How to Adjust, Use, and Maintain Trekking PolesUpdated 3 hours ago

Whether tackling steep ascents or technical descents, properly adjusted and maintained trekking poles improve your balance, reduce joint impact, and boost trail endurance.

How to adjust pole length

• The golden rule on flat ground: when holding the grip with the pole tip planted on the ground, your elbow should form a clean 90° right angle, resting roughly level with your hip.
• On the ascent (uphill): Shorten your poles slightly (by around 5–10 cm). This brings your center of gravity forward, gives you better leverage, and prevents shoulder fatigue.
• On the descent (downhill): Lengthen your poles slightly (by around 5–10 cm). This helps absorb impact, takes pressure off your knees and quadriceps, and provides earlier support as you step down.

(Note: These guidelines apply to all adjustable models, including our 5-section folding poles such as the DISTANCE and DISTANCE CARBON).

Unfolding and setting up your poles

• How to unfold your poles
• How to fine-tune the length

Tip: If the pole section slips while hiking, open the lever and tighten the tension thumbwheel slightly with your fingers before closing the latch again.

Choosing the right baskets and tips

Pole baskets prevent your tips from getting wedged between rocks or burying themselves into soft ground, keeping your gait steady on loose terrain.

• Summer / Trekking baskets (small diameter): Essential for mountain paths and scree. They keep the carbide tip from wedging between roots and rocks—a common cause of sudden balance loss or bent shafts.
• Winter / Snow baskets (wide diameter): the larger surface area provides flotation on snow, preventing the pole from sinking too deep when snowshoeing, winter hiking, or ski touring.
• Rubber road / protective tips (walking pads): Slip these over the carbide tips when walking on tarmac, rock slabs, or hard-packed gravel. They cushion impacts, eliminate clicking noise, prevent trail erosion, and protect your gear bag during transit. (Please note: rubber tips are mandatory on certain protected trails and sensitive coastal or alpine nature reserves).

Cleaning and maintenance

Moisture, grit, and dust trapped inside pole shafts cause oxidation and cause locking mechanisms to stick.

• Dry thoroughly: After rainy outings or snowy hikes, never store your poles wet or collapsed.
• Telescopic & folding models: Fully pull the sections apart and wipe down the interior and exterior of each aluminium or carbon tube with a dry cloth.
• Skip lubricants: Never use oil, grease, or WD-40 inside the pole tubes or on clamping mechanisms—lubricants cause the sections to slip under body weight when locked.

Looking for more gear guides? Download our complete Trekking Poles Setup & Maintenance Guide (PDF).

Need advice on pole sizing or spare parts? Our team is here to help at [email protected].