Nordic Walking Poles
This page contains general advice about nordic walking poles based on my experience as a nordic walking instructor, please scroll down for
"Nordic walking poles" in general.
Difference to walking poles
Can I use ordinary walking poles to nordic walk?
Manufacturers' claims - I only include these for the passing interest of those of you who like the technical bits and can tolerate the advertising puff. These are claims made by the manufacturers themselves, I don't endorse them; you must make your own mind up. I have edited the brand names out.
And there are other bits and pieces on the FAQ page of this website.
(For those who have just arrived on this website from a general search for nordic walking poles and who are unlikely to come to the Exmoor National Park in the South West of England in the United Kingdom - to save you time - I am a nordic walking instructor, not a shop, nor a sales agent. You can't buy poles online from this website, nor will you find links to poles suppliers nor recommendations for specific brands.
Please do not email me or ring me solely to ask for advice on which brands to buy and where to buy them.
I only give recommendations for specific brands and suppliers to my customers who pay me for tuition.
Thank you for looking at this website.)
Important: You do not need to buy any poles before coming to learn the nordic walking technique. In fact I strongly suggest that you wait, so you can try out the different nordic walking poles which I use for teaching and you can find out what suits you best before you spend your money anywhere.
There is no substitute for trying out different poles for yourself once you have been trained in the nordic walking technique and you know how to use the poles properly and how a decent nordic walking pole should feel.
Nordic walking poles in general
Nordic walking poles are used as a pair. This is an essential part of the nordic walking technique.
There are a lot of “nordic walking poles” on the market. They range in price from about £17 to over £100. You can also find the same model advertised by different retailers with a £30 difference in the asking price. Retailers' price differences apart though, as a starting point, generally "you do get what you pay for."
Each manufacturer seems to produce a range of different models, which vary in strength,weight, and gadgetry possibly equating to comfort. Within those models, there are yet more versions with different grips, different straps, different pole tips. You will find different models on the continent and in the USA, to those which are imported by distributors in this country. It is very difficult to see 'the wood for the trees'.
If you have not yet bought any poles, please do speak to me before you do. Impartial advice about the different poles available on the market, and recommendations about where to buy and what to look for, is included in an introductory lesson. I have a few examples of different models from the best brands of which I am aware, and trying them will help you narrow down your choice so you can then, if you wish, research further knowing what it is important to look for, or you can simply buy the brands you have tried out/can find easily
If you have already bought nordic walking poles and would like to learn the basics of nordic walking, I will show you how best to use your poles provided they appear to be safe and reliable. I reserve the right to decline to teach you if for any reason your poles appear to be less than reliable or safe. I will not agree to teach you to nordic walk using your own ordinary (non-nordic) walking poles. You are always welcome to use my poles for any of my lessons or walks. There may be a nominal hire charge.
To stress it again - I really think there is no substitute to learning the proper technique first so you know how nordic walking should feel, and then, and only then, trying out the different brands, models and versions. I have met many people who have bought nordic walking poles before they came to me for tuition: those people then tried out the poles which I use (both good and top models from different brands) and they wished that they hadn't spent their money on their poles before coming to me, and they have since bought themselves better poles on the basis of my advice and their experience using my poles. This happened to one of my customers only this very week (August 18).
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How nordic walking poles differ from ordinary walking poles
The difference lies in (1) the poles themselves and (2) the way you use them = the proper nordic walking technique.
Nordic walking poles and ordinary walking sticks/hiking poles/trekking poles are similar to the casual glance, but in fact are designed for different purposes. There is some added confusion because some manufacturers make both kinds of poles.
Walking poles come in all sorts of kinds from the traditional hand made trusty hazel stick, to the modern telescopic sprung-loaded metal types, some may have a simple strap, but generally you do need to grip them to use them.
In contrast, nordic walking poles are usually manufactured in carbon composite, aluminium and carbon composite or some similar material and have a special weight-bearing hand cradling wrist strap. The wrist strap is all important to the nordic walking technique. As in walking poles, there are good models, very good models, adequate and less than adequate models of nordic walking poles on the market. There are myriads of copycat versions of the brand leaders, and usually there's a compromise somewhere. Even the best-known manufacturers have models within their ranges which I personally wouldn't spend my own time or money on, but having said that, there's not a lot of difference between the very best models of different brands (and I don't mean "best" as necessarily meaning "expensive"). Don't judge on price alone, unless you have already tried out a decent pole and know how it should feel and you can make an informed evaluation of a pole's strength, shock absorbency,reliability and its comfort. At the end of the day, it's a very personal choice: one person will love the feel of a pole that someone else won't like.
