The Difference Between Trekking Poles and Hiking Poles

Trekking sticks and hiking sticks are two kinds of walking sticks that are often used in life. They have many similarities, but there are also some differences in their use. So what are the differences between trekking sticks and hiking sticks? The role of trekking poles is mainly support and safety, the role of hiking poles is mainly to take into account both fitness and safety; trekking poles are more professional, and hiking poles are more casual. The difference between trekking poles and walking poles is embodied in the following three points:

Difference in function

Trekking poles, also known as snow mountain poles, are basically designed for climbing mountains above 3,500 meters, and are more of a protective function. To challenge the limits of life in the mountains with high altitude lack of oxygen, low temperature ice and snow, various hard rocks and gravel, it is impossible to do without trekking poles.

Nordic walking sticks are mainly designed for fitness, with both fitness and protection functions. Unlike trekking poles, both poles must be used at the same time. It is mainly suitable for brisk walking on the peaceful road for mountaineering activities below 3500 meters above sea level and can return on the same day. The special function of Nordic walking makes it the best aerobic exercise and has attracted the attention of fitness and medical experts.

Difference in material

The main function of trekking poles is to support, so they are mostly made of metal alloys. The purpose is to strengthen the support. The "handle" design is dominated by the palm of the hand, and the wristband is a simple looped strap. The shock absorber adopts a shock absorber spring in the rod body, and only the metal tip at the bottom of the rod is anti-skid, and the functional problem of using on smooth and hard stone slabs and roads is not considered.

The Nordic walking stick has various functions. For this reason, the carbon fiber composite is used as the rod body. The wrist strap is specially designed, similar to a simple glove, and the bottom is equipped with a small boot-like shock-absorbing head in addition to the metal pointed head. Its rod body is very light (three or two weights), in addition to having sufficient supporting force, it also has good elasticity, can be bent, and the straight reaction force enables users to borrow. The specially designed wrist strap can also change the direction of hand force in addition to the convenient grip handle. In addition, instead of grasping the handle, the wrist strap is used to support and push the cane, which is also a unique design to reduce hand vibration. The metal prongs at the bottom can easily walk on the ground such as ice, snow and mud, while the anti-skid head of the small boots can ensure no slippage when walking on smooth ground such as slate and cement.

Difference in usage

The use of trekking poles is mainly based on grasping the handle. Except when going up the mountain, the upper arm is basically close to the upper body, the shoulder joint is basically not moving, and the arm and elbow joint are used as the axis to maintain the balance of the body by changing the support point of the cane. Trekking poles do not have the function of walking on a flat road, and it is not enough to use two.

The use of Nordic walking sticks requires that the shoulder joint can swing back and forth, and the amplitude of the swing arm is increased to enhance the fitness effect and protection effect. Walking on a flat road, on the basis of normal walking, straighten the back leg, heel the front leg and the back, swing the arms, the support point of the cane is slightly behind the body, and the rod is inclined to push the body forward. When climbing, give full play to the role of the wristband. When going up the mountain, put the cane in front first, use the wrist strap to pull the body upward, bend the arm after going up, and use the wrist strap to push the cane behind to make the body continue to ascend. When going down the mountain, the cane is supported in front, and the arm should be in a straight line with the cane to extend the length of the cane.