How useful is a staff / walking poles ?

[damo]

Hi folks

Just about to head off to SJPP next week, and was wondering what you experienced people say about walking with a staff or walking poles on the Camino? I have done a little bit of walking in my time, not that much, and the only time I used walking poles was walking up Killimanjaro a few years ago, and that was the first and last time I have used them. They certainly paid for themselves however, as they were extremely helpful both on ascent and descent.

Now, in the last holy year a friend of mine walked the Camino, and he made himself a staff which he used on his trip. He has offered this to me to use for my Camino, but when walking along a gently undulating / flat course with it recently, it didn't seem to be of any help whatsoever! It fact it was more of a help than a hinderence. Is this just because I am not used to it I wonder, and will it 'grow on me' with use?

I know the first day from SJPP to Roncevalles is particular hilly, and a staff / poles may be useful, but after that it seems that there will be more days where I wouldn't need one than those where I will. I would be extremely interested to hear both 'for' and 'against' arguements (if they exist), as right now I am finding it hard to justify the inconvenience of transporting the staff from London to Biarritz and then back from Santiago!

Many thanks
Damo

[HuskyNerd]

I personally find no good use for walking poles, though many, many peregrinos/as disagree with me. Those who love walking poles insist that they take 20-30% of the weight off your legs and that they're particularly helpful in walking downhill for extra stability.

In my 2008 camino I decided to try them, so I bought 2 telescoping poles in Burgos. I used them for a day in the Meseta and they were absolutely useless -- partly, of course, because the Meseta is mostly flat and there's little need for extra help down or up hills there. Plus, the "click, click, click" of poles on pavement seemed silly (whether made by me or by other "serious" walkers). I faithfully hung onto the poles to Leon and Astorga, but below Foncebadon I accidentally left them in a cafe/bar while I was in the restroom. I realized it about 1 km later and went back, found them, and continued along with them in hand. A couple of towns later I accidentally left them in a cafe/bar again (too much coffee; another restroom stop), but this time I didn't realize it until about 5 kms later. I decided my forgetfulness was the Holy Spirit telling me to ditch unnecessary gear and that some peregrino/a along the way would find a use for them. Sure enough, when I had to head back to the US unexpectedly I found myself in the Ponferrada train station and who should be there but a peregrina from Bulgaria I knew who'd found the poles in the cafe/bar where I'd left them and considered them a gift from the Holy Spirit for her aching legs! My former poles are now with her in Bulgaria and a necessary accessory for all her hikes.

In my upcoming camino in July and again next year when I do the Camino Frances I will definitely not bring along walking poles. My legs and feet are fine without them, and the hassle of keeping track of them just isn't worth the effort.

Hope this helps. Buen camino!

[damo]

Thank you for your reply HusyNerd (interesting name !). Right now I am in your camp re walking poles, but I am willing to hear all arguements. (And re-reading my previous missive, obviously I meant to meant to say more of a hinderance than a help rather than the other way around!)

And comments re staffs anyone?

[Covey]

I used to regard the telescopic poles as very naff when they first came out and they fell in to the "would not be seen dead carrying one, let alone two" category.

My first experience on the Camino Frances was joining my son at Sarria for the last 100kms, and I was surprised and somewhat irritated when 15+ pilgrims would appear on a metalled road with two poles each sounding and looking like some band of SiFi creatures scuttling along. 30 poles impacting on a road sounds horrendous!!

However, when I announced I was returning the following year to walk from St Jean to Finesterre, my son said I should carry poles due to "my advanced age" which somewhat spoilt my feelings of family bonding!!

The following year I returned with two poles which in fact spent 95% of the Camino unused and strapped to my pack. There are places where the footing is difficult, especially on some downhill stretches where in summer the surface is very dry and loose and it is easy to lose your balance because you have a pack on your back which changes your centre of balance. In these circumstances I find it very useful to have a pole to steady myself.

The next year I returned to the Camino with only one pole which I use when necessary, and the rest of the time it is strapped to the pack. Unless I am on a steep, loose surface incline/decline I don't use my pole, unless of course, I need it to prod unwelcome dogs away.

