Nordiac poles vs hiking poles

[DeniseT]

hey all, booked on our first Camino next May fro SJDP, I have very ordinary knees and back. Have heard Nordiac style walking takes some pressure of . Anyone had any experience with Nordic style compared hiking poles?cheers

 

[Travellingman]

I did a Nordic walking course couple of years ago - it was interesting, but not really suited to long distance walking carrying a backpack.
A different type of pole to the normal trekking version is needed, and a completely different technique. There are lots of videos on YouTube showing both methods.
Nordic walking is more aerobic exercise - OK if you're training for the SAS, but not for the ups and downs of the camino trail, IMO, so you would be far better taking the pressure off with regular trekking poles - as many on here will tell you, they do make a real difference. However, please make sure you do use poles properly (again, lots of videos out there) - many on the camino seem to carry them more as a fashion accessory, often waving them around like a drum major with his baton...lol
Good luck.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Many Nordic poles are not collapsible. Three section trekking poles are much more convenient for getting through airports (you probably will need to check them, or check your pack containing them). When you have a twenty pound pack on your back, the Nordic trekking techniques won't work as well as they do on flat walking around one's neighborhood.

 

[dougfitz]

Both nordic and regular trekking poles can be used to reduce the amount of weight carried by lower joints (hips and below). However, I agree with @Travellingman, and suspect it is unlikely that you would be able to maintain a nordic walking style even if you were using nordic poles. So unless you intend to take up nordic walking as an activity before or after your camino, I don't think spending more on nordic poles is warranted.

 

[FLEUR]

I agree with the comments already made. I use Nordic Poles at home and used these poles on the Camino because they are the ones I am used to. I agree that you won't be able to keep up a proper Nordic walking technique for long while Camino walking.
I am a keen Nordic walker and lead walks for Age U.K. anyone of 50 yrs can join these walks. If you decide take up Nordic walking it is advisable to go on a short training course to learn the technique.