Did you know? Using a trekking pole can increase your points of force application and reduce the load on your legs.
A trekking pole is not the same as a cane
According to foreign research reports, when walking downhill, the force exerted on the knees without using trekking poles is 22% higher than when using them. The energy consumed by the thigh muscles is also 21% higher.Using trekking poles can effectively change the way body weight is supported, thereby alleviating the issue of excessive load. However, many outdoor enthusiasts in China have misconceptions about how to use trekking poles. If used improperly, they won’t help reduce the load—in fact, they could pose hidden risks.
Common Misconceptions About Using Trekking Poles
Misconception 1: One Pole or Two?Trekking poles serve two main purposes: balance and support—or you could say they both boil down to balanced support.
While using a single trekking pole can increase the force distribution point and reduce leg strain, no matter where you place it, the support is not balanced. Even if the pressure on one side is reduced, it will shift to the unsupported side, increasing the risk of injury due to uneven force.
Furthermore, theoretically, any contact point between your body and the ground creates a reaction force. With both legs functioning as parallel points, the reaction forces generated while walking can cancel each other out. But when using only one trekking pole, a reaction force is created on one side while the other side has none, which actually decreases your balance. While the body's muscle coordination might mask these issues, they can still surface during sudden movements or over time, leading to danger. This is why in Europe and America, trekking poles are usually sold in pairs. Some brands even design left- and right-hand specific models to suit different gripping needs. In China, due to traditional views of walking sticks and lack of understanding, many people still use just one pole during mountain activities—this is the biggest misconception about trekking pole use.
Trekking poles aren't crutches for when your legs give out—they're tools to help you walk more efficiently.
Misconception 2: What’s the Right Length?
For hiking:Height × 0.7 or arms at a right angle
For race walking:Height × 0.66
Misconception 3: Won’t Trekking Poles Last Forever?To be precise, if you choose a good-quality trekking pole brand and use it properly, the pole isn’t likely to break easily. It’s not a consumable item. But trekking poles aren’t iron rods either—they have some fragile parts that can wear out or fail.
Common issues include:Pole tip falling off, worn-down or missing tip, failed expansion plug securing the pole shaft, broken wrist strap. These problems, unless occurring frequently or in large numbers, are normal. A missing tip is often due to improper installation—good trekking pole brands have locking mechanisms that make tips hard to remove once locked. Worn tips are almost unavoidable—even the hardest materials can’t last forever without wear. Tip detachment is usually a manufacturing issue, rare but not impossible. Expansion plug failure is typically caused by wear or thread deformation under special conditions. Wrist strap breakage is usually due to material degradation from long-term use or extreme environments. Good trekking pole brands offer replaceable parts for these components, so even if something breaks, don’t worry—just replace the damaged part, as long as it’s not the pole shaft itself.Misconception 4: Are the Original Accessories Suitable for All Environments?
The trekking poles we buy are basically “bare poles,” suitable for general use. Good trekking pole brands also offer a variety of interchangeable accessories designed for different environments, enhancing the pole’s performance across various terrains.
Pole Tip Protector:Many think the rubber cover is just for protecting the tip during storage to avoid scratching other items—but its function goes far beyond that. When walking on hard surfaces like rocks, concrete, or asphalt roads, using the rubber cover significantly reduces tip wear while providing better elasticity and grip compared to standard tips.
Pole Basket:The basket prevents the pole tip from sinking too deeply into the ground, making the pole easier to handle and reducing the chance of damage. Depending on the environment, they’re generally categorized as sand baskets, snow baskets, mud baskets, and mountain baskets. Generally speaking, the softer and more unstable the terrain, the larger the surface area of the basket needed.
Wrist Strap:The choice of wrist strap should also be based on different needs. For long-distance trekking and hiking, fully wrapped wrist straps that cover the entire wrist provide more support; for general skiing and mountain sports, wider synthetic fiber wrist straps are more comfortable and lightweight; for use in extreme environments, traditional nylon wrist straps offer greater reliability.
[Length Adjustment]: Turn the trekking pole in the indicated direction. When holding the upper part with your left hand, turning the lower part to the right will tighten it, while turning it to the left will loosen it. First, tighten the bottom section, then adjust the middle section as needed. Make adjustments within the allowable range and do not exceed the STOP mark. Tighten with appropriate force—using excessive force may make it difficult to loosen later.
[Wrist Strap]: Adjust the length of the wrist strap while it is in a loose state. Proper use of the wrist strap helps distribute your body weight evenly onto the trekking pole. Slide your hand up from the bottom through the wrist strap, then grip the strap together with the handle. When descending, gripping the top of the handle with the wrist strap in place is also more comfortable.
[Installation and Removal of Snow Baskets]: To install, firmly press the snow basket into the slot; to remove, step on the snow basket with both feet and push downward.
[Maintenance and Precautions]:
If the trekking pole gets wet or falls into water, remove it and let it dry;
Extending it beyond the STOP mark may damage the components;
The tip is made of tungsten-titanium alloy for greater strength and toughness, ensuring safety when in contact with the ground during hiking or walking. Do not apply excessive force if it gets stuck between rocks;
Do not use the trekking pole to pull someone.