Best length for walking poles

musicman

Ensuitepilgrim

Time of past OR future Camino

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• Sep 11, 2012

• #1

Hola,

What is the best length for walking poles?

Eg. Level with hips?
Level with elbow?

Many thanks for any advice.
Leaving Porto this Thursday,with groups
Of confraternity members

 

D

Deleted member 3000

Guest

• Sep 11, 2012

• #2

Most instruction videos show a level forearm when planting the pole.

Pacer Poles:
http://www.pacerpole.com/pacerpole-user-guide

 

dougfitz

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• Sep 11, 2012

• #3

or the Leki site has good video instructions at http://www.leki.com/935--all_videos.html

 

LTfit

Veteran Member

Donating Member

• Sep 11, 2012

• #4

"Official" recommentation (originator Nordic Walking) is 0.70 x walker' s height. Never calculated myself but my forearm is at a 90 degree angle in relation to pole when placed straight in front of me.

There are various techniques but I find using them as if you were cross-country skiing the most efficient and comfortable.

 

Abbeydore

Veteran Member

• Sep 12, 2012

• #5

falcon269 said:

Most instruction videos show a level forearm when planting the pole.

Pacer Poles:
http://www.pacerpole.com/pacerpole-user-guide

Click to expand...

Correct & then micro adjust for whether you are a fast walker with long strides or like me with a shorter stride & slower, therefore a little shorter......

 

dougfitz

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• Sep 12, 2012

• #6

LTfit said:

"Official" recommentation (originator Nordic Walking) is 0.70 x walker' s height. Never calculated myself but my forearm is at a 90 degree angle in relation to pole when placed straight in front of me.

Click to expand...

Using 0.7xheight might be sound advice for nordic walking, but doesn't work for trekking. It results in the poles being at a substantial angle to the rear.

My poles are currently at about 0.6x my height, which results in the pole being vertical when my forearm is parallel to the ground.

 

BrianForbesColgate

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Caminho Português da Costa (Fall 2018)

• Feb 27, 2018

• #7

Here are a couple of other resources, F.Y.I.
Black Diamond Z-Poles: Using trekking poles:

 

MichelleElynHogan

Veteran Member

• Feb 27, 2018

• #8

Thank you for all the good information. I have always used the old, "elbow at 90 deg," rule. I have also discovered that if using a staff, or longpole, a natural grip lands about a hand width higher. A staff would be 5 ft or about 1.6 m or longer.