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Gloves for Hiking Poles?

hieudovan

DoVanHieu
Donating Member
Time of past OR future Camino
2010, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2024
I've learned much from this forum, including being able to "book" a bus from Pamplona to SJPDP. Thank you all. I have another question today. I've started to train for the Camino (leaving SJPDP for Orrison on April 1). Today I walked with the hiking poles for the second time. I noticed that the area between my pointer finger and thumb might become problematic (blisters/callouses) with the daily use of the poles on the Camino. Has anyone experienced this on the Camino? Do I need to have gloves to use with the poles, and if I do, what kind? Thanks again for all of your assistance.
Buen Camino
Hieu
 
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I use gloves for warmth with poles. Your weight should be on the wrist straps, so you might want to change your technique to use your hands for little more than lifting and guiding the poles. The reduced friction will probably create callouses before you start your pilgrimage.
 

Hi Hieu,
I got sore at the same point when I first started using poles. Tried out various gloves but found the best ones were a pair of cycling gloves (fingerless with the backs made of light mesh) and they really helped. My hands toughened up within a week or so out of SJPP but I continued to wear the gloves for a bit of warmth/sun protection.
Nell
 
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Thanks Nell. I just happen to also be a cyclist and have a pair of Pearl Izumi gloves. I definitely will try them out on my next training walk. Just holding the poles with the fingerless gloves felt right, including having the uncovered fingers to grab the poles. Thanks again. Great wealth of info on the forum. This Saturday I will be attending a potluck of the Northern California Chapter of the American Pilgrims. Am looking forward to talk to past and future peregrinos in person : )
Buen Camino
Hieu
 
I have been using poles for years, both on and off the camino, and there is always a risk of blistering the web area between the thumb and palm of the hand. I have found that the area doesn't really harden up to any great extent.

Cycling gloves work, but I have found a better option to be a fingerless glove with a chamois palm and lycra back, and with thin rubber reinforcing on the palm and web to the thumb. See http://www.adelaidecanoeworks.com.au/canoe-accessories/hats-gloves/goso-gloves/ for the ones I am currently using, which replaced a very similar pair that I had used for some time.

For any long walk like the Camino, I would wear these or a warm glove.

Regards,
 
I've used mine with and without gloves (regular gloves) and usually don't have any problems. Sometimes, though, if there's a lot of tough terrain and I find myself gripping the handles tightly for a certain length of time I'll start to get a little sore, so I just remember to relax my grip. The type of handles your poles have probably makes a difference, too. Mine have some kind of cork material billed as a 'comfort grip.' Perhaps that helps cut down on irritation and blisters.

Melanie
 
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If you are gripping the handgrips, and not using the wriststrap, you aren't using the technical features of the pole. You might just as well be using a wooden stick! See http://www.leki.com/trekking/videos.php for some really good advice on how to use the poles correctly. If you follow this advice, you will realise that you don't have to grip the pole other than to place it in the right place, and the load is carried by your wrist and not your hand.

Regards,
 
Fantastic tip! I looked up the website and now know how to use the wrist-straps instead of gripping the handgrips with my palms to "carry" the load. Now, there's one blister/callous that I don't have to worry about. Thanks again. This forum is.... amazing!
Buen Camino
Hieu
 
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