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Are there any features to regular trekking poles that adjustable cross-country ski poles do not have? I know that many people use trekking poles for snowshoeing but are there any reason adjustable cross-country ski poles won't suffice for either snowshoeing or trekking?

RELATED: Should I get trekking poles for snowshoeing, or stick with ski poles?

Note: The above question doesn't mention adjustable poles

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  • aren't those basically the same, or are you talking about those that are adjustable but not collapsible? (in other words, for those not familiar with XC skiing, what does "adjustable" encompass exactly?)
    – njzk2
    Jan 25, 2016 at 20:47
  • I'm not aware of collapsible
    – amphibient
    Jan 25, 2016 at 20:48
  • basically most 3-part trekking poles can be reduced to about a third of their usable length (~50cm) so you can strap them to your pack when not using them. collapsible is perhaps not the right term.
    – njzk2
    Jan 25, 2016 at 20:51

3 Answers 3

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First of all, trekking poles will change the way you hike forever. They are a luxury that saves your legs a lot of exertion, sparing you a lot of energy, allowing you to enjoy yourself that much more.

Trekking Poles have a lot of features that XC pole lack.

  1. Many Trekking Poles have shock absorbers in them which dampen the load to your wrists when they impact the ground:
    enter image description here

  2. More ergonomic grips, which are often extended:
    enter image description here

  3. And come with replaceable baskets:
    enter image description here

By comparison, XC poles are nothing more than a lightweight stick. Personally, I would never ski with a pair or extendable XC poles, I can;t see the benefit of having a pair unless you intended to share them with a number of people who were all different heights. I imagine they're designed primarily for rentals, or inexperienced skiers who don't know what length of pole to use, or people who want them just because their fancier? Anyways, they're pretty much pointless, you don't need to change the length of your poles while XC skiing.

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Adjustable XC poles are useful if the snow either side of the trail is significantly higher than the floor of the trail, i.e. you're skiing in a deep rut and there is a hard crust on the surrounding surface.

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I have a bee in my bonnet about this one.

Conventional trekking poles evolved out of ski-poles, but they have a different function and simply don't work very well for walking.

The warning sign is that you need to resort to the artificial expedient of straps to actually hold on to the things. This can be inconvenient, uncomfortable and puts unnatural pressure on the joints.

enter image description here

A small UK company has produced what in my experience is an objectively better approach, with an ergonomic handle that channels the weight safely and comfortably to the root of the hand without any need for straps. It also encourages good technique by ensuring you hold the poles at the correct angle. I've used them extensively, and would never go back to a conventional pole. It's hands-down a more comfortable and efficient design (pun intended).

enter image description here

The industry showed no interest in a product that challenged their current offerings, so the inventor set up her own little business to produce them. The PacerPoles have a devoted following in the UK, where they are used by most of the best-known writers and reviewers such as Chris Townsend, but they are little known elsewhere.

Now the process has gone full circle and people are using the PacerPoles for skiing.

It's a very conservative market niche, and this is the only meaningful development I'm aware of in the field. But I would encourage people to think outside of the box and not to settle for an inherently flawed design.

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  • When I used to use (cheap) trekking poles regularly I simply ignored the straps and found them much better. This allows you to adjust your grip for the terrain etc. Funnily enough I've just dug them out as I might be walking on snow soon and really like them then
    – Chris H
    Dec 21, 2017 at 17:49
  • @ChrisH - two problems with that. First, when you grab the handle of a straight pole, the pole will be at a poor angle for walking, ergonomically speaking. Second, you have to rely on grip when pushing on the pole, which is tiring over a long, tough day. It obviously works for you, but if you were to experience a better designed handle you might be converted! With the Pacer, I can literally walk holding the pole with my pinky finger - the handle does most of the work. And the angle is correct, reducing strain caused by an unnatural angle of the wrist. Dec 21, 2017 at 18:05
  • I tended to use my fingers to correct the angle, and put my hand over the top (like a cane) on descents, stepping stones etc., giving a variety of grip. If I bought another trekking pole now it would be selected purely on whether it would double as a monopod. I didn't tend to push hard on them on the level.
    – Chris H
    Dec 21, 2017 at 19:43

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