Dogs can be a problem in some places as the Spanish have a habit of turning out unwanted dogs who view passing pilgrims as a source of snacks, which are usually only offered to try and get rid of the following hound (it never does!!). Given the dogs have an unknown temperament and Spain is in the European Rabies Zone, being able to keep some large mangy flea ridden mutt at poles length is useful. Given that some pilgrims like walking alone, the sudden appearance of one or two large stray dogs can prove un-nerving, especially to the ladies.( try to remember that shouting "stay" or "go away" or "sit" does not work. The dogs speak Spanish, although "shoo" is probably the same in most languages!!

The telescopic poles pack in to a short length, but the wooden staff variety can be up to 2m in length, which frankly seems at most times to be a nuisance!!

[Pavel]

As a pilgrim carrying one of these almost 2m staffs I can say one thing which others should agree with: a pole/poles/staff is useful in steep incline/decline and in bad footing and it's a matter of personal preference anywhere else. Experience will eliminate most of the hindering effect and maximize the benefit of it, but it's hard to learn when you are not convinced that this is more a blessing than a curse. For me, it would be hard to get used to the metal-tipped walking stick, but few years of hiking with long wooden staff (about 1,5 kg heavy) taught me to use it the right way, so I am convinced it effectively saves me a kilo or two even in flat terrain.

[damo]

Thanks for the different viewpoints folks. (And let me take this opportunity to say how helpful and informative this forum has been while planning my own Camino - thank you!)

I am aware of the benefit of pole(s) on steep incline / descent, but my understanding is that this probably only makes up 10% of the Camino (please correct me if I am wrong), so they are largely redundant the rest of the time. I also wonder how much of the use of a wooden staff is to complete the 'image' of a pilgrim, rather than for practical purposes? (And please, all you staff advocates out there, do not take offence by that comment. It is just something that has sprung to mind when trying to weigh up the practicalities of using a staff.)

Right now I am still in the 'sans staff' camp I think, but I will try using it again this weekend and go from there.

Regards
Damian

[Covey]

You are right about the image! Couple of years ago there seemed to be a competition as to who carried the largest/longest staff. Lugging a 2m+ pole around was a liability and constantly getting in the way in the albergues, which is why a lot of albergues require you to leave boots and poles outside the dormitory.

My single telescopic pole spends 95% of its time on the Camino strapped to my pack, and is short enough to go inside my pack for the flights out and home.

Some people carry their sticks in their hands all the time. I frankly cannot see the advantage in walking down a flat tarmac road with a pole in each hand, but many do, though I just wish they would use the rubber tips and spare the rest of us the infernal clattering!!!

My own opinion is that you might only need the use of a pole for 2% of the Camino Frances way, but to me it is worth carrying a pole for that 2%. There are places where it is easy to lose your footing and balance and with the extra 10kgs on your back it is easy to overbalance and fall. If you lose your balance and fall it is very easy to sprain an ankle or pull a ligament at which point your Camino is probably finished, and you go home.

There are no injuries that I know of on the Camino that get better the more you walk! If you sprain your ankle, at the very least you will have to rest up for a few days, or maybe even a week, and few pilgrims can afford to lose that amount of time. If you have ligament or cartilage problems, you go home anyway and try again another year.

I am very lucky in that I am reasonably fit, my pack is always packed ready to go and I can get a 1 hour flight to Bairritz and the train to St Jean any day of the week for €50 and start walking. Some have been planning and saving their money to fly half way around the world to do the Camino for years and years, and their dream of walking the Way to Santiago has sustained them for a long time. One wrong step in places can put an end to your dreams, so anything which helps keep you safe is probably a good idea.

[Tanya Yaksich]

I am jealous. It's taken me a few years to save up for this trip, and i have a 5 hour drive to the airport and 20 hours of flying not counting plane changes.
I will be seeking a sport store in Madrid for "poles". I am reasonably fit, over 60 but have a dicky knee and hip and arthritis in my hands and feet, i do not want to end up a casualty!

[Larry]

Hi folks

Just about to head off to SJPP next week, and was wondering what you experienced people say about walking with a staff or walking poles on the Camino? I have done a little bit of walking in my time, not that much, and the only time I used walking poles was walking up Killimanjaro a few years ago, and that was the first and last time I have used them. They certainly paid for themselves however, as they were extremely helpful both on ascent and descent.

Now, in the last holy year a friend of mine walked the Camino, and he made himself a staff which he used on his trip. He has offered this to me to use for my Camino, but when walking along a gently undulating / flat course with it recently, it didn't seem to be of any help whatsoever! It fact it was more of a help than a hinderence. Is this just because I am not used to it I wonder, and will it 'grow on me' with use?

