I love the outdoors. Like....soooo in love that I would marry the outdoors if the outdoors said Yes.
Is that possible?
I know – weird, huh?
But hiking is one of my all-time faaaaa-vorite healing and stress-reducing outdoor activities.
The shrill of a low-flying hawk, the fragrance of native prairie flowers, the rat-tat-tat of a Northern Flicker, and the weightless flutter of a monarch butterfly are just a few celebrations of nature I savor.
The outdoors is like a puppy who is happy to greet you, excited to be your friend, gives you warm puppy snuggles, and occasionally pees on your floor or chews up your shoes. (p.s. - I forgive you)
Can you relate?
Okay... enough of the gushy stuff. Let's talk shop.
The Ultimate Trailhead – Where Hiking Started for Me
I began my hiking journey about 15 years ago. I’m talking about religiously scheduled hiking – complete with boots, a backpack, protein snacks, and a water bottle. Oh.... and a bandana –IYKYK.
But the one thing I never really gave much thought to was trekking poles.
A few years into my frequently planned weekend hiking quests, I considered adding a set of trekking poles to my routine.
Trekking poles seemed like an odd addition to my hiking toolbox. After all, I hiked in Iowa. There aren't a lot of mountains hanging around the rolling prairies.
None, to be exact.
Ohhhh, but what lessons I did learn in my research and experience with trekking poles.
Get ready to lace up your boots and hike along with me as I share the pros and cons of trekking poles.
The General Trekking Pole Low-Down
Before I reveal the details of my trekking pole tips, there’s something you should know: No singular size or style of trekking poles fits all sizes and levels of hikers.
Everyone will have their own skill levels, preferences, and price ranges for trekking poles. People come in all heights, weights, and body styles – shocking, I know (insert sarcasm).
But these are considerations to keep in mind when you’re shopping for the right hiking pole for your outdoor adventures.
No singular size or style of trekking poles
fits all sizes and levels of hikers.
Now that I’ve covered the obvious, let’s get down to the trekking pole matter at hand.
Pros of Trekking Poles
There are plenty of benefits to using trekking poles when you’re out hiking. I’m going to cover five of them that are important to me. Feel free to share yours in the comments.
Easy on My Joints
The older I get, the more I’m reminded that my joints aren’t invincible. They’re aging – just like the rest of me.
I guess it beats the alternative.
When clutching a trekking pole in each hand, I’m allowing the poles to do more of the “heavy lifting” for me. The poles act to distribute my weight more evenly and take the pressures of rough terrain, ascents, and descents from my knees, hips, and shoulders.
Helps with My Balance and Sure-footedness
It doesn’t take much to throw me off balance when I’m hiking slopes, rocky paths, creek beds, and rutty prairie.
In my next life, I probably shouldn't come back as a mule. Sure-footedness is not my strong suit.
Using the trekking poles to navigate sketchy trails is like having someone hold my hand and steady my gait along the way.
Awww..... cue the harps. See? Marriage material, I tell ya.
Gives Me an Extra Boost of Get ‘er Done
Again, as I get older, sometimes my stamina sounds better than it actually is – especially if it’s been a while since I’ve hit the trail.
Trekking poles take a portion of the hard work off my shoulders, hips, and knees. If they were a co-worker, I'd buy them coffee and flowers.
One trail in particular that comes to mind has a long uphill climb at the end of the trail. When I get to that portion of the trail, I can sometimes feel defeated before I begin because I know I’ll be huffing and puffing to get up that hill. The poles act as my friends to help me persevere and make it up the hill.
It almost gives me butterflies just thinking about it.
Adds Extra Safety Protection
I never know what I may run into when I’m out hiking.
Yes, I’m usually hiking in Iowa. And No, there aren’t any moose, bears, elk, or wolves (with an exception given to the occasional misguided wildlife).
Tree branches, thorny shrubs, cobwebs, and rocks can pose safety hazards on an otherwise beautiful day of hiking. Trekking poles can help push these hazards out of the way.
And, unfortunately, not everyone is “Iowa nice.” I know I know…difficult to believe, right? Every once in a while there’s some creep out there who ruins outdoor enjoyment.
In addition to packing heat or mace, trekking poles are another level of protection against wildlife, scumbags, and unknown trail obstacles.
They are my ever-faithful knights in shining armor.
Helps with Posture
Believe it or not, trekking poles help my posture – especially when hiking with a heavy backpack. The last thing I want to be mistaken for is a forest witch or Frankenstein's Igor.
The poles allow me to hike with my head up and my back straight. Because I am hiking more upright, my lungs expand, my muscles stretch, and I’m able to distribute the weight from my gear more evenly – which assists with bettering my posture.
Better posture means a more enjoyable hike. Who wouldn't want that?
