Looking to gear up for Nordic walking? In this article, we share all the tips to help you choose the right Nordic walking poles, essential 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 engagement driven by the use of poles. These must be specific to the sport and differ from ski or hiking poles. How do you recognise them? How do you choose them? What aspects should you prioritise? We aim to answer all these questions to guide you in choosing 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 simply isn't possible — from start to finish of every outing. It's generally practised on relatively flat terrain with little unevenness or steep sections, so without major elevation changes or obstacles. As a result, and also because poles help the walker maintain a good rhythm and increase propulsion, they are used throughout the entire outing. For these reasons, retractable poles are relatively pointless. You will never need to pack them away in your bag or clip them to your belt during a session. On the contrary, we strongly recommend choosing fixed-length, single-section poles. Why?
Because single-section poles offer:
- The powerful, straight-line drive you're looking for in Nordic walking.
- Greater durability compared to multi-section poles — you're less likely to damage them and will keep them for longer
- Good shock absorption from repeated impacts at a steady rhythm, every outing.
- Better vibration absorption, which is essential in Nordic walking to properly protect your joints.
- A weight advantage, which is never negligible.
Shaft material: carbon or aluminium
No need to deliberate for hours — in Nordic walking, carbon is the way to go. Lighter than any other material, carbon also absorbs vibrations better, which, as we've already said, is essential in Nordic walking. Let's look at the different options available:
- Carbon: light and strong, carbon also offers 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 at least 50% carbon fibre. The only drawback when buying carbon poles is the price, which is higher than for other materials.
- Fibreglass: if you don't practise 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 advise against choosing poles made exclusively from fibreglass. Opt instead for a blend of both composites; the carbon will add strength to the fibreglass.
- Aluminium: we won't say aluminium is a complete no-go for Nordic walking… But it's close. It's a material that doesn't absorb vibrations well enough, which can lead to pain or injuries over time. If you're a complete beginner wanting the most affordable poles just to try it out, fair enough — but avoid aluminium wherever possible.
To find out more about the different materials used in hiking poles, see more information here.
Straps
When it comes to straps, the choice is even more straightforward. Forget simple straps (perfectly fine for hiking) and focus solely on mitt-style straps. The mitt is essential for a proper hand release and an efficient, well-guided pole return.
You can choose ergonomic, detachable mitts for added comfort and to free yourself from your poles more easily and quickly. Make sure to choose straps with adjustable loops so you can adjust your mitts in winter when wearing gloves, for example. It is essential that your straps are always perfectly adjusted.
Handles
The choice of handle for your Nordic walking poles generally comes down to foam handles or cork handles.
- Foam handles are an excellent option — lightweight, they absorb perspiration well and are comfortable.
- Cork handles are also very comfortable and highly effective against perspiration, but their main advantage is that they are 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 likely the most heavily 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 durable.
In Nordic walking, tips can be straight or curved — straight ones for use on soft terrain, curved ones for firmer ground.
Tips
For walking on hard surfaces where it's impossible to plant your poles — such as tarmac or stony paths — using removable tips, also called pads, is strongly recommended. 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 disruptive. Most often sold in rubber, we recommend getting them in carbon for greater durability. Note that tips for curved points differ 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 for your Nordic walking poles, which will help you find the pole length that suits you.
