How to choose your Nordic walking poles?
If you are looking to equip yourself for Nordic walking, in this article we give you all the advice you need to choose your Nordic walking poles, which are essential for this complete outdoor sport.
Nordic walking is a complete sporting activity, which requires 90% of the walker's muscles, particularly thanks to the upper body involvement brought about by the use of poles. These poles must be specific to the practice of this sport and are different from ski poles or hiking poles for example. How to recognize them? How to choose them? What are the aspects to be privileged? We try to answer all these questions to help you choose your future pair of Nordic walking poles.
If you are interested in Nordic walking, find our advice on how to start Nordic walking and quickly become an experienced walker.
The poles of Nordic walking poles
Without a pair of poles, it is impossible to practice Nordic walking, and this is true from the beginning to the end of the outing. Generally speaking, Nordic walking is an activity that is practiced on relatively flat terrain, with very few irregular or steep slopes, and therefore without any major changes in altitude or obstacles. Consequently, and also because poles help the walker to maintain a good rhythm and increase propulsion, they are used throughout the outing. For these reasons retractable poles are relatively unnecessary. You do not need to carry them in your bag or hang them on your belt during the ride. On the contrary, we strongly advise you to choose fixed-length single-pole poles. Why should you do this?
Because single-pole poles offer:
The powerful and straight swing that you are looking for in Nordic walking.
Greater solidity, compared to multi-strand poles. You are less likely to damage them and you will keep them longer.
Good shock absorption, which means that you will be able to walk at a constant pace during each outing.
Better absorption of vibrations, which is essential in Nordic walking to protect your joints properly.
A gain in weight, which is never negligible.
The composition of the shaft: carbon or aluminium
There is no need to procrastinate for hours, in Nordic walking, carbon is the best. Lighter than any other material, carbon also absorbs vibrations better, which, as we have already said, is essential in Nordic walking. Let's take a look at the different options available:
Carbon: Light and strong, carbon also offers optimal vibration absorption. It is ideal for Nordic walking. Tubes can be 100% carbon or made from a mixture of different materials. In this case, be careful to choose poles with at least 50% carbon fibre. The only obstacle to buying carbon poles is the price, which is higher than for other materials.
Fibreglass: If you do not practice regularly, fibreglass (always combined with carbon) can be a good alternative. Like carbon, it guarantees good vibration reduction and is particularly light. However, it is also very fragile, too fragile. We therefore advise against choosing poles made exclusively of fibreglass. Instead, opt for a mixture of the two composites, the carbon will give the fibreglass more strength.
Aluminium: we're not going to tell you that aluminium is to be avoided in Nordic walking... but almost. It is a material that does not absorb vibrations sufficiently, which can lead to pain or injury in the long term. If you are really new to the sport and want the cheapest poles to test out, why not, but as long as possible, avoid aluminium.
To find out more about the different materials used in hiking poles, you can find more information here.
Wrist straps
When it comes to wrist straps, the choice is even less clear-cut. Forget about the simple straps (perfect for hiking) and concentrate on the gauntlet type straps. The gauntlet is essential for a good hand release and for an efficient and well-guided return of the stick.
You can choose ergonomic and removable gauntlets for more comfort, but also to be able to free yourself more easily and quickly from your poles. Be sure to choose straps with adjustable straps, so that you can adjust your gauntlets in winter, if you are wearing gloves for example. It is important that your straps are always perfectly adjusted.
Handles
The choice of grips for your Nordic walking poles is usually between foam grips and cork grips.
Foam grips are a great option, they are lightweight, sweat-absorbent and comfortable.
Cork handles are also very comfortable and very effective against perspiration, but they have the advantage of being more resistant to wear and much more durable. However, they are also more expensive.
Spikes
Very important, the tips are the point of contact between the ground and your poles. They are also perhaps the part of your poles that is most put to the test, and therefore tends to wear out faster. This is why we recommend that you choose a tungsten carbide tip rather than a steel one. Yes, the purchase price is higher, but tungsten has the advantage of being much more resistant. In Nordic walking, the tips can be straight or curved for use on soft ground for the former, and less soft for the latter.
Toe caps
For walking on hard surfaces, where it is impossible to plant your poles, such as asphalt or stony paths, it is strongly recommended to use removable tips, also called pads. On the one hand they serve to protect your tips, on the other hand they prevent you from making too much noise when the tip hits the ground, which can sometimes be disturbing. Most often sold in rubber, we advise you to buy carbon tips for more durability. Please note that the tips for curved nails are different from those for straight nails.
Sizing
To help you choose the right size for your Nordic walking poles, you can find our guide to choosing the size of your Nordic walking poles which will help you find the right size for you.