- Time of past OR future Camino
- Spring 2025
Remove ads on the forum by becoming a donating member. More here. |
---|
Most poles, even cheap ones will last the entire distance.I plan to walk the whole Frances so I will need poles that will stand the test, so to speak.
Thank you Trecile!Most poles, even cheap ones will last the entire distance.
Whether you want to pay for extra for particular features - lighter weight, cork handles, etc. is up to you.
I had never used poles before my first Camino so I ended up buying Pacer Poles because they have a unique grip which seemed to be "idiot proof".
Hiking, Walking & Trekking Poles | Pacerpole Walking System
Pacerpole produce ergonomically designed walking and trekking poles. Pacerpoles improve your walking ability and general health. Free worldwide shipping.pacerpole.com
That's good to hear! I didn't know Swissgear made poles, I have 3 of their suitcases! I did like the retractable ones from Diamond(?) that I saw, they were the lightest poles but sadly had the worst reviews! I will look into the Swiss gear too. Thanks againHello and welcome
Poles are one if the hottest topics of this forum so be prepared to see lots of various opinions.
Fir myself I can unequivocally state that I use a very cheap pair of retractable Swissgear poles that costed me whooping $15.00 some 14 years ago and have been with me on various tracks including Camino Inca, Frances, Finisterre and recently TMB.
Wait, I just noticed, you went on TMB? I have a friend who went on that hike in Aug this year with his wife!That's good to hear! I didn't know Swissgear made poles, I have 3 of their suitcases! I did like the retractable ones from Diamond(?) that I saw, they were the lightest poles but sadly had the worst reviews! I will look into the Swiss gear too. Thanks again
I have walked 000s of kilometres with my Pacer Poles with no blisters.Thank you Trecile!I borrowed a pair on my last hike and didn't much care for the grips and felt that if used for a day would create blisters between my thumb and forefinger.
didn't much care for the grips
Poles are poles. Apart from Pacers, which have a special grip, they are pretty much of a muchness so far as walking goes. The differences are in how they fold up, their weight, and strength (and cost). At least, that is my opinion. You can also buy them in France or Spain thus avoiding that perennial favourite ´Can I take my poles on a plane as hand luggage?´I was wondering if you could give me your reviews on the poles you've used? What you liked, what you didn't. Did they go the distance, did you use them just to climb or descend or to walk with daily.
I agree completely. And also with points 2, 4 and 5 above.Used incorrectly they are merely dead weight. I'd hesitate to say, probably 60-70% on Camino use them incorrectly...........
I'd say that the ergonomically shaped hand "grip" is more of a cradle for your hands. You actually just have to rest your hand on it - no real "gripping" required.Selecting poles is like asking for a choice of boots or packs.
Everyone has their favorites.
They all basically do the same job.
Mine have done about 3,000 kms on Camino so far.
So like me, not really worn it yet!
I would say:
Happy shopping
- Used incorrectly they are merely dead weight. I'd hesitate to say, probably 60-70% on Camino use them incorrectly........... (I'll now duck). There are plenty of videos on how to use them.
- My wife and I use them every step of the way, up, down and flat. Used well they take weight off the joints and improve posture. They are not just for 'balance'.
- They require quite significant downward force to get the most benefit. I tried to measure it and reckon it can be about 5-10 kg. This is what takes the weight off your joints and improves posture. "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction" Newton's 3rd law. This is the bit most people don't do. You want weight off your joints, put weight (force) down through the poles.
- The grips almost don't matter. Because you don't actually grip them. The weight is placed on the pole straps, with just 2 or 3 fingers lightly touching the grip to guide the pole. Uphills and downhills require a bit more grip and a slightly different 'grip' with the hands.
- Used correctly you won't get blisters on fingers / hands. Because you are not 'gripping' anything. We do carry lightweight gloves but they are for sun or cold protection.
- We use very lightweight poles, only 316 gms per pair. They work well, but need some care to not over tighten the twist locks. I have had to replace a couple of section.
Of course there is nothing wrong with merely using poles as 'outriggers' for improved balance, like many do. Just that they can provide far more benefit that that.
Note.
Pacer poles are used in a slightly different way I think.
They don't have straps but specially shaped grips.
I'm not into 'gripping' so haven't tried them.
Someone may come along and correct me on the differences........
Lots of Pacer fans here.
I'm still using the same cheap poles I bought on my 2016 Camino. They show no signs of wearing out (though the rubber or plastic tips have had to be replaced a number of times).Most poles, even cheap ones will last the entire distance.
Hi there fellow Peregrinos!
I will walk my first Camino in May 2025 and am slowly gathering my equipment. I have my boots that I've been hiking in and this pair seem to be good. I really want a pair of Trek Poles now as I am training on inclines and declines now. I went to REI last weekend and I just wasn't sure with the selection offered if they were the right poles for me, they all had very mixed reviews.
I was wondering if you could give me your reviews on the poles you've used? What you liked, what you didn't. Did they go the distance, did you use them just to climb or descend or to walk with daily.
I plan to walk the whole Frances so I will need poles that will stand the test, so to speak. I really appreciate your time and consideration.
I used poles from Costco that were just fine and lasted the entire way from SFPP to Santiago. Advice I heard was you don’t need the fancy stuff and it worked in my case. Used them every day for 42 days.Hi there fellow Peregrinos!
