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They weigh almost nothing; the ground supports their weight most of the time!!there would need to be a definite benefit to warrant carrying that weight for 800 km
I use my poles all the time, except in crowded cities and towns. I had never used poles before, so I chose Pacer Poles. Their ergonomic grip makes them practically "idiot proof", as there really is no learning curve to use them, after you have adjusted them to your height.You will find that you will not be 'carrying your poles' as they will be in your hands 100% of the time. When I see people carrying their trekking poles I find it very puzzling because they are helpful in all conditions.
I had rubber tips on my poles at all times. No click clacking from me!Ok. I'll say it. I hate walking poles. Yes they make the walk easier for the user, but the constant click click click click click drives me mad!!!!! Sorry. I know I'm the minority here, don't hate me.....
Ok. I'll say it. I hate walking poles. Yes they make the walk easier for the user, but the constant click click click click click drives me mad!!!!! Sorry. I know I'm the minority here, don't hate me.....
I'm a newbie planning CF from SPdlP on May 22. This forum has been a fantastic resource for plannning this adventure into the unknown! I have seen comments both pro and con the issue of the merits of using walking poles. To take or not to take? - that is the question! In my mind there would need to be a definite benefit to warrant carrying that weight for 800 km. Your thoughts, please!
PatrickM
I agree with everything here. Carbon poles are great, since they have some natural shock absorbing qualities, plus they’re lighter. And yes to the rubber tips. Get the good ones though that are meant to be used for walking rather than the thin rubber tips that come with the poles and only serve as covers for the tips when not being used.Patrick, first welcome to the forum.
I am very pro trekking poles.I use mine 100% of the time when walking various Camino's. They are most useful when ascending or decending hills and negotiating wet muddy areas. But I find them also useful on dead flat areas as I can maintain a much better pace with them, then without them. Since your arms are assisting your legs I find I have much less fatigue at the end of a day.
You will find that you will not be 'carrying your poles' as they will be in your hands 100% of the time. When I see people carrying their trekking poles I find it very puzzling because they are helpful in all conditions.
I bought carbon fibre poles. They are extremely lite and very strong. I have rubber tips on mine to keep the clicking noise down on hard surfaces, but remove them if I have a long stretch on natural trails as the carbide tips are better off road.
There are You Tube videos on technique so that you can gain the maximum benefit from them.
I use to cross country ski, so I find poles very natural to use.
You will find after 800 kilometers your arms after and chest muscles will be much more toned after using them as well.
That's exactly why I chose Pacer Poles. I had never done any backpacking before, let alone using poles. They were very useful for me and never dead weight.If you are practiced using poles prior to Camino, then take them; you will be glad you did. Otherwise, they are just dead weight which will be more cumbersome than helpful
I carried poles the [insert your opinion] Km from a small town in France to a lighthouse in Galicia and used them twice. Once on a loose dog somewhere in Navarre and once to balance my camera on the rocks at Finis Terre. I even cut a pole from a hedgerow to navigate a nicely muddy bit 'cos it was quicker than shedding my pack in the mud to unpack the poles. Most of the time I used my umbrella for balance if the need arose sufficiently.
The Beloved loves my poles and has used them on all her Caminos.
A quick search of the forum might have led you to the conclusion that poles are not necessarily necessary on the Camino Frances but they are compulsory ;0) that is the nature of this forum rather than the essence of the Camino.
That's exactly why I chose Pacer Poles. I had never done any backpacking before, let alone using poles. They were very useful for me and never dead weight.
I guess that it's possible that I'm not using them "right", but how I use them works for me!I wonder if there is something about the grip of Pacer Poles that makes it easier for someone new to using trekking poles to "get it". When I've tried Pacer Poles, they seemed to me to work the same as "regular" grip poles, in terms of pole placement and syncing to leg movement while walking. I know that grip is ergonomically different, but the mechanics of use seemed the same to me.
Since I tried Pacer Poles after I'd been using trekking poles for quite a while, it was hard for me to take on a "newbies" perspective to pole use.
1) If flying, buy them in SJPDP.To take or not to take?
I guess that it's possible that I'm not using them "right", but how I use them works for me!
No worries, it's definitely possible that I don't have the correct form, but they have served me well over 1000 miles.Oops... didn't mean to imply that you were using them wrong. I was just contemplating why some find the Pacer Poles easier to figure out than the 'regular' grip poles.
I'm a newbie planning CF from SPdlP on May 22. This forum has been a fantastic resource for plannning this adventure into the unknown! I have seen comments both pro and con the issue of the merits of using walking poles. To take or not to take? - that is the question! In my mind there would need to be a definite benefit to warrant carrying that weight for 800 km. Your thoughts, please!
