Last Updated on August 5, 2024 by Darla
Hiking is one of the most popular things to do in Switzerland. Most of us wonder what we need when hiking. There are a lot of people who hike with hiking poles. Do hiking poles make a difference? Or are hiking poles just another marketing trick to get hikers to buy them?
Our goal in this article is to show you the benefits of hiking poles so you can decide if you need one. We’ll also go over how to use them.
Here’s what you need to know about hiking poles.
Do Hiking Poles Make a Difference?
A lot of people walk around without hiking poles, so you might wonder whether they’re worth it. But in reality, hiking poles do make a difference. Using a hiking pole makes hiking safer and healthier.
Note that some guided group hikes require hiking poles. It’s usually needed for the harder routes. On simpler routes, hiking poles are recommended instead of required.
It’s great to keep hiking poles in the back of your pack even if you don’t like them.
Stronger Cardiovascular System
Hiking poles let you train your whole body instead of just your lower body. You have to bear some of the weight and impact with your arms.
By using hiking poles properly, you can train your upper body muscles and your cardiovascular system. Walking up the mountain, you’ll be able to maintain a certain rhythm. Walking in a specific rhythm with your hands inside the wrist straps is the best way to train your cardiovascular system.
Furthermore, your arm muscles, hands, and shoulders will relieve lower body pressure. Your lower body gets a little relief if you put more pressure on your upper body.
Relief for Your Joints
When you go down, your joints get more pressure. When you go down, your ligaments, feet, legs, and hips get a lot of stress. Here’s where a hiking pole comes in handy.
Studies have shown that significant differences can be seen with and without hiking poles for ground reaction force, knee joint moment, and tibiofemoral and tendon forces.
A hiking pole will help you relieve lower body pressure, as we mentioned earlier. With your body leaning forward, the knee moment arm will be reduced. And rather than dropping into your feet on steep downhills, you can use the poles to help lower yourself gently.
You can relieve up to 16% of joint pressure if you use it right.
Safety and Balance
Walking on uneven terrain can be tricky, especially if the gravel is loose. Hiking poles will help you maintain your balance, stabilize your position, and support your body. Psychologically, it’ll make you feel safer.
A pole adds two points of contact, improving traction on dirt, snow, and loose rocks. The hiking poles will help you balance when crossing fast-moving water, crossing snowfields and ice patches, trekking over narrow ridgelines, and going uphill or downhill over loose terrain.
Any time you do a more challenging hike in the mountains, you should bring your hiking poles. Of course, if you rely too much on it, you won’t be able to train your balance as much. So I also recommend not bringing hiking poles for flat or simple hikes, so you can train your balance.
You can use hiking poles to push unpleasant plants while walking. For example, if you’re hiking through an area with stinging nettles (Brennessel in German), or any other plants that aren’t very pleasant.
How to Use Hiking Poles
- Your upper and lower arms should have a right angle (90 degrees) when you’re using hiking poles. You’re keeping your lower arm parallel to the ground. Your hiking pole can be adjusted this way.
- When you’re going down the mountain, don’t use the wrist straps. In case you slip and fall, your hands could stay inside the loop, causing unnecessary injuries.
- Make sure you keep your hiking poles away from your feet. If you step on it, you might fall and get hurt.
- Make sure you get the right hiking poles for your size. Getting a recommendation from the sports shop and then trying it out before buying is the best way.
- There might be some terrain in some hiking areas that you’ll have to use your hands on. It’s probably a good idea to keep the poles out for a while if that is the case.
- Using a backpack with a side string so you can attach hiking poles will be helpful. Stow it away if it doesn’t need to be carried and attach it to the side of your backpack.
Resources
- Schütz, Silvia. Geht Wandern besser mit Stock? Migros Magazin 37, 12.9.2022.
- Schwameder, Hermann, Robin Roithner, Erich Muller, Wolfgang Niessen & Christian Raschner. Knee joint forces during downhill walking with hiking poles, 09 December 2010. Accessed on 22 September 2022. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/026404199365362.
Darla is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. Her home is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country. Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.