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I am with @Anamya on this. Poles can be tremendously useful, but that are not essential. More, if you don't walk with them now, and don't have time to learn to use them properly before you start, you are unlikely to get all the benefits from them that you might. You risk them being just another thing that you are carrying, and you don't need that on any camino.I am starting my Camino Primitivo on Monday, 9 Sept. Is walking poles essential, or will I be able to walk it without poles. I did the Portuguese Camino two years ago without poles. I did not train with poles at all. So I do not know how it is to walk with poles. I am a reasonable fit 61 years old male.
Hope to see you as well. Buen CaminoI'm setting off on the Primitivo on 9 September too. I'll definitely be taking and using my poles - especially for the steep ascents and descents where I would find it difficult to manage without them. So for me they are essential. But if you haven't used them before the advice from Dougfitz is good. Maybe see you on the way. Buen Camino!
Thank you for the advice Anamaya. I am starting from Oviedo.Where are you walking from, Eswee?
Like you, I don't train with poles. I did the Frances and Portugues without poles, and only recently used poles on the uphills of the Lebaniego. I admit I thought they were useful on the uphills, but - for this little pilgrim here - completely irrelevant on flat or downhills.
I have not walked the Primitivo yet, but I know there are some ups and downs. If you usually don't use them, and you are starting next week, i don't see the point of carrying extra weight. Getting acquainted with the equipment on the go may not be a good choice.
Thank you for the advice Dougfitz.I am with @Anamya on this. Poles can be tremendously useful, but that are not essential. More, if you don't walk with them now, and don't have time to learn to use them properly before you start, you are unlikely to get all the benefits from them that you might. You risk them being just another thing that you are carrying, and you don't need that on any camino.
If you think you can learn to use them on the road, it would be another matter. I just doubt that there are all that many people who can do that effectively.
I have not walked in Primitivo, but according my information the use of walking sticks means that you will consume more energy. Not only for carrying them but for using them too. From the other hand using poles means less stress for your knees and back- some say 30% less, no matter terrain.I am starting my Camino Primitivo on Monday, 9 Sept. Is walking poles essential, or will I be able to walk it without poles. I did the Portuguese Camino two years ago without poles. I did not train with poles at all. So I do not know how it is to walk with poles. I am a reasonable fit 61 years old male.
Where are you walking from, Eswee?
I admit I thought they were useful on the uphills, but - for this little pilgrim here - completely irrelevant on flat or downhills.
What is your source for this level of stress relief? I know that numbers like this get bandied around, but I have never seen anything like that claimed by reputable sources for regular pole use.I have not walked in Primitivo, but according my information the use of walking sticks means that you will consume more energy. Not only for carrying them but for using them too. From the other hand using poles means less stress for your knees and back- some say 30% less, no matter terrain.
Anayma. You say you find poles completely irrelevant on downhills. Have you tried lengthening the poles to give you the support you often need when on steep/rocky downhill sections? Re. on the flat I totally agree. I hate hearing someone clack-clacking behind me when there is absolutely no need for poles. Put the damn things on your pack!Where are you walking from, Eswee?
Like you, I don't train with poles. I did the Frances and Portugues without poles, and only recently used poles on the uphills of the Lebaniego. I admit I thought they were useful on the uphills, but - for this little pilgrim here - completely irrelevant on flat or downhills.
I have not walked the Primitivo yet, but I know there are some ups and downs. If you usually don't use them, and you are starting next week, i don't see the point of carrying extra weight. Getting acquainted with the equipment on the go may not be a good choice.
What is your source for this level of stress relief? I know that numbers like this get bandied around, but I have never seen anything like that claimed by reputable sources for regular pole use.
Internet and experience.What is your source for this level of stress relief? I know that numbers like this get bandied around, but I have never seen anything like that claimed by reputable sources for regular pole use.
Thanks Mr Magoo. It sounds like good advice. I think I will do as you suggested.I did Primitivo aged 66. Took 2 poles, cos have found them good on steep mountain hikes & trekking.I found 2 werent really neccessary, Primitivo is hilly but not that rugged. Why not buy one cheapo pole at Oviedo Decathalon, which you will pass, and give it away when youre down from the hills, or fed up with it.? Also handy as confidence booster when passing guard dogs ?. Definitely agree about steep downhills being more injurous.
I am starting my Camino Primitivo on Monday, 9 Sept. Is walking poles essential, or will I be able to walk it without poles. I did the Portuguese Camino two years ago without poles. I did not train with poles at all. So I do not know how it is to walk with poles. I am a reasonable fit 61 years old male.
