| What you need to know about a Nordic Walking Pole |
It is essential to choose a good and correctly sized pair of poles.
Poles should be the right length for your height and arm length, and should feel comfortable. For more information about the right length of a pole click here.
Most of our course fees include pole hire for the session during the entire duration of the course. You have the opportunity to try different pairs and even take the poles home to practice with during the course. Part of our job is to assist you in finding the poles that suit you best.
Here are a few points to consider before you buy. We think you should particularly pay attention to a comfortable handle/strap-system.
NordicWalking Poles are made from Carbon Fiber (extremely thin + strong fiber), Composites (combination of Fiberglass and resin, or fiberglass, carbon fiber and resin), or -Aluminium. (a metallic element used in the production f corrosion-resistant alloys).
Carbon Fiber
- Very light and strong
- Low swinging vibration
- Long-lasting
- Too hard on hard surfaces
- More expensive
Glass-fiber
- Very light
- More swinging vibration
- Less expensive
Aluminium
- Cheaper
- less dampening of vibration
- Less resilient
- heavier
Adjustable
- Can be used by people with different heights
- Good for travelling. However, most adjustables don't fit in a suitcase! So look out for specifically desinged traveller poles
- Heavier than fixed length
- Sand can wreck the joints and scratch the shafts
- Too much vibration - especially when used by tall people
- Can collapse (if not tightened correctly)
Fixed length
- Lighter than adjustable ones
- Low vibration
- Better swinging
- Can be difficult when you travel by plane
- Can only be used by a person with the same height
- Can't collapse on you, great for balance
A good hand strap needs to
- have the correct size or be adjustable
- provide enough control over the pole
- be made of material that breathes
- be comfortable overall
And should…
- be detachable from the pole while your hand stays in the strap
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| KV+ PRESTIGE quick release |
KV+ CAMPRA CLIP quick release |
LEKI Trigger 1 quick release |
KV+ fixed strap |
May be made of synthetic materials or cork
Cork
- Good insulation in hot weather
- Hard to clean
- More expensive
Rubber or Cork Composite
- Good insulation and comfortable grip
- Durable
- ERGOCLIP
Synthetic/Foam
- cheaper
- hands can get quite “sweaty” in hot weather
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| Natural Cork (KV+ fix grip) |
Rubber and Cork Composite (KV+ CLIP and
KV+ ERGOCLIP quick release) |
The tip of the pole has to endure a lot of pressure
We recommend carbide tips because they are strong and do not rust.
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| Normal Carbide Tip - often with adjustable poles (e.g. LEKI Carbide Flextip) |
Carbide Asphalt Tip or Blading Tip - with all our fix length poles (e.g. Komperdell blading tip) |
There are 2 different types:
Soft pads
- Good grip
- Wear off more quickly
Hard pads
- Not so good grip
- Last longer
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| Hard pads (e.g. KV+ Rubber Tip and LEKI Rubber Tip Walk Rolling shape) |
Soft pads (e.g. KV+ Rubber Tip Extra with hole for asphalt tip and LEKI Power Grip Pad) |
Theoretically you can walk on asphalt without rubber pads but it makes a lot of noise and feels hard. Therefore we recommend the use of rubber pads.
If you consider your NordicWalking Poles as an investment in your future, you will understand that if you purchase a higher quality pole in the beginning, you will have a more comfortable handle, more endurable grip and tip and the kind of shaft material that suits your training and terrain best.
Shop around. Here are a few points to consider
- Are they “proper” NordicWalking Poles with tight wrist straps?
- Are they state of the art, e.g. have detachable straps?
- Take them for a testwalk. Do they dampen vibration?
- Are there any guarantees or warranties offered?
- Are there replacement rubber feet, tips and straps available?
- Is the adjustment and locking system good (in case of adjustable poles)?
Please contact us if you have any queries.
The height of a NordicWalking pole depends on your height and level of training. Since pole manufacturers measure differently, please provide your height with an order
To calculate the length of poles, a simple formula can be applied:
Height (cm) X 0.67
Fixed poles come in lengths of 5 cm so the desired length can either be rounded down (for recreational walkers) or be rounded up (for fitter walkers)
your height (cm) |
For health enhancing workout |
calc 0.67x height |
For fitness enhancing workout |
150 |
100 |
101 |
105 |
155 |
100 |
104 |
105 |
160 |
105 |
107 |
110 |
165 |
110 |
111 |
115 |
170 |
110 |
114 |
115 |
175 |
115 |
117 |
120 |
180 |
120 |
121 |
125 |
185 |
120 |
124 |
125 |
190 |
125 |
127 |
130 |
195 |
130 |
131 |
135 |
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Alternatively, you can determine the pole length by holding it at its grip while standing it vertically in front of your body –with your elbow tucked in close to your body. The elbows should form a right angle, 90 ˚. Recreational walkers can go for a slightly larger (wider) angle.
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