Nordic walking poles

To be able to practice Nordic walking in an optimal way and to take advantage of the many benefits of this outdoor activity, it is essential to equip yourself with the right poles. Let's take a look at their main characteristics.

Nordic walking is generally practised on flat ground, or at least on uneven ground, at a steady pace. Very little equipment is needed for this all-round sport: good clothes, good shoes and suitable walking poles are all you need. Poles are the main equipment of this sport, without them there would be no sport. Without poles, Nordic walking would not be possible, so it is called sport walking. But what are the characteristics of these very special poles? What makes them different from hiking or trail poles? What materials, tips, handles and accessories are specific to this outdoor activity? In this post, we reveal everything you need to know about Nordic Walking poles! 

Use of Nordic walking poles

Nordic walking is inseparable from walking poles, without them, it does not exist. The use of Nordic walking poles therefore allows the practice of this complete sport, which engages 90% of the body's muscles and is suitable for people of almost all ages and physical conditions. Nordic walking offers many advantages over walking without poles. Let's take a look at the main advantages of using Nordic walking poles and the benefits of practising this outdoor sport.

The use of poles allows you to use almost all the muscles of your body, without them, the walker only uses half of his muscles.

In Nordic walking, the movements are amplified and more muscles are used. As a result, the walker develops and tones up the abdominal muscles, arms and shoulders, as well as the lower body.

The use of poles improves flexibility, balance and coordination between the upper and lower body. 

The use of poles takes the strain off the lower body, from the hips downwards, which reduces physical and muscular fatigue and increases endurance.

By leaning on the poles, the walker gains propulsion, and the poles therefore give more momentum.

Thanks to the increase in propulsion and the use of upper body muscles, the walker is less tired. For the same amount of effort, the walker maintains a better pace and gains endurance. 

By going faster and further, the walker burns more calories and increases his cardiovascular performance. 

By using 90% of the body's muscles, the walker develops a harmonious physique by improving posture and increasing upper body mobility.

Nordic Walking poles with gauntlet

One of the most recognisable features of Nordic Walking poles is the gauntlet-type strap. In contrast to the simple wrist straps that characterise hiking poles, Nordic walking poles are usually topped with a gauntlet strap that is firmly attached around the wrist and thumb. Why is this so? Because it is necessary to open your hand when propelling (and therefore to let go of your poles) before picking them up again by holding the handles firmly to push on your poles. The gauntlets prevent the walker from dropping the poles and lose neither rhythm nor coordination. Removable wrist gauntlets are the best option. They allow the walker to quickly and easily free themselves to grab an object, such as a water bottle. 

How to adjust your Nordic Walking poles

One question that is often asked when using walking poles is the size: what size to choose and how to adjust the poles. It is often recommended that you choose only fixed poles, as they keep vibrations to a minimum. However, thanks to manufacturing advances in recent years, it is possible to find particularly efficient carbon models that reduce the phenomenon. Retractable poles offer a number of advantages, firstly storage, but they can also be used by several people of different sizes, so you can lend them out without any problem. The important thing is that they are not made of aliminium, as the vibrations will be too great, and that they are formally fitted with a straight tip.  

What size Nordic Walking poles should I choose?

Whether the length is fixed or adjustable, to know if a pole is suitable for your height, your forearm should be parallel to the ground and form a right angle with your elbow when you hold the pole in the ground. When doing this test, you should stand up straight with your walking shoes on and make sure that the pole is perpendicular to the ground. To give you an idea of the right stick height for your height, you can multiply your height by 0.68 and you will get the ideal stick height, provided your forearm and elbow are at the right angle as explained above.

Which end cap should I use for my Nordic walking poles?

The tips must also be specific to Nordic walking. They are used on all types of hard ground to allow a better grip on the ground, in fact, bevelled, they fit perfectly on hard surfaces like asphalt for example. The ones supplied when you buy your poles are generally made of rubber, but you should know that there are carbon poles, which are more resistant and will wear out less quickly. They can be removed to reveal a hard tip, often made of tungsten carbon, which is recommended for use on soft ground. Nordic Walking poles have two types of tips. There are straight tips or, if you have opted for a fixed length pole, slanted tips.

Carbon Nordic Walking Poles

Usually the tubes of Nordic walking poles are made of a mixture of carbon and glass fibre. It is important to choose tubes with the highest percentage of carbon, at least 50%, in order to reduce vibrations as much as possible to protect your joints. In addition, the higher the percentage of carbon, the lighter and stronger the stick will be. For these reasons, it is better to avoid aluminium, which is heavier and does not have the capacity to absorb vibrations as well. 

Which handle for your Nordic walking poles?

As explained above, Nordic walking requires you to let go and pick up your poles with each stride. This is why it is essential that they are fitted with gauntlets. These repetitions can quickly lead to sweaty hands, so it's best to choose grips that allow for good absorption of perspiration, to prevent your pole from slipping through your hands. There are several options, it is up to you to choose the one that best suits your needs, your comfort and above all the shape of your hand. The important thing is to have the most natural and comfortable grip possible. Plastic handles, for example, are slippery and do not absorb perspiration, but you can combine them with the use of gloves. Cork, foam or rubber handles are antiperspirant and do not slip. Cork and rubber are more durable than foam, but foam and cork are lighter.