To trekking pole, or NOT to trekking pole? | Miranda in the Wild

To trekking pole, or not to trekking pole? If you’ve ever questioned the need for hiking sticks or envied those who use them on a tough climb, then this video is for you. I’ll cover when and how you should use trekking poles and address concerns that trekking poles destroy trails.

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[PhilipTaramai]

I love trekking poles. I use one all the time and carry the second just in case I need it. For me, it reduces a lot of pain away from my knees while descending, both poles assist climbing on steep terrain. At 60, I thought my days on the trail are over, the biggest benefit, I can now enjoy the outdoors once again.

[nk]

Topic suggestion: Leave No Trace. It’s just really sad to see how many people don’t know about it or don’t follow it

[MinekaC]

I used to trail run, and loved hiking. But then one run my knee decided "well, I’m done." And now hikes meant knee pain and swelling for days after. Even short three mile hikes were too much. I got trekking poles last year, and it is enough to take the pressure/weight off my knees that I can hike again! I will forever be thankful for trekking poles allowing me to get back out there.

[dejaychef]

I like that they keep my hands up which keeps them from getting swollen from swinging them back and forth. They also work for checking geocaching areas for snakes.

[CerealKiller]

I met Miranda at Urich Cabin on the PCT last year when she was doing a little REI trail magic for thru-hikers. Such a sweetheart and such a delight to talk to!

[angelmadrid]

Miranda has so much personality and it's amazing. Some outdoor YouTubers are so dryyyy. Miranda makes it FUN

[margaretedmonds]

I am 58 with back and knee issues so i started using poles over 10 years ago and they have had a profound positive affect on my hiking posture and significant relief to my knees so I am an advocate for what ever technology keeps me moving forward in my adventures...as far as people passing judgment on those who use them has yet to be seen by me but i'm sure there are those who practice hyper self absorbed behaviors and to those I #$#@ yourselves and live your own life

[rachelgreer]

I'll carry a single trekking pole on day hikes in Florida. It's the perfect spider stick & I'll use it to search for snakes in flooded portions of the trail. A trekking pole is also a wonderful tool when navigating muddy terrain.

[jonsanford]

I always brought them on hikes with lots of elevation and left them home on short, or flat hikes. Then, last year a guy (not with our group) fell and busted himself up pretty bad while I was leading a group of cub scouts on a short hike.

After administering some first aid, the guy was able to walk the 2 miles out with the help of a walking stick one of the scouts lent him. He probably couldn’t have walked that far without one. Now, I bring my trekking poles on every hike.

[jeanhofvedvm]

Being the klutzy sort who can tip over just standing still, I love my trekking poles for all sorts of trails, even flattish ones. I made sure to practice with them in town A LOT before I went off into the woods, so that the movement was pretty natural; really glad I did!

[sakusaurusrex]

Now I feel like REI needs to sell a "little goat human" hiking themed shirt.

[ARepublicIfYouCanKeepIt]

Actually, there's no question! I refer to trekking poles as "four wheel drive for humans."

I love my titanium (ultra-lightweight), shock absorbing trekking poles that I purchased from REI years ago. I always use the included rubber tips on rocky terrain, as well as the included bales in leaves and snow.

I lead hikes and offer my second set of trekking poles to any participant who'd like to try them out. I've never had a bad comment about them, even though this set are aluminum and not shock absorbing, although the rubber tips and bales are still all there!

[lindafeiler]

Love my trekking poles that I was given this Christmas!
I am almost 74 so I feel so much more confident using them!!

[sillybraebabe]

I used to think trekking poles were a waste of space and energy. But after the birth of my daughter, they helped me get back out on the trail! I see why they’re so helpful now. :)

[Mis-AdventureCH]

Yes, Trekking poles are a very useful splinting component. Because you can vary the length of each of them they are particularly useful for legs. And...lots of people have them, so you're not carrying in components thta have only one use.

Highly recommend that everyone take the opportunity to do a Wilderness First Responder class. NOLS or WMA both have a great curriculum.

[timd]

I bought my first set of trekking poles at 70 and I love them! I bought a set for my wife and now I have two sets. She won't use them. I have heard a lot of nonsense about trekking pole tip holes causing erosion and that is patently false!

Limbs falling from trees, squirrels digging for food, burrowing critters, and deer hooves all make holes in the forest floor and trails with no harm done. In fact, the benefit of punching a small divot in forest floors is that they allow water to seep into compacted soil, carrying nutrients and moisture deeper into the soil ... just like lawn companies do when they aerate your lawns! Please, can we stop acting like humans don't belong in nature?

[mfcabrini]

I'm over 70, and poles really help me feel secure on rough parts of the trail. They absolutely save your knees on downhills. Fun, informative video. Thanks.

[ianrudd]

Hi Miranda, great video again. When I got into the outdoors many years ago I fell into the why would you ever use those things camp. However, as I got older, especially after getting arthritis in my hips I have seen the benefit. Over the years the science has won me over. The amount of stress you take off of your hips and knees is amazing. It also makes you more stable. For all that I was using them incorrectly for years. Since learning how to use them properly I have truly become a convert. I am even considering taking up Nordic Walking. However if I hear one more person say 'Where are your skies?' I may lose my sense of

[WildlandExplorer]

1000 trekking pole videos later and someone finally showed the right way to not break your thumb/wrist in a few seconds. Take your thumbs up.

[CharlotteSimply]

As a hiker with chronic knee and back pain trekking poles were a game-changer for me. They were all the difference between having pain 2-3 miles in versus getting 7-8 miles with little to no extra pain. They are what made hiking a truly accessible activity for me. I swear by my boot rubber tips on almost any terrain as the added stability and shift in weight distribution is like nothing else.