Stop using trekking poles wrong! #shorts #hiking #trekking #trekkingpoles

Here’s how you should be using trekking poles. When you put your hand through the fabric loop, don’t put it in from the top. In case you slip, this mistake could cause you to break your hand, because it doesn’t move freely. Instead, put your hand in from the bottom. If you slip, you will release the trekking pole without twisting your arm. Next, you should learn how to adjust the height of your trekking poles. For walking on flat surfaces, your hand should form a 90-degree angle while holding the trekking pole. For walking uphill, your trekking poles should be shorter. If you make your trekking pole 10 cm shorter, it should do the trick. For walking downhill, your trekking poles should be longer. Increasing the height by 10 cm should work just fine. When walking, on each step you should place the trekking poles opposite to your front foot. Also, to get the best effect, place them roughly at the end of your front foot. Practice these tips, and you should become a trekking pole pro in no time. Happy hiking!

#hiking #thruhiking #thruhike #backpacking #trekkingpoles #trekking #hikemore #hikelife #hikinglife #thruhiker #trekkinglovers #trekkinglife #hikingtips

[AWalkOnDirt]

Good rules but I have a slight adjustment. In rain, make your poles a tad shorter where elbow forms a bit more than a 90 degree. You want water flowing off your forearm and not seeping back in making a puddle under your forearm.

[sameerchaudhari]

The BEST no nonsense video on hiking sticks. Thank you!!!!

[trudilou]

I've never used a trecking pole in my life....but I'm totally here for this video :)

[briantinkerML]

When going over big rocky ground, take the straps off completely, if your pole gets wedged between boulders, it will simply get snatched from your grip rather than pulling you back off balance and possibly falling over.

I've developed a very silly looking method of using them quite a bit ahead to probe the ground (because I've learned in Scotland, anything, whether it looks like moss or stone, can be mud and swamp or a random hole) before placing weight on it.

[heenarangwani]

This is the kind of information I need. Thank you!

[ArswieWaende]

These recommendations are a rule of thumb. There are various professional oppinions on that theme. They all depend on the purpose of usage and the users condition. There are benefits (e.g. unloading of knees) and drawbacks (e.g. loss of balance without poles). And every user needs a custom solution how to use them (e.g. shorten the poles if you tend to lift your shoulders).
It seems like a simple topic but it is not.

[DC]

The only rule I follow here is to put my hands through the bottom of the straps. I’m hiking in foothills, not mountains, and go up and down in elevation over and over, so never readjust the height of the poles, nor do I care about left foot right pole, pole to back of foot, etc. I just happily go about the trail, get all the extra stability where I need it, and life is fine. But I do appreciate your tips for adjusting for long uphill or downhill stretches.

[minimalist_adventurer]

I just put my 4 fingers through the strap so it wraps around my hand and not my wrist. This alleviates the need to grip hard as your hand rests down on the strap. It is also not as restrictive, you can easily release the poles like shown in the video.

[thomasmusso]

When working your way over difficult terrain going downhill, unloop your hands from the poles.

[RedRamble.]

I use hiking sticks for crossing water! Turn yourself into a tripod! Much easier while stepping accross spaced out rocks!

[nathancarmack]

Thanks for this! I just got some poles and I haven’t used them yet. This should help:)

[michroz]

...Also if you are moving around a mountain, say: the summit is on your left, then make the _right_ pole longer and the _left_ pole shorter by approx 10 cm. Hint: when you go back and the summit is now on your _right_, don't adjust the poles, but simply switch them right to left!. (I am joking about adjusting the length of the poles - nobody would do it on the go.)

[graxo]

I never use trekking poles. But i never hike more than 5 miles. I also use a metal frame pack with like 40-60 lbs. I hike in slides/flip flops too. Sometimes barefoot. But long distances need a lot more training to do it the way i do. I just like feeling the earth under my toes. Definitely not for everyone. Lol

[ThePinkPanthr]

I've been walking with the tips of the poles on my toes

[jankovacic]

Trekking poles saved falls for me a few times already, the last time one of them tilted hard and impact my fall. Use them wisely!

[miscellaneous]

I don't use straps at all, they just get in the way. Besides, instead of shortening your poles on short uphill sections, you may just hold the poles by the foam part that is under the grips (some poles don't have it though)

[Xhadp]

Yep, same way I hold a dog leash! Also, finding a trekking pole that has a lip above the index finger and thumb rather than one that has a resting groove in between or at the bottom as this also helps with using a loosened grip on the trekking poles better since it will naturally rest even if you aren't gripping.

[thomasmusso]

Mostly correct .. however, no 'grip' is necessary.

[DazDaz]

I always used the "safe" strap method shown at the start when skiing - and then one day whilst falling I still ended up landing on the pole and breaking my hand. I no longer use the strap at all.