Hiking Staff Comes In Handy On The Trail

Whether you choose an expensive metal telescoping hiking staff or a simple stick you found in the woods is totally up to you, but the benefits of having a hiking staff with you can far outweigh the little bit of weight you are adding to your backpacking gear. They can be used for balance on stream crossings or confronting other hazards as well as for pushing things, such as spider webs, out the way on the trail.

Especially if your pack is heavy, it is easy to lose your balance while on an uneven trail or when climbing over a downed tree on the trail. Walking through a small rock-strewn stream can be difficult and a hiking staff can help keep your balance. It is also nice to have something to lean on when taking a break and if you do slip a hiking staff can help prevent or at least slow the fall.

Many people use a hiking staff because it can provide extra support when going uphill and help with balance when going downhill. When heading downwards it can take some of the shock off your knees and the extra support gained when going uphill can take some of the pressure off the hips and back. In some cases, a good hiking staff can be used as self-defense against an unexpected encounter on the trail.

Personal Preference In Choosing Walking Stick

Some hikers will use ski poles as a hiking staff, especially when hiking in the snow or on loose terrain, while others opt for the telescoping type that can be made smaller for storage. The main complaint with telescoping staffs has been when they become slightly worn they may collapse at an inopportune time, such as when crossing a creek or climbing a steep hill.

For some, a one-piece cheap pool cue will work just the same and if they can find one at a thrift store for a buck or two, if they throw it away after a single use, they do not consider it a big loss. For many, a stick they find along the trail will work as a hiking staff just as well as any aluminum or graphite pole they can buy. They just want something that is functional and appearance is unimportant.

The size of the hiking staff is personal preference as well, but should be slight longer than the user is tall for better use when climbing and descending hills. The thickness should be substantial enough to support the weight of the user, but skinny enough to comfortably fit the user’s grip.