I know the first day from SJPP to Roncevalles is particular hilly, and a staff / poles may be useful, but after that it seems that there will be more days where I wouldn't need one than those where I will. I would be extremely interested to hear both 'for' and 'against' arguements (if they exist), as right now I am finding it hard to justify the inconvenience of transporting the staff from London to Biarritz and then back from Santiago!

Many thanks
Damo

Dear Damo

I like treking poles. I was 58 when I went and carried a 40-45 lb pack. There were several places where the trail was very steep and I had to lean on my poles with almost all my weight. They telescope to about 2 feet long and I used the straps on my pack to ship them, worked great. The brand is Black Diamond and they were the best I saw on the trail even though they weren't top-of-the-line. Lots of people, especially the young ones, didn't have poles but for me, it's a necessity. I carried way too much stuff. I think anyone who is carrying more than 10 kilos is carrying too much.

Good Camino
Larry

[josofia]

Walking poles are light, easy and essential kit... Often as we were walking I said 'I couldn't be doing this without my poles'...We took 2 pairs of Leki Ultralite women's poles (99 Euros a pair in Amsterdam and something like 200 gms) and shared them between the 3 of us (my daughters are 12 and 7) until a lovely old man in La Faba took my 7 year old's hand (At first I was wondering what he wanted to give her) and specially cut a hand-carved wooden stick for her "She needs to have a stick", he said. Sometimes, my oldest wouldn't want to use them, say on a nice clear day over flat terrain, and I would tie them onto my pack.

People had suggested that we wouldn't need them, especially in Australia, but you can't walk through mud and down loose rocky tracks without poles - it is almost impossible. Coming down the worst tracks I would get into a zig-zag rhythm with the poles, propelling myself around in slalom-mode. it was fun...and I didn't have the problems with my knees I'd anticipated

[Tanya Yaksich]

Having just finished the Camino from Leon to Santiago, i agree with Josofia. My Son in Law lent me his Black Diamond poles and i would have been lost without them. I used one and lent one to my Sister. With a dodgy knee it was great to have some support. I intend getting a very good one for my next Camino.
Cheers Tanya

[Gazza]

I fell into the "wouldn't be seen with poles" category, but after a lot of reading, took a pair with me. So glad I did. Help on the hills (up & down) was fantastic. Particularly at th end of the day. Yes they did spend 90% of the time on the pack, but still really worth it.
My wife has bad knees from ols baskeball days & used hers constantly..... without them it would have been a very long Camino. She kept the rubber plugs on the bottom, so they were very quiet

Gazza

[HuskyNerd]

I'll stand by my curmudgeonly insistence that walking poles are not for everyone. I just finished 266 kms of the Via de la Plata -- much more challenging terrain than the Camino Frances. I never found myself wishing I had walking poles. About 1/2 of my fellow pilgrims did have them, and I wish them well. For folks like Tanya with knee or hip issues, that's another matter. That makes perfect sense.

I dearly love my fellow pilgrims and would never think to judge them, but I have to wonder why walking poles are used by so many pilgrims on flat ground. I've watched pilgrims walk with their poles "click, click, click" on sidewalks in big cities, faithfully putting one pole in front of the other as though the sidewalk were a treacherous mountain pass. Once in Santiago I've seen them, backpack free, drag their walking poles into stores and markets, inadvertently banging them into merchandize and annoyed locals. It all makes me wonder with Damo if there's something more to a walking stick than just walking. I still say, if you're healthy with no leg or foot issues, save yourself the hassle and scratch the sticks off your packing list.

[Gazza]

Husky, the reason why so many use them is that it is proven that they reduce the stress on knees & hips by around 20-25%. that means that pilgrims who may struggle to walk 16kms are finding they can get 20kms with less stress & injury, has to be a good thing. Also less dog bites

OK they may not be for everyone just as the internet isn't, but be careful Husky if you keep trying them, you might just like them

I for one am converted....... for the hills anyway. They didn't see the road at all for many days, but when needed they were gr8

[HuskyNerd]

I don't disagree, Gazza. Poles can be useful for steep up/down hill climbs, especially with a knee, hip or ankle injury and/or shoeful of blisters. Poles make zero sense for 0% grade on urban sidewalks where they become a "fierce" pilgrim fashion accessory.

