Whether hiking, nordic walking or on the trail, it is essential that your poles are set to the correct length. Here is our advice to help you choose the right size poles.
What size poles should you choose?
The best way to choose the right size walking or hiking poles is to try them out in a shop. To choose the right size poles, you need to stand up straight on a flat surface, ideally wearing your hiking shoes. In this position, grip the pole and hold it upright, perpendicular to the ground. Adjust the height of the pole so that your forearm is parallel to the ground and forms a right angle of 90° at the elbow.
If you cannot physically test your poles — for example, if you are buying them online — you can multiply your height in centimetres by 0.68. The result will give you the ideal length for your poles. If you fall between two sizes, we recommend choosing the smaller size. So if you are 178 cm tall, your poles should measure 120 cm: 178 x 0.68 = 121.04.
For adjustments
If you are walking on sloping terrain, it may be useful to add a few centimetres to the length of your poles to compensate for the change in height. However, if you are walking on flat terrain, you can shorten your poles for quicker movement.
If you prefer a more upright posture, you can shorten your poles. If you prefer to lean forward for a faster pace, you can lengthen your poles.
