👍👍👍 I'm a hiking pole convert. I started using them when I joined a 'Nordic Walking' Group some ten years ago. Now, after 73 Summers and with wrecked knees, they accompany me even on short outings. Handy also for 'feeling out' unknown terrain ahead such as when doing water crossings. They also give the upper body something to do .. no non-paying passengers on this ship 😊. A good share .. thanks. Take care ..
Totally in agreement with you about how great hiking poles are. I started using them a few years ago and they’ve made a huge difference to my hiking experiences. I’m always singing their praises to those who haven’t tried them yet. And so many uses as you’ve demonstrated!
Definitely recommend them, unfortunately on day 2 of my Tasmanian Overland Track walk my knees were in excruciating pain due to the weight of my gear, luckily one of the tour guides had a set he was willing to let me borrow and they enabled me to complete the trek
@@settohike they got better after a chiro session, a few months ago I completed Everest base camp with no issue so it was definitely the weight that got to me
Great video! I do use my hiking poles to flush out snakes in front of me when hiking in tall grass. Another (potential) use could be for self defense, whether from an encounter with an aggressive animal (dog, coyote, feral hog, etc.) or even from an encounter with a person with ill intent. After all, you have two of them, they are already in your hands, and they have a sharp point on their ends.
Yeah I swear I was walking in some kind of snake pit when I filmed that bit, I'd never seen so many in such a short amount of time! You make a good point about their sharp ends, I might have to brush up on my swordsman skills just in case!
We *always* carried a "third leg" - a decent-sized, stout, fairly straight, length of branch (fallen dead-wood, of course) to help with hiking - great for bracing yourself on tricky descents, river crossings and to push down on on ascents so your legs aren't doing all the work. Have recently switched to actual hiking poles (even though they seem more flimsy than the chunks of tree branch I've usually entrusted my life to). First got 1 as a replacement for the "third leg", now have two.
Yeah always been the same too, found one once I liked so much I brought it home, sanded it back and linseed oiled it, it's beautiful. But finally looking for my first pair now.
@@ike8236 I found a fairly straight branch - not sure what it was from but there were poplar trees growing nearby so maybe it came from one of them, maybe it didn't - just before going for a short day hike so I grabbed it, used it on the hike, utterly loved it and brought it home with me, used it on many other camping trips since then - it's in the storage shed at the moment, since I have telescoping hiking poles.
I only do light hikes (up to 5 miles or so), and I only purchased hiking poles because I have some physical challenges / chronic issue with one of my legs (I trip easily when walking over uneven surfaces). The poles gives me reassurance/stability when going over areas with rocks, sand, mud or creeks. I tested many brand hiking poles and chose REI store brand poles because of the hand grips, it is a soft spongy rubber material. I didn't like the cork material hand grips on more expensive brand poles, and the other brands poles had an uncomfortable very hard rubber like material. I also tested poles that had built in springs which I didn't like, it was a weird feeling. But I didn't want a fixed length pole either, the REI poles had sections you could loosen, so you could adjust to exact height you desire. I set the length a couple inches short then recommended height, it just gives me better feeling to grip top of hand grip when going down hills. The plastic ferrule that you loosen/tighten to adjust the pole height, started getting loose on hikes. So I put a small amount of duct tape over it to prevent them from getting loose again.
According to Pubmed nordic poles or trekking poles on flat terrain has zero benefit to our knees or any joint in relation to normal walking . The only time poles are of any benefit is while descent or ascent by adding stability and reducing pressure on the knees . In flat surface it has zero benefits to the knees .
I've been hiking for over 30 years and never needed them, told other people to not waste their money etc, etc......but....on my most recent hike that for reasons was at the end 2019 I tried em out and damn it, they help!!!! They really do ..I find that I can hike up quicker and easier and they certianly help when you going down...I also like that have something to get rid of the spider webs on the tracks in the morning. I'm heading up to Mt Bogong in a couple of weeks for a hike on snowshoes and it's going to be interesting to see how they work on snow.
How the hell did you manage to be hiking for so long without using _some sort_ of pole/stick/"third leg"? We always used to look around for any decent-sized piece of dead wood that we could use as a staff for balance, bracing ourselves when descending steep tracks or crossing swift rivers (taught my kids to use a stick to maintain "at least two points of contact" when fording a river), pushing encroaching vegetation out of the way (especially "bush lawyer"), leaning on to help us up steep climbs etc. If we found a particularly good stick, it invariably got slung in the back of the car when we got back so we could use it on other hikes and it became *_the_* "hiking stick" or "third leg" until it broke or got lost or you found an even better stick somewhere... I've transitioned to hiking poles as a _replacement_ for the good old wooden "hiking stick" - they're lighter and they can be collapsed down to a convenient size.
