Author Topic: Poles  (Read 2486 times)

Davon

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Poles
« on: 17:52:29, 12/04/19 »
After just throwing away one of my leki  walking poles after I reversed the car over it , I have been thinking about walking with just one pole.
Just wondered about peoples thoughts . 1v2 ?
Also any other type of pole ( for the few of us that's getting on a bit !!!) ;)

ninthace

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Re: Poles
« Reply #1 on: 18:05:02, 12/04/19 »
For me - always a pair as I am a full time user.  I have owned and worn out Leki, Komperdell and Kingfisher Expedition walking poles.  For the last 5 years I have been using carbon fibre Pacerpoles https://www.pacerpole.com/  As far as I am concerned they are the dog's gonads.  Really light, supremely comfortable and tough as old boots - I must have done over 3000 miles with them by now.  Very good customer care too.
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Bigfoot_Mike

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Re: Poles
« Reply #2 on: 18:10:38, 12/04/19 »
I also have Pacerpoles and would recommend them.

Rob Goes Walking

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Re: Poles
« Reply #3 on: 18:17:17, 12/04/19 »
I had a pair of 3 section pacerpoles just over 10 years ago. The sections jammed and I could no longer move them. Ended up binning them because I stopped using them and couldn't sell them with jammed sections. I do find walking easier with poles but for some reason I tend not to use them. I've only owned the expensive pacerpoles and cheap go outdoors poles I didn't find a huge difference between them other than weight and bounce but I expect ninthace and Bigfoot_Mike have more skill with them than I.

happyhiker

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Re: Poles
« Reply #4 on: 18:24:38, 12/04/19 »
I use two poles particularly for steep downhill sections where it has been shown they save considerable weight for the knees. I wonder if you use only one whether this would cause an imbalance, with one knee taking more stress. I have not seen any arguments in this direction but it seems logical.

Pitboot

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Re: Poles
« Reply #5 on: 18:53:32, 12/04/19 »
Another vote for Pacerpoles. And I always use a pair.

Mel

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Re: Poles
« Reply #6 on: 18:55:31, 12/04/19 »
My personal thoughts are that it depends how you (want to) use it/them. 


I have one pole (a wooden walking staff) which I use for balance if there's a steep bit or I'm walking along a path with a sharp drop to one side.  I'm not sure if I suffer a bit with vertigo but having this "third leg" (no sniggering at the back  ::)  ) really helps me keep my balance.  It stays attached to my rucksack if I don't need it for that bit of balance reassurance.


If you want to use them to increase speed/cardio/upper body exercise to get a good stride and rhythm then using one on it's own isn't going to work.

ninthace

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Re: Poles
« Reply #7 on: 19:05:07, 12/04/19 »
Add improved posture to the list Mel
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ninthace

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Re: Poles
« Reply #8 on: 19:06:34, 12/04/19 »
I had a pair of 3 section pacerpoles just over 10 years ago. The sections jammed and I could no longer move them. Ended up binning them because I stopped using them and couldn't sell them with jammed sections. I do find walking easier with poles but for some reason I tend not to use them. I've only owned the expensive pacerpoles and cheap go outdoors poles I didn't find a huge difference between them other than weight and bounce but I expect ninthace and Bigfoot_Mike have more skill with them than I.
Had you taken/sent them back to Bowness - they probably would have fixed them for you Rob.
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Rob Goes Walking

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Re: Poles
« Reply #9 on: 19:13:21, 12/04/19 »
Had you taken/sent them back to Bowness - they probably would have fixed them for you Rob.

Oh well. You live you learn. The Go Outdoors poles I have now are perfectly adequate.

Jays

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Re: Poles
« Reply #10 on: 19:30:29, 12/04/19 »
We use Nordic poles which are connected to your hand with straps.
The best bit is you don’t need to grip as the are connected to your hand , and therefore an extension to your movement.
We use LEKI Nordic Walking poles witch do have a lifetime guarantee!


Bigfoot_Mike

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Re: Poles
« Reply #11 on: 19:32:06, 12/04/19 »
I had a pair of 3 section pacerpoles just over 10 years ago. The sections jammed and I could no longer move them. Ended up binning them because I stopped using them and couldn't sell them with jammed sections. I do find walking easier with poles but for some reason I tend not to use them. I've only owned the expensive pacerpoles and cheap go outdoors poles I didn't find a huge difference between them other than weight and bounce but I expect ninthace and Bigfoot_Mike have more skill with them than I.


They take a bit of time to get used to, but thereafter they made walking easier. I only tripped over them once, happily not on a narrow ridge.

Owen

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Re: Poles
« Reply #12 on: 19:57:41, 12/04/19 »
Never got on with pacerpoles the grips just don't feel right to me and they put the poles at the wrong angle. Plus no straps, just wrong.
I use black diamond poles with straps, so I can use them nordic style. I only tend to use when I'm carrying a heavy pack, don't both when I'm just out for a day walk.

Pitboot

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Re: Poles
« Reply #13 on: 20:00:24, 12/04/19 »
Owen, my Pacer poles have a sort of strap, like tent bungees.

ninthace

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Re: Poles
« Reply #14 on: 20:21:56, 12/04/19 »
Owen, my Pacer poles have a sort of strap, like tent bungees.
I quite appreciated the absence of the traditional wrist loops.  The grips fit naturally into a relaxed hand so there is no need to grip them firmly to prevent slippage. The flange that fits down the side of your palm takes the load that wrist loops and fingers do on traditional poles.
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