Walking poles - love 'em or hate 'em?

10 Comments

  • CONURE - 15 years ago

    After health problems we tried a pole each, they helped us to walk longer distances and to manage harder walks. Would not be without them now..

  • Derek Plumb - 15 years ago

    I started using poles to take the strain off my knees when coming downhill. At first my wife was not interested in using them but after a while she started using them particularly for balance in difficult situations and now would not be without them.

  • dylan3714 - 15 years ago

    love em, both my wife and myself-and our regular walking buddies-my wife has a horrendous phobia of heights,so i guess taking on the pembrokeshire costal path maybe wasnt the greatest idea ??-however,almost as a joke,i bought her a leki walking pole much to the amusement of the rest of the gang-it transformed her from "velcro girl" almost overnight---and guess who else has bought poles since??--not laughing now!!!-well worth the money!!

  • john obradovic - 15 years ago

    love em, both my wife and myself-and our regular walking buddies-my wife has a horrendous phobia of heights,so i guess taking on the pembrokeshire costal path maybe wasnt the greatest idea ??-however,almost as a joke,i bought her a leki walking pole much to the amusement of the rest of the gang-it transformed her from "velcro girl" almost overnight---and guess who else has bought poles since??--not laughing now!!!-well worth the money!!

  • Aly - 15 years ago

    I used Lekis for a number of years then last year bought a pair of Pacer poles. They have kept me walking even through a damaged Achilles and more recently lower back pain following a car accident. I would recommend them to anyone as they do reduce the wear and tear on legs and back and enable me to get further than I would otherwise. Even managed to do the Eiger trail last summer with their help!

  • Jacquie - 15 years ago

    I started using walking poles a few years ago, having resisted doing so for quite some time, as I felt they would be an encumbrance and I wanted to keep my hands free. However, when I developed a problem with my knee I began to use a pair of Lekis. I have never looked back, as they greatly increase my ability to cover longer distances with far reduced, or sometimes no knee pain at all. I introduced my husband to them, and he likewise does not walk without them. With his bad knee, these help to keep him walking. What was impossible without them has now become possible.

  • Peter Royle - 15 years ago

    I always used to despise walking poles - until I went for a week's walking holiday in the Cairngorms just a couple of weeks after seriously putting my back out. I stopped off in Pitlochry on the way and decided to buy one - and it was an abolute Godsend! It took the load off my back beautifully, and also off my knees, which I hadn't even thought of. Now I never walk without it.

  • Pauline - 15 years ago

    I love mine - just got some new spring-loaded Lekis for Christmas. Saves my knees when I'm going downhill (as I've lost some of my natural spring!) and they're a godsend on slippery mud. I agree they can be a pain to carry but there's always a way to attach them to your rucsac. Wouldn't be without them

  • Horatio Q Birdbath - 15 years ago

    I first used these under guidance from my Swiss Walking Guide in Wengen. They transform walking in poor, slippery and uneven conditions. Climbing or decending hills is so much easier and they unquestionably safe wear and strain on the knees. On the flat then I do agree with those that find them a nuisance to carry but you can of course collapse them and clip them to your rucksack. I have rubber tip covers for UK use which makes them quieter on hard surfaces buy when walking in the Alps in snow and ice, the hardened tips are a great help.
    If you are undecided, try some for yourself and see! These days you can get a basic set for under £10 and if you don't like them then you can always leave them at home next time...but I'll guess you won't!!

    Happy Walking!

  • Wendy - 15 years ago

    My poles take me higher and further and safer to places I just wouldn't get to without them! And then they get me back down again without so much damage to my knees. If the people who live and work in the mountains have used them fo centuries there's obviously a reason.

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