Summer is in full swing, which means that some of you have an important question - which poles to choose for running in the mountains.
At some competitions in the lists of mandatory or recommended equipment you can see telescopic, folding or trekking poles, everyone calls them differently.
Website editors website I decided to take a closer look at this issue and make a short review of the most popular models from several brands.
Most often, telescopic poles can be seen in skyrunning and trail running races, where the climb is quite large. For example, the vertical kilometer discipline most often involves the use of this particular equipment, although there are exceptions. Whether or not to run an ultra-trail or sky race with poles is a purely individual decision. However, there is no need to dispute the fact that on difficult technical and steep sections this element of equipment will only help.
Basic criteria for choosing poles
Trekking pole weight
This is probably the most important criterion that runners pay attention to. Indeed, the lighter the running pair of poles, the easier it is to walk uphill. Every gram makes a difference. This is important in big races like ultra trails.
Basically, the weight of a pair of running poles varies from 300 to 600 grams.
You need to understand that the lighter the poles, the higher their cost and the question of their strength arises.
Material
Most often, manufacturers use aluminum. The weight of the stick will be lightest if it is made of carbon, however, manufacturers usually use a combination of these two materials. Thanks to the combination of carbon fiber (carbon fiber) and aluminum, trekking poles have an optimal balance of weight, stiffness and strength.
Compact running poles
This criterion is determined by their method of assembly and disassembly. Trekking poles come in several types: folding and sectional.
- Folding poles
The peculiarity of such poles is that the section moves into the section. When folded, such poles are longer than sectional poles.
- Sectional poles
These sticks have 3 or 5 sections. The fairly compact size of the poles when folded makes it very convenient to carry or attach them to a backpack. When folded, such poles have the advantage of being shorter in length, but taking up more volume. When folded, depending on the model, the height of such sticks can be from 30 to 50 cm.
Another point that is worth paying special attention to is pole assembly speed.
It's hard to say which poles - folding or sectional ones - fold and unfold faster. It all depends on the specific model and usage skills. The main advice worth giving is to practice folding and unfolding the model you are using in advance.
In some models you will have to unscrew and tighten each section, while in others one click will be enough for complete assembly.
Handle and type of tempyak
It is best to pay attention to the anatomical handles. Many models have light and porous material that does not slip, thereby providing comfortable grip (grip) with the stick.
Most often, telescopic poles use a simple type of lanyard - a regular loop. The most convenient type is the “trap”, which can often be seen on cross-country ski poles. The advantage of one type over the other is the speed of donning. You should also pay special attention to the material from which the lanyard is made. Preferably soft, non-chafing.
We have selected several of the most popular models especially for you. Read, compare, test!
Trekking polesBlack DiamondCompactor 125 cm
Pair weight: 625g
Length: 40 -125 cm
Material: aluminum
Brand Country: USA
Country of origin: CHINA
Not the lightest sticks, however, this model also has its advantages. When folded, they do not take up much space, which makes them very convenient to carry on a backpack if there is a special mount. Or you can put this model inside, fortunately the length allows it. It should be noted the lightweight handle and sling with a plastic buckle from the Touring series. 3 sections with a diameter of 18 mm with a quick folding system. Clever Z-Pole technology and reliable, compact FlickLock® Pro locks make this aluminum pair almost indispensable in the mountains. Flick Locks allow 20cm of height adjustment, and Z-Pole technology allows them to unfold in seconds, even in the harshest conditions.
The American brand has long established itself as an ideal companion in the mountains. Many people prefer this brand. I think this is not in vain. Existing since 1957, the company is very thorough and meticulous in the development and testing of its equipment.
Camp Xenon Trek trekking poles
Pair weight: 400 g
Length: 36 - 135 cm
Material: aluminum
Brand country: Italy
Country of origin: Italy
The Italian brand has been around since 1889. And for more than a century, the company has conceptualized, designed, manufactured and distributed its products to climbers, mountain runners, trail runners, skyrunners and many other mountain enthusiasts. Innovation through research and development is the cornerstone. Ease and safety - this is the motto of one of the oldest companies.
