The Importance of Using Trekking Poles

"I've never used poles, why would I start now?" I've heard this phrase countless times from people who become real detractors of trekking poles without even having a reason for it. However, poles can become your best friends. Here's why.

1. Reduce knee strain: When we walk without poles, the load is concentrated on the lower body, causing more impact on the knees and ankles. With poles, we help distribute some of that load to the upper body, using the strength of the pectorals and arms to reduce the impact on the knees by up to 25%. If you want to keep doing this until you're old, this reason alone is enough.

2. Offer more support points: Poles provide two additional points of support that will help you climb thanks to the strength of your upper body, and especially when descending steeper slopes.

3. Greater traction: The two points of contact will give you greater traction on slippery and unstable terrain such as snow, mud, or loose rock.  

4. Help improve pace: Walking with poles will help you establish and maintain a steady pace, which can help you improve your speed, especially on flatter, less technical terrain.

5. Improve balance: Poles will help you balance on difficult terrain such as river crossings or exposed ridges, allowing you to move faster, easier, and safer.

6. Serve to move obstacles: Poles allow you to "clear" your path by being able to move thorny branches across the trail or remove spider webs.

7. You can use them as a probe: Trekking poles can be used as a probe to "feel out" and get more information about the terrain ahead, such as determining the depth of a puddle or verifying the solidity of a snow bridge.

8. Helps in brief moments of rest: Poles will help you relieve some of the weight you carry on your back. For example, if you're carrying a heavy backpack, you can take a short break by leaning on them.