Hiking poles are often misunderstood. Some people see them as something only needed on steep terrain or by older hikers, while others carry them everywhere without really knowing why. Used well, hiking poles can improve balance, reduce fatigue, and help manage long days on uneven ground. Used poorly, they add clutter, disrupt rhythm, and offer little benefit.
This guide explains what hiking poles are, when they genuinely help, and how to use them in a practical, safety-first way that suits Australian hiking conditions.
What are hiking poles and why use them?
Hiking poles, also called trekking poles, are adjustable supports used to assist balance, stability, and movement while walking. They provide additional points of contact with the ground, helping spread load across the body rather than relying entirely on the legs.
Their real value shows up in common problem areas such as long climbs, steep descents, loose surfaces, and fatigue late in the day. In these situations, poles can help you move more deliberately and reduce the cumulative stress placed on knees, ankles, hips, and the lower back.
They are not essential on every walk, and they are not a substitute for good judgement or sound movement technique. Think of them as tools that extend your stability and control when conditions demand it.
The practical benefits of hiking poles
When used correctly, hiking poles offer several overlapping benefits. Some are immediately noticeable, while others become more apparent over longer distances and repeated use.
Improved balance and stability
Poles act as extra points of contact, which can make a meaningful difference on uneven ground, loose gravel, wet rock, and narrow footing. They are particularly useful on steep descents and when fatigue starts to affect coordination. This added stability can reduce the likelihood of slips and stumbles, especially late in the day.
Reduced impact on knees and lower joints
On descents and rough terrain, hiking poles can absorb part of the braking force that would otherwise be taken entirely by the legs. This can ease stress on knees, hips, ankles, and feet, which are common sources of discomfort and overuse injuries on longer hikes.
Better posture and reduced back fatigue
As packs get heavier and fatigue increases, many hikers naturally lean forward. Poles can help support a more upright posture by encouraging better load distribution through the upper body. Over time, this can reduce lower back fatigue on long or multi-day walks.
Smoother rhythm and efficiency
Once a natural rhythm develops, many hikers find their movement feels smoother and more consistent. This is particularly noticeable on rolling terrain and sustained climbs, where poles help maintain cadence and reduce the sense of stop-start effort.
Assistance in water crossings and unstable footing
Poles are especially valuable in creek and river crossings, where they can help probe depth, test footing, and provide additional stability on slippery or uneven streambeds. They do not remove risk, but they can help you move more deliberately and with greater confidence.
When hiking poles help most
Hiking poles are most useful when conditions place extra demands on balance, control, or endurance.
They tend to be most beneficial on long climbs, steep or extended descents, uneven or rocky terrain, muddy or slippery tracks, and during water crossings. They also come into their own late in the day, when tired legs make balance and coordination less reliable.
On flat, smooth tracks with a light pack, poles may offer little advantage and can feel unnecessary. Many hikers choose to stow them in these situations and bring them out only when terrain or fatigue justifies their use.
How to use hiking poles effectively
Good technique matters more than simply carrying poles. Poor use can disrupt balance and rhythm, while effective use feels natural and supportive rather than forced.
A simple starting point for pole length
On flat ground, adjust your poles so your elbow forms roughly a right angle when holding the grip. This is a practical baseline rather than a precise rule.
For sustained climbs, shorten the poles slightly. For long descents, lengthen them. A change of around 5–10 centimetres is often enough. The goal is comfort, balance, and natural movement rather than exact measurements.
Using poles for stability and terrain control
On uneven ground, poles can be placed slightly ahead, beside, or just behind you depending on slope and footing. On steeper ground, they are often planted ahead to help manage balance and control movement. Over time, you develop an intuitive sense of where they are most helpful rather than following a rigid pattern.
One pole or two?
While a single pole can provide some balance support, two poles offer better symmetry, rhythm, and load sharing. Modern poles are lightweight and easy to stow, so there is rarely a strong reason to carry only one. Two poles are particularly beneficial on steep terrain, long descents, and when carrying heavier packs.
Correct use of wrist straps
Straps are designed to carry load, not your fingers. Insert your hand upward through the strap, pull through until the strap supports the base of your palm, then close your hand gently around the grip. A relaxed grip reduces hand fatigue and improves control.
General technique principles
Keep your arms relaxed and close to your body, avoid tight gripping, and allow the poles to move naturally with your stride. If movement starts to feel awkward or forced, reduce effort, reset your rhythm, and let the poles assist rather than dictate your motion.
One important consideration is that poles can make hiking feel easier, which may encourage you to go further or faster than usual. Build up gradually so your upper body adapts without excessive soreness.