The advantage of this model is that when assembled, the length of the poles does not exceed 36 cm, which allows you to fasten them to a backpack. The internal Dyneema® cord makes the poles easy to assemble, but this is often the downside of this lightweight model, as the sections get tangled together and require precious seconds to assemble. The long handle made of pleasant soft material makes using these poles quite comfortable. The adjustable nylon lanyard is more of an acquired taste and can chafe in some cases. Rings are included separately. They allow the model to be used on snow and firn, so that the poles do not fall through.
Red Fox Elbrus Race trekking poles
Pair weight: 316 g
Length: 58 - 132 cm
Material: aluminum
Brand country: Russia
Country of origin: Italy
This is the model that the Russian brand Red Fox orders from the Italians, the Fisan company.
The Italian company Fizan is a leader in the use of aluminum alloys in ski poles and a world leader among manufacturers of sports ski and trekking poles.
Fizan uses modern materials and innovative technologies in its designs.
The Italians do not stand still and in this model of telescopic poles they use new developments - the Flaxy blocking system. The poles can be easily adjusted to suit a person’s height, and when folded they do not take up much space.
This model has long proven itself for skyrunning lovers. Three-section poles from the High Tech series, FLEXY Locking System. The comfortable Eva Grip handle and Neoprene Strap allow this model to fit comfortably in your hands.
This model of poles can be seen at the Red Fox Elbrus Race festival. The vast majority of participants use it. Oksana Stefanishina, who set a record for women in speed climbing from Azau to the top of Elbrus and back, uses this particular model of poles - it is practical and convenient.
LEKI SPIN STICKS
Pair weight: 440 g
Length: 100 – 130 cm
Material: aluminum
Brand country: Germany
Today, thanks to the consistent implementation of its philosophy, this German company has established itself as the absolute world leader in the field of trekking poles and gloves. The equipment is developed and tested on the most modern and environmentally friendly equipment in Germany and the Czech Republic, this indicates the good quality and reliability of the brand.
Wear-resistant aluminum material characterizes this model as resistant to heavy loads. Smart length adjustment Super Lock System allows you to quickly select the desired pole length. Quite light and reliable. Additional comfort is provided by the soft, porous Trigger 1 (Glide Zone) handles and the comfortable Trigger 1 (Nordic) lanyard.
Super Lock. Flexible carbide tips provide excellent and secure grip. The set also includes a system of interchangeable rings.
TREKKING POLES BLACK DIAMOND WOMEN'S DISTANCE FLZ Z-POLES
Pair weight: 440 g
Length: 34 – 110 cm
Material: aluminum
Brand Country: USA
Country of origin: China
3 sections and a special deployment system Z-Pole Rapid Deployment System allows you to quickly assemble the poles into working condition in one motion. This is perhaps the most basic advantage and advantage that is worth paying attention to. To assemble the stick into working condition, just pull the upper section with the handle in different directions. The lace will be shortened and the sections will securely, and most importantly quickly, be fixed using magnets. The stick folds at the touch of a button. Flexible tips protect the hidden Kevlar cord. A special eyelet on the basket secures the poles when folded.
FlickLock Pro locks provide the desired fixation of the pole and a 20-centimeter adjustment range. The double-density natural cork handle and comfortable breathable strap are another plus of this model. When folded, the length of the sticks reaches 34-37 cm, depending on the size.
Trekking poles Camp SKY CARBON
Pair weight: 377 g
Length: 36 – 135 cm
Material: carbon and aluminum
Brand country: Italy
Country of origin: Italy
The model is new, but despite this it has already proven itself in the world of skyrunning and trail running.
