Spring is my favorite time of year to hike. The temperature is just right and the trails are scurrying with activity and blooms.
If you're into hiking up mountains, you're going to be doing a lot of uphill and downhill climbing. This works your lower body like you wouldn't believe, which is great, but to make it more of a complete body workout and to save your knees on the descent, use a pair of trekking poles. I like these REI Ascent Shocklight Compact Trekking Poles ($75). Using trekking poles is a great way to take pressure off your leg muscles and joints, which can reduce your risk of injury. Once you hike with them, you'll never go without. If you're not a fan of these, you can check out other trekking poles here.
Fit's Tip: If you aren't ready to spring for these kinds of poles yet, but you own ski poles, try those out the next time you hike. If you love them, then you'll know trekking poles are worth it. I like trekking poles because they're lightweight and most are telescopic, meaning they breakdown for easy storage in your backpack. Go ahead and turn yourself into a quadraped.
Lanvin
Pussy Deluxe
Vivien Caron
Anyone use these?
1has anyone ever tried nordic walking??
2I always see this old lady in my neighborhood using these and it just kind of cracks me up. I don't think I could use them without feeling like a big dork. I MIGHT try them if I were hiking in the middle of nowhere, but otherwise I don't think I'll be using them anytime soon.
3No. Hate. I don't like them snow shoeing and I'm terrible with them skate-skiing (no upper body strength). I was a dancer and hate having things in my hands, most of the time the don't help and if you really need something you can usually find it on the trail. I hate carrying a pack and would really rather not have poles hanging off of one. Annoying.
4These are FABULOUS. I don't use them on normal hikes, but for backpacking they totally save me. They help to balance my weight out with the pack. I was able to climb Mt. Whitney in the Sierras (tallest point in the Continental U.S.) in 2 days without shin splints because of these! HIGHLY recommended if you're backpacking a lot. Otherwise, they're not all that practical.
5I have used these, or actually just one for backcountry hiking while I have had a pack on. I need to get another one (or set). You can usually find at least one at the REI member garage sales if you don't want to pay full price.
6Once saw a a tourist walking down the main highway using them once. but she was heading the right way to climb the southern alps .....
7I love trekking poles! I use them every time I hike.
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