How to use trekking poles LIKE A PRO! | Plus extra tips and tricks

Watch this before you use trekking poles for best results! I used to be so against using trekking poles until I learned how to use them correctly. While hiking I'd only use one pole for rough terrain, but now I've learned how to size and adjust, how to use the wrist straps and loops and when to use them, they help me crush bigger miles with less strain on my body and help me to hike further for longer.

Get yer mits on my poles here:

Or the Ergo ones here:

In this video I'll explain whether they're good or not, how to use them on flat ground, uphill and downhill, I'll show you which ones to buy and why, how to properly use the wrist straps and many more tips and tricks for getting to grips with your trekking poles.

BTW, I MADE THIS INCREDIBLE BIT OF GEAR

Kit list as of June 2020:

Backpacks

SHELTERS

SLEEP SYSTEMS

FOOTWEAR

CLOTHING

Waterproof shells

Insulated jackets

Base layers

Shirts

Shorts

Hats

Sunglasses

Gloves

Socks

Mosquito net

Buff

FILM AND SOUND

Phone

Drones

Cameras

Mics

Tripods

NAVIGATION

GPS units

Compass

WATER TREATMENT

Filter

Purifying drops

Water storage

ELECTRONICS

Power banks

GPS tracking watch

Wall chargers

Data

EQUIPMENT

Lights

Ice axe

Trekking poles

Traction

Stove

Spoons and knives

Poop trowel

Sit pad

Tent stakes

Tent poles

Ground sheet

STORAGE

Pack liners and pods

Dry bags and stuff sacks

Pouches and wallets

Food storage

MISC ITEMS

[RH-adventure]

Great info. The poles really improves the posture, straight back. I saw so many hunchbacks on my last hike. Everyone should learn the proper way to use them.

[MurdockEx]

Thank you for the tips. Used trekking poles for the first time yesterday and I wasn't sure where I was supposed to be placing the ends.
Spent most of that hike staring at the ground swearing I'd find a nice YouTube video when I returned home and here we are.
I am now better prepared for the next hike and also thank you to all of the commenters sharing various tips for other situations where the poles come in handy and how to use them.
Cheers.

[andrewsealey]

I really like my poles. Carbon fibre with rubber grips. I was a doubter when seeing others used them until I relented and bought some to try. I have never gone back.
I however keep the rubber caps on when trail walking. The reason for this is that from research that was done by the Federated Mountain Clubs New Zealand which showed that trekking with without caps did significantly more damage to the trail over time due to the point type impact. Using the caps distributed the force over a greater surface area.
Keeping the trails maintained especially in the more isolated areas is a huge undertaking. Also reducing any impact to the soiis in ecologically sensitive areas has to be a plus. The less damage and inpact we have the better.

[lemonlerd]

Tip for you.. when climbing hills try not overstriding, take much smaller steps and stay on your forefoot. Your Achilles will thank you for it and your legs will feel less tired after a long day with big elevation.

[janetfettig]

You M\made it look easy for this 81yr old! :) Thank You!

[TheAnactoria]

Great video. It's also worthy to mention that trekking poles are great for keeping your hands and fingers from swelling as they keep them elevated. I get huge sausage fingers without poles.

[STho]

Thank you.
I don't hike much, but my wife does. Her job now puts her opposed to her hiking crew, so I've been doing Appalachian short section hikes with her. I've always just walked, she uses a single wood staff.

Was passed on a high rock ridge trail Saturday by two men that were making a solid bit of speed...both with cf poles. Those men had likely come from 8 miles away, uphill and were still very fresh.

I will be considering those for next hike with her. Your advice was very clear and logic.

[ten]

Your first method of using the straps will give you the ability for the pole to stay between the thumb and forefinger without gripping the pole. That is, if the strap is tight enough. Going up hills, I mainly use my wrists and the strap tension without a tight hand grip (just use your fingers to guide the pole). I guess 25 years of cross country ski racing, you get a chance to work on the technique. You will notice your poles have a “R & L” right and left, the strap is stacked at the pole top so the main pressure is on hand/palm rather than the thumb. Happy hiking!