PatrickM
Ok. I'll say it. I hate walking poles. Yes they make the walk easier for the user, but the constant click click click click click drives me mad!!!!! Sorry. I know I'm the minority here, don't hate me.....
Yes.I'm a newbie planning CF from SPdlP on May 22. This forum has been a fantastic resource for plannning this adventure into the unknown! I have seen comments both pro and con the issue of the merits of using walking poles. To take or not to take? - that is the question! In my mind there would need to be a definite benefit to warrant carrying that weight for 800 km. Your thoughts, please!
PatrickM
I bought mine at SJPP like said above I paid 20€ in 2016 for the pair and i still have them. They are great do not leave without them. Lots of comments that support thisPatrick, WELCOME!!!
I will be starting about two weeks ahead of you, only 8 days before I begin travelling.
Poles Yes? Poles No? There is only one person who can answer the question of, "Use walking poles or not?" And that is the user.
Poles can be purchased on Rue Citadelle in SJPP just down the street from the Pilgrims' Office, and a couple other places in SJPP before starting. But there is an option, though I do not personally recommend it. Start without poles. See how it goes. If poles become a necessity, there may be some left behind at the next albergue or by the time Pamplona is reached, they can be purchased there. That is only 3 or 4 days in, but also some of the roughest terrain, where poles come in handiest.
Hope this helps.
I'm a newbie too - so can't give advice except that I'm taking Poles because most walkers i know or have talked to think that it's a good option and standbyI'm a newbie planning CF from SPdlP on May 22. This forum has been a fantastic resource for plannning this adventure into the unknown! I have seen comments both pro and con the issue of the merits of using walking poles. To take or not to take? - that is the question! In my mind there would need to be a definite benefit to warrant carrying that weight for 800 km. Your thoughts, please!
PatrickM
I'm a newbie too - so can't give advice except that I'm taking Poles because most walkers i know or have talked to think that it's a good option and standby
Definitely yes to hiking poles. Your knees and feet will appreciate the difference as you transfer effort to arms. Good for balance up hill and down. No more "sausage" fingers as you increase blood flow through your hands. Useful to ward off threatening dogs or livestock. I have even used a pole to hang laundry by adjusting it to fill a gap between walls. You can suspend a backpack from a bunk frame inserting vertically through the grab loop.
Hi Patrick, I am walking the Camino Frances at the moment, having reached Los Arcos this evening, I have to say that my walking poles have been the most valuable thing I have brought so far! For uphill and downhill they have been my second pair of kegs for strength and stability..Don’t go without a pair but also use YouTube and learn to use them efficiently to help you! Buen CaminoI'm a newbie planning CF from SPdlP on May 22. This forum has been a fantastic resource for plannning this adventure into the unknown! I have seen comments both pro and con the issue of the merits of using walking poles. To take or not to take? - that is the question! In my mind there would need to be a definite benefit to warrant carrying that weight for 800 km. Your thoughts, please!
PatrickM
Yes, Polish people do walk the Camino. Lol!
What???Dobry sposób?
What???
Yes, it was a pun, I couldn't resist! I figured you had replied in Polish, but just wasn't sure what you were saying. Thanks for clarifying!"Buen Camino" - it's Polish . . . after the Pole/pole pun?
Absolutely take poles. There is no way I could have done the Camino without the poles. I hike a lot and climb mountains and always use polesI'm a newbie planning CF from SPdlP on May 22. This forum has been a fantastic resource for plannning this adventure into the unknown! I have seen comments both pro and con the issue of the merits of using walking poles. To take or not to take? - that is the question! In my mind there would need to be a definite benefit to warrant carrying that weight for 800 km. Your thoughts, please!
PatrickM
Walking poles relieve a lot of pressure off the legs, especially going downhill. On 30 km days, you will be less tired at the end.I'm a newbie planning CF from SPdlP on May 22. This forum has been a fantastic resource for plannning this adventure into the unknown! I have seen comments both pro and con the issue of the merits of using walking poles. To take or not to take? - that is the question! In my mind there would need to be a definite benefit to warrant carrying that weight for 800 km. Your thoughts, please!
