Hiking sticks come in handy when you’re taking on longer hikes. They might not seem necessary, but they’re accommodating. As a hiker, you’ll often hear people ask, “Do I need hiking poles?” The answer is, “Depends on what kind of hiker you are.”
If you’re planning on tackling longer hikes, a hiking stick is a great accessory. They’ll help you keep your balance when walking through uneven terrain. You’ll also be able to balance your pack more efficiently.
In the wild, most animals have their walking sticks. They’re perfect for helping them get from one place to another. Most primates have some stake in their hands. That’s why most hikers use them as well. They can be helpful in many different environments.
Read on to learn more about what hiking sticks are for and when you should use them.
What Are Hiking Sticks For?
Hiking sticks are for hikers who want to improve their balance and pack-carrying abilities. They are instrumental in uneven terrain.
Hiking sticks can help hikers with arthritis, lower back pain, and joint injuries. They’ll allow you to maintain your balance while walking. This can help prevent falls that could result in serious injuries.
Hiking sticks are used to help hikers navigate rough terrain easily. It would help if you didn’t use them in places with no obstacles to trip over or uneven ground to navigate through.
What Types of Sticks are There?
There are three main types of hiking sticks on the market. They are Aluminum hiking sticks, aluminum hiking cane, and steel hiking sticks.
- Aluminum hiking sticks are the lightest. They’re also the cheapest. These sticks can break easily if they’re not taken care of properly. They’re perfect for shorter hikes.
- Aluminum hiking canes are the same as aluminum sticks but with a longer handle. They’re a good starter stick for people who are new to hiking.
- Steel hiking sticks are durable. What sets them apart from the other two stick types is their weight. While aluminum and carbon-fiber sticks are light, steel sticks are heavy enough to offer a good balance.
How to Choose a Good Hiking Stick
When choosing a hiking stick, keep the following things in mind.
- Material – Aluminum sticks and canes are lighter. They’re also the most affordable. Steel is the heaviest and most durable. It was also more expensive.
- Weight – A good hiking stick should offer enough weight to help maintain balance while hiking. It shouldn’t be too light or too heavy.
- Length – The length of your hiking stick should be able to reach your entire leg. If your leg is shorter, you can use a more quick post.
- Handle – A rubber handle is usually better than a wooden one. If you’re using the stick on uneven terrain, you’ll want the additional grip.
When hiking with a hiking stick, it’s important to remember a few things.
- Always walk with a hiking stick. It’ll help you maintain your balance.
- Keep your hands free. You can hold your hiking pole with your other hand.
- Don’t use too much force. A hiking stick is not a weapon.
- Don’t throw your hiking stick. It’s a natural part of the growth process. Please don’t force it to grow.
Tips for using Hiking sticks
Don’t use a hiking stick in certain situations. They don’t help when they are used to climbing or descending hills.
Hiking sticks can cause harm if you are too flexible. You might break your legs with the additional weight of a hiking stick.
Improper walking can cause tripping and falling if you use a hiking stick for traction. Instead, use it for balance purposes only. You won’t have to worry about injuries due to falls.
Don’t use hiking sticks that belong to someone else without permission because doing so constitutes stealing.
Taking Care of Your Hiking Sticks
Housing
You’ll want to keep your hiking sticks in the proper storage case when in use. A storage sleeve can help prevent scratches and other damage to its surface.
Inspection
You should regularly check the tightness of all screws used in your hiking sticks. You also have to check carefully for signs of damage, such as cracks or breaks in the shaft and the handle.
Cleanliness
Rinse leaves and grime from your hiking stick after each use. Don’t let dirt build up in your hiking stick- it will reduce its life expectancy. Also, before storing a hiking stick after being cleaned, wipe it down with a lightly damp cloth. Store your hiking sticks either on a closet shelf or under a bed so you don’t damage them wherever you live.
Folding hiking sticks
Take care when folding your folding hiking stick to avoid damaging the hinges of locking mechanisms used in sectional designs. To correct any damage done to these sections by folding, immediately open and fold a few more times until you can fully extend individual sections without causing more harm than benefit.
FAQs
Q: Are hiking sticks reusable?
A: Some of them are, but others aren’t. Improperly disposing of wooden poles is a significant cause of fires. But melted aluminum can be recycled.
Please don’t get rid of a broken or old hiking stick by throwing it away or burning it with other trash. Get ready to say goodbye to your beloved walking stick forever!
Send it out with style by placing it on a specially-made fire pit as part of an eco-friendly funeral ceremony so that other campers and hikers can enjoy it in years to come!
These campfire rings are perfect burn sites for your broken yet hardened hiking stick, be they made from wood, aluminum, or carbon fiber! Read customer reviews
Q: Can I use both hands to hold my hiking sticks?
A: Since you shouldn’t use your hiking sticks like weapons, you shouldn’t need both hands using the posts themselves. One hand should hold the handle while the other has onto your backpack (or grips one ass cheek as you squat outdoors!)
Key Takeaway
A hiking stick is an aid to help you prevent falls. If a branch or a rock trips your foot, the hiking pole will act as secondary support for your body weight. They are used for stability.
Perceived exertion on a hike depends on several factors such as altitude, the weight of your pack, distance from your home base, and natural sights around you. Keeping a basic set of anti-fatigue techniques in mind can help keep your hike longer before that feeling of exhaustion kicks in and leaves you vulnerable to injury.
