Nordic Walking Poles

 Be careful when selecting your poles!

Since Nordic walking is so new here in Ireland it is important to ensure that you are buying Nordic Walking poles and not hiking or trekking poles. Very few of our smaller Sports or Outdoor shops here in Dublin stock the Nordic walking poles at present!

Choosing the correct pole will assist you in learning the proper technique and will increase the pleasure and effectiveness of Nordic walking, whereas using an inappropriate pole could eventually lead to injury.

You do not need to buy a pair of Nordic walking poles until after you have completed your Introductory Nordic Walking Training Workshop and learned about the technique of Nordic walking and how to use the poles.  Poles are provided by the Instructor for this training session. You will also have an opportunity to learn about the different types of poles available ( and to try some out) and what to look for when selecting a pole. Your instructor will also be able to advise you on the correct length of pole for you.

When you join our Club, the members will be able to advise you on the various sports and outdoor shops in the immediate vicinity ,  the brands they stock and where you can get the best deal!  Of course, it is also worth remembering that membership of our Club automatically entitles you to a discount at most of these shops by virtue of the fact that Dublin Phoenix Nordic Walking Club is affiliated to Mountaineering Ireland (MI).

Some points to look out for when selecting your poles:

Good quality Nordic Walking poles are tapered down towards the bottom to lower the perceived swing weight of the pole, have a grip shaped to accommodate the hand and to encourage good Nordic walking technique, have a glove like strap that allows the user to retain control of the pole while releasing the grip, and have a removable rubber paw over a metal tip allowing walking on both soft and hard surfaces.

Their length, elasticity and durability are also important.

 To determine the length of the poles, the following formula may be applied

–        0.68 x user’s height in centimetres.

or

–        the length of poles may be selected in such a way that a right angle is maintained in user’s elbow joint while standing.

   Your general fitness level, flexibility , agility and joint mobility should also be considered when selecting pole length. The more agile a person is, the more justified they are in using a longer pole. Beginners and persons, who are not highly agile, should use appropriately shorter poles.

Singlepiece poles come in lengths of 5cm increments, from 100cms to 135cms. Where the ideal length lies between two pole length options it is almost always preferable to round down rather than up.

 The proportion of carbon to glass fibres in the pole determine both the elasticity and the durability of the pole.

 The principle of pole  selection should be as follows:

the more intense and more frequent the  trainings, the more difficult the exercises performed,   the more adverse the outdoor conditions ,  and the heavier the individual is– the greater  the need for  harder and lighter poles.  In general good quality poles have a high carbon content and are more expensive. There are also good quality aluminium poles available.

Several brands of Nordic Walking poles are on the market, each brand having a selection of different designs within the range, so it is worth considering the following when making your choice.

Weight: some poles are heavier, some very light. In general, adjustable poles or spring systems add weight to the poles.

Telescoping, adjustable or fixed length: the length of the pole is critical to being able to use the right technique. A fixedlength pole is usually the lightest weight choice, and on even terrain there is no need to adjust the pole height. But for those who want to share the poles or want to be able to more easily pack them, telescoping poles are desirable. Check the pole for a good locking system that is easy to adjust yet resists loosening accidentally.

Wrist straps and demigloves: a comfortable demiglove is essential to ease of use with Nordic Walking poles. The glove should fit well and not cause chaffing. These glove systems are constantly improving, so check the latest models.  For some brands, you can order replacement gloves of the newest designs.

Glove /Strap release systems: Some brands have an easy to use release system   so you can quickly remove your hand and the demiglove from the poles, and quickly click them back to the poles. This is very useful especially in the cold weather when you are wearing gloves underneath the wrist strap.

Grips: A true Nordic Walking pole does not have a grip that flares at the bottom of the hand, as that hampers releasing the grip at the back of each arm swing. Flaredbottom grips are used in trekking poles where the hiker may bear down on them. Nordic walking grips are usually streamlined and narrow.

Tips:   Spike tips are used  for grassland and natural trails, rubber tips or paws for footpath or road walking. The paws should be secure enough to stay puy, yet easy to remove when you want to spike up.

Springs or other cushioning systems: These elements are more appropriate for trekking poles, but are found on some Nordic Walking designs.

Summary:

A lightweight, sturdy pole of the correct length with an ergonomic grip and a very comfortable demiglove is ideal.

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