The pole weight approx. 15 oz. At less than a pound, the EarthTrek Pole brings lightweight features, with benefits of ultra-strong design to support your body's weight.

How to measure for height: Simple: Our standard size pole fits most adult hikers. With an adjustable handle, it fits most people standard heights (5ft 5in to 6ft 4in).  If you are near the edge of those heights, you can measure: Ideally, a hiking pole should allow your arm to be at a 90 degree angle at the elbow, with a wide range of comfortable heights.  The shortest grip height starts at 48" and the tallest grip at 53". You can measure up from the ground and see where your grip would be.  There are (5) one inch height adjustments for the pole. In other words, each adjustment raises or lowers your pole length one inch. The pole is shipped with the setting on the shortest adjustment. This pole is not recommended for shorter persons.

(Please see our new Short size version pole for shorter women and children, and all people 5'4" and shorter)

Simply said, support.  Walking poles provide helpful support for walking, on uphill, flat and downhill surfaces.  They work by distributing the impact and energy from solely through your legs, to your arms, leading to higher upper body strength building.  Reducing impact on your knees.  Stairs, steep trails, uneven ground.  Walking poles give walkers and hikers the confidence needed to go further and in more challenging terrain, leading to greater fitness and health.  

All three are similar.  Walking tends to have the lowest distance and least challenging terrain.  Hiking is typically walking in natural terrain like trails in wilderness.  Trekking is nearly identical to hiking, but can involve multiple hikes and modes of transportation all for one destination or trip.  Most walking poles are suitable for all three (trekking, hiking, and walking)

Backpacking in Europe?  Exploring world cities?  Long distances with all the steps required in public transportation, escalators airports, subway, commuter rail, all can be improved with the support that comes from walking poles.  In addition, added security and peace of mind come along with having a strong stick at hand.

Pushing aside trail cover and bushes.  Spider webs.  Protection against wildlife.  Deterring people that are searching for vulnerable pedestrians.  

Most importanly, guidance and safety for stairs and steps tops the list of why you should have hiking poles.

Check out our blog below for the health benefits of hiking.  Walking Poles get you there, and bring the added support needed move further and enjoy the trek. Distributing impact and energy throughout your body not only protects joints, but can build bones and muscles.

In most cases two poles are better than one pole.  Using two poles provides more even strengthening of the upper body, and balanced pressure.  Only using one pole can at times lead to twisting torque in your spine.  There are some occasions however when one pole is more helpful.  Sometime very narrow trails that require the use of hands to balance on rocks, would be a situation where an extra free hand is needed.  If you use one pole, alternate hands.  This gives rest and balance.  More details are in our Hiking Health topic - Best Treks topic page.

The tallest setting of the short pole, or the shortest setting of the standard pole (recommended) will work fine for middle heights. You can try either one.