PatrickM
After the knee replacement I knew I needed walking sticks so I tried them. I think I’m using them the correct way but I’m finding it very hard on my hands and forearms, and this is quite tiring. We went for a walk last week and I deliberately left them in the car. When we encountered a very steep descent I had to shuffle to avoid slipping on the loose stones and also minimising stress on my knee. View attachment 42010Ian found me some sticks on the side and they were extremely beneficial. After the descent I put it on the side for someone and then 1km later we reached a very steep climb. I felt really dumb. I’m certainly going to try them again. I’ve watched YouTube but I’m not comfortable. I’d appreciate any advice on something that I’m obviously doing wrong. Thank you
I am not 100% sure, but it looks like you are out of rhythm with the arm swing to leg motion. when you walk normally, if your left leg goes forward your left arm goes back, and same for the right side and so on. The trekking poles, at least in my experience, simply go with that rhythm. Just get some poles of any kind and practice wherever. It doesn't have to be on an actual trail.After the knee replacement I knew I needed walking sticks so I tried them. I think I’m using them the correct way but I’m finding it very hard on my hands and forearms, and this is quite tiring. We went for a walk last week and I deliberately left them in the car. When we encountered a very steep descent I had to shuffle to avoid slipping on the loose stones and also minimising stress on my knee. View attachment 42010Ian found me some sticks on the side and they were extremely beneficial. After the descent I put it on the side for someone and then 1km later we reached a very steep climb. I felt really dumb. I’m certainly going to try them again. I’ve watched YouTube but I’m not comfortable. I’d appreciate any advice on something that I’m obviously doing wrong. Thank you
I totally agree, the clack, clack, clack turned me off using them. However I will be starting the walk from Figeac to StJdP at end of May and due to a foot concern, have decided to wholeheartedly embrace the poles. First time ever... after walking many many walks/kms in various parts of the world (pole-less). Unfortunately there are walkers who do not think to put the rubber tips back on when walking on hard surfaces, or simply can not be bothered to pack them.. C'est la vie!Ok. I'll say it. I hate walking poles. Yes they make the walk easier for the user, but the constant click click click click click drives me mad!!!!! Sorry. I know I'm the minority here, don't hate me.....
No, you're not in the minority... even a lot of us trekking pole users hate the sound of the clickety-clacking made by poles that do not have rubber tips on them when on hard surfaces. I keep a pair of tips in a hipbelt pocket. When approaching a hard surface, even a rocky trail surface, the tips come out and get put on the poles. Then removed when on dirt. Its quick and easy to do.
Why people are so oblivious to their pole's racket is beyond me; it is probably just the same general obliviotness attributable to a majority of those displaying obnoxious behaviors in public.
I thought I'd walk without a pole, but bought a wooden one after the second day. After walking for hours my legs felt wobbly and I was afraid I'd turn my ankle. I used just one and changed it from one hand to the other every once in a while.I'm a newbie planning CF from SPdlP on May 22. This forum has been a fantastic resource for plannning this adventure into the unknown! I have seen comments both pro and con the issue of the merits of using walking poles. To take or not to take? - that is the question! In my mind there would need to be a definite benefit to warrant carrying that weight for 800 km. Your thoughts, please!
PatrickM
I'm a newbie planning CF from SPdlP on May 22. This forum has been a fantastic resource for plannning this adventure into the unknown! I have seen comments both pro and con the issue of the merits of using walking poles. To take or not to take? - that is the question! In my mind there would need to be a definite benefit to warrant carrying that weight for 800 km. Your thoughts, please!
PatrickM
Not to worry, Phil, you're no doubt not the only one.Yes they make the walk easier for the user, but the constant click click click click click drives me mad!!!!! Sorry. I know I'm the minority here, don't hate me.....
I'm a newbie planning CF from SPdlP on May 22. This forum has been a fantastic resource for plannning this adventure into the unknown! I have seen comments both pro and con the issue of the merits of using walking poles. To take or not to take? - that is the question! In my mind there would need to be a definite benefit to warrant carrying that weight for 800 km. Your thoughts, please!
PatrickM
Yes, yes, Yes! As you appear to be of "older" years and may have some twinges already, they are definitely of benefit - take 10kgs of pressure off each knee.
3 caminos, age 68, 69, 70; in excellent health; can't imagine doing a Camino without poles.Yes, yes, Yes! As you appear to be of "older" years and may have some twinges already, they are definitely of benefit - take 10kgs of pressure off each knee.
You can buy them in St. Jean, or at the Auburgue store in Roncesvalles. I found that one pole was enough, and it really helped on uneven ground.I'm a newbie planning CF from SPdlP on May 22. This forum has been a fantastic resource for plannning this adventure into the unknown! I have seen comments both pro and con the issue of the merits of using walking poles. To take or not to take? - that is the question! In my mind there would need to be a definite benefit to warrant carrying that weight for 800 km. Your thoughts, please!
