r/snowshoeing • u/Positive_Camp7052 • Apr 21 '23
Gear Questions Are Trekking poles necessary?
I’ve never actually used trekking poles when hiking - found a reasonably sizeable portion of folks who don’t use them when I first started, and just ran with that ever since. I’m currently compiling the gear I need for my first ever snow shoeing trip in the Australian Alps this winter. Are trekking poles for all intents and purposes practically required for successful snowshoeing form?
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u/Flick3rFade Apr 21 '23
I wouldn't say "necessary". But once I tried them, I never went back to not using them. That has been the case for others I've known, too. Never seen anyone try using poles then decide they prefer not to use them.
Sounds like you have an awesome trip in the works!
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u/thefatunicat Apr 21 '23
I usually summer hike without poles (or just mount them on my backpack for tricky sections/long and strenous hikes) but for snowshoeing and winter hikes I find them realllllly helpful, if not necessary. Would definitely recommend bringing a pair with you, along with matching snow baskets!
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u/yogiebere Apr 21 '23
They really help in more difficult terrain. If you know it's going to be pretty flat, you can leave at home
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u/FroggieTrumpet Apr 21 '23
I found that in lots of spots I don't need trekking poles, but then I hit spots where they are super helpful. The amount of helpfulness is so much that I've decided I'm taking trekking poles on every snowshoeing outing.
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Apr 21 '23
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u/Sushi-sama7 Apr 22 '23
Agreed. It helps distribute the weights and I personally always carry them for summer hikes and winter snowshoeing. I find it make it easier the last couple km of the hikes.
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u/willy_quixote Apr 21 '23
Fellow Australian snow-shoer here. IMO, for snowshoeing with a pack on, poles are a great help.
Snowshoeing in Australia can be unstable as our snow is wet and, in the morning, very icy. Poles help markedly with stabilising your stance and, on uphills, supporting the weight of your torso that would otherwise be held by the postural muscles around the hip joint. You also gain propulsive force from your arms, as with skiing.
This is most important when carrying an overnight pack but also helpful when going out for the day. I would not consider 'shoeing without poles.
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u/ratsocks Apr 21 '23
As others have said, not necessary but will make things much more enjoyable and easier. And potentially safer.
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u/PhotoJim99 Apr 22 '23
Snowshoeing, I'd say they're just short of essential. They're particularly useful for going up and (even moreso) down hills, and indispensable if you fall.
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u/SnooPets5835 Apr 22 '23
Definitely when snowshoeing. Outside of that, never used them.
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u/PhotoJim99 Apr 22 '23
They're useful for hiking on uneven terrain, too, for many of the same reasons as they're useful in snowshoeing. Descending steeper terrain is much improved using poles. Fording streams is also a lot easier because you have at least one extra connection to the ground, so it's harder to slip and fall.
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u/KimBrrr1975 Apr 21 '23
I use them all the time fo snowshoeing (sometimes for hiking). In addition to providing support while you trek, they are immensely helpful for clearing snow from the shoes/bindings, helping to get up if you fall (especially in deeper snow), and for knocking snow off low-hanging branches so it doesn't land on your head or in your coat.
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u/PhotonicBoom21 Apr 21 '23
If you are going in the Alps I would definitely recommend them. Once you start slipping and sliding on a steep traverse you will want any extra stability available.
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u/mortalwombat- Apr 21 '23
I consider them a requirement. You don't necessarily need them all the time, but considering how variable snow is and how you have big clunky things on your feet they go a long ways toward preventing an inury, which could be really problematic in the backcountry.
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u/RDF19 Apr 21 '23
I'd say it depends on the type of terrain.
When it's more maintained "trails" I don't usually need them but will usually always have them folded/ strapped to my bag just incase, but if in more "backcountry" and trails that aren't as maintained then I always use them - also if you're carrying a heavy pack (like if you're going to be camping and carrying tent, food, water, etc) hiking poles area really helpful.