Absolutely love hiking poles/ walking sticks. I made my own during lockdown and they're great when going up and down hills. Great informative video as always. Keep up the great work 👍👍👍👍
Couldn't agree more!! When carrying a solid pack or if you have a big decent, they save your knees!! Across reasonable flat sections I feel they increase my speed by about 30% 👍
Haha yes imagine going downhill without poles. What would that be like 😂 The only time they get annoying is when I stop to film and try to balance them and they end up falling to the ground :P
@@settohike ha ha ha, so true about the camera!! The downhill can destroy your knees. My first hike (without poles) and I had to take meds so I could sleep due to aching knees.
Leki is the best poles specialized brand on the market today . All they do is poles . I use only Aluminum since Carbon poles have broken on me several times. The problem with Black Dimond Aluminum poles is that 7075 Aluminum gets corrosion very easily . Leki Aluminum is more durable . Yet black dimond has excellent climbing gear . Regarding poles Leki is the goat .
That’s good to know! I was drawn to Leki for some reason when I was looking at getting poles. Mine have taken a lot of abuse so far and have been great!
Hi! Great video! I'm new to your channel and was wondering if you could make some sort of video about foot care. Like what to wear and any sort of stretches or massages to help with sore feet. Thank you!
Welcome to the channel! That is a great suggestion. There is a video coming very soon for blister prevention. I've always wanted to make a video for stretching in general too. I'll put something together 🙂
Also used to fend off wild dog and dingo attack, depth gauge for river crossings.
I hope I never have to fend off wild dogs or dingos haha!
Best video so far. Well organized!
Thank you Hayley. I really like this video. Since I started using hiking poles on the more steep hikes it has made my experience much better!!
Thank you for watching, and I'm glad you are having a better time!! :) I can longer imagine myself going downhill without them!
About hand circulation I agree 100% with you .
👍👍👍
I'm a hiking pole convert. I started using them when I joined a 'Nordic Walking' Group some ten years ago.
Now, after 73 Summers and with wrecked knees, they accompany me even on short outings.
Handy also for 'feeling out' unknown terrain ahead such as when doing water crossings. They also give the upper body something to do .. no non-paying passengers on this ship 😊.
A good share .. thanks. Take care ..
Hi Hayley. I'm glad you don't destroy the spider webs... Thankyou for the vid from U.K.
Haha I don't have the heart to after they worked hard all night to make their web! 😛Thanks Rich!
Totally in agreement with you about how great hiking poles are. I started using them a few years ago and they’ve made a huge difference to my hiking experiences. I’m always singing their praises to those who haven’t tried them yet. And so many uses as you’ve demonstrated!
Definitely recommend them, unfortunately on day 2 of my Tasmanian Overland Track walk my knees were in excruciating pain due to the weight of my gear, luckily one of the tour guides had a set he was willing to let me borrow and they enabled me to complete the trek
Wow that certainly speaks a lot of poles! I hope your knees have been behaving since!
@@settohike they got better after a chiro session, a few months ago I completed Everest base camp with no issue so it was definitely the weight that got to me
Without hiking poles, I don't know how many times I would have fallen on the ground. Balance is defintely the #1 benefit for me
Great video! I do use my hiking poles to flush out snakes in front of me when hiking in tall grass. Another (potential) use could be for self defense, whether from an encounter with an aggressive animal (dog, coyote, feral hog, etc.) or even from an encounter with a person with ill intent. After all, you have two of them, they are already in your hands, and they have a sharp point on their ends.
Yeah I swear I was walking in some kind of snake pit when I filmed that bit, I'd never seen so many in such a short amount of time! You make a good point about their sharp ends, I might have to brush up on my swordsman skills just in case!
We *always* carried a "third leg" - a decent-sized, stout, fairly straight, length of branch (fallen dead-wood, of course) to help with hiking - great for bracing yourself on tricky descents, river crossings and to push down on on ascents so your legs aren't doing all the work. Have recently switched to actual hiking poles (even though they seem more flimsy than the chunks of tree branch I've usually entrusted my life to). First got 1 as a replacement for the "third leg", now have two.
Yeah always been the same too, found one once I liked so much I brought it home, sanded it back and linseed oiled it, it's beautiful. But finally looking for my first pair now.
@@ike8236 I found a fairly straight branch - not sure what it was from but there were poplar trees growing nearby so maybe it came from one of them, maybe it didn't - just before going for a short day hike so I grabbed it, used it on the hike, utterly loved it and brought it home with me, used it on many other camping trips since then - it's in the storage shed at the moment, since I have telescoping hiking poles.
