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Using your new APEX poles


There are a lot of great reasons to pack a pair of APEX poles on your next hiking trip, like increased stability when in uneven terrain and reduced wear and tear on your body, to name a few. However, to take full advantage of your hiking poles, it’s important to have them properly adjusted. 

Here’s how to adjust your hiking poles for the best performance in any terrain.

FLAT AND ROLLING TERRAIN 

Flat ground and slightly varying terrain call for sizing your hiking poles so that your arms are positioned with a 90-degree bend at the elbow. This is the configuration where your poles will spend most of their time—remember the graduated markings on the pole at this setting, will save time in the future. To find this spot: 

  1. Stand straight with your poles in your hands,
  2. Place your arms close to your sides,
  3. Position the tips of the poles near your feet,
  4. Adjust the length of the poles so your arms are at right angles,
  5. Make sure the locking mechanism is securely closed.

    A helpful tip for sizing three-section poles is to set the top section in the middle of its adjustment range and use the lower section to put your arm in the proper position. This allows you to easily fine-tune fit with the upper section while on the move.  

    UPHILL TRAIL SECTIONS 

    Using poles while hiking uphill can ease the strain from heavy backpacks and take a load off your legs by letting you push yourself up with your arms. When ascending: 

    1. The steeper the incline, the more you should shorten your poles, and
    2. Shrink poles in five-to-ten-centimeter increments from where you set them for flat/rolling terrain, until you find a comfortable position.

      A few signs to look for if your poles are improperly adjusted include: 

      • An unnatural or uncomfortable feeling,
      • The need to stretch out to plant them on the ground, and/or
      • Fatigue in your shoulders

        DOWNHILL TRAIL SECTIONS 

        Hiking poles provide extra stability, better balance, and help reduce the impact on your knees (especially when carrying a heavy backpack) while moving downhill.  When descending: 

        • The sharper the decline, the more you should lengthen your poles, and
        • Extend poles in five-centimeter increments from where you set them for most of your hiking until you find a spot to your liking.

        Some indications that your poles are correctly positioned are: 

        • Your body remains upright (no need to stretch, reach, or bend for your poles to contact the ground), and
        • The poles remain parallel with your body.

        TRAVERSING

        On sidehills, bench cuts, and traverses where one side of the trail is higher or lower than the other, you can adjust your poles accordingly by shortening the pole on the uphill side and lengthening the one on the downhill side. 

        FITTING STRAPS

        APEX poles come with adjustable straps. Straps are great for keeping poles at hand when digging out a snack from your pack or taking photos. Also, when sized correctly, straps take the pressure off your hands and transfer it to your wrists—preventing over gripping and providing longer, more comfortable use. To use your hiking pole straps the correct way (see step by step illustration at end of this article): 

        • Put your hand through the bottom of the strap (most people instinctively put it through the top)
        • Position your hand so that the strap runs across your palm and between your thumb and index finger.

        Tighten the strap so your hand lines up with where you like to grip the pole. 

        • You’ll know the straps are properly adjusted if they cradle your hand and keep the pole in place when weighted.  

        THE TAKEAWAY

        Much like your pace, stride, and attitude (especially on those hilly hikes) the length of your poles will change in relation to the terrain. When in doubt, a good rule of thumb to fall back on is that they should keep your body in balance, feel comfortable, and not cause any discomfort.

        THE HIKING POLE TIPS & BASKETS

         

         RUBBER TIP
        • Protect fragile surfaces or for indoor use,
        • Hard packed gravel, and stone surfaces
        • Reduce noise on hard surfaces

        BOOT TIP

        • Concrete,
        • Pavement, and
        • Flat road/path

         MUD BASKET

        • Mud, sand, and other soft surfaces
        • Prevent sinking into soft ground

        SNOW BASKET

        • Winter hiking, and
        • Snowshoeing

        TUNGSTEN CARBIDE TIP

        • General use tip for hard pack dirt, gravel, and ice

         

         HOW TO HOLD AND ADJUST THE STRAPS ON YOUR POLES