How long should a walking pole be?
Trekking poles are made to be beneficial for making
your long journey easier. Whether hiking or trekking across long terrain,
having a hiking pole on hand will allow your legs to last longer into the
journey, and ensure that your joints will not be experiencing as much
painful fatigue as they would be without the poles. Overall, they simply
make the trip less physically tiring while still getting your entire body
involved in the hike.
However, much of their benefit is derived from
their design. While there is no doubt that having some type of support is
beneficial for the hike, if the pole is used improperly, you may experience
pain across your back and shoulders, which reduces some of the benefit that
you are getting from using the poles. You need to be able to keep the poles
at a length that is ideal for your hiking needs, so that you can easily
maneuver across even the toughest terrain without experiencing additional
aches and pains.
How to Figure Out Pole Length
Though a single length pole is still a good
solution for those that are hiking up and down long hills, it is always
useful, if possible, to try to get an adjustable length pole so that you can
change the height of the pole depending on whether you are travelling up or
down hill – or across straight terrain.
However, assuming you are travelling across a level
ground, the preferred height is fairly easy to calculate. Stand on flat
ground with your back straight. Hold your arm out so that your upper arm and
your forearm are creating a perfect 90 degree angle. Wherever your hand is,
this is the ideal height for the pole, as it is the easiest to handle while
still keeping your back straight and your shoulders level.
Adjusting the Pole for Hills
Assuming you have an adjustable pole, you will want
to change the length depending on whether you are travelling up or down a
hill. The adjustments should be as follows:
·
Uphill – When travelling uphill, it
will take less length to be able to get to the ground, so you will want to
shorten your pole if possible. If the pole is too long you may be gently
pushing yourself backward which is not great for your back and may hurt your
balance.
·
Downhill – Similarly, if you are
traveling downhill, you will want to make the pole longer, as it will take
additional length to reach the ground. If the pole is too short you will be
bending/leaning forward, and you would prefer to keep your body level and
your back straight as you walk down.
There are no exact measurements since much of it
has to do with your arm length as well as the angle of the hill, however you
can easily make the adjustments as you go assuming you have the tools on
hand you need to adjust your poles. It is not uncommon for avid hikers that
prefer single length poles to carry two poles on them for that reason – so
that they can easily switch poles when they hike up and down hills. However,
if you have a adjustable length pole, this should suffice for your needs.
Return to Walking Sticks Guide Home Page