You're looking to kit yourself out for Nordic walking. In this article, we share all the tips for choosing the right Nordic walking poles, an essential piece of kit for this all-round outdoor sport.
Nordic walking is a complete sport that engages 90% of the walker's muscles, largely thanks to the upper body involvement driven by the use of poles. These poles must be specific to the sport and differ from ski poles or hiking poles, for example. How do you recognise them? How do you choose them? What are the key factors to look for? We aim to answer all these questions to help you make the best choice for your next pair of Nordic walking poles.
Interested in Nordic walking? Check out our tips for getting started with Nordic walking and quickly become a seasoned walker.
Nordic walking pole shafts
Without a pair of poles, Nordic walking is simply not possible — from start to finish of every outing. Generally, it is an activity practised on relatively flat terrain with very little unevenness or steep gradients, so there are no major elevation changes or obstacles. As a result, and also because the poles help the walker maintain a good pace and increase propulsion, they are used throughout the entire outing. For these reasons, retractable poles are relatively unnecessary. You will never need to store them in your pack or clip them to your belt during a session. On the contrary, we strongly recommend choosing fixed-length, one-piece poles. Why?
Because one-piece poles offer:
- The powerful, straight drive you need in Nordic walking.
- Greater durability, compared to multi-piece poles. You are therefore less likely to damage them and will keep them for longer
- Solid cushioning against repeated impacts, at a steady rhythm, on every outing.
- Better vibration absorption, which is essential in Nordic walking to properly protect your joints.
- A weight advantage, which is never negligible.
Shaft composition: carbon or aluminium
No need to overthink it — in Nordic walking, carbon is the clear winner. Lighter than any other material, carbon also absorbs vibrations more effectively, which, as we've already said, is essential in Nordic walking. Let's look at the different options available:
- Carbon: lightweight and strong, carbon also delivers optimal vibration absorption. It is the ideal choice for Nordic walking. The tubes can be 100% carbon or made from a blend of different materials. In that case, make sure to choose poles with a minimum of 50% carbon fibre. The only downside to buying carbon poles is the price, which is higher than for other materials.
- Fibreglass: if you don't train regularly, fibreglass (always combined with carbon) can be a good alternative. Like carbon, it provides good vibration reduction and is particularly lightweight. However, it is also very fragile — too fragile. That's why we recommend against choosing poles made exclusively from fibreglass. Opt instead for a blend of both composites; the carbon will add greater strength to the fibreglass.
- Aluminium: we won't say aluminium is a complete no-go in Nordic walking… but it's close. It is a material that does not absorb vibrations sufficiently, which can lead to pain or injury over time. If you are a complete beginner, want the most budget-friendly poles to test the sport initially — fair enough — but avoid aluminium whenever possible.
To find out more about the different materials used in hiking poles, you can find more information here.
Straps
When it comes to straps, the choice is even simpler. Forget basic straps (perfect for hiking) and focus exclusively on gauntlet-style straps. The gauntlet is essential for a good hand release and for an efficient, well-guided pole return.
You can opt for ergonomic, removable gauntlets for greater comfort, and also to release your poles more easily and quickly. Make sure to choose straps with adjustable buckles so you can adapt your gauntlets in winter — when wearing gloves, for example. It is essential that your straps are always adjusted perfectly.
Grips
The choice of grips for your Nordic walking poles is generally between foam grips and cork grips.
- Foam grips are an excellent option — lightweight, they absorb moisture well and are comfortable.
- Cork grips are also very comfortable and highly effective against moisture, but above all they have the advantage of being more resistant to wear and far more durable. However, they are also more expensive.
Tips
Tips are critical — they are the contact point between the ground and your poles. They are also arguably the most tested part of your poles and therefore tend to wear out faster. That's why we recommend choosing a tip made from tungsten carbide rather than steel. Yes, the upfront cost is higher, but tungsten has the advantage of being far more resistant.
In Nordic walking, tips can be straight or curved — straight tips for use on soft terrain, and curved tips for firmer ground.
Tips
For walking on hard surfaces where it is impossible to plant your poles — such as asphalt or stony paths — it is strongly recommended to use removable tips, also known as pads. On one hand, they help protect your tips; on the other, they prevent excessive noise when the tip strikes the ground, which can sometimes be annoying. Most commonly sold in rubber, we recommend getting them in carbon for greater durability. Note that tips for curved points are different from those for straight points.
Size
To choose the right size for your Nordic walking poles, check out our guide to choosing the right size Nordic walking poles, which will help you find the pole size you need.
