Walking poles can help to make a hiking adventure much more comfortable and less straining on your knees and lower back. However, a walking pole will only confer these benefits if you size it appropriately for your height. Before purchasing a pole, measure yourself to find the appropriate height for you. While almost all walking sticks are adjustable, you must ensure the pole will adjust to your appropriate size. Additionally, an adjustable pole will provide more flexibility for different types of terrain.
Step 1
Stand up straight with your shoulders relaxed.
Step 2
Unfurl a measuring tape and hold one end under your armpit.
Step 3
Measure the distance from your armpit to the ground. Round down to the closest inch.
Step 4
Subtract 2 inches from the height you measured. Record this distance.
Step 5
Turn the center knob on your walking pole counterclockwise to unlock it and allow the two pieces to slide freely in and out of each other.
Step 6
Stand your walking pole upright and hold your measuring tape next to it. Ensure the bottom of the pole and the bottom of the measuring tape touch the ground.
Step 7
Raise or lower the walking pole until the very top of it is at the same height you recorded earlier. Turn the center knob clockwise to lock the height into place.
Tips and Warnings
- Walk around with your walking pole, feeling to see if its height is comfortable for you. Some people prefer a slightly taller pole while others prefer a shorter one. Increase the length of your pole a few inches when hiking downhill and decrease the length of your pole a few inches when hiking uphill.
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