A good case; well made. Thought provoking
Thanks for watching 🙂
I only do light hikes (up to 5 miles or so), and I only purchased hiking poles because I have some physical challenges / chronic issue with one of my legs (I trip easily when walking over uneven surfaces). The poles gives me reassurance/stability when going over areas with rocks, sand, mud or creeks. I tested many brand hiking poles and chose REI store brand poles because of the hand grips, it is a soft spongy rubber material. I didn't like the cork material hand grips on more expensive brand poles, and the other brands poles had an uncomfortable very hard rubber like material. I also tested poles that had built in springs which I didn't like, it was a weird feeling. But I didn't want a fixed length pole either, the REI poles had sections you could loosen, so you could adjust to exact height you desire. I set the length a couple inches short then recommended height, it just gives me better feeling to grip top of hand grip when going down hills. The plastic ferrule that you loosen/tighten to adjust the pole height, started getting loose on hikes. So I put a small amount of duct tape over it to prevent them from getting loose again.
According to Pubmed nordic poles or trekking poles on flat terrain has zero benefit to our knees or any joint in relation to normal walking . The only time poles are of any benefit is while descent or ascent by adding stability and reducing pressure on the knees . In flat surface it has zero benefits to the knees .
Also great balance aid if your paddling in the sea on your hols 😂😂😂😂❤❤❤❤
Don't ask me how I know 🤪
haha! sounds like you had quite an adventure! 😂
😎 pretty much
I've been hiking for over 30 years and never needed them, told other people to not waste their money etc, etc......but....on my most recent hike that for reasons was at the end 2019 I tried em out and damn it, they help!!!! They really do ..I find that I can hike up quicker and easier and they certianly help when you going down...I also like that have something to get rid of the spider webs on the tracks in the morning. I'm heading up to Mt Bogong in a couple of weeks for a hike on snowshoes and it's going to be interesting to see how they work on snow.
How the hell did you manage to be hiking for so long without using _some sort_ of pole/stick/"third leg"? We always used to look around for any decent-sized piece of dead wood that we could use as a staff for balance, bracing ourselves when descending steep tracks or crossing swift rivers (taught my kids to use a stick to maintain "at least two points of contact" when fording a river), pushing encroaching vegetation out of the way (especially "bush lawyer"), leaning on to help us up steep climbs etc. If we found a particularly good stick, it invariably got slung in the back of the car when we got back so we could use it on other hikes and it became *_the_* "hiking stick" or "third leg" until it broke or got lost or you found an even better stick somewhere...
I've transitioned to hiking poles as a _replacement_ for the good old wooden "hiking stick" - they're lighter and they can be collapsed down to a convenient size.
Absolutely love hiking poles/ walking sticks. I made my own during lockdown and they're great when going up and down hills. Great informative video as always. Keep up the great work 👍👍👍👍
Wow you made your own during lockdown! How cool! I think I would feel weird hiking without poles now that I am so used to them! Thanks Iain :) :)
@@settohike theyre nothing special but they do the job. They are a game changer.
I appreciate your information. Thanks
Couldn't agree more!! When carrying a solid pack or if you have a big decent, they save your knees!! Across reasonable flat sections I feel they increase my speed by about 30% 👍
Haha yes imagine going downhill without poles. What would that be like 😂 The only time they get annoying is when I stop to film and try to balance them and they end up falling to the ground :P
@@settohike ha ha ha, so true about the camera!! The downhill can destroy your knees. My first hike (without poles) and I had to take meds so I could sleep due to aching knees.
Leki is the best poles specialized brand on the market today . All they do is poles . I use only Aluminum since Carbon poles have broken on me several times. The problem with Black Dimond Aluminum poles is that 7075 Aluminum gets corrosion very easily . Leki Aluminum is more durable . Yet black dimond has excellent climbing gear . Regarding poles Leki is the goat .
That’s good to know! I was drawn to Leki for some reason when I was looking at getting poles. Mine have taken a lot of abuse so far and have been great!
Great video...just considering buying a pair. Thank you for the info! :D
You're welcome! Thanks for watching! 😄
Hi! Great video! I'm new to your channel and was wondering if you could make some sort of video about foot care. Like what to wear and any sort of stretches or massages to help with sore feet. Thank you!
Welcome to the channel! That is a great suggestion. There is a video coming very soon for blister prevention. I've always wanted to make a video for stretching in general too. I'll put something together 🙂
Great information 👍
Thank you! Hopefully have convinced a few people how good poles are 😛
Great video, very informative.
Thank you! 🙂🙂
@@settohike 🙌🏻
Thank you 🙏
You’re welcome 😊
nice hike!:)
Thank you! 😀😀
Nice ..bytheway ..your gorgeous ❤️ ..
Cobwebs. Keeps cobwebs off my face
Priority! 😂🕷️
How about underarm Crutches. You could walk faster with those things!