Trekking Poles
Trekking poles: 3 essential factors to consider
Generally, trekking poles are considered as a common hiking accessory. They are used to assist the walkers maintain their rhythm and also to provide stability through the rough terrain. Regardless of how many times trekking is done, trekking poles make the adventure extremely enjoyable with less fatigue. Therefore, most of the people are interested in acquiring these trekking poles but are unsure of how they are used. A lot of people just use a stick found in the wilderness which is approximately 4 feet long and is not very heavy. They use this stick while hiking.
However, there are many trekking poles available in the market today. There are poles which can be used for basic short hikes and for long hikes. Most of these poles available in the market come in adjustable length and have shock absorbers which are spring loaded; they also come with molded grips. Also, they are often made of lightweight materials like titanium, aluminum, carbon fiber and pure carbon. The price of these poles depends upon the material used.
Trekking poles make it possible to spread the entire load of the body as well as the pack to four limbs instead of two. This will enable to trek faster, to save energy and to enhance the strength of the legs; so you can enjoy the trek better. Especially while descending a steep slope, using these poles becomes very beneficial. The weight distribution will give less stress to the knees. Therefore, choosing the appropriate trekking poles is very much necessary. Here are some of the tips while choosing the poles.
Trekking Poles should have adjustable length:
Even though a few people prefer having trekking poles with fixed length, there are others who like the convenience of having an adjustable length. This enables the poles to be adjusted according to the terrain and also makes it compact for storage.
Trekking poles must have excellent grip:
The top of the grip must have good quality rubber to avoid it from being slippery if it gets wet. Also, an adjustable loop should be available so that it is possible to hang them from the wrists if there is a need to hold other things. The tip of the trekking poles should be chiseled to provide extra grip on all types of surfaces. However, for surfaces such as ice there is a more specialized tip.
Trekking poles must have shock absorption:
During the course of the trek, it would be very effective to have shock absorption in the poles. If they are able to absorb the shock then less energy will be consumed and the body will have less damage at the end of the trek. It is very easy to select the right poles. People feel that the trekking poles which are waist high are the most comfortable but it all depends on the terrain that is frequently hiked. For a steep terrain, a shorter trekking pole is preferable. But if the trekking is mostly on flat or a slightly sloping terrain, then waist high trekking poles are preferable.