Thanks to the combination of carbon fiber and aluminum, this model of trekking poles has an optimal balance of weight, stiffness and strength. The top four sections are made of lightweight and durable carbon fiber, while the bottom segment uses aluminum for critical tension when the poles come into contact with the ground. A special locking system allows you to adjust the length of the poles in the range from 115 to 135 cm. The aluminum segment at the bottom of the pole has a slight adjustment for lace tension and, accordingly, greater rigidity. The internal cord allows for quick assembly and disassembly of this model of poles and is covered with a white plastic braid for greater wear resistance. The comfortable, ergonomic handle with an adjustable lanyard provides a comfortable and secure grip at any angle.
Kong Joistick trekking poles
Pair weight: 358 g
Length: 60 – 130 cm
Material: carbon and aluminum
Brand country: Italy
Another Italian brand that has existed since 1830. Kong's product range is mainly mountaineering equipment, but the brand has also proven itself well for skyrunning enthusiasts, having made some of the lightest and most reliable poles.
Kong Joystick is perhaps the most “weightless” pole on the outdoor market. Aluminum core and carbon coating allow you to combine minimal weight with excellent bending resistance.
Kong Trix Carbon trekking poles
Pair weight: 400 g
Length: 66 – 141 cm
Material: carbon and aluminum
Brand country: Italy
Three sections with adjustable notches and a maximum length of up to 141 cm. The upper segment is made of carbon, the rest are made of aluminum to ensure maximum lightness of the model. And as a nice bonus, the handle is made of ergonomic foam.
We have a little insight into the most current and popular models. What exactly to choose is up to you. If you plan to run a long race with a large set, then it is better to take a closer look at lightweight pairs consisting of several folding sections. And here your second step should be to choose the right backpack so that the fastening system allows you to remove and remove your equipment in a matter of seconds.
For a vertical kilometer distance, folding models are quite suitable. Here it is enough to put the sticks into working condition only once and fold them at the finish line.
And don’t forget, sticks can only help you in one case, if you know how to work with them. Therefore, we remember about special exercises to strengthen the arms and shoulder girdle.
Many people think that trekking poles are not at all important when hiking, but this is not true. They are ready to help us in different situations: take part of the weight on themselves, become a support for an awning, turn into a frame for a stretcher, turn into a splint in case of a fracture. Therefore, you should not neglect this element of equipment and buy it for five and a half kopecks. If you hike more than once a year, quality trekking poles are worth considering, and I'll give you some tips on how to choose trekking poles - what to look for!
What to look for when choosing trekking poles
Design
The poles must be telescopic! In mountain tourism, you should always be able to change the length of the poles for convenience, efficiency and safety of the descents, ascents and plains. Moreover, on the plain you can also “play” with the length, changing the main goal from additional points of support to devices for accelerating movement =) .
The number of sections also matters for their compactness - the more, the shorter the poles when folded. Also, a larger number of sections gives a greater range of height adjustments, but this is not so critical. And of course, three-section poles when folded are more difficult to bend or break. This is important in a situation where they are not used for their intended purpose, for example, to create a stretcher or carry an injured person directly onto them.
In any case, you can’t go wild here - there is a choice of two sections and three, I haven’t seen any other options yet.
Fasteners
The second important point is the clamps! They absolutely should not be “twisters” (I mean collet clamps =)) or any other tricky devices! Exclusively clips! Preferably metal clips!
Metal clips
The problem with “twirls” and other dubious solutions is that no matter what brand produces them, they are still very afraid of dust, dirt and water. If all this gets into the mechanism, then the sticks begin to jam, do not fix well and, accordingly, lose their functionality. Often it is not possible to fix this on the go, you need to stop and apply force, sometimes even the force of a couple of people,
and sometimes tools to “fix” the problem.
The clips work on the principle of simple compression of the tube, therefore they are simple, reliable and easy to repair and configure!
Why do I recommend metal ones, because plastic can crack either when the poles fall on a stone, or in the cold, or when fastened with force! It is clear that metal also does not last forever, but it is significantly superior to plastic in reliability, especially if the plastic is cheap.
It is useful, but not critical, to pay attention to the adjustment bolts on the clips! It’s good if they are made in such a way that there is nothing to loosen, unscrew or get lost. For example, on my 2013 Black Diamond Expedition, the adjustment bolt is located under the clip latch and is not easy to loosen or lose.
