Are you starting to get sore knees when walking or hiking? Don’t let that stop you from doing what you love. The good news is that there’s a handy solution - trekking poles, also called hiking poles, can reduce the strain on your legs and joints for a more comfortable, pain-free hiking experience. These nifty pieces of equipment are great for walkers of all ages and abilities. In this guide, we’ll look at how to choose the best trekking poles for you.

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1. Do I need trekking poles for hiking?
2. Types of Poles
3. Trekking Pole Materials
4. Trekking Pole Length
5. How to Adjust Trekking Poles
6. One or Two Trekking Poles?
7. Trekking Pole FAQs

Do I need trekking poles for hiking?

First of all, you’ll need to determine whether you need hiking poles.

Studies have shown that walking with trekking poles reduces the pressure strain on the opposite leg by approximately 20%. Think about this in the context of a multi-hour walk or run - poles can potentially save your knees from a significant amount of impact. Using poles lets hikers lengthen their strides, put less strain on their knees, and generally feel more comfortable. Not only does this impact your immediate comfort on the hike, but it also protects your joints from longer-term injuries, allowing you to enjoy a long and pain-free hiking career.

For those tackling some rougher hikes with obstacles like mud, creek crossings & loose terrain, poles could turn out to be your greatest ally. Curious how deep that murky puddle is? Let your pole do the investigating. Think of them like engaging the 4WD mode of your car.

There are plenty of trekking poles on the market in varying materials, styles, shapes and sizes. Choosing the best trekking poles for you comes down to a few key elements, which we’ll take a look at below. First though, it’s best to understand the different types of poles that are available.

Types of Poles

The two most common varieties of trekking poles are adjustable telescopic poles and collapsible folding poles. Both are available online at Paddy Pallin.

Telescopic Poles

These poles are constructed using a series of telescopic pole sections that lock together. They offer a great range of height adjustment but still fold down to a fairly compact length. Black Diamond and Komperdell offer a range of top-quality poles that use lightweight and durable materials. 

Collapsible Poles

Collapsible poles break down into several shorter sections when they are packed away. They are generally lighter in weight than telescopic poles and can fit into your average daypack. This is ideal if you only plan to use poles for certain sections of your hike

Trekking Pole Materials

The construction of poles varies a lot between manufacturers and models. The two main materials used in poles are aluminium, which is tougher, heavier and cheaper, and carbon fibre, which is lighter but more expensive. Manufacturers will often blend aluminium and carbon fibre, to harness the benefits of both materials. The hand grips on hiking poles are generally made from foam or cork, which perform equally well.

In general, the lighter and thinner the pole the more flex it will have. Alternatively, a thicker pole will often be stiffer and more durable. However, this added longevity comes at the cost of weight, as they are often heavier than more flexible poles.

Trekking Pole Length

The construction of poles varies a lot between manufacturers and models. The two main materials used in poles are aluminium, which is tougher, heavier and cheaper, and carbon fibre, which is lighter but more expensive. Manufacturers will often blend aluminium and carbon fibre, to harness the benefits of both materials. The hand grips on hiking poles are generally made from foam or cork, which perform equally well.

In general, the lighter and thinner the pole the more flex it will have. Alternatively, a thicker pole will often be stiffer and more durable. However, this added longevity comes at the cost of weight, as they are often heavier than more flexible poles.

How to Adjust Trekking Poles

You can adjust the pole length to suit different terrain, but this can often be more hassle than it’s worth. You’ll often find that once you’ve set the length at the start of your journey, you won’t need to change it again. Following the steps below should result in a pole length that is a good compromise for both ascending and descending. 

1. “Unlock” the upper and lower sections of both poles.
2. Extend the lower section of both poles to just less than the maximum limit and “lock” the lower sections.
3. Stand up straight with shoulders relaxed.
4. Place one pole under an arm and adjust the length so that the top of the pole is halfway between your armpit and elbow.
5. “Lock” the upper section of that pole in place.
6. Use the fully locked pole as a “ruler” to adjust the length of your second pole.

Note: Adjustments to pole length should be made within the limits of the manufacturer’s recommendations.

One Pole or Two?

Our advice above assumes that you are using two hiking poles, but you’ll often see hikers on the trail using just one. So would we recommend it? Ultimately, a single pole will provide some benefits, but not nearly as much as using a pair. One is better than none, but two will provide more than twice the benefit. If you have knee or back problems or are carrying a heavy load, then we’d always recommend using two poles. This is why many manufacturers offer poles as a set.

FAQs about Trekking Poles

Here are a few of the more commonly asked questions our Paddy staffers are often asked about hiking or trekking poles.

What is the difference between a walking pole and a trekking pole?

These two types of poles are quite similar, but there are some differences. Walking poles are generally more simple, while hiking or trekking poles often have more features and are more adaptable. Overall, trekking poles are supposed to be more durable than walking poles, so that they can handle tougher terrain and provide better support for steep inclines or downhill stretches.

Do trekking poles really make a difference?

Absolutely! As we mentioned earlier, trekking poles can significantly reduce the wear and tear on your knees, help prevent falls, and make it easier to traverse difficult terrain such as steep sections of track or when moving through creeks and rivers.

How do beginners use trekking poles?

The first step is to find poles that fit - check out our steps outlined above to find out how to do this. Once you have a pair fitted to you, start to practise by using them on shorter, easier walks, so that you can get used to them. This process will help you find the best settings for you, and help you work out where you can use them most effectively.

Shop the best trekking poles at Paddy Pallin

At Paddy Pallin, we have an extensive range of high-quality trekking poles of all sizes and brands. If you’re searching for a new pair of poles, we’re here to help. Explore our range online today, or come browse our range in-store.