Rubber Tips for Trekking Poles: Why & What Kind to Consider

Rubber tips are sold as optional accessories for trekking poles.  They’re NOT optional.   The travel tips that come with many poles (clear, orange or black plastic) are garbage – toss them out (or recycle them).   In many of this blog’s updates we describe how rubber tips improve performance, prevent joint strain, increase safety and enhance […]

Two Poles or NOT Two Poles ~ There is NO question

Learning to use trekking poles for hiking is a skill that all hikers will, at some point, appreciate.  Whether you’re 30 or 90, optimal use of poles provides significant benefits on the trail.  (click on any photo to enlarge). In this post we’ll discuss Why Poles? Why Optimal Use? Benefits of Optimal Use of Poles […]

Nordic Walking Classes in Reno with Rick Deutsch

Join American Nordic Walking Association certified instructor Rick Deutsch, for a fun instructional 1-hour session around Reno’s beautiful Sparks Marina.  You might know him better as Mr. Half Dome, having hiked to the summit 30 times. Rick also teaches Nordic Walking on Crystal Cruise ships.   He’ll have loaner LEKI poles for the 1-hour sessions, so you […]

Trekking Poles for use with Wheelchairs?

I was initially very skeptical about using poles with wheelchairs. Why?  Because we teach people to use big pushing muscles – muscles in the back that support and elongate the spine.  My concern was that the more fragile pulling muscles (like the anterior deltoid) might be used and therefore strained.   Also, I thought some control […]

Trekking Poles: Travel Tips

Question from the Facebook PoleWalking page: “In mid-October I am going to northern Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago and would like to get information on air travel with poles and any other info about this walk and the weather you may have.”  Margy S. I’ll address the travel with poles question and hope […]

FAQ: What kind of POLES should I buy?

Learning about gear is an important aspect in mastering the skills necessary to achieve the many benefits of using poles.  Because models and features of poles change regularly, our hiking DVD does not address specific types of poles. Our website endeavors to stay abreast of current models of poles.  We update the website as models […]

Trekking Pole Troubles: How to fix poles that don’t tighten

The 2 most common problems people have with their poles are: “I’m unable (or afraid) to take my poles apart.” “My poles won’t tighten.” This post deals with #2. There are different kinds of mechanisms that hold the poles together and tight.    ALL are a SIMPLE FIX if you know how.  Many poles come with […]

Nordic Walking Poles vs. Trekking Poles: What’s the Difference?

Nordic Walking poles and Trekking Poles may look similar, but there are significant differences in design, which allow them to serve different purposes.   Consider the Biking Analogy: Using Trekking Poles is like Mountain Biking and Nordic Walking is like road biking. TREKKING POLES: General Purpose:  Hiking * Terrain: Varied, mountains, hills, etc. Equipment: Poles are […]

LEKI Poles: How to adjust & use straps

Here’s a quick tutorial on how to use and adjust LEKI pole straps: My friend Pierre and I filmed a quick little (translation – low quality but technically accurate) video in the garden the other day.  Often people ask about pole straps – it’s an essential element to using poles optimally. Note:  LEKI poles have […]