BD FlickLock clips and their adjustment bolt Section material
The third important point is the material of the pole sections. Here I recommend taking aluminum, not carbon. Carbon is certainly light and more elastic, but it doesn’t take a hit and doesn’t like abuse.
It is also better to look for the brand of aluminum in the description of the poles, to be precise - aluminum alloy! There might be something like 6005, 7005, 7075 and the like. Alloys differ in their composition, and therefore in their properties. Roughly and briefly speaking, the higher the number, the stronger the material (here those interested and knowing English can read about aluminum alloys - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium_alloy). I personally recommend alloy 7075 - time-tested, but I think that there is already something stronger and more reliable in trekking poles.
Cheap poles are made from the softest alloys that can bend for no apparent reason 🙁. But it’s already unrealistic to straighten it normally 🙁 .
Tip
From this moment on, everything is not so critical. I'll just note a few points:
- The tip should be sharp with a special reinforced “tip”.
- It is good if the main part of the tip is made of metal. It will live longer if it frequently travels over small stones and volcanic slag.
- It’s great if the tip is removable and can be replaced without the use of special tools. Note that in any case the tip can be replaced, but you may need new special tips, tools and straight hands!
Pens
First of all, select the handles to suit your hand so that they are comfortable, but keep in mind the need for a small reserve for gloves or mittens. It’s good if there is an arm rest on top and a small protrusion on the bottom – they will come in handy! It’s good if the lanyard fits your hand comfortably and is wide enough so as not to cut into it.
Handle material:
- Cork is warm, comfortable, but unreliable and usually more expensive
- Rubber - cold, but reliable, cheap and versatile
It is desirable that there is another one below the main handle... or the handle itself is elongated, as if consisting of two parts. This is very convenient for ascents and traverses - you don’t have to constantly reconfigure the poles, you can simply switch them from one handle to another.
I note that even if there is no second handle, you can always wrap reinforced tape, blue electrical tape, or who knows what else, making something like a second handle!
Rings
The rings are worth checking for their flexibility! They should be moderately flexible and elastic. If the rings on your trekking poles are plastic, throw them away and buy others separately. The plastic ones crumble on the first stones.
It makes sense to take winter wide or very wide rings if you are sure that you will walk on extremely loose or plump snow; if the snow is only in the form of snowballs that remained in the mountains after winter, then small rings will work with a bang. Plus, they will be less likely to get stuck in rocks or bushes!
I can personally recommend trekking poles from the famous brand Black Diamond that have been tested by me and time. In particular, models: Expedition and Trail Pro, and for those who walk in the mountains, snow and glaciers in winter (you can read the review at this link -).
Recently, more and more often you can meet tourists with trekking poles . Recently I was in Kislovodsk, which is famous not only for Narzan, but also for the walking routes in the city park. So, there on these paths, it was more difficult to meet a person without sticks. Let's figure out what they are and what trekking poles are for.
What are trekking poles for?
Trekking poles are used in hiking and mountaineering. In general, this is a direct analogy to the wanderer’s staff, which serves as an additional support point. When you walk with sticks in your hands, you have not two points of support, but four, which is quite important on rough terrain and when wading a river. In addition, by leaning on poles, you unload your lower back, back muscles and take some of the load off your legs. With poles it is much easier to maintain balance with a heavy backpack on your shoulders. When moving down a slope, some of the load is also removed from the knee joints, preventing injuries.
What types of trekking poles are there?
Today, such a huge number of models of trekking poles are produced that it is physically impossible to review even the main models. But we can consider their main design features.
All trekking poles are equipped with handles made of plastic, rubber or cork. Naturally, you need to choose according to your hand to make it comfortable.
The handles should have adjustable lanyard, which will allow, with the correct grip, to remove part of the load from the hand. It should be tightened so that it does not pinch your hand.
