Trekking Poles: Should You Bring Them on Your Next Adventure?
When you sign up for a guided hike or backpacking trip with Discovery Treks, you’ll hear our guides talk a lot about gear choices. One of the most common questions we get is: “Are trekking poles worth it?”
The short answer: they can make a big difference. Trekking poles are not essential for every hiker, but they are one of those pieces of gear that can transform your experience on the trail. Let’s break down the benefits—and the drawbacks—of using trekking poles, and how Discovery Treks makes them accessible for all of our guests.
The Advantages of Trekking Poles
1. Reduced Impact on Joints
Poles absorb shock and take pressure off your knees, hips, and ankles. Descending into the Grand Canyon or hiking down Yosemite’s granite steps can put a lot of stress on the body, and poles act as shock absorbers. Many of our guests notice their legs feel fresher and less sore after long days when using poles.
2. Improved Balance and Stability
With poles, you add two extra points of contact with the ground. That extra stability is especially helpful when carrying a full backpack, crossing rivers in Yellowstone, or stepping across slick tidepools on the Olympic Coast.
3. Increased Endurance
By involving your arms and shoulders in the hiking process, poles spread out the physical effort. Instead of your legs doing all the work, your upper body contributes—helping conserve energy and making multi-day backpacking trips feel less taxing.
4. Versatility on the Trail
Poles aren’t just for walking. They can double as tent supports for lightweight shelters, serve as makeshift splints in first aid situations, or help test stream depth before crossing.
5. Confidence for New Hikers
Many first-time Discovery Treks guests find trekking poles give them a greater sense of security. They make trails feel less intimidating and allow hikers to focus on the scenery rather than worrying about slipping or stumbling.
The Downsides of Trekking Poles
1. Extra Bulk and Weight
Even collapsible poles take up room in your pack when not in use. For ultralight hikers, this may feel unnecessary on certain routes.
2. Hands Occupied
Poles tie up your hands, which can make it trickier to snap photos, grab a snack, or scramble up boulders.
3. Cost
Quality trekking poles are an investment, and not every hiker wants to buy them just to try them out.
4. Not Always Necessary
On smoother trails or shorter day hikes, poles may not provide much of an advantage.
5. Learning Curve
There’s a technique to using poles efficiently. Without proper adjustment or stride, they can feel awkward or even tiring.
Discovery Treks Provides Trekking Poles for All Guests
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to worry about buying trekking poles before your adventure with us. At Discovery Treks, we provide trekking poles for every guest on every guided trip.
We do this for a few reasons:
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Accessibility: Many of our guests are new to backpacking and haven’t invested in their own poles yet.
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Comfort: Our provided poles are lightweight, adjustable, and designed for a wide range of hikers.
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Safety: Whether it’s balancing on steep switchbacks in the Grand Canyon or crossing a swift Yellowstone stream, we know poles can make the trail safer and more enjoyable.
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Try Before You Buy: Using our poles during your trip is a great way to test whether you’d like to invest in your own pair later.
This way, you get the benefit of trekking poles without having to make a purchase or pack extra gear.
What We Recommend
While poles aren’t mandatory, we recommend using them on many of our routes—particularly steep canyon trails, rocky alpine passes, and wet coastal treks. Our guides will provide tips on adjusting and using them properly, so even if you’ve never tried poles before, you’ll feel confident in no time.
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Grand Canyon: Poles are a lifesaver on the long, steep descents and climbs.
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Yosemite: They’re helpful on granite steps and rugged terrain.
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Olympic Coast: Extra stability on slick, seaweed-covered rocks and tidepools.
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Yellowstone: Great for balance on uneven trails and stream crossings.
Final Thoughts
Trekking poles aren’t just for seasoned backpackers—they’re a tool that can help anyone hike longer, with less strain and more stability. At Discovery Treks, we want every guest to feel strong, supported, and safe on the trail, which is why we provide trekking poles on all of our adventures.
Want to purchase your own set of trekking poles? Here are some of our favorite brands:
-> Inquire HERE to start planning your next adventure with Discovery Treks and see how trekking poles can elevate your hiking experience.
