Trip Planning for Treks & Climbs | BY Gino Traboulsi | PUBLISH DATE: January 06 2023 | READ TIME: 2 mins | UPDATED DATE: September 17 2026
Why You Definitely Need Trekking Poles
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Professionals Use Poles Most might think that trekking poles are for people with bad knees or hips. They might also think that they are only for older folk. However, I can guarantee you that once you try them, you will never want to hike without them. Not only do they relieve pressure from your legs, […]
Professionals Use Poles
Most might think that trekking poles are for people with bad knees or hips. They might also think that they are only for older folk. However, I can guarantee you that once you try them, you will never want to hike without them.
Not only do they relieve pressure from your legs, and especially your knees, but they allow you to go further, higher and for longer out on your adventures by distributing your weight between your upper and lower body. They improve your balance when you have a heavy backpack on and can even help you cross rivers and streams by providing much needed support. No one wants to fall into water, mud or even simply on hard rock, ouch!
They work wonders on trails where stairs on involved. Like in Nepal on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Everest Base Camp Trek, and even in Peru on the Salkantay Trail and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. I particularly love them in the spring when off the beaten track trails are sometimes overgrown, they help by making sure you’re not being scratched by every thorny branch and walking face first into every single spider web.
How To Get The Right Poles
Our suggestion here at LHO is to get trekking poles made of aluminum or carbon. The former will be more durable, and the latter will be lighter. The handle should be made of cork or foam, avoid rubber handles as they won’t absorb moisture at all and are much less comfortable to hold for long periods of time. Poles should be either retractable or foldable so that they can easily be packed when not in use.
Before choosing a design, compare folding and telescoping trekking poles for packed size, length adjustment and maintenance.
Don’t Over Think This One
We hope we’ve convinced you to make your first trekking pole purchase! They’re required on most of our adventures, and we’re sure you’ll use them on your personal adventures as well. Trust us when we tell you that you’ll be making all your friends jealous, and your favorite adventure partner will be borrowing a pole from you on every single outing until you buy them a pair.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gino Traboulsi
Gino is the second half running our Base Camp operations and is the architect behind our premium curated adventures. His outdoor passions span from rock climbing to surfing and everything in between. Constantly pursuing spending time outside falls in line with his belief that nature heals, and that cities fatigue. Whether it’s the mountains, forests, deserts or oceans, you’ll notice that they all slap an equally huge grin on his face. Dark chocolate will have the same effect as well.
