Moreover, more and more walking distance measurement tools are available on the market. Whether classic pedometers, pedometer apps on your smartphone, or even smart wristbands. Faced with this wave of technology, should the hiker convert and use these gadgets on their hiking outings?
In addition to counting steps, these devices give you an estimated distance covered. For classic pedometers, this distance is calculated by multiplying the length of one stride by the number of steps. You will have previously entered your average stride length into the device, or the device will have suggested one for you. If you measured it yourself, it needs to have been done carefully and objectively, following a precise process.
You will immediately understand that this distance measurement is fairly rough. In fact, the length of your stride varies enormously depending on the terrain and your physical condition. Furthermore, when stride length is measured, it is usually done on completely flat ground, and there is a tendency to overestimate stride length. This leads most pedometers to overestimate distances. Different classic pedometers can show a 20% discrepancy in distance covered within a group of walkers. After a full day's walking — say, a 15 km hiking route — that still amounts to a 3 km difference!!
Furthermore, there are obstacles to overcome, fatigue accumulates and shortens your stride, and a backpack may also change the equation.
If you use this kind of pedometer, you risk misleading yourself if you take the measured distance at face value. You could even get lost if you rely on it to find your way.
Of course, you can still use it to compare elements (your step count, for example) from one hiking outing to the next, but not between different people. Just avoid checking it mid-walk or placing too much weight on the data collected.
Finally, there are now smart wristbands equipped with an accelerometer that estimate the distance covered. However, these devices are not particularly accurate and should only be used to check your stats at the end of a session, not to navigate. They are better suited to giving you a daily estimate of your physical activity than to measuring distance covered in the mountains or through woodland. Distance measurement is not accurate enough and could lead to orientation errors or misjudgements of your position.
In an upcoming article, we will look at GPS and navigation tools that are accurate and modern enough to assist you on your hiking outings.
In conclusion, a pedometer is simply a statistical aid for the hiker. But it cannot be a precise way to measure distance covered on rugged terrain, let alone a navigation aid to help you navigate!
What exactly is a pedometer?
The classic walking pedometer is a small device you clip to your hip that counts the number of steps you take. Many pedometers are fitted with an oscillator that detects each step — either a small pendulum or a ball on a curved surface. Others are now equipped with an accelerometer, as is the case with smart wristbands and smartphones.
In addition to counting steps, these devices give you an estimated distance covered. For classic pedometers, this distance is calculated by multiplying the length of one stride by the number of steps. You will have previously entered your average stride length into the device, or the device will have suggested one for you. If you measured it yourself, it needs to have been done carefully and objectively, following a precise process.
You will immediately understand that this distance measurement is fairly rough. In fact, the length of your stride varies enormously depending on the terrain and your physical condition. Furthermore, when stride length is measured, it is usually done on completely flat ground, and there is a tendency to overestimate stride length. This leads most pedometers to overestimate distances. Different classic pedometers can show a 20% discrepancy in distance covered within a group of walkers. After a full day's walking — say, a 15 km hiking route — that still amounts to a 3 km difference!!
Why a pedometer is not ideal for hiking
The first point is that distance measurements are not at all accurate when there is elevation change and the terrain is uneven — which is most often the case when hiking!Furthermore, there are obstacles to overcome, fatigue accumulates and shortens your stride, and a backpack may also change the equation.
If you use this kind of pedometer, you risk misleading yourself if you take the measured distance at face value. You could even get lost if you rely on it to find your way.
Of course, you can still use it to compare elements (your step count, for example) from one hiking outing to the next, but not between different people. Just avoid checking it mid-walk or placing too much weight on the data collected.
What are the alternatives to a pedometer when hiking?
Before heading out on a hiking trip, you can plan distance measurements using route-planning software. These tools allow you (among other functions) to calculate distances accurately and identify reference points. You can also print a synthetic summary of your route so you have the key data with you. You can also use smartphones with a built-in app — either GPS apps for continuous tracking and distance evaluation, or dedicated hiking apps.
Finally, there are now smart wristbands equipped with an accelerometer that estimate the distance covered. However, these devices are not particularly accurate and should only be used to check your stats at the end of a session, not to navigate. They are better suited to giving you a daily estimate of your physical activity than to measuring distance covered in the mountains or through woodland. Distance measurement is not accurate enough and could lead to orientation errors or misjudgements of your position.
In an upcoming article, we will look at GPS and navigation tools that are accurate and modern enough to assist you on your hiking outings.
In conclusion, a pedometer is simply a statistical aid for the hiker. But it cannot be a precise way to measure distance covered on rugged terrain, let alone a navigation aid to help you navigate!