PatrickM
If I recall correctly, there is another steep decline with loose stones immediately ahead of you on the other side of the Alto de Perdon. If you are having significant knee problems you may want to consider walking by the road for that bit, where many of the bicigrinos go.
After that, it isn't nearly as bad for a long ways, though.[/QUOTE
Thank you for that. Do you know how much longer in km it is by road and how safe it is. Thank you
We are on the Camino right now and have come today into Pamplona. Yesterday we did Roncesvalles to Zubiri. I thought I had researched extensively but honestly, no one could have anticipated the steep decline. And the steep inclines. There are also a lot of loose stones, and a lot of jagged stones on the path. We wondered how bad it was in May when it rained so much. Most people had poles and still struggled. My replacement knee was painful and swollen, but this morning I had recovered. Today from Zubiri to Pamplona there were so many pilgrims with knee supports. Many of them young. And so many limping. This is our first time using poles and we are grateful for the advice from members on this forum.
Do you know how much longer in km it is by road and how safe it is.
Thank you. My replacement knee was swollen and sore, but recovered quite quickly this morning. My feet took a little longer. But I would never have been able to do it without my poles. And looking back I am thrilled because it’s such an achievement.I'm not sure. I took the stony descent, which is - I believe - what finally did in my knees. I didn't get my hiking poles until Viana. Looking at the map, the road rejoins the path at Uterga, 3.7 km from the Alto de Perdon, so I can't imagine it adding more than a km or two to the total. Where I saw the road by the Alto de Perdon it did not seem to be a high traffic road but it looks like it connects to the A-12, which is bigger, before heading back to Uterga on another smaller road. I'm not sure how safe it is to walk by the A-12 and whether there is a senda or a good shoulder.
Having said this, it was a tremendous sense of achievement for us to have done this. The stiffness has already gone and we have booked into a hotel in Pamplona and taking a rest day tomorrow. It’s like having a baby. One quickly forgets the pain
The A12 through the Alto del Perdon tunnel is a high speed route with just crash barriers and a safety strip along the edge. You could walk alongside it I suppose, it all depends on how quickly you want to die. I imagine the Civil Guard traffic cops would swoop down and pick you up before too much blood was spilt.I'm not sure. I took the stony descent, which is - I believe - what finally did in my knees. I didn't get my hiking poles until Viana. Looking at the map, the road rejoins the path at Uterga, 3.7 km from the Alto de Perdon, so I can't imagine it adding more than a km or two to the total. Where I saw the road by the Alto de Perdon it did not seem to be a high traffic road but it looks like it connects to the A-12, which is bigger, before heading back to Uterga on another smaller road. I'm not sure how safe it is to walk by the A-12 and whether there is a senda or a good shoulder.
In my local training here in California the addition of trekking poles has made a huge difference in both stamina and fatigue. I go farther, in less time and feel less "beat up" by my long (5M) walks now that I have added poles. Plus the leap from 3-4M per walk to 5-5.5M per walk was effortless once I added poles. I bought carbon fiber poles and the weigh next to nothing.Since your arms are assisting your legs I find I have much less fatigue at the end of a day.
I wasn't thinking of a tunnel under the Alto de Perdon. I was noticing that there seemed to be a road heading down from the top of the Alto de Perdon towards Uterga that the bicyclists were taking. I'm not sure where it went (I didn't take it). When I went to look at the map in one of the guidebooks in my Kindle, it seemed to connect to the A12 (presumably after any tunnel under the Alto de Perdon) and then there would be another road back to Uterga. Looking at it on Google Maps which has a lot more detail on the roads, you'd take the NA-6056 from the top and continue on to the NA-1110 to NA-6016 which would take you to Uterga. Google Maps says that is 6.3 km, adding 2.6 km to the distance.The A12 through the Alto del Perdon tunnel is a high speed motorway with just crash barriers and a safety strip along the edge. You could walk alongside it I suppose, it all depends on how quickly you want to die. I imagine the Civil Guard traffic cops would swoop down and pick you up before too much blood was spilt.
As an ex-highways engineer having seen far too many near misses I can assure you, you do not want to be walking along the hard shoulder with 130kph traffic tickling your ears.
