Walking Poles, also known as hiking poles or trekking poles, are designed as an aid to hiking and trekking over rough terrain. Usually used in pairs, they will provide more stability, and will also transfer some of the load from your legs to your arms - especially when walking up or downhill.
When crossing a shallow river or difficult terrain walking poles will help you keep your balance and make it a lot safer. Going up hill you can use the pole(s) to pull yourself up reducing the load on your legs. And coming downhill they will help you keep a steady rate of descent.
Height Adjustable Walking Poles
All of our poles are height adjustable. As a rough guide, your forearm should be horizontal when loosely gripping the pole handle with the pole resting on the ground. This means that you should adjust the height dependant on whether you are going up or down hill.
Anti-Shock Hiking & Walking Poles
For those who will be walking up and down steep slopes, we have a range of walking poles with anti-shock. If you choose a hiking pole with anti-shock, it is usually only of benefit coming downhill, so it may be worth considering a pole where you can turn the anti-shock on and off.