Walking and hiking poles

WALKING STICKS: THE HIKER'S ESSENTIAL ACCESSORY

Walking poles are fast becoming indispensable accessories for hikers. They secure your step andallow you to find greaterstability.

They provide extra support and relieve pressure on leg muscles. Size, weight and finish are all criteria to consider before buying a walking stick. Here's a quick look at the most important features of this walking accessory.

DOES THE WEIGHT OF A WALKING STICK MATTER?

If you're going to be walking for several days at a time, light walking poles are advisable. Especially if you need to attach them to your rucksack, which contains all your belongings, so you'll be perfectly self-sufficient. To save space, we advise you to use foldable or telescopicpoles (2 or 3 poles), as they are easy to store in a bag.

Depending on your use, select the pair of poles that best suits your needs. 1 shaft for a rigid, resistant pole that you won't have to carry in your backpack. 2 or 3 shafts for greater freedom and less rigidity. Then choose the material: aluminum poles to resist torsion, or carbon poles to save weight.

Tip Decathlon: Leave your poles in the boot of your car so you never forget them on your trek.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF A TELESCOPIC ROD?

Telescopic walking poles can be adjusted not only to your height, but also to the difficulty of the terrain. Screw-in poles are the most common type. The screw opens a jaw housed inside the pole, locking the poles in place. A grip ring added to the shaft is an advantage. Latch sticks are locked with a latch. Heavier than the screw system, it's more practical in winter when you're wearing gloves. Foldable poles are lighter and more compact than telescopic poles.

STRAP, HANDLE AND TIP: THE DETAILS THAT MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE ON A WALKING STICK

Plastic handles are harder and less comfortable than rubber, cork or foam ones. Some grips also come with a sleeve, useful in winter snow. The wrist strap helps prevent the pole from getting lost, and secures the grip by preventing the hand from tightening on the handle. Tungsten carbide tips resist abrasion better than steel ones. Walking poles are sold with a summer washer and a much wider winter washer to prevent them from sinking into soft ground.