Trekking poles have become increasingly popular for those who are seeking an extra sense of balance and support when backpacking. Trekking poles can help you to traverse difficult terrain, such as rocky, muddy, and slippery trails.
They can also help you to prevent injury, reduce fatigue, and increase your efficiency. But should you use trekking poles when backpacking?
The answer is that it depends on the type of terrain that you are backpacking on. If you are hiking on flat and even ground, then trekking poles may not be necessary.
However, if you’re hiking on steep and uneven terrain or carrying a heavy pack, then trekking poles can be a great asset. Trekking poles provide an extra sense of stability and balance that can make difficult trails much easier to tackle.
In addition to providing stability, trekking poles also reduce strain on your joints and muscles by transferring some of the weight from your legs to your arms as you walk. This is especially helpful for those who may have joint issues or who are carrying a heavy backpack.
Trekking poles also help conserve energy by reducing the amount of effort required to traverse difficult terrain; this means that you’ll be able to hike farther with less fatigue.
When deciding whether or not to use trekking poles when backpacking, it’s important to consider the type of terrain that you’ll be hiking on and how much weight you’ll be carrying in your pack. For steep terrain or heavy packs, using trekking poles can provide an extra sense of stability and balance while helping to reduce strain on your joints and muscles.
On flat terrain or with light packs, however, using trekking poles may not be necessary.
Conclusion: In summary, whether or not you should use trekking poles when backpacking depends largely on the type of terrain that you will be hiking on and how much weight will be in your backpack. On steep or uneven trails with heavier loads, trekking poles can provide extra stability while helping to reduce strain on your joints and muscles; however for flat trails with light loads they may not be necessary.