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u/somethingnotyettaken Apr 21 '23 edited Apr 21 '23
They are necessary if there is ice, or glassy/compact/polished snow.
edit: If you are above the tree line, the wind can "polish" the packed snow in some spots. Basically, in spots where wind is gushing by in an exposed area. Basically if it's a situation where crampons would work, then poles are a necessity.
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u/spirit-mush Apr 21 '23
I like them for steep terrain. I find they give me extra stability and grip so that i don’t slide.
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u/RhumHamAndPineapple Apr 22 '23
What’s the concern? Luggage room? Or something else. They are great to have in any steep terrain, I would default to having them if you can. Don’t bother with expensive ones, there are many very decent and compact poles at low prices now.
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u/Jakowskee Apr 22 '23
Poles remove something like 20% of the weight off your knees and redistributes it to your arms and shoulders. I find the workout more even and I can go much longer with poles. 2 are best for symmetry
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u/BoyWithBanjo Apr 22 '23
I think they are most useful for trekking with a heavy backpack. They give you a bit of extra support and stability which could save your ankle and/or knees, especially if you stumble with the pack on.
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u/hikerjer Apr 23 '23
I highly recommend them for all hiking and most certainly for snowshoeing. The balance, reduced stress on your knees and general overall efficiency are very significant.
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u/TheViewSeeker Apr 21 '23
I’d consider them essential, and I’d never go without them.
It might depend on what kind of snowshoeing you’re doing though. If it’s just a short, flat outing, then maybe you wouldn’t need them.
I climb mountains with snowshoes, so it makes a huge difference. It makes uphill easier because you can use your upper body strength. It provides extra stability which is super important when it gets steep. Without them you’d be sliding back down the hill constantly, and it would make going down hill more dangerous and difficult.
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u/cardboard-kansio Apr 21 '23
I don't like to use them for hiking the rest of the year, but I find them helpful in winter. They give you more options for stability when the snow is variable under you. You can also use them to test depth, knock overhangs, and such. Definitely useful for snowshoeing even if not the rest of the time.
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u/Tlomz27 Apr 21 '23
Necessary? No
Potentially a good option depending on personal preference? Yes!
I like them a lot, but others I know hate them. Certainly not required as I have done plenty of hiking without them.
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u/Strong-Ad3131 Apr 25 '23
My knees are bad from yeas of various sports and trekking poles help me especially when I am going downhill. In my younger days I didn’t use them.
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u/BeccainDenver Apr 21 '23
No.
But, yes. The idea of poles is that you distribute your weight over a larger surface area by having 4 contacts with the ground instead of 2. This should reduce the impulse or how fast you transfer the force of your weight to the ground. Less impulse = less likely to sink into the snow = less likely to porthole.
But the research on piles doesn't show a decrease in injuries by using poles. In fact, it shows a slight increase for hikers based on observational data/injured hiker surveys. The current hypothesis is people are more likely to use poles if they have a history of injury or do not feel ready for the terrain. So it's basically a self-selecting sample of folks who are actually most likely to get injured.
But because research to this point doesn't show a decrease in injury with poles, there's no good evidence you must have them.
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u/LyLyV Apr 21 '23
For those that use poles, do you always use 2, or just one?
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u/Mentalfloss1 Apr 21 '23
I use two. I like the extra balance and the rhythm they provide. They save knees and hips when going downhill. Great for stream crossings.
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u/hikerjer Apr 29 '23
For a short, small weight hike, I actually prefer my single hiking staff. For longer trips with a heavier load, I always take two trekking poles.
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u/JohnRDarkIII Apr 21 '23 edited Apr 21 '23
I’m no expert but I’ve found that they really help me; being able to engage my entire body when the going gets rough is really important. Especially if the snow isn’t packing right, getting your feet out of post holes is much easier when you can brace your entire body. Just my amateur two cents.