Check out: Load Carriage Force Production Comparison Between Standard and Anti-shock Trekking Poles | The Sport Journal on the value of walking poles at 0% grade and also this source which gives conclusive evidence walking poles are a German plot to give ski pole manufacturers year-round business: Nothing For Ungood

[Gazza]

Interesting site Husky & thanks. I agree with you around the towns. I know when we stopped walking my wife put hers in the corner & they didn't come out till the next morning & she wondered around the towns easily, (must discuss this with her). Maybe its the phsycological thing once the pack is off the back & balance improves. As we know the pack can creat in imbalance & the sticks help in this regard also.

Anyway, each to their own & whatever helps fellow pilgrims enjoy their adventure & keep the smile on the dial is a good thing.

[Larry]

Trekking poles are a must. There are some very steep and rocky slopes and if I had not had them I would have fallen. Two times I had to lean all my weight on them to keep from falling. I have a pair of Black Diamond poles that are quickly adjustable and stay very tight when they are locked down. Again, they really come in handy, almost required I would say. Stay away from short wooden ones. If they break when you're leaning on them you are going to get gored. I've done some trekking in the Sierra Nevada's in California and the Cascades in Oregon-don't use wooden poles-staff maybe but they are cumbersome. Buen Camino.

[Oak]

Reasons for Poles, well I'm pleased they are a great defense against dogs, but I'm afraid if you are not using them then you might look a bit silly till you've got them out. I've used them on the flat, up hills & down hills, like everyone they have saved me from a bad fall. On a mountain you don't see people without an ice axe, it's suicidal, you even practice stopping yourself falling with it! So yes using them and taking weight off varying bits of your anatomy has got to be a bonus. My partner has arthritis and her getting the best out of her camino I feel the poles will help; she has never used poles; I also think it takes ages to learn to use the poles as you need to be able to regularly easily able to adjust the length not just depending on the angle of the terrain but also how you are feeling and where your hands are on the poles; poles too long or too short are just not efficient or much help! It takes mny months to learn to use them properly.

I'm sorry, they are annoying to others, maybe I will try and get some rubber end tips.

[John Hussey]

I have just started using the poles because my age and advancing years have wrecked havoc with my left knee and lower back and both have begun to complain. Years earlier, I first used no pole at all then, as I aged more, went to a single pole that could brake down to become, surprisingly enough, a rudimentary ice axe, one for each hand. That single staff was amazingly helpful to me. Now I am sure I need to go to the two-pole system if I am to continue hiking. I simply must remove some of the weight and pounding of my body upon the knee and back joints as there is only so much weight we can loose from our bodies and so much weight we can subtract from our backpacks.

I looked long and hard at my "two-pole" choices and finally settled on a pair produced by a small British company called Pacer Pole. They are different than most because the walker's two hands, placed upon the ergonomically shaped handle of each pole, transfers some of the pounding of each and every step into the arms and upper body, thus building up that portion of the body, too, rather than just the legs as one walks. They do come with rubber pads to cover their carbide tips, which I intend to use because I have always hated hearing the clicking any two pole system that others made without them. Their website has some very helpful instruction on how to correctly use poles on the level, uphill and descents, too, which would apply to whichever set of poles one might choose to use or purchase.

I guess, in the final analysis, the use (or not) of poles is a personal choice, like one's foot wear. There are many manufacturers and choices and all are likely helpful to walker's joints.

[Oak]

Thank you John,

Trekking poles, Walking poles, Pacerpoles apply biomechanics to whole body movement

& they are good value too, now as you say they are different, & they are possibly very correct that the handle should be @ that funny angle, I will put some thought to it but the lady in the films does look very comfortable. However the normal ones you don't really hang onto them, it's the strap that really allows you to sort of let go & relax between strides, especially going up-hill. They do look to have covered all the bases.
Also when going up hills with normal pole one can use the strap against the wrist, which I always felt was very relaxing for the 'hand-grip'. A shame I cannot try them.

I'm also on the case with your sleeping bags too!

[zzotte]

Besides all the good things already said about trekking poles, I will add that’s is a good exercise for the arms, shoulders and hands also keeps the hands busy rather then having them hanging on the bands of your backpack.

[HuskyNerd]

Don't get me started on poles . . . . but on flat ground they've been scientifically proven to have not effect whatsoever. Uphill and downhill I'm sure they're good for folks with weak joints or muscles, but as long as my conditioning and joints allow I'm leaving mine at home for winter skiing holidays.