Managing poles when they are not in use
When you stop to check a map, take a photo, or adjust gear, poles can feel awkward if you are unsure what to do with them. They do not need to be fully packed away every time you stop.
Many hikers loop them loosely over a wrist, tuck them under an arm, or rest them against a pack while stationary. For longer breaks, scrambles, or sections where poles are more trouble than help, collapsing and stowing them reduces frustration and prevents snagging.
Track impact and environmental considerations
In many Australian National Parks, using rubber tips on formed tracks and rock is encouraged to help reduce erosion and limit noise. Carbide tips grip well in dirt and mud, but on hard surfaces they can damage rock and create a sharp “clack” that carries a long way in quiet bushland.
Choosing tips that suit the terrain helps protect tracks and preserves the experience of others, especially in popular or sensitive areas.
Common mistakes and misunderstandings
A frequent mistake is using poles all the time, regardless of terrain. Poles are most effective when used deliberately rather than continuously. Another common issue is poor strap use or gripping too tightly, which can lead to hand and forearm fatigue.
Some hikers also assume poles remove risk in challenging terrain. They do not. Poles can improve stability and control, but they cannot compensate for poor route choice, unsafe water crossings, or pushing on when conditions deteriorate.
Maintenance and care
Hiking poles require minimal maintenance. Wipe them down after each walk and rinse with fresh water after muddy or coastal hikes. Allow them to dry fully before storage. In most cases, lubricants are unnecessary and can attract grit.
Regularly check locking mechanisms, tips, and straps for wear, especially if you rely on poles in demanding conditions.
Are hiking poles the same as Nordic walking poles?
No. Nordic walking is a fitness activity that uses exaggerated arm swing and glove-style straps, usually on flat, urban surfaces. Hiking requires a more adaptable approach that suits uneven ground, changing slopes, and frequent adjustments. While the equipment looks similar, the technique and purpose are different.
Choosing the right poles
Most hikers choose adjustable poles, as they allow length changes for climbs and descents and can be packed away when not needed. Fixed-length poles are lighter and simpler but less adaptable.
Pole materials, tip types, and accessories all influence durability and performance, and these choices involve real trade-offs. These topics are covered in detail in later articles in this series.
Bottom line
Hiking poles are tools, not essentials. Used well, they can improve stability, reduce fatigue, and make long or demanding walks feel more controlled and manageable. Used poorly or without purpose, they add little benefit.
If you choose to use poles, take time to develop good technique and apply them when conditions justify it. With practice, they become a natural extension of movement rather than something you only bring out on hard days.
Explore related guides
- Types of hiking poles: advantages, limits, and real-world trade-offs
- Using hiking poles effectively: technique for ascents and descents
- Carbon fibre vs aluminium hiking poles: real-world strength and failure
- Hiking pole grips and wrist straps
- Why use rubber tips on hiking poles
- Broken or damaged hiking poles: what you can safely do
- How to straighten a bent hiking pole: on the trail and at home
References
well ski poles have a bit more grip because they have to dig into snow that can be hard and you can get ski poles with like teeth at the ring above the point for more grip in the snow so it really depends on the terrain you choose to hike on so you could use ski poles
can’t you just use ski poles too?
What’s your go-to tip for picking the perfect hiking poles? Have you found any brands or styles that really stand out for you?
Trail Hiking Australia
I guess at some stage I will but I still feel I can do better without them. I have tried them and I found they got in the way, for me anyway.
I have aluminium and carbon fibre poles. My carbon fibre ones have been by far the most durable and I’ve had them for around 15 years. A couple of my aluminium poles have folded in half when they’ve had to take more load than they could handle.
Trail Hiking Australia
Well I turned 60 in August and I don’t have any issues with knees, back, ankles etc other than if I injure myself. I suppose when i sprained my ankle a few months back if I hadn’t recovered properly I may have tried them.
Peter Jolly I rarely use them on day hikes, although I always carry them, as they are useful for river crossings and steep descents. For me, they are most useful on multi-day hikes when I am carrying more of a load.
Robyn Moller.
What are your thoughts on track erosion with multiple hikers using poles? It may seem like a tiny amount but over time and many hikers etc plus the understanding of soil dynamics and structure is lacking for most.
Carol Challis Good question. Poles can leave small marks on softer ground, but in my experience the bigger issues for track wear are still foot traffic, wet conditions and how the trail drains. For most people, poles actually help prevent slips and skidding, which does far more damage than the little pin-marks. Using rubber tips on fragile sections is an easy way to minimise impact, but overall it’s how we walk, staying on the formed track and avoiding cutting corners, that makes the biggest difference.