In difficult areas where a fall is possible, the lanyard hand must be freed so that you can quickly throw away the sticks and lean on your hands or grab onto something.
As a rule, metal. Pobedite tips are common, they have much greater hardness than ordinary metal and will last much longer.
Based on the type of transformation, all sticks can be divided into two main types: telescopic and folding corded sticks fixed length.
Folding trekking poles.
The advantage of this design over the telescopic one is its lighter weight. The disadvantages include their fixed length. On more or less flat terrain this will not be a disadvantage. With the correct length, walking will be comfortable. But on terrain with ups and downs, it becomes necessary to shorten or increase the length of the poles, which is not provided for by this design. This is perhaps a significant disadvantage. Typically, such poles consist of four segments, and when disassembled they are inferior to telescopic poles in terms of compactness, since there the tubes slide into each other, but here they are collected into a bundle.
Telescopic poles.
The reliability of holding the stick in the unfolded state depends not on the design of the latch, but on its quality. Both the collet clamp and the latch hold quite tightly, if it is not a cheap Chinese fake, but reliable branded equipment. And in my opinion, this is not worth saving on. After all, a trekking stick that folds at the most inopportune moment can cause a fall and injury.
Anti-shock system.
It all works something like this. When the stick touches hard ground, the internal shock absorber gradually compresses, softening the shock and the stick gently sags under the load. But what works well on asphalt may not be comfortable in other situations. For example, if you lose your balance, you will try to quickly lean on a stick, but at that moment it will sag a little, softening the push and depriving you of solid support at the right moment. As a result, a fall is very likely. Or in the mountains you need to feel if the stone you are about to step on is wobbly. And how can you tell if the stick is shock-absorbing or if the stone is standing precariously? Therefore, like bicycle forks, trekking poles with a shock absorber must have a shock absorber lock. Then you can, depending on the situation, either turn on shock absorption or provide yourself with rigid and confident support. And, naturally, track poles with an anti-shock system will weigh a little more than regular ones.
Accessories.
The usual configuration of trekking poles includes removable plastic mugs and caps that fit onto the tip of the pole. Enlarged plastic mugs do not allow the stick to sink into loose soil or snow, creating a larger support area. Caps cover the metal tip during transportation or when driving on asphalt.
How to choose trekking poles according to your height.
The length of the poles is considered normal if, when unfolded, they do not reach your armpits by about four fingers. If these are telescopic poles, then you can take them a little longer; you can shorten them a little without any problems without extending them all the way.
How to care for sticks.
The aluminum that most trekking poles are made from certainly won't rust, but it can oxidize and deteriorate over time. Therefore, after use, especially in wet conditions, it is necessary to disassemble the poles, thoroughly clean them of dirt and dry them thoroughly.
Alternative uses.
When hiking in areas with little vegetation, trekking poles successfully replace supports in some tent models and can serve as supports when installing an awning.
Let's summarize.
Advantages of terking sticks:
- Add support points, increasing stability;
- Unload the back and legs, transferring part of the weight to the shoulder girdle;
- Facilitate the descent and ascent of the slope;
- Slightly increases movement speed;
- Can be used instead of standard awning or tent poles.
Cons of trekking poles:
- Add weight and volume to equipment;
- High-quality poles are expensive, which increases the travel budget;
- On a snowy slope, an ice ax cannot be replaced in case of a fall as a means of self-arrest.
An article about trekking and telescopic ski poles. How to choose from a huge variety of offers exactly those that you need for certain types of activity.
First of all, let's decide what we will talk about telescope poles, although even now you can meet many tourists who walk around with old classic poles: “Why buy telescopes?”
| What is the difference between low and high price poles? First of all - quality materials and design clamps, and here you don’t need to choose the simplest option! Based on my own more than fifteen years of experience, I can definitely recommend eccentric fasteners rather than standard screw-on ones. And the company is the pioneer and clear leader in this pole segment Black Diamond, and all similar latches are now used by more and more companies, which speaks for itself. |  |
I can say that the lifespan of sticks is twists with more or less intensive use, it usually lasts 1-2 years, then problems begin, often such that they are simply irreparable in field conditions. This is not a question of the quality of materials, but design property. Therefore, no big company name guarantees the absence of problems - I had enough of these sticks and the result was the same.