Also handy as confidence booster when passing guard dogs ?.
Thanks John. If I will walk with poles, I will put on some plasters.Hi, I’m just finished the Primitivo and did Portuguese last year.
The Primitivo has a lot more climbs with steep gradients and I definitely recommend poles. If you’re not used to them, I’d suggest protecting your hands with plasters where you grip the poles to avoid blisters.
You have super walk ahead of you!
Regards,
John
The largest transfer I have seen claimed in a published scientific paper is 12-25% going down a 25% slope, which is in a paper @Kym G. referred to earlier. My experience is that going downhill is when I get the most weight transfer. I didn't directly measure the weight reduction at the time but did observe that I regularly fully compressed the pole springs going downhill. When I measured that full compression point afterwards, it equates to about a 15% load reduction.Repeated studies of the benefits of using hiking poles (a pair) revealed that the effect was an approximate 25% reduction in weight distributed to the lower body (hips, legs, knees, ankles, etc.). Using poles, correctly, can transfer up to that amount of weight to your upper body (arms and shoulders IIRC).
I believe this is the basis for the statement above. However, I have never heard a percentage of "weight transfer benefit" of greater than 255 stated anywhere.
You might Google "benefits of using hiking poles..."
Hope this helps the dialogue.
Now that is another can of worms. One pole or two poles.I am a fairly recent convert. I used to use a single pole or stick and resisted the idea of two poles for a long time - a couple of early experiments not being particularly successful. However a couple of Caminos ended very painfully and in one case prematurely with what was then diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the knee. Faced with the very real possibility that my long-distance walking was about to end for good I made a concerted effort to learn to use two poles effectively and consistently. Since then I have walked several thousand km trouble-free despite my osteoarthritis - quite a lot of that being on more difficult terrain and while carrying far heavier weights than I have found on any Camino including the Primitivo. I would not walk any serious distance now without them.
For me , two light aluminium telescopic poles if my main concern is joint protection.Now that is another can of worms. One pole or two poles.
Ok. I confess.I think claims of a 30% load reduction are misleading when they don't explain the quite limited circumstances that would apply.
You're an experienced fit walker who has managed so far without poles?I am starting my Camino Primitivo on Monday, 9 Sept. Is walking poles essential, or will I be able to walk it without poles. I did the Portuguese Camino two years ago without poles. I did not train with poles at all. So I do not know how it is to walk with poles. I am a reasonable fit 61 years old male.
In my experience downhills is much more demading then uphills and, more important , much more dangerous.
You say you find poles completely irrelevant on downhills. Have you tried lengthening the poles to give you the support you often need when on steep/rocky downhill sections?
The largest transfer I have seen claimed in a published scientific paper is 12-25% going down a 25% slope, which is in a paper @Kym G. referred to earlier. My experience is that going downhill is when I get the most weight transfer. I didn't directly measure the weight reduction at the time but did observe that I regularly fully compressed the pole springs going downhill. When I measured that full compression point afterwards, it equates to about a 15% load reduction.
It is clearly possible I applied more force after that full compression was achieved, and equally clearly have no way of knowing exactly what that reduction was. I have achieved a reduction of about 25% in a static test measured on domestic appliances, but I don't realistically think this will be achieved in normal walking. I think claims of a 30% load reduction are misleading when they don't explain the quite limited circumstances that would apply.
Save your knee and hip joints for later years. Use poles.I am starting my Camino Primitivo on Monday, 9 Sept. Is walking poles essential, or will I be able to walk it without poles. I did the Portuguese Camino two years ago without poles. I did not train with poles at all. So I do not know how it is to walk with poles. I am a reasonable fit 61 years old male.
Your question is: are walking poles essential? No. Can they be useful? Yes. Do you live near other walkers who do have poles? You still have a day or so maybe before you set sail. You might think of paying a visit to a friend with poles and trying them out. It has been stated, and i know from experience, that there are good and correct ways to hold/use poles. Among others, Leki have useful videos on YouTube to demonstrate that. I finally got it, by walking on the flat and visualising what i had seen on the video. If you do get poles, make sure they have adjustable wrist straps. That helps you to use the poles correctly and not to grip hard on the handles. It won’t be too long till we hear whether or not, and I wish you buen camino!I am starting my Camino Primitivo on Monday, 9 Sept. Is walking poles essential, or will I be able to walk it without poles. I did the Portuguese Camino two years ago without poles. I did not train with poles at all. So I do not know how it is to walk with poles. I am a reasonable fit 61 years old male.
