Pacer poles

[Tringa]

Some members might know these poles

https://www.pacerpole.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIitCPmuv38wIVlrt3Ch0yCAEDEAAYASAAEgIroPD_BwE

but if you don't please read on.

Mrs Tringa has never been a big hillwalker. She has in the past enjoyed the likes of Stac Polliadh and some of the lower hills and walks around Gairloch, but has done more level walks(eg Slaggan Bay - https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/slaggan.shtml ).

About three or four years ago she started having trouble in one knee. This was diagnosed as arthritis. Sometimes it has caused quite a bit of discomfort, sometimes the effect has been mild.

In the last year or so she has suffered more and has done some exercise to try and help the problem.

This has helped quite a lot but she has still, until recently, not walked more than about half a mile on level easy ground.

She saw Pacer Poles online and after looking at a lot of reviews, bought some.

A couple of weeks ago, using the Pacer Poles, she did the Flowerdale Glen walk at Gairloch -

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Flowerdale.shtml

It isn't long(3 miles) or much of a climb(about 150m) but it is is way more than she has done for a few years.

Although her knee ached a bit at the end of the walk she said, with the poles, she felt more able to go further and they really helped.

If anyone else is having difficult with joints these poles might help.

All of the reviews I have seen are positive but they say, as Mrs T has confirmed, you need to work/learn how to use the poles.

Dave

 

[munch]

I haven't used pacer poles but I certainly, find poles a godsend when walking. It isn't just about the physical use of poles it is about confidence too. Mrs. Munch wouldn't be out walking any distance without her poles.

 

[arclight]

Poles are an excellent aid to walking. I walk 3 - 4 hours per day (off road) and I always take one pole (sometimes 2). They do take some of the strain off knee joints etc.
I use one piece Leki carbon fibre poles. They are the lightest (I think). Pole joints add weight and can corrode. I have the longest size of pole (because I frequently need to negotiate obstructions like ditches, streams etc.
I always use poles that have a very sharp titanium point (never blunts) that permit me to poke a low life in the eye before he gets too close .........

(a pole can also be a makeshift camera support).

 

[sirch]

(a pole can also be a makeshift camera support).

I have a pole which has a tripod screw on top, add small ball head and it makes a reasonable monopod. I've done some tests and it gets 1 to 2 stops extra

 

[Mr Bump]

I walk a lot and do have a pair of budget poles but never used them much, they will i am sure at some point come out though as i do believe they are good for support.
funnilly enough i have a van load of stuff going over to the greek house pencilled in for early next year and they are down to go in that load.

 

[boyfalldown]

I don't have pacer poles. However I do walk about 70k a week and use a Leki Pole when doing so (same as Doug). It makes a massive difference to how tired I feel and takes allot of impact of my knees

 

[JonathanRyan]

I, erm, run a bit. I got some nordic poles (slightly different design from pacer) and some training and pretty much always take them with me on anything long and hilly.

Honestly not sure I would have finished the South downs way without them.

 

[Tringa]

I use one pole(just an ordinary one I bought at Tiso) when I walk.

Have to say I don't use it much but it is invaluable for testing if a dodgy looking bit of bog is likely to take my weight, helping when going down steep slopes and as a third leg when crossing a stream(which I try to rule out if I can).

Dave

 

[myotis]

All of the reviews I have seen are positive but they say, as Mrs T has confirmed, you need to work/learn how to use the poles.

Dave

Just to add that I too bought a pair of pacer poles for my wife.

She was already using a pair of Leki poles, but once she learned how to use the Pacer poles, she noticed a big difference in her ability to comfortably walk longer distances.

She no longer uses them, as a single Leki (which folds up smaller) is all she needs now, but the Pacer pole design was excellent and really helped her when she needed it.

But as you say, you need to learn how to use them to get the benefits.