I will walk my first Camino in May 2025 and am slowly gathering my equipment. I have my boots that I've been hiking in and this pair seem to be good. I really want a pair of Trek Poles now as I am training on inclines and declines now. I went to REI last weekend and I just wasn't sure with the selection offered if they were the right poles for me, they all had very mixed reviews.
I was wondering if you could give me your reviews on the poles you've used? What you liked, what you didn't. Did they go the distance, did you use them just to climb or descend or to walk with daily.
I plan to walk the whole Frances so I will need poles that will stand the test, so to speak. I really appreciate your time and consideration.
I agreed. I started the CF with walking poles but without gloves. With the correct grip, your hands get full sunshine (and sunburn). The gloves were an easy choice over sunscreen and prevented blisters.gloves also reduce sunburn on your hands which maybe is also of interest.
I had never used trekking poles. I purchased some beforehand. Glad we did, very helpful. Got the collapsible kind. Worked great, just strapped them to side of pack when not needed. Be sure to get the rubber tips you can put on and maybe an extra set. The clicking of metal tips on cobblestone is awful. Drove me nuts as well as others. And some people just click away.Hi there fellow Peregrinos!
I will walk my first Camino in May 2025 and am slowly gathering my equipment. I have my boots that I've been hiking in and this pair seem to be good. I really want a pair of Trek Poles now as I am training on inclines and declines now. I went to REI last weekend and I just wasn't sure with the selection offered if they were the right poles for me, they all had very mixed reviews.
I was wondering if you could give me your reviews on the poles you've used? What you liked, what you didn't. Did they go the distance, did you use them just to climb or descend or to walk with daily.
I plan to walk the whole Frances so I will need poles that will stand the test, so to speak. I really appreciate your time and consideration.
[snip]
There is a formula (A+L)/2 where A is your number of arms and L your number of legs which calculates the optimum number of poles to use.
()
I keep coming up with '3,' rounded up. Am I doing something wrong?
. . .
Oh, waitasec . . . that's not a "leg" . . .
I have pacerpoles and love them. 4 pair of black diamond poles lay around unused. I tried liking poles and found them wanting. Leki polesHi there fellow Peregrinos!
I will walk my first Camino in May 2025 and am slowly gathering my equipment. I have my boots that I've been hiking in and this pair seem to be good. I really want a pair of Trek Poles now as I am training on inclines and declines now. I went to REI last weekend and I just wasn't sure with the selection offered if they were the right poles for me, they all had very mixed reviews.
I was wondering if you could give me your reviews on the poles you've used? What you liked, what you didn't. Did they go the distance, did you use them just to climb or descend or to walk with daily.
I plan to walk the whole Frances so I will need poles that will stand the test, so to speak. I really appreciate your time and consideration.
Do you really need the poles for mobility because you have a medically diagnosed balance problem so you can’t even get on/off the plane without them - or is this just an attempt to avoid having to check them?Re: transporting your poles on the plane as part of carry on. Have your doctor provide you with a note saying that the poles are necessary for proper balance. It doesn't have to be complicated. My note says simply 'to whom it may concern' and is printed on the clinic's stationary. Have I ever actually presented this note to a TSA screener? No. But it serves as back-up documentation if I am challenged. I just tell TSA that I have balance problems and the 'sticks' are a medical necessity. It is a rule: no walking sticks as carry on as they are considered to be 'sporting equipment', but it is a soft rule that allows discretion.
My take on this is ...........
Pacer Poles are game changers, worth ever euro, dollar! Ask me how we know! We have used poles for years. It’s like driving a car without power steering and power brakes … yes that was a thing… and then driving a car with power both . Plus as you mature, get older, whatever , we found they save you and give you longevity and the ability to keep going ! IOHOMost poles, even cheap ones will last the entire distance.
Whether you want to pay for extra for particular features - lighter weight, cork handles, etc. is up to you.
I had never used poles before my first Camino so I ended up buying Pacer Poles because they have a unique grip which seemed to be "idiot proof".
Hiking, Walking & Trekking Poles | Pacerpole Walking System
Pacerpole produce ergonomically designed walking and trekking poles. Pacerpoles improve your walking ability and general health. Free worldwide shipping.pacerpole.com
Pacer poles are a game changer! We won’t go back to our Leki or Black Diamond. Check them out https://www.pacerpole.com/I have walked 000s of kilometres with my Pacer Poles with no blisters.
They do take a few days or maybe more to get used to them, including synchronising the arms with your legs (Pacer Poles provide instructions although they can apply to all poles). Soon enough they feel like a natural extension to your arms.
Sometimes wearing thin gloves maybe useful for comfort (with all poles, personal preference), and gloves also reduce sunburn on your hands which maybe is also of interest.
Possibly your imagined feelings were premature.
And they give you so much extra power when walking because the hand grips have little kick off ledges!Pacer Poles are game changers, worth ever euro, dollar! Ask me how we know! We have used poles for years. It’s like driving a car without power steering and power brakes … yes that was a thing… and then driving a car with power both . Plus as you mature, get older, whatever , we found they save you and give you longevity and the ability to keep going ! IOHO
I'm trying to figure out where this extra power comes from. Are you comparing walking without poles or walking with conventional poles? What is about Pacer poles that generates this extra power?And they give you so much extra power when walking because the hand grips have little kick off ledges!
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?