More than 90% of thru hikers use trekking poles, but I don't. They are incredibly beneficial in so many different ways, and I think everyone ever should use them. They help to prevent injury, they allow you to hike faster, a lot of ultralight tents require them, and they make hiking feel easier! So why don't I use them?
Studies Mentioned:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17218900/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11194099/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31020400/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22276400/
The *Best* Trekking Poles:
Budget - https://amzn.to/4921nEL
Lightest - https://amzn.to/43mCx1n
Favorite - https://tinyurl.com/yc2xbnpr
The studies above are very clear, trekking poles help hikers to avoid injury. When injury is such a common thing on thru hikes like the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest Trail, this is exactly what you need! They take 4% of the impact off of every step, they reduce pressure in your feet by upwards of 40%, they reduce the risk of injury and tendonitis in your knees, hips, calves, and thighs. They really are incredible, and that is probably the biggest reason why everyone should use them.
My Favorite Thru Hiking Gear:
Tent - http://tinyurl.com/bdxm9229
Quilt - http://tinyurl.com/4fm96rt4
Backpack - http://tinyurl.com/ykhnu4fh
Pack Liner - http://tinyurl.com/2p8uvn7w
Rain Jacket - http://tinyurl.com/bdadk452
Fleece - https://tinyurl.com/ucd7ypdr
Puffy - https://tinyurl.com/29966jbw
Socks - https://amzn.to/3tUDH6U
Bug Head Net - https://tinyurl.com/2vrwsd26
Smart Watch - https://amzn.to/3mz7ePp
Stove - http://tinyurl.com/58r2rys8
Pot - http://tinyurl.com/hn32nxxp
Battery Bank - http://tinyurl.com/47x276b3
Flashlight - http://tinyurl.com/5n6jkrmd
Camera - https://amzn.to/4axYKgb
Lens - https://amzn.to/41Xjlqg
Beyond injury prevention however, a lot of ultralight tents require trekking poles to set them up. This is a good thing, as you don't have to carry dedicated tent poles! You can just use these things that are already helping you in so many other ways! This allows you to carry less weight, and have an extremely easy to use shelter.
Trekking poles also allow you to hike faster, easier. So maybe you want to make more miles in a day, or maybe you just want hiking to be easier as a whole, trekking poles will help you to do that! Maybe you want to keep up with friends, or maybe you are trying to outrace a storm to find a good camping spot. Trekking poles are working for you.
It is also shown in another study that trekking poles delay fatigue on uphill climbs, or in other words... they make climbing mountains feel easier! I think we all have agonized over that next big climb coming up, so maybe it's good to know that it's made a lot better by just using some nordic walking poles!
One reason I will personally carry them, is when doing hikes that have much more difficult terrain. Trekking poles add stability, and in many ways can be life saving! When hiking across snow fields, when crossing big rivers, when walking on loose rock, or very steep trails poles will make your life a whole lot better. They will allow you to avoid slips and falls, and add safety.
There are so many more benefits in thru hiking and backpacking than just what is mentioned here even! So again, everybody should use poles :)
So then why don't I? In a big way it's because I enjoy the minimalism and in backpacking so much, I don't want to add more things into my gear list than is completely necessary. I like having my entire life on my back, and hiking totally unencumbered. I like my hands free to film with my camera, and to eat a snack. I like the freedom of backpacking, and adding more gear to that would just serve to remove that in a small way.
The lesson here is that you don't have to be perfect. You don't have to have the perfect gear, or do all the same things everybody else is doing. The beauty in backpacking and thru hiking is that there are so many different ways to go about it, and express yourself. Do what makes you happy!
00:00 - Benefits of Trekking Poles
00:52 - Injury Prevention
02:15 - Ultralight Tents
03:00 - Added Stability
03:57 - They're Fun!
04:07 - Hike Faster
04:42 - Climbs Made Easy
05:13 - Quick Summary
05:53 - Why I Don't Use Them
07:43 - Thanks for Watching :)
Hiking Essentials Shirt! http://jupiterhikes.com/product/hiking-essentials/
THE BACKPACKING GEAR I USE:
http://www.jupiterhikes.com/gear/
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