get on with 90° arm angle, as it seems such an unnatural posture/motion. For me anyway, I prefer to maintain as natural a posture as I can as if my poles aren't there. I noticed Europan Alpine guides suggesting the same when I was there. I raise them a fw degrees above my motion without poles, but nowhere near 90°.

Another thing is how to actually use them which should be like the Nordic skiing technique ie the poke lands Behind the opposing foot. Many walkers I've seen have the pole tips landing in front if them therefore hindering forward progress instead of landing behind, which aids forwards propulsion

Lastly, the correct use of wrist loops is often overlooked.

Do not run down the trail with your poles in your hands.

I was late and knew my wife would be worried, so I thought I'd jog the downhill sections. I managed to trip myself with a pole on a rocky section and fell hard. I gouged my knee pretty good and could easily have broken an arm, but fortunately, I did not. Pretty stupid move on my part!

Some of the surfaced walking tracks here mandate rubber tips. You are not allowed to use the carbide tips because they damage the surface material, making holes that water can get in to erode the track.

I bought and added the rubber tips because they are not loud on rock surfaces and provide good grip. Are the metal tips superior ?

Love Trekking Poles, the Hikers great accessory, good for any outdoor event. But, literally walked hundreds of miles with "walking sticks" found on the side of the trail and used for the day.

Thanks Dixie!!! Safe travels!!!

Hands UP through the straps NOT DOWN! And, match OPPOSITE pole to your stride. 🙂

Straps or no straps i have found it is a personal choice. Pros and cons to both.

I was a late adopter of trekking poles; somewhat aghast on first sighting. But I did convert especially on trail use. Boondocking or cross country travel on grasslands or sagebrush country I just use one or revert to a staff.

Amazingly similar to my trekking pole progress through the years. Started with trusty Wal-Mart poles. A little heavier, but I could literally replace them every 2-3 years for $20. I still have a pair or two I use for loaners. I've had "bougie" poles, but I ended up babying them (or damaging them), and while they were well warranted, I didn't like the dance of getting a replacement. Cascade Mountain Tech really seems to have found the sweet spot, and for the price, I can literally buy a second emergency pair to keep in the car for long section hikes.
The only time I make my poles longer or shorter is for LONG descents or ascents. On weekend trips, sometimes a day will be predominantly up or down and I'll just start the day with a slight bias in length. Frankly, most of the time, it's just easier moving your hands rather than adjusting the poles, especially on steep downhills where you can just put the palms of your hands on top of the poles.
I have a running argument with a friend, who advises everyone not to use the straps because it is possible to get a rotator cuff injury if you fall just right while the strap is entangled with your hand. I've never seen or met someone who had that happen, so it must be rare. I think the benefits of using the straps properly far outweigh the risks.

I used $20 dollar trekking poles on the AT until the White Mountains. I would have kept the same poles but I lost one pole on the decent of Mt. Moosilauke. With losing one pole, I decided to upgrade with some Lekis. I love my Lekis, but if I didn't need to, I would have kept with my $20 dollar poles. True story.

I used trekking poles as a mobility aid when I was on chemotherapy for breast cancer. Between fatigue and just feeling "wobbly", they helped a lot. I walked around a big museum with my dad and used my rubber tips. And at festivals I used the normal pointy tips.

I run mine higher than most recommend, around chest height. Helps me on multi-terrain where it's up and down.
After breaking my neck and mid-spine, I got back on to trails as the trekking poles allowed me to take weight off my spine and shift it onto my arms, pecs, lats and shoulders instead. Game changer!

Thank you so much for the tip tucked under the arm. Never imagine it could be so dangerous.