The second question is how much is needed? knees? There are two, three and even four-knee models, and here you need to look at what the poles are for.
My opinion is that these are the most universal three knees, they are suitable for use all year round, trekking, freeride, and backcountry. I don’t recommend buying such poles just for skiing - they are easier to break, and the advantages of compactness are most often not used.
 BD Distance Flz Z-Poles |
Type designs BD compactor, with technology z-pole- a successful invention of recent years, they allow you to fold poles very compactly, they are a little more complicated and expensive, but lighter and great for snowboarders - such poles usually easily fit into most freeride backpacks, unlike three-knee models. But poles are still a necessary attribute for a freerider-snowboarder, and carrying them in the external mount of a backpack is not very convenient and safe, I observed many situations with the loss of poles, clinging to a tree, etc. Therefore, I highly recommend such poles mainly for snowboarders or those who ride both equipment. |
The next question is materials and their combination, and here the choice of different models makes your eyes widen. Regarding the choice between metal And carbon, in general, we can say that carbon is more expensive, lighter and sometimes stronger, but does not withstand impacts, for example, from the edge of a ski. That's why carbon poles require careful use, and are relevant for those who save every gram, for example, for long or high-speed ski touring routes and climbs, where you carry a heavy load, etc. In other cases, I prefer poles made of metal alloy, they are simpler, cheaper, more maintainable, and there is a large selection of different models.
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Black Diamond poles have two main options - with plastic And metal latch, I've used both. I can say that I have never had any problems with the strength of the plastic, and the main advantage of iron latches is that they are flatter and look neater. I also advise you to handle plastic latches with care at temperatures below -30 degrees, and don’t forget that metal also becomes brittle in the cold.
By handle designs, there are quite a lot of options here, several types of rubber are used, and cork, and plastic, in general, it depends on the main purpose of the stick and does not play a big role for me. It is convenient when a continuation is made of neoprene or rubber below the handle - if you need to quickly grab the stick lower, for example on a short traverse. This is usually typical for trekking models, well, this solution doesn’t interfere with skating either, except that it increases the weight a little.
Well, the last, important detail of the sticks is tips And rings. Keep in mind that when trekking in the mountains, the tips wear out quite quickly, and it is advisable to have spare ones. This is not so important for freeride, but blunt tips are a big hindrance if the slope is hard and quite steep, in such a situation the support on the poles must be reliable both when ascending and when descending, I have been convinced of this more than once.
What types of sticks are there?
You can separate poles for Nordic walking and for trail running (skyrunning), but this division will be quite arbitrary, since often the only difference between them will be in weight. Some trail runners (especially skyrunners in the Vertical Kilometer ® discipline), for example, use non-folding ski poles in races.
- Nordic walking poles are usually the simplest, cheapest and heaviest.
- Poles for trail running (skyrunning) are lighter and therefore more expensive.
It's quite simple: the lighter the stick, the more expensive it is. Aluminum poles generally weigh 250-350 grams per pole, while the best carbon models offer weights between 150-200 grams. That, in general, is the whole difference. But when it comes to a long, multi-hour race, then every hundred grams of excess weight matters a lot.
There are sticks folding And not folding. Non-folding poles are mainly used for Nordic walking.
Folding ones are divided into two types:
- telescopic, in which structural elements, when folded, are hidden one into another according to the principle of a system of retractable tubes entering one another (pictured above);
- folding, in which the structural elements are folded like a folding meter (pictured below).
The mechanisms for fixing the elements of the stick also differ.
For telescopic poles, this is either a screw-on fixation mechanism or a clip-on clamp. Both mechanisms work very reliably and the choice depends only on personal preference.
For folding poles, the folding and unfolding mechanism is based on the use of a flexible cable running inside the pole. The mechanism is simple, reliable, allowing you to fold and unfold the stick within literally seconds.
