Gear can be confusing and intimidating, particularly for women. It is always a pet peeve of mine when I arrive at an outdoor retailer and am ignored or talked down to because of my gender in the increasingly tech-laden realm that is the outdoors. But having quality equipment is important. Sure, you don't need to have top-of-the-line EVERYTHING...after all, being outside isn't about the accumulation of STUFF...but you want dependability and durability, particularly in the backcountry.
TREKKING POLES 101
There are hundred of options out there. You can now buy trekking poles anywhere from Walmart to Backwoods to COSTCO (COSTCO, people!) but how do you know which to buy? Here are a few things to consider before you buy.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE?: We are all mountaineers...in our minds. In reality, our lifestyles aren't always the year-long backpacking trips we'd love them to be. You need to consider the "whens" and "wheres" before buying a pair of trekking poles because they can be designed for specific activities. Are you hiking a paved trail and just need extra balance? Are you looking for stability on a hilly jaunt in the bluffs? Are you descending into the Grand Canyon? Hiking the Inca Trail? Be realistic...there's no reason to pay for more than you need.
WEIGHT: Carbon fiber poles are lighter but *slightly* less durable. Aluminum poles are heavier. It may seem silly, but on a 4 day hike, you may develop arm fatigue with heavy poles. No big deal if you plan for that in training. Keep in mind, contrary to common sense, smaller/lighter = more expensive in the gear world.
FIT: Generally, you're going to want your arm at a 90 degree angle for level hiking. Shorten your trekking poles for uphill travel to save the stretching and lengthen them when heading downhill for better bracing and shock absorption. Try a prospective pole at all lengths to see how comfortable it is.
ANTI-SHOCK: For steep up and down, I would ALWAYS advise to go for the anti-shock. Many a hiker has been saved from a fall or a knee-replacement by taking some of the strain off their joints using this tool. It is common for the youthful among us to skip this feature. If you're doing serious hiking, don't skimp here. Go for the anti-shock and gain a few more years of healthy hiking. Some companies put their shock mechanisms in the grip, others in the pole shaft. Make sure, if it has an on/off device, it is easy to work. Then, try it again with gloves on.
LOCKING MECHANISM: The shaft of a trekking pole is usually split into 2-3 pieces that telescope as needed. This is how you adjust your fit. You'll want to make sure you understand how to lock off the adjustment so your pole doesn't collapse on trail. Some will use a twist-lock system, which uses pressure to secure your pole. Others, utilize a flip-lock, which I have found to be much easier to use in cold/wet environments. If you go flip-lock, make sure you carry a little multi-tool with you as well as the locks will occasionally need tightening.
GRIP: The grip should be angled to support a natural wrist bend. A pole should never be straight up and down, tip to grip. Grips can be plastic, foam, cork or rubber. All have pros and cons. Plastic is generally found on the cheaper models and can lead to blistering more than other options. Foam and Cork will absorb sweat, allowing for better grip and are more likely to mold to your hand over time. Rubber offers a better grip under a glove, making it more ideal in cold weather.
WOMEN-SPECIFIC: When designated a "woman's" pole, it generally means it has all or a combination of the following:
*Lighter weight
*Smaller Hand Grip
*Shorter Telescoping Ability
*Fancy-Pants Floral Design
Most women can use a unisex pole. If you are petite or if weight/size is an issue for travelling, then it might be worthwhile to get women-specific poles.
You can get women's trekking poles from LEKI, REI, GARMONT, BLACK DIAMOND and KOMPERDELL...just to name a few. Of course, I have my favorites, but now YOU have the tools so you make the call.
I'd love to hear what you find....
HAPPY HIKING!
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