NB Because nordic walking is still new to the UK, not many sports shops know anything about it. Don't go to an ordinary sports shop and buy nordic walking poles "cold"; they may well try to sell you trekking poles which are not the same thing at all. Do take expert advice (preferably impartial advice) from a qualified nordic walking instructor first.
Can you use walking poles to go nordic walking? No,
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You may hear some people say proudly that they use their trekking poles to go nordic walking. They are only doing an approximation of nordic walking. They are unlikely to have the full range of movement available to the nordic walker, their forearms may be tense and tight, and by repeatedly putting their weight on their tight wrists they may risk damaging themselves and will probably be tiring themselves far more than if they were properly nordic walking.
In my opinion, using ordinary hiking poles in an approximation of the nordic walking technique is a bit like floundering along doing doggy paddle, when you could be cruising along comfortably in a powerful overarm crawl.
Manufacturers' claims: ^ return to top of poles page
1. "Correct Nordic Walking technique and effective training are best achieved with equipment designed specifically for Nordic Walking.
In order to ensure efficient and safe exercising, [brand name] has concentrated on the following details
Durable and light composite shafts
Ergonomically designed grips
Interchangeable grip system
Specifically designed strap offering outstanding power transfer and support
Interchangeable and correctly angled spike tip
Asphalt paw for improved grip and shock absorption
[] presents a new Nordic Walking collection with new colors and graphics. As a sign of [ ] quality, a lifetime guarantee against breakage on the shaft is offered ...."
2. One manufacturer claims their "All grips on (brand name) Nordic Walking poles are ergonomically designed for maximum efficiency and comfort. The wedge system makes it easy to adjust and replace the straps.
The (model name) grip is ergonomically designed with a surface made of a soft material, providing a maximum level of comfort. The straps are available in Large and Small.
The (model name) grip has the same design as the ...grip, however the surface of the grip is made of natural cork, which provides good insulation and the absolute best comfort.
(..) offers two types of straps. Both models “link” you to the poles, which means that you do not need to grasp the poles directly. This is crucial for proper technique, while at the same time it makes the poles light and pleasant to walk with. ...
Every gram saved on the tip of the pole helps you achieve a more optimal pendulum swinging motion.
The new and improved tungsten tip provides an even better hold on ice, snow and slippery surfaces.
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and another claims:
3. ".[our]Nordic Walking Poles are slightly modified versions of our world-famous trekking poles. All poles feature a narrow profile "cross country"-style grip with the Adjustable/Releasable Trigger Strap. Shafts are composed of expedition-grade aluminum. All poles feature Carbide Tips, removable Rubber Fitness Walking Tips and Baskets...[Our] Nordic Walking Poles allow you to adjust the length of the poles to your height and walking surface. The Super Lock System provides optimum locking with less tightening torque than most adjustable poles. This is the strongest system in the world, with 360 degree reverse turn security and 140kg holding force. It was tested and endorsed by TUV, the official technical test center in Germany. ..
[our] Adjustable/Releasable trigger strap offers superior wrist support and the convenience of a releasable system. You can easily click in and out of the grip to grab your water bottle or slip on a jacket and do warm-up/cool-down exercises.
...
Designed to grip pavement and deliver added support and stability, the [] Rubber Fitness Tips should always face towards the back, behind you. This position allows you to “push off” more efficiently, increasing your upper body workout. Remove the Rubber Fitness Tips to expose the Carbide Flextips if you Nordic Walk on gravel or slick surfaces."
4. and another manufacturer claims:
- (brand name) Top of the range: 100% carbon - the tube weighs only 70g and guarantees a top swing performance. Combined with cork or foam grips and the nordic sport tip this model is unsurpassed. (brand name..) system means: the strap can be loosened from the grip by just one click.
- The (brand name) combines the advantage of the adjustable and the super light weight 100% carbon Nordic Walking poles.
- The (brand name) pole uses an advanced Aluminium Alloy 7075-T6. This is a very reliable pole for combining Nordic Walking with Hiking.
Fixed length or vario?
For an intensive and dynamic training we recommend one-piece poles: the pole is stiffer, more stable and has a better swing performance. The telescopic or "vario" pole has the advantages of small packed size and adjustability for people of different heights, and also adjustability for use on slopes."
This is just a selection of the advertising puff. Judge for yourself! I don't agree with everything that they say. If you train with me, I will show you a range of nordic walking poles, and I will tell you the good points and also about the problems I have experienced with certain poles, so that you can make an informed choice of what to buy.
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