Most people who hike without a trekking pole are not making a principled choice. They either have not used one before or they do not want to carry the extra weight. A foldable aluminum pole solves the weight and carry problem completely, and once you hike with one on a descent you will not go back.
What a Trekking Pole Actually Does for Your Body
On a descent, a trekking pole transfers a significant portion of the load from your knees to your arms and shoulders. Research consistently shows reductions of 25 to 40 percent in the peak force on the knee joint during downhill sections when poles are used correctly. For anyone with existing knee issues or hiking long distances over multiple days, that reduction is the difference between finishing strong and finishing in pain.
On flat and uphill terrain, poles improve balance on loose scree, river crossings, and wet rock. They give you two additional contact points with the ground and widen your effective base of support. Falls on trail are most likely to happen when one foot slips and there is nothing to catch you. A pole gives you that catch.
Why Foldable Beats Collapsible for Most Hikers
Traditional collapsible poles telescope down to around 60 to 70cm. Foldable poles collapse into three or four segments connected by an internal cord and pack down to under 40cm. The foldable aluminum trekking cane packs small enough to clip to the outside of a daypack or slide into a side pocket when you hit a section of trail where you do not need it. Collapsible poles tend to stay in your hand even when the terrain does not require them. Foldable poles make it realistic to put them away and take them out as conditions change.
Aluminum vs Carbon Fiber for a First Pole
Carbon fiber is lighter and stiffer but costs significantly more and can snap rather than bend under sudden side loads. Aluminum flexes slightly before failing and handles the kinds of impacts that happen when you catch yourself on a slip. For most hikers who are not racing or ultralight-focused, aluminum is the right material. It is durable, repairable, and the weight difference over a day hike is not meaningful.
How to Set the Right Height
Stand upright and hold the pole. Your elbow should be at approximately 90 degrees. For descents, shorten the pole by 5 to 10cm. For ascents, lengthen by 5 to 10cm. The adjustment takes seconds and it makes a real difference to how effectively the pole transfers load. Most hikers set one length and leave it, which means they are getting less out of the pole than they could. Take the ten seconds to adjust.
Find hiking and outdoor gear at arbasa.com and get ready for every trail this summer with equipment that actually performs on the mountain.
