How to use Trekking Poles: Protect your joints

If you use trekking poles properly you will save your back, spine, knees, ankles and hips from damage longterm. This is the reason I have made this video in the last year I have been asked over 200 times to do this video. Whether you have a day pack, a heavy pack or pulling a sledge whether you are a hillwalker, trekker, fell runner or participating in a climbing or polar expedition using your poles correctly with saving your joints from deteriorating and give you a longer life adventuring.

A person of 100kg's and carrying a heavy pack of 25 to 30 kgs can take up to 64 ton of pressure off their joints in a day.

It's a choice worth making to use trekking poles.

Pat Falvey School of Adventure.
Coach, Mentor, Author, Explorer, Adventurer

Pat Falvey: Author, Adventurer, Explorer, Coach, Mentor
School of Adventure, Killarney Ireland

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[tonycardall]

Using the ladder to show the technique was a great idea, thanks for the video .

[polliebain]

Thank you so much from France. I have had my poles propped up in the hall for two weeks - nervous of looking a prat walking the streets of Nice. I have followed the instructions and practised walking about the flat and now feel ready for my maiden voyage.
Thank you again. ( I could listen to that warm voice and lovely accent all day)

[grahamforster]

That’s the best explanation of how to use them I have seen. Well done, Sir, and thanks.

[yaaringo]

This video allowed me to walk a 400 km trail with leg issues. After seeing this video, me and my boyfriend started affectionately refering to you as "Grandpa Ireland" and we taught this method to many walkers along the way. I cannot thank you enough!

[HillHyker]

I always use the ladder going up Carrauntoohil.

[boorayin]

Is it just me or is this backwards? Maybe it just appears that way because he's talking and demonstrating at the same time, but you're supposed to plant the pole and step with the opposite foot to match the natural arm swing. To plant the way he's demonstrating it is to swing the arm on the same side as the step - it appears at least...not the way one walks.

[christinamurtagh]

a little reminder to folks of how to put away poles safely when not in use!had my eye nearly poked on many occasions, thanks Pat

[jamesss]

Conundrum here for me; I’m certainly Not doubting your experience/history and skills, but others describe their use differently?
i.e. they demonstrate as left leg moves forwards your right hand pole also moves forwards. Then as right leg moves forwards then the left pole moves forwards. I am brand new to poles; borrowed a pair for a hike 3 days ago. Now awaiting delivery of my own poles tomorrow since I did find them useful (after many years of scoffing of their use).
But as a retired RGN / Offshore Medic you make real sense. Crutch enlarge works for me 🙏

[Yer_Da_]

Irish accent is so close to Jamaican it's crazy

[laurenvanwinkle]

This is excellent! I would love to go on a trek with him. So informative. Thank you for making this video.

[BakerBaker-]

You greatly helped my understanding - awesome - thank you

[thewalkingsketchbook]

Fantastic explanation of something so easily overlooked. Thanks 🙏

[GIBLETTS]

Thanks a lot Pat, I have two poles and cant wait to take them out and do it properly, great video . thanks Malcolm

[deyanbalabanov]

I do have a comment about the straps (the first thing the guy said): is very common to block the poles between your legs, stone or to loose balance while you are on the way in the mountain and there is high chance of falling down... how are you going to protect your face/head or anything while your hands are blocked in the straps?

[jarrahdrum]

Excellent and important information, subscribed 🙏

[whatislove]

oi, what an excellent explanation, really happy I found this vid. cheers

[amandawilson]

how do you minimize shoulder pain with these? or is that impossible?

[austinado]

If you use poles, please be mindful of how you are using them, and how you are stowing them. Many users have their poles angled out to the sides, like they're rowing a boat, and many users stow them, with them sticking out all over the place. Both situations are frustrating for those of us using the same trails, and attempting to get past the users, whether approaching head on, or passing from behind.

[CR-pfes]

What about downhill? show the technique please

[janecobb]

Do you have links to proper scientific studies to back up the claims of preventing physical damage please? I'd be very interested to see that.