Three Essential Steps in Finding the Perfect Nordic Walking Pole

Whether you are a veteran Nordic Walker or are just starting out in this exciting hobby, choosing the right Nordic Walking pole can be tough. This short guide should help you find a Nordic Walking stick that is perfectly tailored to your needs. Being armed with the right Nordic Walking equipment can make the world of difference to your walks. Follow these three simple steps and you will be well on your way to conquering your landscape.

Choose the right length pole

This is probably the most important factor to consider to when buying your Nordic pole. A pole that is too long or too short can be uncomfortable and may even cause physical problems in the long term. A simple way to figure out what length pole you need is to calculate your height in centimetres, and then multiply this by 0.68. Nordic Walking sticks are constructed in 5cm intervals, so round up your calculated pole length to the nearest 5cm and you will find the perfect pole length for you. As a general rule, your elbow should be at a right angle when you are holding the grip and the tip is on the ground.

Choose the right material

No two poles are the same, unless you buy two of the same pole, of course. The materials used for the main shaft of the stick can differ greatly. Nearly all poles that are worth a look will be made of carbon fibre or carbon fibre composite. The amount of carbon fibre used in a pole can affect both the feel and comfort of the pole. Top end Nordic Walking equipment will be made of 100% carbon fibre, as purely carbon fibre poles are both lighter and more shock absorbing than their partial carbon fibre counterparts. If you are planning on going on lengthy walks, or walks over rugged and uneven terrain, then investing in a pole made of primarily carbon fibre is a worthwhile endeavour.

Choose a pole that fits your budget

Have a browse online or a look around a good outdoors store and you will see that there's a wide range of Nordic Walking poles on the market, ranging from around £10 in the UK to well over £100. It can be easy to fall in to the trap of buying the cheapest pole, but this will cost you in the long run. If you plan to be walking regularly, then a budget of around £60 should bag you a quality pole.