Do You Hike With One Or Two Trekking Pole?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Trekking poles are almost always used in pairs

. There is also something called a hiking staff (also known as a hiking stick) that is a single pole. Most hikers go with two trekking poles over a hiking staff.

How do you hike with one trekking pole?

Is one hiking pole Enough?

Turns out though,

one pole is plenty

. Unless you’re balancing 70 pounds on your back while walking over loose scree, I’m not really sure why you’d ever actually need two poles. One provides plenty of support and stability. River crossings are nearly as easy with just one.

How do you walk with two trekking poles?

Do walking sticks help knees?


They provide extra stability and can lower the amount of stress on your legs and knee joints

by taking the weight onto the poles through your arms. Using walking poles, or even a single pole, will reduce knee pain and increase hill climbing power and endurance.

Can you use a trekking pole as a walking stick?


You can to some degree also mimic a walking stick / staff by using one trekking pole

, so you can have the best of both worlds to some degree. However, there are people who feel uncomfortable with trekking poles and prefer to use a single walking stick.

What is the purpose of a trekking pole?

Trekking poles act as another set of limbs to

give you more stability when tackling tricky terrain

. Poles can help you keep your balance when crossing swiftly moving water, traversing snowfields and ice patches, trekking along narrow ridgelines, and when going up or down hill on loose ground like sand or scree.

Does a walking stick help with hiking?

Why use trekking poles? It has been shown that

using walking poles will reduce the accumulated stress on the feet, legs, knees and back by sharing the load more evenly across the whole body

. This is especially true when carrying a heavy pack on your back.

Can you use one walking pole?

When using walking poles, many people carry two but

it’s not uncommon to only carry one

. A downside to this is that if you use one pole for a prolonged time, you’ll work out one side of your body more than the other, causing an imbalance.

What is the difference between trekking and hiking?

According to Oxford Dictionary: –

Trekking means to make a long or difficult journey, especially on foot. – Hiking is the activity of going for long walks in the country for pleasure.

Is Nordic walking better than walking?


Walking with Nordic poles burns more calories and works more muscles than conventional walking

. Picture a brilliant blue sky over a vast field of fresh, fluffy snow. The air is crisp and cold, and you’re suited up on skis, ready to propel yourself across the expanse of white for a day of cross-country skiing.

How do I protect my knees when hiking downhill?


Avoid leaning back

.

When hiking downhill, it’s generally best to remain upright, keeping your torso over your hips and knees. If it helps, you can also lean slightly forward to improve stability. Whatever the case, be sure to keep your knees slightly bent with every single step.

How tall a walking stick do you need?

A. Here’s a good rule on sizing: Standing with your arms at your side, the stick should be

about 8 inches taller than your elbow

. Pick a longer stick if you’ll be tackling steep terrain. If you’re just planning on walking with your stick, pick a shorter one that comes to your waist.

What side should a walking stick be used?


The stick should go on the strong side and move with the weak side

. Using the walking stick on the opposite side to your injury allows you to shift your weight more to the stronger side.

What’s the difference between trekking poles and hiking poles?


A trekking pole (also known as a hiking pole) is basically a ski pole with a handle that you use when hiking

. Trekking poles are almost always used in pairs. There is also something called a hiking staff (also known as a hiking stick) that is a single pole. Most hikers go with two trekking poles over a hiking staff.

How do you do a Nordic Walk?

What are some disadvantages of Nordic walking?

Some of the disadvantages of Nordic walking include the

costly expenses, risk of tripping, complex and time-consuming techniques, discomfort, and interruption of other simple activities

.

How tall should my trekking pole be?

Height. Generally speaking, walking poles should

reach the top of your palm when your arm is down by your side with your forearm held out in front of you at 90 degrees to your body

. Essentially the top of the handle should be at waist or hip level and your elbow at 90 degrees.

Do walking sticks help with balance?

The arm movement associated with walking poles adds intensity to your aerobic workout, which helps you burn more calories.

Walking poles improve balance and stability

. Walking poles help you maintain proper posture, especially in the upper back, and may help to strengthen upper back muscles.

Are walking sticks good for seniors?

Older adults have found that

walking poles can reduce load-bearing weight on their knees, hips and spine

. “They found a very simple tool that with very basic training they could enjoy the outdoors, get exercise and rotate their spine,” Paley says. “You are using muscles that support and elongate the spine.”

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

4

Nordic walking poles are more sporty and work better on smoother terrain, including hills and most coastal paths. Trekking poles are better for rocky, uneven and mountainous terrain

. 5 If you want to walk on tarmac using trekking or NW poles you’ll need rubber ‘paws’ for the road end of your poles.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.