Best length for walking poles

[musicman]

Hola,

What is the best length for walking poles?

Eg. Level with hips?
Level with elbow?

Many thanks for any advice.
Leaving Porto this Thursday,with groups
Of confraternity members

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Most instruction videos show a level forearm when planting the pole.

Pacer Poles:
http://www.pacerpole.com/pacerpole-user-guide

 

[dougfitz]

or the Leki site has good video instructions at http://www.leki.com/935--all_videos.html

 

[LTfit]

"Official" recommentation (originator Nordic Walking) is 0.70 x walker' s height. Never calculated myself but my forearm is at a 90 degree angle in relation to pole when placed straight in front of me.

There are various techniques but I find using them as if you were cross-country skiing the most efficient and comfortable.

 

[Abbeydore]

Most instruction videos show a level forearm when planting the pole.

Pacer Poles:
http://www.pacerpole.com/pacerpole-user-guide

Correct & then micro adjust for whether you are a fast walker with long strides or like me with a shorter stride & slower, therefore a little shorter......

 

[dougfitz]

"Official" recommentation (originator Nordic Walking) is 0.70 x walker' s height. Never calculated myself but my forearm is at a 90 degree angle in relation to pole when placed straight in front of me.

Using 0.7xheight might be sound advice for nordic walking, but doesn't work for trekking. It results in the poles being at a substantial angle to the rear.

My poles are currently at about 0.6x my height, which results in the pole being vertical when my forearm is parallel to the ground.

 

[BrianForbesColgate]

Here are a couple of other resources, F.Y.I.
Black Diamond Z-Poles:

Using trekking poles:

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Thank you for all the good information. I have always used the old, "elbow at 90 deg," rule. I have also discovered that if using a staff, or longpole, a natural grip lands about a hand width higher. A staff would be 5 ft or about 1.6 m or longer.