Hiking sticks can help relieve the physical burden of a long or strenuous hike. Since they let your arms take on some of the exertion of hiking, you'll enjoy increased endurance, plus the ability to traverse steep hills and maintain balance on rough terrain and during stream crossings. Hiking sticks also reduce strain on your knees, which is a relief if you experience knee pain during prolonged hikes. To maximize the efficiency of a hiking stick, you should choose one -- or a pair -- that will fit your height as well as your walking needs.
General Rule
The hiking stick manufacturer Whistle Creek recommends that hiking sticks should fall about 6 to 9 inches above your elbow when your arm is hanging down from a standing position. Its hiking sticks measure between 48 and 59 inches tall. A large number of manufacturers also produce adjustable hiking poles that you can shorten or lengthen as needed.
Downhill
While hiking downhill, you might want a longer hiking stick. The extra length will enable you to reach farther down to stabilize you on steep descents. This will take a lot of the pressure off your knees and improve your balance and control. If you're using adjustable trekking poles, you can lengthen them a few inches when going downhill.
Uphill
If you're climbing uphill, you won't need a long stick and might even benefit from a shorter one. You can shorten adjustable hiking poles a few inches to help support your body on an uphill hike. The steepness of the terrain will determine how much you should adjust its length.
Traverse
If you're traversing a slope, one side of the hill will angle above you while the other angles down. In this situation, the stick on the ascending slope should be shorter and the stick on the descending side should be longer to provide optimal support.
Personal Preference
If you're one of those hikers who is constantly trying out the hiking stick properties of every branch in your path, you've probably formed your own opinion about the length that is right for you. If a stick feels right -- even if it doesn't meet the above criteria -- stick with it. Some hikers even use sticks as high as their chin or shoulders.
Member Comments