Walking poles make you more stable. Why? Because you have four points of contact with the ground instead of just the normal two. Poles can and are used by people of all ages. Their use is not restricted to competition walkers or the elderly - everyone can benefit.

Choosing a walking pole is a matter of personal preference. Here are some features to look out for.

Handles
There are many different shaped handles and grips made out of plastic, foam or cork-based materials - you need to hold each type to get the feel of them.
You will find that some are angled, some have finger shaped grips or even have a camera-mounting point.
So try several, it is a bit like Harry Potter’s wand you will know when you have found the right one.
Wrist straps are handy as they make sure your poles don't get dropped or left behind.

Spring loaded poles.
Several companies do spring-loaded poles so look at these if you want to have a high tech solution to help protect your wrists, elbows, knees and legs from the shock of each step.
A good pair of poles can cost from £50 upwards but if you want to lessen the impact on your elbows and wrists then opt for a pair that have an anti-shock device - they are worth it.

Length of poles
Most poles are telescopic having 3 sections. The extended and closed length of poles varies between makes. If you are tall make sure the extended length is right for you, so again try before you buy. Remember that you will need them to be longer for when you are walking down slopes.
If you attach the poles to a backpack the closed length must be checked - if they don’t fold down small enough they'll be more difficult to put away when not being used and will get in your way

To recap - the majority of walking poles have the same basic design features, it is up to you to choose the ones that best suit you.

• They are made out of strong but lightweight aluminum alloy tubing. Often the very light weight ones can be more expensive.
• This tubing will have three telescoping sections so that the height is easily adjustable
• A grip made of shock absorbing rubber with an adjustable wrist loop, useful for taking the strain of your hands.
• A hard-wearing but replaceable tungsten carbide tip.
• A removable small disc which is designed to stop your pole from sinking into the mud.

Enjoy your walking!