[colwem]

The proper strap position has another important benefit. If you need to grab something, like a tree or rock when scrambling, you can just release the pole and drops below and behind your wrist and completely out of the way. Then when done you just push your hand down and you’re back in the right position. With your method the pole and the strap get in the way a little. If you release the pole the strap stays in your palm, the pole doesn’t just automatically drop below and behind your wrist and you’re likely to just completely drop the pole. Likewise with the proper method it’s simple to place your hand on top of the pole when going downhill for the same reason. It looks like in your video you are actually taking your hands out of the strap to place them on top.

[tranquility]

I have chronic pain and get fatigued easily. I've decided to try trekking poles for the first time. I didn't get the type that you have but I plan to invest in some similar to yours.
This is very helpful bec I decided to learn how to use them the proper way before trying them out.
I can't thank you enough for this valuable info! ❤️

[christopherhiggins]

Glad I watched this video. I finally got out and am on a camping tour, and slowly getting in a shape other than pear shape, lol. I have mainly been using mine as stability, for example crossing streams here in National Forests in Montana for example, they kept me from slipping on algae coated rocks and getting soaked... eventually I want to get to the physical fitness level to use a 65 liter pack and do some over night hikes from my base camp of a towable camper.

[aksbs]

Just bought 2, did a 40km on mountain side, the main difference i noticed, my ankles, knees and hips were much better at the end, less internal and external rotation on those joints. Overall felt much better during the trekk and afterwards, felt much safer going on cliffs and hard height differences.

[glasgowbrian]

I’m so grateful for your video, as I bought trekking poles thinking I had to learn Nordic walking. Now I know I don’t. I need them to reduce pressure on my damaged left knee, not to go faster or for longer. But to go up steep slopes, I need to use both poles together to push me up when my left leg is hurting. I’ve now got dual purpose handles that resemble a walking stick with a horizontal top, and I can put more pressure on it going downhill.

[swnorcraft]

I'm 64, been using trekking poles for years. It boggles me to see all the hikers on you tube that don't know the proper use of this great hiking aid. I won't carry a pack without them. You pretty much nailed the way I use mine. A commenter had a good observation of the first method of strap use that you showed....about retaining the pole when grabbing something and also about holding the pole for downhill. I will look into that. Thanks for sharing.

[olympiawashdrummer]

Used these for the 1st time. Went out on a hike and noticed a big difference. No lower back stiffness aches when compared to the same hike when I didn't use them. Definitely, a must for those with lower back soreness or stiffness.

[lindahardy]

Thanks for a very well done & informative instructional video. I am almost 73 & a walker, not a hiker. But I bought my first set of poles for an upcoming 2 week “light hiking” trip to Colorado & Utah. Now to go practice!

[StephenShaw-ufnb]

Thanks for this. I'm 72 and have a very bad back, but my poles enable me to walk for three miles instead of 300 yards without having to stop (no kidding!) After going through several pairs of cheap poles (twist-lock, shock absorbers, rubber handles and other such nonsense!) I've settled on Black Diamond Trail poles and I think they're wonderful. I also have a folding pair of Black Diamond poles for putting in my hold bag when we go on holiday, and they're just as good. You get what you pay for! 😊

[davidbernadine]

Great tips. I converted 10 years ago and my hip and knee problems have gone away.
I totally agree that the clip lock system is far superior locking system than the twist lock system. I would never get a twist lock system again as they failed on several trips, especially after they got stuck in mud and I didn't realise they'd loosened slightly (enough to collapse them) when I pulled them out of the mud.

[djdm]

When i go steep uphill I plant both poles at the same time and push for 2 steps, lift on step 3 and repeat. This gives you a huge boost to powee compared to planring 1 at a time and it alternates which foot gets the stronger initial push with each cycle.

[seethrucrew]

Love trekking poles. We are older and just starting using them. Wish we done years ago