How To Use Trekking Poles (Plus Pro Tips!)

What's a mud basket? Wrist straps or no wrist straps? What's a Power Gait and how can I do it? Are you getting the most from your trekking poles? I'll show you how to turbocharge your trekking poles and use them to their maximum benefit to get those big mile days backpacking while also saving your body for many more years of hitting the trail!
Table of Contents:
Why use Trekking Poles? 1:08
Mud Basket - what is it and why should you lose it? 4:22
How to remove the Mud Basket: 6:28
Wrist Straps - yes or no? 7:14
How to remove the Wrist Straps: 11:39
Techniques for Trekking Poles--
The Saunter: 13:23
The Power Gait: 14:16
4 Wheel Drive: 15:25
Downhill Gait: 16:11
Setting Pole Length: 16:55
Pole Recommendations: 17:14

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[letsgoletsgoletsgoletsgoletsgo]

im 43 and my daughter, 5, we went for a easy day hike, i bought a pair of poles and wanted to use it on our hike, but the day before she did something acrobatic and hurt her knee as well, so the next day we both used 1 pole each for our hike, it was fun, i was teaching her how to use the poles to support herself, test the ground, point at features, fruits and bugs . really useful .

[michaelwood]

I like for the most part all of what you have taught here as you have instructed much more useful information than most lessons I have seen. I think differently regarding the straps as I think they are one of the most useful items that make up the trekking pole. There are many reasons for this but I will just mention one. The strap when properly slung from the wrist creates the fulcrum point of force absorption as well as balance rather than having to use the unbridled use of hand strength throughout the day to continually hold the firm grip. Much of the time I can just loosely hold the grip with my hand but the strap controls as well as absorbs the majority of the efforts needed. Thanks for offering all these trekking pole use possibilities as at the very least we can incorporate your ideas and see what we feel works best for us.

[nizamialickolli]

Great review, good information as I am in my 60s taking interest in hiking

[vitaflo]

I have the Black Diamond Trial Cork poles (that I love) and the reason I bought them is exactly the reason you stated in the video. They save my knees, help me with pace, are my tent supports, etc. But I never thought about all the tips you gave later, so thank you for that! I can't even count the number of times I've been walking down a steep incline and pass someone without poles who says to me "I wish I had a pair of trekking poles right now!". I never go on a hike without them.

[northtexashiker]

Great video! I'm a big fan of trekking poles. I use them for balancing mainly because I'm pretty clumsy and they have saved me plenty of times.

[clkvideos]

Useful, helpful, worth the time? Yes, absolutely! Thank you for such a comprehensive explanation of not only the proper use of these trekking poles - but for the ‘pro’ tips as well. I have never used poles like this - and only recently started to think about incorporating them into a walking routine. It (the usage of such poles) makes a great deal more sense to me after watching your video!

[hyklyfmatto]

Awesome tutorial on trekking poles. I love trekking poles. I ditched the hand straps several years ago after nearly breaking my wrist a couple times. Gonna have to try ditching the "mud baskets" now too. Thanks a bunch!

[Stride]

Great video! I just discovered your channel and it's relaxing to watch while being super informative!

[swnorcraft]

I'm 64. Been using trekking poles for at least a dozen you gave me much to think about. Need to watch this a couple more times. I"m old enough to be humble. For some of us, that takes longer. Thanks for sharing.

[СтаниславМельников-кг]

100% useful information, thank you, with great respect!

[KaiseruSoze]

At 73, I can tell you t. poles slow me down and that's a good thing. They save my back. Without the poles I get back pain after about 3 miles. And it just gets worse with every step. With the poles I can go forever (well... until my feet get too sore.) meaning 8 miles :)

[BonesyTucson]

That was worth it - thank you. I just picked up a pair of CAD$40 poles off Amazon, to try things out before I commit to "better" poles. So I've been studying up on advice and technique, yours has been great. As a newbie to trekking poles, it's weird how much extra 'boost' you get that pushes you forward. I'm also hoping use of poles will lead to a less sore back, and reduce the swelling in my hands since they'll be at chest level instead of pocket level all day.

[remicote]

First time I see such good advice on trekking poles! I also use them the way you taught when going downhill and as you said, this is where the poles are the most useful to protect the articulations. It takes a bit of time to get used to the movement, but it is definitely worth it.

I am using the strap at the moment but like the idea of changing grip throughout the day, even for the power walk. I'll try this to see how I like it. (Note that I always remove the straps when going downhill as using them in that situation is asking for disaster in case of a fall...)

[indigoderecho]

Thank you for the video Dan, it matches a lot of my experience with poles. I particularly agree with the tips on using the poles on flat ground for the power gait. On flat ground power walks I also found it useful to extend the poles to the descent height (or even longer) for extra propulsion. I stole that from nordic walkers I saw in Iceland. Regarding Leki vs. BD, I’m partial to the former for 3 reasons: 1. The elongated shape of the head is more comfortable on descents. 2. Their aluminum poles are a lot stronger - my BD poles shattered after a year of use. 3. Leki’s warranty is a lot better than BD on aluminum poles (lifetime vs 1 year). Plus now Lekis have the same locking mechanism with a lever. Lastly - one quick comment re: straps. While I agree with you that they are not needed in regular, below the tree line hiking, they are invaluable on steep, windy trails above the tree line with boulders or scree. Running down errant poles that slipped out of my hand is not fun or safe in such conditions.

[JT-ktrp]

I did the same in my 20’s and loved being in the ‘zone’, charging down scree and boulders with absolute confidence and intuition. I loved it, it felt amazing, but like you I’m paying for it now in my 50’s.

[froggyonthepct]

Dan you are the professor…I always learn something from your videos. These were no exception. I particularly liked the power gait and the uphill four wheel drive both of which I will try tomorrow. You should check out cascade mountain cork handle cArbon fiber poles. I have black diamond same as you but the deer in Northern California are salt driven and they did a number on my straps one night. Took me the better part of a half hour to locate both of them…the next morning along with my shirt that was soaked with deer luge. Still laugh about that story today. another lesson learned but now I will remove the chewed straps and give it a go. Thanks brother… Froggy

[billbaugh]

Such great information. I just bought some Black Diamond poles that I will use on the Camino de Santiago Frances this summer. I’ll be modifying my poles as you suggested. Thank you so much!

[petevirtual]

Great video. Thanks for posting it. Bought my first pair of poles on the weekend and found them instantly beneficial in all of the ways that you have explained here.

[consi]

Very helpful, thanks so much!
Tomorrow will be my first first day out with them. 👍🏼

[preacherman]

Another great video sir.
There's a lot of useful content in what I consider a backpacking class. WVU had such a class in their PE school. Your demos along with the lecture are well done.
About trekking poles, I noticed that my carbon fiber REI/ Komperdel were MUCH less fatiguing and offered a better felt stability over any of the aluminum sets. It came down to the material being better suited for hiking because they did not vibrate nearly as much as all the Al ones.