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A4 checklist with all illustrated steps. Tick the boxes on paper as you go.

FeatherSticks · Gear

How to Use Trekking Poles: Length, Straps, Technique and Tarp Pitching

Your poles are probably too long – and your straps are on wrong.

Quick facts

Length rule
Elbow at about 90° on flat ground (rule of thumb)
On hills
About 5–10 cm shorter uphill, 5–10 cm longer downhill
Best for
Descents, heavy packs, streams, tarp pitching
You need
A pair of adjustable poles with straps and baskets

What you need

  • Pair of adjustable trekking poles with wrist straps
  • Rubber caps for hard paths and tarp pitching
  • Small trekking baskets and snow baskets for winter
  • Coloured tape to mark your settings (doubles as repair tape)
  • Spare tip and basket in the repair kit
  • Two guylines and stakes for a pole-pitched tarp

Step by step

  1. Set the length: elbow at 90°

    1 Set the length: elbow at 90°

    Stand upright on flat ground, tip beside your foot, and adjust until your forearm is roughly level and the elbow bent at about 90°.

  2. Hand up through the strap

    2 Hand up through the strap

    Slide your hand up through the loop from below, then grip the handle so the strap runs under your palm and takes some of the push.

  3. Walk: opposite arm, opposite leg

    3 Walk: opposite arm, opposite leg

    Plant the left pole as the right foot steps forward and vice versa. The tip lands about level with your feet, angled slightly back.

  4. Shorter uphill, longer downhill

    4 Shorter uphill, longer downhill

    Shorten both poles by about 5–10 cm for long climbs and lengthen them by about 5–10 cm for long descents.

  5. Cross streams on three or four legs

    5 Cross streams on three or four legs

    Open the hip belt, face upstream, keep the poles wide and move only one pole or one foot at a time.

  6. Pitch your tarp on them at camp

    6 Pitch your tarp on them at camp

    Set both poles to the same length, stand them at the ends of the ridge and guy each one out along the ridge line.

Common mistakes

  • Setting the poles too long, so the shoulders rise and the arms tire.
  • Putting the hand into the strap from above, so it carries no load.
  • Keeping the hands in the straps on scrambles and in stream crossings.
  • Pulling a section past its stop mark.
  • Leaning back on the poles on a steep descent.
  • Leaving rubber caps on for wet rock and ice.
  • Pitching a tarp on poles without guying them out along the ridge.