With hiking and other outdoor expeditions becoming more popular, the need for Camping equipment in nz is forever increasing. The camping industry and market are coming up with the best essentials to help make a seamless experience for campers, hikers, and trekkers. 

A hiking or any other outdoor expedition would require specific equipment that supports the activity and helps in making it to the destination safely. One such piece of equipment that had been in obscurity for many years but now is gaining prominence and popularity is Trekking Poles. 

A trekking pole is a key gear for hikers, trekkers, trail runners, backpackers, and climbers for they are greatly helpful in uphill travel. This equipment allows the incorporation of the upper body during travelling uphill and absorbs the shock on the knees while descending. Researches show that the use of trekking poles reduces the impact on the knees by up to 40%. The use of these poles will help in saving energy, reduce knee pain, and also help in balancing during tricky creek and log crossing. 

The integration of the trekking poles in your hiking kit can help you in covering more miles without a lesser risk of injuries or imbalances. Keeping up with the industry demands, many companies are manufacturing trekking poles which are flooding the market. However, choosing the right kind of trekking poles can be a challenge when so many options are available. So, in this post, we will check out what to look for while buying a trekking pole. 

The Composition: 

Trekking poles are primarily available in three types of design configurations: three-section telescoping, folding, and combination versions. The design composition of a trekking pole will generally refer to how a pole lengthens the three sections into a strong extended pole. 

The telescopic poles are the most common ones available in the market and are also the most durable that offers a wide range of length adjustment. Another major reason behind its popularity is that these telescopic poles are quite affordable. These poles have two or three sections that slide in and out of one another and can be locked with a twist or level locking system. 

The folding poles are the lightest and most compact design for trekking poles. They come in sections that pull apart from one another and fold up, just like the tent poles. Their lightweight and packability make them a great choice for trekkers, trail runners, and climbers. 

The combination poles are comparatively new in the market and are made with one section of a telescopic pole. This allows the combination poles to get a length adjustment along with the features of folding poles. These poles are extremely versatile and bring out the best aspects of each style. 

Finally, there are the less popular fixed poles that do not allow length adjustment and collapsibility. Although they are lightweight and add strength but the lack of versatility and adjustment is what makes them less popular among hikers and trekkers. 

The Shaft Material: 

Most trekking poles are made of carbon fibre or aluminium and sometimes in a combination of both. The carbon fibre Trekking Poles are the strong and the most lightweight option in the market when loaded in the vertical position. However, in the horizontal position, they are weak and can easily bend with more pressure. The poles made from carbon fibre are the best option for moderate use and are thus a popular product in the hiking market. 

Aluminium poles are the most durable and cheaper option for trekking poles. Moreover, the aluminium poles bend without breaking which makes them a safe alternative. Many hikers prefer aluminium poles for their durability and use them in long-distance hikes, trail run, or trekking. 

Grips: 

Another important feature to check in the poles is the grip of the trekking poles. In grip, you need to check the grip material, grip shape, and wrist straps. The grips of poles are primarily made from any of these three materials: cork, foam, and rubber. Out of the three, cork performs the best as it is an excellent shock absorber, is extremely comfortable and tackles sweat well. Next comes foam that also offers pretty much comfort and absorbs the sweat but one disadvantage is that they are not very durable and do not offer a premium feel. The rubber grips are the cheapest ones but are not as comfortable as the other two in the line. 

When selecting a pole based on the grip shape, it will be very much a personal preference as you need to make a choice for the one that fits well with your hands. There are many options regarding this where some grips are made to fit the contours of the hand and some are made with a smooth finish and some come up with an ergonomic design. 

You should also check out poles with wrist straps as they offer greater stability and power to the poles and lesser gripping efforts from your end. All in all the wrist straps are an important feature that you should definitely check out before investing in a trekking pole. 

What Else? 

In addition, you should also check out the weight and packed size of the pole for a convenient backpacking, hiking or any other outdoor expedition. While backpacking the primary goal is to cut down on as many pounds as possible on the backpack and so choosing a lightweight pole can be great. Moreover, the final packed size is also an important factor to look out for. 

Final Word 

Needless to say, the importance of trekking poles in an outdoor expedition cannot be ignored and they make for one of the most essential requirements for trekkers, hikers, etc. If you are looking to buy trekking poles, you can check out Dwights Outdoor as they have a humongous and quality collection of Camping equipment in nz.