A few fine differences, mainly in use, set Nordic walking sticks apart from ordinary trekking poles. For example, you use Nordic walking sticks to actually push off as you walk, as opposed to just supporting your weight with trekking poles. And you adjust your Nordic walking technique, not the pole length, according to whether you're walking uphill, downhill or on flat ground. However, just as with trekking poles, getting Nordic walking sticks that fit your body correctly makes the difference between a heart-pumping outdoor adventure or an uncomfortable slog.
Step 1
Stand straight against a wall, in the shoes you intend to wear for Nordic walking, and have a friend measure your height. Nordic walking sticks are usually measured in centimeters, so your friend should read the measurement in centimeters, if possible. Otherwise, multiply your height in inches by 2.54 to convert it to centimeters. If you are 72 inches tall, your height in centimeters would be 72 x 2.54 = 183 cm.
Step 2
Multiply your height, in centimeters, by 0.68. Again, if you are 72 inches tall, it would be 183 x 0.68 = 124.44 cm. British Nordic Walking recommends rounding down to the nearest increment of 5 cm to estimate for the best fit. However, the example result is so close that you might still get a proper fit by rounding up to 125 cm.
Step 3
Measure the Nordic walking sticks against your body. The calculations are only an estimate, and checking the actual fit is the only way to ensure you get poles of proper length. Stand straight in the same shoes you intend to wear for walking and grip the poles' handles loosely, holding your elbows close to your side. Your hands and wrists should be at, or just below, the level of your elbows.
Tips and Warnings
- Adjustable poles may be best for a beginner, as you learn the Nordic walking technique of pushing off with every stride. That adjustability is also a must if more than one person is going to use the same poles, because you may each need a different-length pole to develop proper technique. Once you've got your technique down and are committed to the sport, you might find that fixed-length poles are lighter and offer better energy transfer than adjustable poles.
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Calculator
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