Using Walking Sticks - Does It Save Energy?

Can using walking sticks or trekking poles save energy as many hikers and backpackers believe? Author and long-trail hiker Ray Jardine, one of the earliest promoters of ultralight backpacking, noted years ago that basic physics suggest that it has to take more energy to carry more weight in the form of sticks or poles, and so recommended going without them. Recent scientific research has proven him right - but only about the physics.

At James Madison University in Virginia they did a study and found that people who used walking sticks or trekking poles while hiking increased their heart rate. They also burned more calories in a given distance. For the purposes of the study the hikes were in a variety of terrains.

Although it was meant as a health study, the findings are relevant to backpackers. Improved lung capacity was noted in those who used walking sticks, suggesting more exertion and the resulting aerobic benefits. Researchers also found that hikers in the study increased their fitness level without any perceived increase in exertion.

Let's read between the lines and apply this to lightweight backpacking and hiking. Should you use those trekking poles or not? Reread the above information and you'll realize that there is more energy spent when using them, even though users don't notice this. Ray Jardine was right then, at least about the basic physics.

Still, the fact that users don't perceive an increase in exertion is important. We need to ask why not? Probably the use of the poles is spreading the expenditure of energy more evenly between their various muscles. You can take some of the weight and wear and tear off your legs with your arms and chest. This much seems logical enough.

We've already known that whether or not the extra weight causes us to spend more energy for the same number of miles hiked, walking sticks can save our knees and ankles. We may use more energy to do so, but we also might be able to go more miles more comfortably if we spare the joints the pounding. In other words Jardine may not be right about getting rid of the poles and sticks.

Some people should probably be using trekking poles, while some should go without. For example, those who have weak ankles or knees might benefit. Meanwhile those who don't have these problems and want to backpack more miles on the fewer calories probably will do better without the use of trekking poles.

There also may be better and worse times for using walking sticks suggested by all of this. You might do best to save your energy and arms when hiking long level stretches, for example. Then you can get the poles out for downhill stretches where you can spread out the exertion among your muscle groups, and protect your knees.

The Ultralight Backpacking Site | Using Walking Sticks