HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR HIKING AND TREKKING POLES?

To help you understand the climbs and make sure you descend during your outings, you are going to need poles. But to facilitate your progress on all terrains, be careful to choose suitable hiking and trekking poles.

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How many strands for hiking poles?

The one-piece pole is made up of a single shaft, and is therefore not foldable. It can then be cumbersome in passages where you don't need it, even hanging from your backpack. On the other hand, it will be stiffer and more robust than the versions with several segments and often lighter. Choosing multi-segment trekking poles will allow you to fold them easily, and the more pieces they have, the less bulky they will be if you need to store them.

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Find the right size for your trekking poles

If you choose single-segment trekking poles, they need to be right at the correct size, but be aware that you will not be able to adjust them to the terrain you will be crossing; a very valuable option. So prefer this type of pole if you mainly operate on flat ground.

Once unfolded, a telescopic or foldable trekking pole can generally adjust in length - by more or less 20 cm - which makes it possible to optimize its support according to the slope's steepness.

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The different adjustment systems for hiking poles

There are three types of locking system:

Screw tightening

Once you have chosen the size of your trek poles thanks to the sliding segments, all you have to do is secure their position by tightening the screws at the tightening points. Very practical to use, these hiking poles can however sometimes loosen the adjustment during your outing. Best if you only hike occasionally and on affordable terrain.

Clip tightening

The segments are also sliding, but this time, it is clips closing on the shaft which ensure the adjustment. Convenient to position and store, they do not suddenly loosen up. If you need poles that can withstand strong pressure like in descents or if you are really tall, it is recommended to choose trekking poles equipped with this adjustment system.

Z-fold

The 3 segments of these foldable poles are held in place by a thread that runs in the tube. Once the segment are nested, they are blocked with a button under the handle. To store them, all you have to do is unlock the system then separate and fold the pieces: minimal bulk and lightness guaranteed.

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What material for your hiking poles?

You will have the choice between two materials for your trek poles:

• Carbon: these poles are extremely light and perfectly attenuate vibrations.
• Aluminum: heavier, they are also stronger. The more technical models, however, manage to match the performance of carbon in terms of weight, without sacrificing comfort.

More rare, titanium will allow you to combine strength and lightness.

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Baskets, tips and grips: the details that count

Choosing the right grips: they are your point of contact with your poles and should therefore provide you with comfort and grip. Plastic is preferred for occasional outings. Durable and inexpensive, the rubber versions are also comfortable for medium intensity rides. Foam and cork perfectly evacuate perspiration, but are more fragile and also more expensive. On the other hand, you will not find better comfort level. Either way, don't forget the wrist straps!

Choosing the right baskets: the softer the ground, the more you will have to opt for wide baskets.

Choosing the right tips: Steel models are more affordable, but wear out very quickly. For intensive use, tungsten provides resistance and grip.

In the plains or in the mountains, it is important to choose hiking or trekking poles which will allow you to improve your stability on the way up by providing you with additional points of support, but also downhill avoiding slipping. Not to mention that they will be of great help in case of fatigue!