Are you wondering if you should bring poles on your hike or how you would look like, if you hike with sticks? Well, you should read this before thinking about the esthetical part.
Let us start with the benefits of using walking poles:
- More stability
Poles will help you on rocky trails, snow or while crossing rivers (and you will meet some streams on your way while you hike in Norway). - Reduce stress on knees and joints
Sticks will give you some support all the way and lower the impact on your knees in long descents. - Make uphills easier
Thanks to poles, your upper body will be engaged while hiking what will make climbs easier for your legs. - Less fatigue
Feel more energy throughout the day and last longer - Better position
Can prevent back and neck strain. - Check out where you put your feet
Poles help to check out muddy ground, snow depth or streams depth what gives you more safety and can prevent injuries in general.
So, there is no age for using hiking poles, every hiker can benefit of using sticks.
Convinced about that? Now you are probably heading to your closest sport shop to check them out and are wondering which one you should buy? Then you should keep reading.
What kind of poles?
You will find poles in every kind of price range. Usually, the most expensive ones are the one in carbon, while the aluminium one will be cheaper. The one in carbon will be lighter than the one in aluminium, while the one in aluminium are more durable and stronger. Both will do the job as you are heading for a trek in the mountains, but we would recommend going for the one in aluminium.
We do recommend choosing poles with a rubber tip for a better grip and to avoid the “tic, tic, tic” sound on the rocks. This one can be very annoying and will follow you all the way during your hike as Norwegian mountains are very rocky.
Foldable/telescopic or not? You should go for a telescopic or foldable model so that you can fold them when you don’t want to use them and they are easier to pack in your suitcase.
Can I travel by plane with my hiking poles?
Not every airline does accept sticks in hand luggage as they can be perceived as dangerous. To make sure that you get your poles with you to your hiking destination, we would recommend you putting them in you hold luggage if you travel by plane.
With or without poles (we hope with), see you soon on the trails!
