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Hiking Poles And Trekking Poles: Fitness, Stability, Black Diamond, Leki
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Published: August 29, 2007
For versatility and stability during a long hike, trekking poles fare better than traditional walking sticks. Whereas sticks found along the trail are prone to snapping, trekking poles are made from durable carbon fiber or aluminum to assure years of reliability. These poles not only provide stability, but can give hikers a number of other advantages out in the wilderness.
Trekking poles help a walker keep his or her balance in uneven or rough terrain. These poles also take stress off the knees, hips and spine of hikers; this prevents future development of joint diseases such as arthritis. Not only will a walker's body be spared from unnecessary strain, but the poles will increase fitness better than using no walking assistance at all. Trekking poles give hikers an upper body workout in addition to the traditional benefits for lower body fitness.
The availability of trekking poles means groups such as families can go out on a hike in a variety of conditions, regardless of walking ability or experience. The children or elderly members of a family can join more confident walkers on a hike with the use of these poles as well.
Trekking poles are generally slim in appearance and feature a rubber grip on the end for comfortable contact with the hand. They also can have adjustable lengths to accommodate walkers of any size, but fixed length poles are also a common choice. The poles are not stored at their full length; they break down into sections for easy storage and carrying.
One brand of trekking poles is Black Diamond. Their two-section adjustable Syncline model poles sell for $64.95 on the company's website. Other trekking poles go for higher; the carbon fiber Terra CF trekking poles have fabric bands that go around a hiker's wrists, assuring the hiker will not lose their trekking poles if they momentarily lose their grip. These retail for $139.95 on bdel.com.
Another company, Leki, makes poles for all trekkers. Whereas Black Diamond's website assumes customers have knowledge of proper pole height, this website has a section to inform customers how to determine the right poles for them. The elbow should be at a 90-degree angle when holding the pole, and downhill walking requires the trekking poles be at a longer length than uphill climbs.
The site has a height chart to show customers standing from four feet to over six feet high the proper pole length for them. To give a rough idea, four-foot walkers will want their trekking poles set at 85 centimeters, whereas hikers standing six feet tall should set the length to 125 centimeters. Leki trekking poles are stratified into groups; the Ultralite Ti aluminum trekking poles are 20 percent lighter than other models. Prices range from $99.95 to $199.95. The trekking poles in the Travel Series are intended for use on easier, smoother paths; while the Mountain Trek models are ready for rocky conditions.
As aids for fitness and stability, trekking poles cost more than the free sticks found out in the woods. However they will prove more durable over time than any loose tree branch. Many high-quality manufacturers produce a wide range of trekking poles to suit the needs of any walker: tall or short, young or old.
Sources:
"Trekking Pole." Wikipedia. 13 July 2007. Wikipedia. 24 Aug. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trekking_poles.
"Benefits of Correctly Hiking, Walking and Trekking with Poles." AdventureBuddies.net. Wohlmut Media Services. 24 Aug. 2007. http://www.adventurebuddies.net/.
Syncline. Bdel.com. 2005. Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd. 24 Aug. 2007. http://www.bdel.com/gear/syncline.php.
Terra CF. Bdel.com. 2005. Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd. 24 Aug. 2007. http://www.bdel.com/gear/terra_cf.php.
"What Size Pole Do You Need?" Leki.com. Leki. 24 Aug. 2007. http://www.leki.com/html/news_detail.asp?id=25.
No. 2130 Carbon Ergometric. Leki.com. Leki. 24 Aug. 2007. http://www.leki.com/html/trek_ultralite_2130.asp.< br />
No. 2133 Ultralite Ti COR-TEC. Leki.com. Leki. 24 Aug. 2007. http://www.leki.com/html/trek_ultralite_2173.asp.< br />
"Trekking." Leki.com. Leki. 24 Aug. 2007. http://www.leki.com/html/trek_main.asp.
Related Articles
Trekking poles help a walker keep his or her balance in uneven or rough terrain. These poles also take stress off the knees, hips and spine of hikers; this prevents future development of joint diseases such as arthritis. Not only will a walker's body be spared from unnecessary strain, but the poles will increase fitness better than using no walking assistance at all. Trekking poles give hikers an upper body workout in addition to the traditional benefits for lower body fitness.
The availability of trekking poles means groups such as families can go out on a hike in a variety of conditions, regardless of walking ability or experience. The children or elderly members of a family can join more confident walkers on a hike with the use of these poles as well.
Trekking poles are generally slim in appearance and feature a rubber grip on the end for comfortable contact with the hand. They also can have adjustable lengths to accommodate walkers of any size, but fixed length poles are also a common choice. The poles are not stored at their full length; they break down into sections for easy storage and carrying.
One brand of trekking poles is Black Diamond. Their two-section adjustable Syncline model poles sell for $64.95 on the company's website. Other trekking poles go for higher; the carbon fiber Terra CF trekking poles have fabric bands that go around a hiker's wrists, assuring the hiker will not lose their trekking poles if they momentarily lose their grip. These retail for $139.95 on bdel.com.
Another company, Leki, makes poles for all trekkers. Whereas Black Diamond's website assumes customers have knowledge of proper pole height, this website has a section to inform customers how to determine the right poles for them. The elbow should be at a 90-degree angle when holding the pole, and downhill walking requires the trekking poles be at a longer length than uphill climbs.
The site has a height chart to show customers standing from four feet to over six feet high the proper pole length for them. To give a rough idea, four-foot walkers will want their trekking poles set at 85 centimeters, whereas hikers standing six feet tall should set the length to 125 centimeters. Leki trekking poles are stratified into groups; the Ultralite Ti aluminum trekking poles are 20 percent lighter than other models. Prices range from $99.95 to $199.95. The trekking poles in the Travel Series are intended for use on easier, smoother paths; while the Mountain Trek models are ready for rocky conditions.
As aids for fitness and stability, trekking poles cost more than the free sticks found out in the woods. However they will prove more durable over time than any loose tree branch. Many high-quality manufacturers produce a wide range of trekking poles to suit the needs of any walker: tall or short, young or old.
Sources:
"Trekking Pole." Wikipedia. 13 July 2007. Wikipedia. 24 Aug. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trekking_poles.
"Benefits of Correctly Hiking, Walking and Trekking with Poles." AdventureBuddies.net. Wohlmut Media Services. 24 Aug. 2007. http://www.adventurebuddies.net/.
Syncline. Bdel.com. 2005. Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd. 24 Aug. 2007. http://www.bdel.com/gear/syncline.php.
Terra CF. Bdel.com. 2005. Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd. 24 Aug. 2007. http://www.bdel.com/gear/terra_cf.php.
"What Size Pole Do You Need?" Leki.com. Leki. 24 Aug. 2007. http://www.leki.com/html/news_detail.asp?id=25.
No. 2130 Carbon Ergometric. Leki.com. Leki. 24 Aug. 2007. http://www.leki.com/html/trek_ultralite_2130.asp.< br />
No. 2133 Ultralite Ti COR-TEC. Leki.com. Leki. 24 Aug. 2007. http://www.leki.com/html/trek_ultralite_2173.asp.< br />
"Trekking." Leki.com. Leki. 24 Aug. 2007. http://www.leki.com/html/trek_main.asp.
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