Cons of Trekking Poles
As much as I believe in the merits of trekking poles, there are a few drawbacks that I need to mention. The good news is, I believe all these hurdles can be defeated with the right strategy – and I’ll tell you what I did to overcome these barriers.
Weighty and Cumbersome
Waaaay back when I used to camp with a truckload of gear, I schlepped around several totes of heavy equipment – including exaggerated hiking gear.
Now that I’m older and wiser, I prefer to hike as light as possible. Sometimes I even stretch myself to the ultralight category. That means giving extra attention to the weight of every piece of equipment I bring.
Some trekking poles are heavier and made from one solid shaft, making them more of a hindrance due to packing restrictions and balancing efforts.
My fix for this problem: I purchased the Women’s Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock Trekking Poles. They are made with a telescoping aluminum shaft that extends from 24 inches to 49 inches and weighs only 1 pound 3 ounces. They fit nicely into my backpack. Plus, the grips are a cute teal color.
Price
This is a tough one because it’s such an intimate decision based on individual personal parameters and values.
Some of the trekking poles available for purchase can get quite expensive. They typically range in price from about $25 to around $300.
This is a feature of trekking poles you’ll need to personally analyze. Your physical needs and financial resources won’t be the same as someone else’s. Determine your level of hiking expertise and goals. Then, match these to the trekking pole features and price.
My fix for this problem: The Black Diamond poles I purchased were what I consider to be “middle of the road” in price. I paid $104 for these poles in 2017. They fit within my budget and matched my hiking goals. They’ve been used along the creeks and prairies of Iowa as well as in the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana and the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Thirteen years after purchase and they’re still holding strong.
Knowledge
I used to think a trekking pole was just like any other old walking stick. Grab ahold and walk.
Not so.
Did you know there are actually ways to use trekking poles incorrectly?
It’s true.
From where you grip the handle, to the height of the pole, to the stride of your gait, and the type of tip you use on the end of the pole. A lack of knowledge can be a detriment to not only your choice of poles but also to what should be an enjoyable hike.
My fix for this problem: I did my research. I determined where I would be using my trekking poles the most (prairie vs. mountains), in what type of weather I would most likely be hiking (summer vs. winter), and how my physical characteristics impacted the type of handles, tips, size, and materials used in the poles.
Under- or Over-Reliance
Using trekking poles was not an automatic “feel right” moment for me. They took some getting used to. After all, I had been hiking pole-free for years before I bought my first set.
My initial response to the trekking poles was uncertainty. Are they strong enough? Will they hold up to my demands? These are just a couple of questions I mulled over as I cautiously hiked my trails. This created more of a burden than a benefit and they felt like extra weight I didn’t need.
My trekking poles are my partners,
not my guardian angels.
Once I began trusting my trekking poles more, they became a perk I wish I had employed much sooner in my hiking journey.
However, over-reliance can also mean taking risky moves, not securing proper balance, and pushing my trekking poles past their limitations. This can cause damage to the poles and injury to me.
My fix for this problem: I hike smart. Using trekking poles isn’t a substitute for risk avoidance or common sense. My trekking poles are my hiking partners – not my guardian angels.
Landscape Limitations
I don’t necessarily need trekking poles when I’m hiking through a field of Iowa clover, a well-maintained state park, or an easygoing lakeside trail. At these destinations, the trekking poles can become a non-essential weight burden.
Likewise, trekking poles become meritless for an exceptionally challenging rocky or root-meshed incline. I use my hands to grasp landform anchors to pull my body up the trail. Trekking poles get caught in crags, get in the way of my climbing efforts, and tumble down the trail.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, there’s not a one-size-fits-all in the world of trekking poles. The type of landscape being hiked plays a significant role in pole practicality, adaptability, and versatility.
My fix for this problem: I chose telescoping poles. When I don’t need my trekking poles, I can easily condense them to their shortest length and tuck them snuggly into my backpack. Out of the way and yet available should I need them.
Kinda like that bandana.
Are You Ready to Go Hiking?
My hiking ambitions surpassed my expectations after I invested in a good set of trekking poles. I went from hiking the same uneventful trails every weekend to expanding my comfort and boundary zones.
Whether you’re a beginning hiker or someone who wants to explore new territories, trekking poles can be a game changer.
Sure, both pros and cons exist with your choice of trekking poles. You need to do your research, determine your hiking goals, consider your physical needs, and be honest about your financial limitations.
Once you find a match, your trekking poles will be the gateway to a better and bigger hiking experience. They’ll become a best friend – keeping you safe, steady, and ready for the next trail adventure.
So, what are you waiting for?
Stop reading already and Get Outside!
P. S. I'm not an affiliate of Black Diamond Equipment and do not receive any payments from them. My reference to their products is solely for informational purposes when sharing my experiences.
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