Amongst hikers and backpackers, there are two different camps—those who use trekking poles and those who don’t. I’m squarely in the “use ’em” category on anything longer than a few miles, but I know plenty of people who avoid them altogether. This video, which comes our way courtesy of REI, explores whether or not you should be using poles on your outdoor adventures. It touches on the advantages and disadvantages of using them, plus provides some tips on how to get accustomed to having two long sticks in your hand while walking. It isn’t difficult to use trekking poles, but there is a period of adjustment to say the least.
Kraig is an outdoor and adventure travel writer based in Nashville, TN. Over the course of his career, he has contributed to numerous online and print outlets, including Popular Mechanics, Gear Junkie, Outside Online, National Geographic, Digital Trends, Business Insider, TripSavvy, about.com, and of course The Adventure Blog.
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You should have mentioned that the poles reduce the pressure on your knees by 30% to 50%