Poles are made primarily from either aluminum or, more expensive models, carbon, or a combination of these two materials. The material of the handles can be completely different (plastic, rubber, rubber, etc.), as well as their shape and length, even using natural materials, for example, balsa wood, so that the hand does not sweat and does not slip.
All poles are equipped with straps (lanyard), which allow you to more securely fix the pole in your hand. Most often, the lanyards are removable. We would strongly not recommended use a stick without a lanyard or without fixing the lanyard on the hand. The fact is that the tips of the sticks are often made of hard alloys (pictured below), they are very sharp and are practically weapons. With such a tip you can easily, like a spear, pierce anything (even yourself when falling on a stick). That is why, with such stick tips, you can do not allow them to be carried into the cabin as hand luggage.
ALWAYS USE YOUR BELTS FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY!
A stick with a strap on your hand will never roll down the slope and will not be left far behind if it suddenly gets stuck in a crevice during the descent. You will never lose it if you wear a belt on your hand.
Some lanyards have an ergonomic shape and are tightened on the wrist using a Velcro fastener, which operates on the principle of a burdock. This is quite convenient, as the hand and forearm relax, and it saves energy. But over long distances you have to often unfasten and fasten this “Velcro” and this takes a lot of effort, and most importantly, the “Velcro” constantly strives to stick where it is not needed. This becomes terribly annoying after 10-12 hours of movement. Therefore, many manufacturers began to use various designs for quickly attaching belts. They are a half-glove, constantly worn on the hand, and a quickly removable carabiner, such as, for example, sticks from a German company Leki(photo below). This glove also protects the palm when falling or leaning on stones.
The main large manufacturers of trekking poles are: Black Diamond, Leki, Dynafit, Raidlight, and there are also Guidetti, CAMP, Swix, Salewa, Cober, etc. There are a huge number of manufacturers.
How to choose poles according to height?
If we are talking about telescopic poles, then everything is simple - the height of the pole is adjustable, and with practice you will experimentally choose a working height that is convenient for you. If we are talking about folding poles, then most often these models are not adjustable in height, although Leki has now released adjustable folding poles, in which the adjustable section is hidden in the handle.
Manufacturers sell folding poles in increments of 5 centimeters. But in any case, a table on the seller’s or manufacturer’s website will come to your aid, helping you choose the height of the poles depending on your height.
If we are talking about buying the first poles in your sports life, then we would recommend buying telescopic poles in order to empirically select the length that is convenient for you during use. For example, for the author of this article, with a height of 180, the manufacturer recommends poles with a height of 125 centimeters, but for me a working height of 130 centimeters is more convenient. I ran with different poles of different heights and came to the conclusion that it is at a height of 130 centimeters that I most comfortably walk uphill and use energy optimally.
As for changing the length of the poles while moving along the distance, depending on the ascent or descent and their angles, experience shows that it is better not to change the length of the poles. From our point of view, there is no point in this, just an extra waste of energy at a distance. The angles of mountain slopes are not constant, so why change the length of the poles every time this angle changes? Also, in our opinion, you should not try to change the length of the right-left pole when traversing a slope. All this is unnecessary and unnecessary waste of time and effort.
Transporting poles.
On long races it is impossible to carry poles in your hands all the time, and on some trails of increased mountain difficulty you often have to walk using climbing rails, which is simply life-threatening if your hands are full. It’s best to attach them to your backpack in places where you don’t need poles or get in the way. For example, Salomon backpacks have standard and convenient mounts for both telescopic (photo above) and folding poles (photo below).
Or you can use multifunctional belts, for example, like the ARCH MAX Trail Pro, to attach folding poles. The video below shows the mounting process.
Another feature of folding poles, at least some models and manufacturers, is the vibration of such poles when moving. They are more mobile when leaning on them due to less reliable fixation of the segments than telescopic poles. Expensive and modern models use the Antishock system, which avoids such an unpleasant phenomenon, but all this undoubtedly increases the cost of the poles.
