How to Use Hiking Sticks Correctly? | Master The Basics

Learning how to use hiking sticks correctly transforms them from awkward extra weight into tools that save your knees and push you up hills. The fundamentals are simple: set the right height, use the straps properly, and let the poles move with your body instead of fighting them. Get these basics right and every mile gets easier.

Set The Right Pole Height First

Stand on flat ground with the pole tip resting on the ground near your foot. Adjust the length until your elbow bends at about a 90° angle, with your forearm roughly parallel to the ground. REI’s expert advice describes this as a “right angle” at the elbow, with the tip planted near your feet.

This starting point matters because it puts your hands in a natural, relaxed position. From here, you’ll make small adjustments for terrain:

• On steep sections: use shorter, quicker plants with bent elbows. Never lock your arms straight.

These adjustments matter most on long climbs and descents, where a few centimeters change how much work your legs do. Keep poles close to your body on all terrain; the UIAA notes that sticks should be used as close as possible to your body’s line of fall.

Use The Wrist Straps From Below

Most hikers grip the handle and ignore the straps, which is a mistake. The strap’s job is to support your hand so you never need a tight grip. Insert your hand upward through the strap from below, then close your hand around both the grip and the strap together. The strap now sits across the back of your hand, and you can relax your fingers between plants.

This technique transfers weight through the strap rather than your grip, which prevents blisters and hand fatigue. A relaxed hold keeps blood flowing to your fingers, which matters in cold weather. The UIAA cautions that poles adjusted too long can leave hands lower than the elbows, impairing circulation and making fingers cold quickly in alpine environments.

This is also where most beginners notice the biggest improvement: straps done right make the poles feel like an extension of your arms instead of something you’re carrying.

Walk With The Opposite-Arm Rhythm

Plant each pole in time with the opposite foot: right foot forward with the left pole, left foot forward with the right pole. This mirrors your natural walking motion and keeps your torso stable. REI recommends planting the pole in time with the opposing foot for the same reason.

Think of the poles as adding thrust on flats and uphill, and braking on descents — a “gas-brake-coast” pattern described by Backpacking Light. Let your arms swing naturally rather than stabbing far ahead or swinging wide. On uneven ground, use the pole tips as feelers, probing the terrain before you commit your weight.

If you’re looking for a classic wooden pair that feels natural in hand, our tested roundup of wood hiking sticks covers durable options worth considering.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

Most pole problems come down to a handful of habits that are easy to fix once you notice them:

• Gripping too tightly. Relax your hands and let the straps carry the load.
• Planting poles too far out. Keep plants close to your body, not way out front or behind.
• Forgetting the rhythm. Same-side pole with same-side foot ruins your natural gait.
• Leaning on poles like crutches. Use them for assist and stability, not as a rest for your full weight.

These technique basics apply to any adjustable trekking pole, hiking staff, or walking stick. Fixed-length poles work fine for general hiking but can’t be tuned the same way for steep climbs or descents, so you’ll need to adapt your stride instead of the pole length.

Master the 90° start, work the straps from below, and keep the opposite-arm rhythm, and your poles will earn their weight on every trail.