How Tall Should A Walking Stick Be For Hiking?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If you plan to hike with it, look for a tall and straight stick. Here’s a good rule on sizing: Standing with your arms at your side, the stick should be

about 6 or 8 inches taller than your elbow

. Pick a longer stick if you’ll be tackling steep terrain.

What length hiking stick do I need?

Height Suggested Pole Length
< 5 ft. 1 in.


100cm (39 in.)
5 ft. 1 in. – 5 ft. 7 in. 110cm (43 in.) 5 ft. 8 in. – 5 ft. 11 in. 120cm (47 in.)

Are walking sticks good for hiking?


Hiking sticks can increase balance and stability

.

By having four points of contact on the ground, you’ll have much better balance and increased stability. Best uses for hiking sticks include uneven terrain, steep ascents or descents, water crossings and treks over loose rocks, wet trails and snow.

How long should my hiking pole be?

When hiking on flat terrain, the perfect length for your poles should be

a length that allows you to bend your arm at approximately 90 degrees when holding the pole straight up and down

(at a 90 degree to the ground when the tip is touching the ground).

How tall should hiking staff be?

A hiking staff should generally be

6 to 8 inches above your elbow when standing straight up

. When holding the pole with the tip on the ground next to your foot, your arm should make a 90-degree angle bend right at the elbow. Most of the time, adjustable hiking sticks are recommended for the best fit.

Is it better to hike with one pole or two?

Hikers often ask how two trekking poles are better than one “regular” walking stick. The simplest answer to this question is that

poles give symmetrical support that one stick does not

.

How tall should a cane be for your height?

An estimate of the proper cane length can be made by dividing an individual’s height by two. For most persons, the right sized cane is

within one inch of half their height

. This guideline can be applied if the user is not available for an actual measurement.

How thick should a walking stick be?

To make a walking stick, start by finding a fairly straight,

1-2 inch thick

stick that’s about as tall as the distance between the floor and your armpit. If it’s taller than that, you can cut it to size. Once you’ve found a stick, whittle off the bark and any twigs or bumps using a knife.

How do I choose a walking stick?


Measure from the floor to the wrist bone of the arm you would normally use with the stick

. Alternatively if you are cutting down a wooden stick then turn the stick upside down and measure on the stick where the wrist bone is. This measurement is the ideal height of walking stick for this user.

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.

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.

Are walking sticks beneficial?

Walking poles

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

. Walking poles take some of the load off your lower back, hips and knees, which may be helpful if you have arthritis or back problems.

How big can a stick bug get?

Depending on the species, walking sticks can grow from

1 to 12 inches (2.5 to 30 centimeters) long

, with females usually growing bigger than the males. Stick insects are the biggest insects in the world—one species measures over 20 inches (51 centimeters) long with its legs outstretched.

How long should a cane be for a six foot man?

Height Cane Length 6’4′′ – 6’7′′

37 inch

cane
6’0′′ – 6’3′′ 36 inch cane 5’8′′ – 5’11” 35 inch cane 5’4′′ – 5’7′′ 34 inch cane

How do you walk with one hiking pole?

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

A walking cane is a mobility device designed as a long-term aid for balance as well as to relieve pressure on a leg joint while walking. A walking stick, in comparison, is used to temporarily help with footing and stability when walking on rough or uneven terrain.

How do you determine the correct length for a cane?

  1. Stand as you normally would while wearing your shoes.
  2. Relax your arms at your side, with a slight bend in the elbow.
  3. Remaining still, have a friend measure the distance from your wrist joint to the floor. That number is the cane length you’ll want.

What wood is best for a walking stick?

The most common woods for walking sticks are

white beech, hazel, ash and chestnut

. When choosing wood for a walking stick it is important to consider it’s weight, durability, availability, workability, and, of course, it’s appearance.

Does Pine make a good walking stick?

Pine will almost always be “sappy”, which will leach out past the finish and need to be covered with tape or leather over the handle area.

It can be used for a walking stick but is not a “good” walking stick

and has better uses.

How thin can a walking stick be?

So, most of them range from a thin, but strong

7/8′′ up to about 1 1/4′′

. From reading different posts and the photo gallery, I see that some sticks are upwards of 2′′ thick.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.