Spring has sprung and it’s time to look about what to your existing hiking gear equipment list. Walking poles seem to becoming more and more common as I do my walks in and around my home town of Macclesfield. I haven’t been sure about them personally, but I thought it was time to do a bit of research and this is what I’ve found out.

So why should I use them? Various research projects have concluded that they do assist balance when crossing streams, or when walking on paths that are uneven, sloping and particularly stony. However, they are not normally strong enough to fully hold your body weight in the case of a fall. The act of simply swinging poles assists in your momentum and posture so taking some of the strain from your legs, enabling your upper body to do some of the work.

Can I just use one or should it always be two? A single pole will give stability but while one is good, two are better as you are obviously getting double the support.

Anti Shock? Almost all makes of poles incorporate a form of shock system. This is designed to absorb some of the impact and so reduce stress on your joints, so that sounds good for walking. However, some research has shown that if you are looking to use your pole for some forms of skiing then this shock system can actually have the reverse effect , not that you would find me anywhere near a ski slope.

So there seem to more benefits for walking to using them that not using them. The following is a list of plus points which makes me think I should give them a try; “nothing ventured, nothing gained” as the saying goes:

The use of poles makes keeping your balance easier as you cross rivers and streams as well as rough terrain.

It lowers stress on the joints, namely knees, hips and lower back.

It helps in giving a more upright posture for hiking, which in turn makes breathing more efficient.

It obviously helps in getting up those steep inclines, and helps your balance on the descents too

So I will be adding a new piece of hiking gear equipment to my wardrobe. Why not check out the website and see what you can find amongst the latest arrivals. Or let me know your feelings on walking poles and your experiences with them.