Several errors in the use of walking pole

Update:17 Jul 2020

The walking pole is not as simple as a cane. According to foreign research reports, when going downhill, the stress on the knee part is 22% more energy than the trekking pole when the trekking pole is not used. The energy consumed by the thigh muscles is also more twenty one%.

The use of trekking poles can precisely relieve the problem of excessive load by changing the support method to the center of the human body. However, many outdoor enthusiasts in China currently have many misunderstandings in the use of walking poles. If you can't use the cane correctly, it will not only help you to reduce compliance, but will buy you hidden dangers.

The contribution of the walking pole in outdoor travel is absolutely indispensable, so are you using the walking pole in the correct way? Let's take stock of the misunderstandings when using trekking poles.

Misunderstanding 1: single or double pole

The cane has two main functions, balance and support, or it can be summarized into one function, balanced support.

The cane can increase the stress point and reduce the load on the legs, but if only one cane is used, the supporting power is not balanced no matter where you place it, even if the reduced pressure on the side of the cane will be transferred to not used On the other side, it will increase the possibility of injury due to uneven force.

In addition, in theory, any contact point with the ground will produce a reaction force. The legs of the human body act as two parallel points. The reaction force generated during walking can cancel each other out, but if only a single cane is used, it will be generated on one side. The reaction force, and when there is no one side, the balance of the human body is reduced. Of course, through the coordination of human muscle tissue, these problems can be covered up, but these problems will still erupt when the emergency situation or accumulation to a certain degree At this time, the danger arises. Therefore, in Europe and the United States, most canes are sold in pairs, and some brands have designed different styles for the left and right hands to meet the different grip requirements of both hands. However, in China, due to the traditional awareness of the walking pole and the unclear understanding of the concept, Many people still use a walking pole in mountain sports, which is the biggest misunderstanding of using a walking pole.

A walking pole is not a walking pole that supports your body when your legs and feet are constant.

Myth 2: What kind of length is appropriate

Trekking poles: height × 0.7, arms upright

Walking pole: height × 0.66

Misunderstanding 3: Can the pole be used for a long time?

To be precise, if you choose a good cane brand and use it correctly, the cane will not be easily damaged. It is not a consumable item. But the cane is not an iron rod. It also has some fragile parts that are prone to problems, and some parts will fail due to wear.

Problems that are prone to occur include: loss of the wand support; smoothing or falling off of the wand tip; failure of the expansion plug that secures the wand; and a broken wrist strap. It is normal for these problems to occur frequently and in large numbers. Most of the rod holders are lost because they are not really installed when they are installed. A good cane brand rod holder will have a locking device, which is difficult to remove with a single lock; the wear of the tip of the rod is also difficult to avoid, and it is not possible with hard materials. It is guaranteed to never wear. The tip of the pole is generally a process problem of the link. The probability of the problem is extremely polar, but it is not impossible; the failure of the expansion plug is generally caused by the deformation of the thread under special circumstances due to wear; the fracture of the wrist strap is Generally, it is because of the material of the wristband, which results in embrittlement of the material in long-term use or in extreme environments. Good cane brands provide replaceable accessories for these vulnerable parts, so even if a problem occurs, you can’t worry about it. As long as it’s not the problem of the cane itself, you can change it if it is broken.

Myth #4: Is the original cane purchased suitable for all environments?

In fact, the cane we purchased can be basically called a naked cane, which is suitable for use under normal circumstances. Good cane brands also design many interchangeable accessories according to different environments, so that the cane can play a big role in different environments.

pole tip protective sleeve: Many people think that the role of the rubber sleeve is to protect the pole when storing the cane, to prevent the tip of the pole from scratching other items. In fact, the role of this rubber sleeve is far more than that. If you walk on hard rock, cement, asphalt roads, the effect of using rubber sleeves is much better than that of ordinary pole tips, that is, the wear of the tip of the pole is reduced, and it can provide more elasticity and friction.

pole support: The role of the pole support is to prevent the tip of the pole from being inserted too deep into the ground, it is easier for the cane to operate, and at the same time reduces the possibility of the tip of the pole being damaged. More different use environments are roughly divided into: sand support, snow support, mud support , Mountain care, etc. Generally speaking, the softer and more unstable the road surface is. Needle support with large force area is required.

Wrist strap: The use of the wrist strap should also be selected according to different needs. Long-distance blood exchange and hiking require a fully wrapped wrist cuff that completely wraps the wrist to provide more support; while in general skiing and mountain sports, the foot-wide synthetic fiber synthetic wristband is more comfortable and lighter; and for the extreme In the environment, the traditional nylon wristband is superior in reliability.

Length adjustment: the cane rotates in the direction indicated, when the upper part is gripped with the left hand, the lower part rotates to the right to lock, when it is released to the left, please lock the bottom section first, and then adjust the middle part deliberately Please adjust the length within the deliberate range, do not exceed the STOP mark, please tighten with a suitable force, if excessive force will be difficult to loosen.

Wrist strap: Adjust the length of the wrist strap in a loose state. Correct use of the wrist strap can evenly distribute the strength of the body to the cane. Put your hand on the wrist strap from bottom to top, then hold the wrist strap and handle together. The part of the wrist strap that holds the handle head is also more comfortable when going down the mountain.

Installation and disassembly of snow support: during installation, force the snow support into the slot; when removing, put your feet together and step down on the snow support.

Maintenance and precautions:

When the cane falls into the water or is wet, please pull it out to dry it;

If it is stretched over the STOP mark, it will damage the parts;

The tungsten-titanium alloy made of the tip of the pole has higher strength and toughness to ensure the safety of contacting the ground during mountain climbing and walking.

Don't use trekking poles to pull people.

Benefits of using trekking poles

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The design of the trekking pole is to provide better stability during personal activities, and to distribute the impact force on the legs to the arm; according to foreign research reports, when going downhill, the force on the knee is not The use of trekking poles is 22% more than when using trekking poles, and the energy consumed by the thigh muscles is also 21%.

1. When you are walking on a bumpy mountain road, the trekking pole can keep your body balanced, avoiding some falls or stumbling caused by ankle joint sprains (legs) and other common injuries in outdoor activities.

2. When crossing the river or the stone jumping path by the water, the trekking pole is equal to your body providing a stable grounding fulcrum, which is conducive to the relaxation of all muscles; to effectively support and maintain the body in the rapid and slippery river balance.

3. When going uphill, trekking poles can help your feet, and when going downhill, it can help reduce the vibration of the knee and reduce the damage to the body.

4. There may be snakes when walking on a mountain road with bushes. At this time, you can use a trekking pole to explore the road in front, playing the role of playing grass to startle the snake.

5. When resting, you can use the trekking pole to support the mat as a simple awning to shield the sun.

6. Some trekking poles can also be used as a monopod for the camera. While hiking, if you still have a hobby of photography, this trekking pole is a good one.

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