Where to use sticks?
Of course, poles are mainly used on mountain trails with a lot of elevation gain. But sometimes poles are very useful on “smooth” trails with little climbing, but for example a lot of dirt. Using poles helps relieve stress on your legs and, most importantly, your back, saves strength and helps with balancing on unstable surfaces. You have to pay for this by increasing your pulse rate due to increased load on your arms and excess weight. Whether you use poles or not is your personal choice..
Advantages and disadvantages of using trekking poles.
ADVANTAGES:
The use of poles allows you to give the body a more even position and thereby, by opening the chest, improve breathing, since the muscles of the diaphragm will work more smoothly. Also, using sticks improves blood circulation in the limbs. The return of venous blood relieves swelling of the hands and fingers and promotes better thermoregulation.
When walking on inclines, the poles act as shock absorbers and ease the stress on your ankles, knees, hips and spine... This reduces the risk of injury in the short and long term. When climbing climbs, using poles reduces the load on the quadriceps and hamstrings, since we transfer part of the body weight to the poles, leaning on them. This will keep your feet fresher if you use poles.
But it should be noted that using poles increases your heart rate (by an average of 10%) and increases calorie consumption. This is good if your goal is to burn more calories and lose weight, but bad if you are running in competition. On the other hand, the slight increase in heart rate and energy expenditure is offset by a decrease in overall fatigue and a reduced risk of injury.
On long trails, as opposed to short ones, it is more important to maintain “freshness” for as long as possible than to regulate your heart rate, and therefore the use of poles is justified. Poles also help you balance, which means you feel more confident. Sticks help overcome obstacles such as mud, snow, unstable and large stones, etc.; ford streams and rivers, and in extreme cases, protect yourself from an animal or help another runner.
FLAWS:
First of all, these are additional financial expenses. The next item is the extra weight that you need to carry with you. Although modern carbon poles weigh no more than 500 grams per pair, during competitions every extra gram counts. Sticks also occupy your hands, making it difficult to take water and food.
You also need to understand that using poles requires mastering, although quite simple, the technique of running with them. In the video above, Russian Skyrunning Champions show movement techniques using trekking poles, and here is a short accompanying comment from Dmitry:
"The eternal question is whether to run with poles or not? Before you ask yourself such a question, you need to buy good light poles and learn how to run with them. The longer the distance and the greater the climb, the more poles will help you. At the beginning of the race, poles will help you keep your legs fresher , and in the second half I will really help your tired legs. If you have problems with coordination, are overweight or even just have large muscles, for example, like me, I recommend training with poles and running mountain races with poles too.
Try to use different walking and running techniques with poles, alternate. If you train in places where there are no mountains, walk with poles on a treadmill at maximum incline, up stairs, or just do exercises using poles. Until last year I didn’t use poles, now I run all races with them, last year I tried carbon Black Diamond ones, the poles lasted me for 3 races, they broke quickly. After that, I started running with Camp Xenon 4 poles, I’ve had them safe and sound for a whole year now.”
If you've never used poles before, it's best to practice running with them at least a few times (mounting them on a backpack, feeding with them, getting up and down techniques) before taking them to the competition. Effective training exercises using trekking poles can be seen in the running school video Trail Running School Dmitry and Ekaterina Mityaev. Another set of exercises with trekking poles can be seen at LINK.
Besides, you need to carefully read the race regulations . In some races (for example, the famous one) the use of sticks forbidden, and in those where it is allowed, in the vast majority of cases, it is necessary to go with them the entire distance from start to finish. You cannot use them only on the climb, and then leave them and continue on without them. You also need to be more attentive towards other runners and not injure the person running next to you with a stick.
It can be stated that there is no specific trend in the use of poles among professional or amateur runners. Professional athletes, just like amateurs, some use poles all the time, some from time to time, and some never. You can understand whether you need poles or not, whether they help you or hinder you, only by experience by running a sufficient number of races with them and without them.