At the sports day from work Tuesday I did an hour of Nordic Walking and found out how you really have to use these sticks : taking them fast in the hand when going forward but opening the hand when pushing backwards. Did not know that when I bought them last year and only used them once in Tenerife hiking the highest point of Spain El Teide. It's actually a very complete sport once you do it the way it is supposed to be done. Have loads of fun! Am flying to Gran Canaria tonight.

Beatrice De Vis 4236 days ago

Everything you say about Nordic Walking is true, Beatrice.  It is as complete a workout as you want and gives a hiker that much more balance going both up and down a mountain side. We didn't expect to be in the mountains on this trip, or I would have brought my telescoping hiking poles along... These two sticks were considerably heavier than my aluminum poles, but they did the job nonetheless!

Ron Andruff 4223 days ago

I realized, having a look at the poles I bought, that they did not have this little peace of half-glove on them that you can pull off by pushing a button, as did the ones I used on the sport's day. Do yours?

Beatrice De Vis 4221 days ago

If you are referring to the strap around the hand grip (like normal ski poles have), yes, my poles have them.  I use them as well because that extra strap gives you more control over the poles...

Ron Andruff 4221 days ago