Susan B Johnson
PuraVida
- Time of past OR future Camino
- June (2016)
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Last year I walked Camino Inglés and Finsterra with some Leki poles I borrowed. This year I will walk it again and I need to buy new poles. I am considering purchasing anti-shock poles, as I've read it reduces the stress on one's wrists and elbows. I wonder, however, if anti-shock poles are necessary given that most of the Camino Inglés and Finsterra is unpaved.
If anyone could share their experience with anti-shock vs. regular poles, I would be most grateful.
Susan
One of a handful of BIG topics of discussion on this forum is walking poles. MANY MANY past threads about this. I suggest that you search and enjoy then perhaps hide for a while in a dark quiet place. I can't stand the noise of shock-absorber poles, they drive me bonkers. Also, sound of hard tips on hard pavement annoys locals. And me. I have large round rubbery knobs on my poles which absorb shocks and grab like two little gorillas (edit: see my post #23 below). I also have wrist straps on my poles which transfer stress to the lower arm and absorb some shock. Some people choose to walk without poles, they should be tolerated and treated with respect at all times.Last year I walked Camino Inglés and Finsterra with some Leki poles I borrowed. This year I will walk it again and I need to buy new poles. I am considering purchasing anti-shock poles, as I've read it reduces the stress on one's wrists and elbows. I wonder, however, if anti-shock poles are necessary given that most of the Camino Inglés and Finsterra is unpaved.
If anyone could share their experience with anti-shock vs. regular poles, I would be most grateful.
Susan
I bought Pacer Poles after reading about them on the forum, because I needed something idiot proof.Check into Pacer Poles, too. I haven't used other kinds, but I love my pacer poles (I ordered them from England to the US)
Pacer poles are available online only, so difficult to give them a go unless you know someone who owns them. I haven't tried them but they seem very popular. It seems to me just looking at photos of Pacer poles that not as much stress is transferred to lower arm as poles with wrist straps, therefore maybe some effort required at grip and wrist. Wrist straps almost eliminate grip/wrist effort.If dougfitz hasn't found a difference, there probably isn't one - he is the forum's eye-for-detail-expert!
I do wish he would try pacer poles but as yet have been unable to convince him to give them a go ;-)
I tried a pair last year at San Anton. I remain unconvinced that they offer any significant advantages to an experienced pole user. I can see that they might be easier for a novice to learn to use.If dougfitz hasn't found a difference, there probably isn't one - he is the forum's eye-for-detail-expert!
I do wish he would try pacer poles but as yet have been unable to convince him to give them a go ;-)
My take on each of these is relatively simple:Do your research on-line. There is a lot more to anti-shock or not when making your choice.
What about handle grip, cork, plastic or something else?
Twist lock or flip lock?
Cheap 'n cheerful of wallet busters?
Telescopic of foldable?
Aircraft grade aluminium or carbon fibre?
Black Diamond or Leki? (Other brands are available but they are "also rans" in comparison with these two.
And my favourite....................one pole or two! Don't be an idiot..........it is obviously two!
Some people choose to walk without poles, they should be tolerated and treated with respect at all times.
PS I agree with Mike Trebert about how you should treat people walking without poles.
One pole or two - @Gareth Griffith has this right, but respect that others might choose one or none, and that's okay too.
Last year I walked Camino Inglés and Finsterra with some Leki poles I borrowed. This year I will walk it again and I need to buy new poles. I am considering purchasing anti-shock poles, as I've read it reduces the stress on one's wrists and elbows. I wonder, however, if anti-shock poles are necessary given that most of the Camino Inglés and Finsterra is unpaved.
If anyone could share their experience with anti-shock vs. regular poles, I would be most grateful.
Susan
I did much the same in 2010 when the spring on a re-branded pole collapsed, with a similar effect. The poles were cheap, not very well made and rattled. It was annoying, but also almost the worst buy I have ever made - they lasted less than a fortnight, and I was fortunate enough to be able to replace them with a set of Quecha poles in Melide. Much better made, and no obnoxious rattle.However, I did notice some years ago in a shop that if you extend a cheap sprung pole it rattles when it hits the ground, which I assume would be seriously annoying after a while.
