How to Choose Trekking Poles and Hiking Staffs
Depending on what kind of hiking you're doing will determine the type of gear required for the adventure. While hiking staffs are perfect for day trips or short hikes, a trekking pole can make all the difference when it comes to setting out on a trail for an extended period of time. Knowing how to choose between the two can help make your trip easier.
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Instructions
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Research your trip in advance. While hiking staffs are really nothing more than aids to help you along difficult sections of a trail, trekking poles come with a variety of options that need to be evaluated prior to making a purchase.
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Gauge the length of the shaft. If you are after a hiking staff or a trekking pole, length is one of the determining factors in choosing the right equipment for your trip. The goal is have the tip of the staff touch the ground while your arm is horizontal, and although longer poles can be useful on descents, they are worthless for uphill climbs when the majority of your climbing is done with your legs.
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Test the grip/handle. Comfort can go a long way, and when you consider that you will often be handling your staff or pole over extended periods of time, it is important to choose something that is going to remain comfortable even after several hours or even several days. Chafing and blisters are to be avoided.
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Evaluate the tips of the staff/pole. The vast majority of poles come equipped with a carbide metal tip that is perfect for digging into a variety of different types of soil and rock to help you along the trails. Make sure your staff or poles also come with attachable rubber tips and covers to use if you end up hiking across pavement or developed areas within towns or cities.
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Check the baskets on the poles. While not necessarily a mandatory feature on hiking staffs since most are only used only for day trips, trekking poles are often used in extreme conditions such as snow. In this case, the size of the basket on the bottom of the pole is vital to your ability to traverse deep snow packs. The looser and deeper the snow is, the larger the basket on your pole needs to be in order to keep it from sinking through the snow. You want a larger basket in order to hold your weight properly.
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Explore any additional features. Some poles come with adjustable lengths, anti-shock features and a variety of other extras that may or may not be worthwhile depending on the individual. If the pole you are looking at has these features, be sure to check them for durability before making your final purchase.
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References
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- Photo Credit hiking image by Galyna Andrushko from Fotolia.com
