You’ve finally gotten into How to Use Trekking Poles for Trail Running and Hiking for a viable way to up your performance in your next adventure. We’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll discuss two different ways you can use trekking poles to be the best athlete you could be.
Adjusting your trekking poles is important to make sure that the equipment you use for a hike or walk isn’t hindering long term comfort. In this article, we’ll cover how to adjust the height and straps, when to use them, and much more.
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What Are Trekking Poles?
Let’s get things started with the basics. What exactly are trekking poles?
Also known as trekking poles, hiking sticks are a common walking aid used by hikers. While ski poles can be used to keep us steady and on rhythm during an impressive downhill ski run, trekking poles often help maintain balance when scaling mountains and other difficult terrains.
They don’t always come easy either with one of the most popular models in the market today being the Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z-Poles which can span over 24 inches and even weigh up to 1 pound each.
Advantages of Trekking Poles for Hiking
Hikers get lots of benefits from trekking poles. They allow your arms to help propel you forward, which will mean that you’ll be able to go a little bit faster. Similarly, they will also help you stay at a consistent rhythm and pace, meaning you may also end up going a little bit faster.
Trekking poles can also help you deal with rough terrain and overgrown trails. When you’re running around on thorny bushes or have to make your way over slick mud and other treacherous surfaces,
it can be very helpful to push aside the thorns or improve while buttressing your balance and traction on said slick mud/thorny bushes – so walking sticks are very helpful in such instances.
If you aren’t sure how deep a puddle is, you can use your Trekking pole quiver as a probe to gather more information. Also known as hiking sticks or walking sticks, trekking poles are useful for much more than just balance and trail markings.
They can also be used to defend yourself against an animal if attacked, or even function as tent poles! Don’t forget that they can also be used as medical splints in an emergency situation.
Finally, trekking poles make it easier to stop and rest if you have a pack on by allowing one to lean on the poles. Trekking poles also help to prevent injuries by reducing the force on your knees by up to 25 percent, making it much more comfortable on your body’s joints especially when you’re going downhill.
Advantages of Trekking Poles for Running
You are not only going to get the same benefits of using trekking poles for Salomon running poles as you do for hiking, but you will also enjoy some other specific advantages.
For example, trekking poles help you climb tough uphill terrain faster because of two reasons: one is the extra support for your knees and two is the placement of the center of gravity. You can use your legs to push off from the ground more than you could with just your arm strength alone.
Plus, someone to help you run can prevent back pain. Cycling with a partner who is supportive can be beneficial for your back. This is because when it comes to leaning forward on a bicycle, the back and neck muscles stiffen up easily.
But by riding with someone else, we are able to enjoy conversations and share in the joy of cycling without having to worry about being overly pressed or curved forward. As a result, our necks and spines are more relaxed and we don’t have to deal with soreness that much as others out there who aren’t as lucky as us.
Using the Wrist Straps
While they look fancy, wrist straps are meant to do one thing: relieve some of the strain associated with hiking. The rubber strips make it easier for you to grip your poles, which means that there is less pressure on your hands when carrying them over long distances. If you remove these rubber components from your frame, however, you will have a much harder time using and keeping hold of the poles for longer periods of time.
Use a wrist strap properly to hold on tighter. It goes easy over the top of the pole but not too tight, and then it can go around your wrist giving you a secure grip to take a good footing with.
You don’t have to have a death grip on the pole with this strap as you won’t be holding it very long and only need strong enough grip to keep yourself steady.
You may need to adjust the strap tension to make sure that you’re able to control your trekking pole without having a death grip on it.
Some people add an extra elastic strap just like the one that came with their wrist strap. They do this to guarantee a consistently firm fit of the wrist straps you use when Trail running poles or practicing other sports.
Doing this allows them to concentrate on doing whatever they are trying out instead of having to constantly adjust their wrist straps.
How to Adjust Trekking Poles to Right Height
Trekking poles can be adjustable or non-adjustable. Be sure to have an idea of what length will work best for your height.
The chair you’ll likely be sitting at is adjustable so make sure that you set it to the height that puts your arms and elbows at 90-degree angles with the desk itself. Being comfortable is important when typing but it’s also important to make sure your shoulders are relaxed as well.
Be as conscious as possible of how your body and form needs to adjust when moving in different terrains or up and down a steep incline. You should be lengthening while climbing uphill and shortening while going downhill.
Once you have adjustable poles, adjust them beforehand in the store so they are ready to go if the terrain proves otherwise on the trail.
When to Use Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are beneficial on trails or terrain where there is a significant drop off both up and down, especially when running. Poles can be used for stability from side to side as well as back to front. This allows you to run both slower and faster, but with more control over your movements.
Going uphill, you can use the poles for both stability and propulsion. Make sure that your pole strike and foot strike are aligned so that your upper body is helping you do the work. You should be matched up step for step.
When to Put Away Trekking Poles
When you are hiking in flat terrain or on a very mild descent, there is no need for trekking poles. This is actually the best time to enjoy nature at its finest. One isn’t burdened by heavy gear, and you have your own two feet beneath you as your main prop for moving forward uncomplicatedly into the bigger picture.
Trekking Pole Techniques
Many hikers and runners are comfortable Black Diamond running Poles or hiking in their leggings. Like other items of clothing, they come in different colors and styles.
One rule of thumb when choosing what kind to wear, apparently, is that there really isn’t one particular style that suits everyone’s athletic activities best. So choose the pair of leggings you prefer; whether it be thin ones that don’t restrict your movement or pants that allow complete freedom of movement but run a bit too easily if you’re moving fast.
Alternate
One type of walking stride is called alternating, or being able to switch your dominant leg. If you’re walking forward with the right foot, take a step forward with your right (the next time with your left), and vice versa.
Double Pole
On very steep terrain, it is best to use both poles at the same time in the double pole technique.
Skip Double Pole
Have you ever heard of the term skip double pole? It comes down to using the double pole technique every 2-3 strides.
Trekking Pole Tips
While trekking poles can be very useful and help you with balance, they should still be handled with care. Most poles, such as those by Leki, are made out of lightweight aluminum but if you accidentally step on the tip too much or come down a rocky terrain whilst walking downhill, it could snap in half.
When using the straps while pole dancing, push down with your hands rather than gripping the pole directly. Pushing through the straps ensures that your hands don’t become sore and provides you with better stability due to less shaking on the side of your body.
The reason why there are straps in the first place is essentially because they make it easier for you to hold on and expend less energy when trying to stay secure and steady during a movement.
Finally, if you’re going to use trekking poles for a trail race, make sure that they are allowed. The last thing you want is to have trained with poles for a race and then not be able to use them.
In the end, trekking poles can be a great addition to your toolkit as a trail runner or hiker. They are more than just helpful when it comes to taking on grueling trails and terrains.
Hopefully, you’ve found this guide helpful and now have a better idea of how to best use trekking poles for Best poles for trail running and hiking.