No, I didn't mean go through the tunnel - at the mirador you'd be on top of it by then - it was the bit that said "I'm not sure how safe it is to walk by the A-12 and whether there is a senda or a good shoulder. " I thought you were suggesting walking along the hard shoulder of the A-12I wasn't thinking of a tunnel under the Alto de Perdon. I was noticing that there seemed to be a road heading down from the top of the Alto de Perdon towards Uterga that the bicyclists were taking. I'm not sure where it went (I didn't take it). When I went to look at the map in one of the guidebooks in my Kindle, it seemed to connect to the A12 (presumably after any tunnel under the Alto de Perdon) and then there would be another road back to Uterga. Looking at it on Google Maps which has a lot more detail on the roads, you'd take the NA-6056 from the top and continue on to the NA-1110 to NA-6016 which would take you to Uterga. Google Maps says that is 6.3 km, adding 2.6 km to the distance.
you do not want to be walking along the hard shoulder with 120+kph traffic tickling your ears.
@Jeff Crawley , I agree with you. But there is another way.
As @David Tallan suggests, that other way is quite straight forward. At the Alto-del-Perdon (just after the silhouettes) turn right etc.
My experience of road walking in Spain has been good - usually good shoulders to keep one well clear of on-coming traffic. Although I have not been on that stretch of road. If I was coming that way again I would check it out on Street View to avoid the terrible, rock strewn, descent on the "traditional" path.
Hi Patrick, I walked the Camino de Santiago from SJPP in April this year, poles were completely invaluable as they pretty much made sure we were able to walk the whole way without pain or injuries. They support you uphill and down, especially on some of the tracks downhill after the Pyrenees and Cruz de Ferro. Use YouTube videos to help learn the right techniques and you will be fine. Also expect to wear out the rubber tips regularly if you are using them properly and buy at least three or four of the extra tough rubber ones at the Camino store in SJPP to take with you. They do make a difference, BuenI'm a newbie planning CF from SPdlP on May 22. This forum has been a fantastic resource for plannning this adventure into the unknown! I have seen comments both pro and con the issue of the merits of using walking poles. To take or not to take? - that is the question! In my mind there would need to be a definite benefit to warrant carrying that weight for 800 km. Your thoughts, please!
PatrickM
I'm a newbie planning CF from SPdlP on May 22. This forum has been a fantastic resource for plannning this adventure into the unknown! I have seen comments both pro and con the issue of the merits of using walking poles. To take or not to take? - that is the question! In my mind there would need to be a definite benefit to warrant carrying that weight for 800 km. Your thoughts, please!
PatrickM[/QUOTE
I saw walkers with and walkers without walking sticks. I am 68 and found them a great help when maneuvering the steep and rocky downhills and in pulling myself up steep rocky uphills. If those same hills were also wet i am not sure how i would have managed them safely even though i am fit for my age. Sticks also take some stress off each knee and foot with every step even on flat land, and if you get a blister or other small injury they are great to lean on with each step. Wouldnt be without them!
Poles propel me from 2.3 mph to 2.32 mph. The speed rush is invigorating and makes my hair look like a model in a studio in a makeup ad.Not sure if I want that speed on the camino ;-)
I would never go without poles. The are essential for downhill if nothing else. At home I always hike with poles but I'm 74.Patr
Hence my hairstyle of choice - keeps the hair out of my eyes!Poles propel me from 2.3 mph to 2.32 mph. The speed rush is invigorating and makes my hair look like a model in a studio in a makeup ad.
That used to be my reason for only using a single pole. Since getting my PacerPoles I've revised my ideas. Sure it took a little while to get used to them and consciously slow myself down but the benefits outweigh the problem. As I've said before the first thing I discovered was that I was leaning to the left as I walked and the second, due to the way you use PPs (as opposed to conventional hiking poles) was that the more erect posture was a benefit to breathing and consequentially makes hills less arduous.With poles I tend to speed up by at least 20% ... even i. Flat terrain and on tarmac. Actually on tarmac it is worst , might be 30% even. Not sure if I want that speed on the camino ;-)
We’re walking our first Camino this May too. We’ve done a lot of walking over the years and poles are a must have. They’re not heavy, they collapse into themselves and they take weight off your spine. Chris Brasher suggested that they can take the weight of an elephant off your back over the course of the day. That’s around 7 tonnes. They’re also great clothes lines too. Hope that helps.I'm a newbie planning CF from SPdlP on May 22. This forum has been a fantastic resource for plannning this adventure into the unknown! I have seen comments both pro and con the issue of the merits of using walking poles. To take or not to take? - that is the question! In my mind there would need to be a definite benefit to warrant carrying that weight for 800 km. Your thoughts, please!
PatrickM
I don't hate you. You would not hear my poles. They have solid rubber feet. Wonderful!Ok. I'll say it. I hate walking poles. Yes they make the walk easier for the user, but the constant click click click click click drives me mad!!!!! Sorry. I know I'm the minority here, don't hate me.....
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