How to choose the height of hiking poles?

Before we look at how to choose the right height for your hiking poles, it's important to remember how this equipment can help you during your activity.

Improving your performance: If you're a regular walker who spends a lot of time on the trail, it's a good idea to get hiking poles. They provide greater comfort and, above all, help you adopt reflexes that will guarantee you a rapid improvement in your performance. Using hiking poles will ensure:
- A significant improvement in your walking posture
- Breathing regulation
- A gradual increase in your walking pace without causing you pain
- A reduction in any impact on your joints
- Consolidation of your balance
- A better distribution of muscular fatigue between the upper and lower parts of your body

Increased safety: As well as helping you to improve your walking performance, hiking poles can also help to ensure your safety. For example, your hiking poles will let you:
- Cross a number of obstacles that you may encounter on your way (rivers, rocks, tree trunks, icy passages, etc.)
- Check the stability of the terrain to be crossed
- Keep animals at a distance if you encounter them
- Move aside various items that may be in your path
- Avoid slipping on terrain that is not easy to walk on

Finally, although it’s possible to use only one hiking pole, it’s preferable to have two. This gives you greater stability and distributes the weight of any loads (backpack, bivouac equipment) more evenly across your body.

Finally, while it's possible to use just one hiking pole, it's better to have two. Oh yes! You may have the image in your head of the hiker with their single wooden pole carved with a pocket knife at the bend in the path. With two poles you’ll have greater stability and the weight of any loads (backpack, bivouac equipment) is distributed more evenly across your body.

As you can see, anyone who enjoys Nordic walking, power walking, hiking or trekking needs to invest in a quality pair of hiking poles.

Carbon, compact, ultralight... are all walking poles the same?

Although the design of walking poles seems to be pretty much the same everywhere, each model has its own features depending on its intended use and terrain. Available in carbon or aluminium, foldable or telescopic (with easy pole adjustment), the poles also have features common to most models. It's these features that we're going to focus on, because they're the key to recognising a "well-equipped" walking pole. If you see a walking pole that doesn't have one of these features, then don't bother.

Pole baskets and tips:

The baskets at the bottom of the pole prevent it from sinking too deeply into ground that is difficult to walk on (snow, mud, sand, etc.). This also makes it easier to free a pole stuck between branches, roots or rocks. To make these baskets more effective, you can choose them according to your chosen terrain. On the other hand, this means having several types of basket; this option is therefore reserved for the most dedicated hikers.

The tips are at the end of your poles. They are in constant contact with the ground as you walk so they need to be hard-wearing and have excellent grip. While the durability of your pole tips is an important factor in your choice, it's still advisable to change them regularly, especially when you notice wear.


Strands and straps:

The strands are used to fold and/or adjust hiking poles. Poles can have one, two or three strands. Poles with two or three strands are very versatile and can be adapted to all types of surface. They are also easy to carry in a backpack. Single-strand poles, on the other hand, offer excellent resistance but are heavier and can’t be adjusted.

Straps take the strain off your wrists by transferring your weight while using the poles. These adjustable components also make it easier for you to grip your hiking poles.

The tightening system:

Particularly present on telescopic poles, the tightening system (also known as the locking system) connects the strands together. Locked in this way, your hiking poles guarantee you the best possible stability for safe, high-performance walking.

Height is an important factor when choosing your hiking poles. It contributes greatly to your comfort when walking. It also guarantees your stability and the propulsion of your forward movement. We'll explain how to choose the right height depending on how you use your poles, whether you're hiking for a few hours or trekking with your poles for several days.

1/ The most important criteria: your height!

Your height is the most important factor to consider when buying your new hiking poles. Before making your decision, we recommend that you go and try them out in store. While standing, take the pole in one hand and place it straight on the ground. As you hold the pole, your elbow should form a right angle (90°). This is the optimum grip for getting the most out of your hiking poles.


How to calculate and adjust your walking or hiking poles according to your height:

To find out the ideal size for your trekking or hiking poles, multiply your height by 0.68 cm. Here's an overview of the different ways in which your height and the size of your poles correspond:
- A 1 m pole for between 1.50 and 1.52 m tall
- A 1.05 m pole for between 1.53 and 1.56 m tall
- A 1.10 m pole for between 1.57 and 1.65 m tall
- A 1.15 m pole for between 1.66 and 1.72 m tall
- A 1.20 m pole for between 1.73 and 1.80 m tall
- A 1.25 m pole for between 1.81 and 1.87 m tall
- A 1.30 m pole for taller than 1.88 m

Do you need a longer walking pole depending on your level?

Beginners should opt for a slightly smaller pole size, while more experienced walkers can opt for a slightly longer pole. Finally, if the result of your calculation is between two sizes, we recommend that you go for the shorter pole size.

2/ Second criteria: The type of pole used

To know how to choose the height of hiking poles, you also need to consider the type of pole you want to use. As we've just explained, the size of a standard pole is calculated from a simple formula and depends on your height. However, you can opt for a telescopic hiking pole. When testing in store, make sure that the range of the telescopic pole is appropriate for your height, especially if you are very tall: adjust the poles as many times as necessary, using the locking system, until you reach that beautiful right angle seen above.

This type of adjustable pole adapts to your needs and can be adjusted to your required size. The advantage is that you can adjust its height during your hike, depending on the obstacles you encounter and the terrain you hike.

Finally, the telescopic pole is retractable and stays securely in place thanks to its locking system, making it practical to carry and store on your backpack.