Hi Kirkie. Unfortunately I am flying tomorrow afternoon. No more time for training. It is now me and the Primitivo. I think I am going to follow Mr Magoo's advice. Buy me one pole in Oviedo. Try it out for the first day (or three). If I do get use to it, I will carry on with it. Otherwise I will just give it away to a fellow peregrino.Your question is: are walking poles essential? No. Can they be useful? Yes. Do you live near other walkers who do have poles? You still have a day or so maybe before you set sail. You might think of paying a visit to a friend with poles and trying them out. It has been stated, and i know from experience, that there are good and correct ways to hold/use poles. Among others, Leki have useful videos on YouTube to demonstrate that. I finally got it, by walking on the flat and visualising what i had seen on the video. If you do get poles, make sure they have adjustable wrist straps. That helps you to use the poles correctly and not to grip hard on the handles. It won’t be too long till we hear whether or not, and I wish you buen camino!
I have a similar understanding of the mechanics of how the weight transfer occurs. And I agree that this weight transfer will occur on the flat as well as up and down hill. My own observation is that one achieves greater force on the pole going down steeper hills, where one is working the poles far more to ensure one doesn't go too fast and lose control of the descent.It is my understanding, from what I have read, because I surely do not understand the biomechanics of this, but if you apply downward force using tour firearms and shoulders as you walk in level or up angled surfaces, the geometry of the sticks and your upper body transfers some of the overall weight / load. The figure I have seen most often quoted is “as much as” or “up to 25%.”
In theory, I suppose this is similar to a cantilever truss or a cable suspension bridge. Like I said, I understand the theoretical principles but do not fully get the biomechanics.
For me, the issue is more about joint protection (knees, ankles & hips), and balance control. Plus, being somewhat “pear-shaped,” I can be top heavy with a loaded rucksack. Viewed in this context, the hiking poles are like outriggers on a sailboat. They keep me right side up.
Hope this helps the dialog.
On Pyrenees mountain one could meet the Pyrenees race of dogs . These are guards and stick will not scare them. I found a photo in inernet to give you an idea. Best option is stay away, especialy from group of guard dogs of any race.
Do you have evidence to suppor that? Because interestingly research shows that things like running do not damage knees at all, the incidence of knee problems is no different amongst older runners than amongst non-runners.Save your knee and hip joints for later years. Use poles.
Intresting. I remember the night my knee was wounded from running, 9 years ago and oblized me to stop running. I suppose I' ll have to ask recearchers if that could be happened while reading newspaper.Do you have evidence to suppor that? Because interestingly research shows that things like running do not damage knees at all, the incidence of knee problems is no different amongst older runners than amongst non-runners.
Hi Moorwalker. I did a fair amount of hills in my training for the Primitivo. All without poles. I am also a racewalker, doing ultra distances. I hope therefor that my leg muscles will be strong enough. But only time will tell on the camino.Are walking poles essential? Absolutely not. Are they useful? Some people find them so, although far more just seem to use them as some kind of talisman, going tic-tac along the road because they haven't used rubber tips on their poles and are just tapping the ground as they walk along, infuriating everyone else with the noise.
I've seen all all sorts of claims about weight transfer, however I have not seen good evidence that that translates to the real world. Very few people walk at the speed where supposed proper technique comes into play; Nordic Walking was designed for very fast aerobic exercise, not for regular walking.
I've never found any evidence at all that using poles reduces injuries, if anyone has any I'd be interested to see it.
I find poles useful occasionally when walking on very rough ground (not just a gravel track but real rough stuff) because they give an extra point of balance. On a very steep ascent (rarely encountered on roads) they can give a bit of a boost. I use a pole when crossing a river more than a few inches deep. Other than that I don't find any particular benefit.
I would advise ayone preparing for the camino to go to the gym and do some leg-strengthening exercises and get some walking miles in for the same reason, because in my opinion most people are using poles to try to compensate for weak muscles.
Cycling gloves work too!Thanks John. If I will walk with poles, I will put on some plasters.
HelloI am starting my Camino Primitivo on Monday, 9 Sept. Is walking poles essential, or will I be able to walk it without poles. I did the Portuguese Camino two years ago without poles. I did not train with poles at all. So I do not know how it is to walk with poles. I am a reasonable fit 61 years old male.
I am starting my Camino Primitivo on Monday, 9 Sept. Is walking poles essential, or will I be able to walk it without poles. I did the Portuguese Camino two years ago without poles. I did not train with poles at all. So I do not know how it is to walk with poles. I am a reasonable fit 61 years old male.
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