My experience is that it varies. My personal favourite straight rubber tip right now is from Black Diamond. My favourite walking foot is by Swix. Leki and Komperdel also make good tips, but are beaten on price. I have tried a knobbly bell foot without success, but I think @Mike Trebert has had better results with these. I haven't tried other brands recently.I would guess that most/all name brand poles would have high quality rubber tips available.
If dougfitz hasn't found a difference, there probably isn't one - he is the forum's eye-for-detail-expert!
I do wish he would try pacer poles but as yet have been unable to convince him to give them a go ;-)
Sore knee persuaded me to acquire a pair of trekking poles in Puente la Reina. They were 24 euros for the pair. They worked great and got me to Santiago. Left them there as donativo. Well worth the 24 euros.
Could have definitely used a couple of sets of extra rubber tips, though.
I managed to walk from SJPDP to Finisterre with nail clippers as my only cutting tool.This is one of those things I'm buying when I get there. I am not checking my pack and it just seems wise to pick up a a pocket knife and pole the evening before I walk, rather than bother with TSA. I'll get whatever they have and I'm sure it'll be fine. That said I love the look of pace poles and if I didn't have flight concerns, I would totally order some.
You really don't need much at all to walk the CF. Knife? Essential? No. I just liked to have a cutting utensil so I could cut slices of chorizo and to cut fruit. The serrated edge of the plastic spork worked just fine. You could probably just carry the plastic set you get on the plane with your meal.Sigh... I am not planning on taking nail cutters. I'll buy some if I need them. I'm not sure I need a knife either but some ppl seem to think it's an essential.
I know I need poles. They made a huge difference to how my knees felt when I started walking with them.
Since you are only walking for a couple of weeks I doubt that your toenails will grow enough that they need to be cut.Sigh... I am not planning on taking nail cutters. I'll buy some if I need them. I'm not sure I need a knife either but some ppl seem to think it's an essential.
I know I need poles. They made a huge difference to how my knees felt when I started walking with them.
Sigh... I am not planning on taking nail cutters. I'll buy some if I need them. I'm not sure I need a knife either but some ppl seem to think it's an essential.
ONE thing I have learnt in my 'training' is that nail cutters are essential.Since you are only walking for a couple of weeks I doubt that your toenails will grow enough that they need to be cut.
I say it's mostly unpaved, because that's what I remember. Or perhaps that's what I remember so well, because it was so beautiful.Why do you think the Camino Ingles is largely unpaved? I'm walking it now and I would say it's a bit more road than path. Without measuring I would say about 60/40.
I vote Black Diamond too. The little bit of spring was welcome. They also hold their length with out telescoping on me like Costco did.I use both. An anti-shock pole largely for urban walking and the straight carbon pole in the bush. I have used both straight and anti-shock poles on the Camino and other pilgrimage walks. Since starting this comparison about eight years ago, I still cannot work out whether one is really better than the other!
What I would observe is that the Black Diamond elastomer collar is a far better anti-shock arrangement than these using a metal spring at the top of the middle pole section.
Straps, on the other hand are critical. Make sure that whatever you choose to buy has a relatively wide strap, preferably lined with a softer material.
Have walked three caminos with poles from a discount chain Lidl. Left them behind on last camino so have just replaced them. They are anti shock but it can be turned off. They also have cork handles which I find more comfortable and less sweaty than foam or rubber ones. They cost £11 for a pair compared to the huge prices for branded polesLast year I walked Camino Inglés and Finsterra with some Leki poles I borrowed. This year I will walk it again and I need to buy new poles. I am considering purchasing anti-shock poles, as I've read it reduces the stress on one's wrists and elbows. I wonder, however, if anti-shock poles are necessary given that most of the Camino Inglés and Finsterra is unpaved.
If anyone could share their experience with anti-shock vs. regular poles, I would be most grateful.
Susan
Last year I walked Camino Inglés and Finsterra with some Leki poles I borrowed. This year I will walk it again and I need to buy new poles. I am considering purchasing anti-shock poles, as I've read it reduces the stress on one's wrists and elbows. I wonder, however, if anti-shock poles are necessary given that most of the Camino Inglés and Finsterra is unpaved.
If anyone could share their experience with anti-shock vs. regular poles, I would be most grateful.
Susan
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