Best Nordic Walking Poles 2020

Nordic walking has recently gained more and more popularity as an independent form of fitness. This is a great option for those who seek to develop their body in a comprehensive manner that simultaneously covers the legs, arms, abs, back and muscles. To start classes, you will need special devices - sticks. And so that everyone can choose the right model for themselves, we have compiled a rating of the best poles for Nordic walking.

What you need for classes

The main element of Scandinavian walking is special structures in the form of sticks, they help to correctly distribute the load, relieve weight pressure on the spine and knees, and improve coordination of movements.

How to choose

There are several selection criteria that you need to rely on when buying Scandinavian poles:

• Growth. The higher the athlete, the greater the load must be taken by the poles, therefore, accordingly, for a tall person, the poles should be long. Short rods are also suitable for people of small stature.
• Shaft. For most buyers, a shaft that uses fiberglass and carbon is suitable. He has a decent ratio in weight, strength and elasticity. For training in the snow, sticks with an aluminum shaft are better suited.
• A type. Telescopic Scandinavian poles are not very reliable and traumatic. These are sliding structures, if accidentally closed, a not very pleasant and painful situation can occur, and there is a possibility of breakage at the joints on the product. It is safer to purchase models that are monolithic or fixed in length, they are more reliable and durable.
• Tips. To walk on loose soil, it is better to purchase tips in the form of thorns, for hard surfaces, carbide tips are more suitable. The main task of the handpiece is to firmly grip the ground on which the training will take place.

More on how to make a choice of fixture:

By price

• The most expensive models will be made of carbon, the more this material is used, the higher the cost of the product. Average price from 5 thousand rubles.
• Budget ones are characterized by the absence of replaceable tips and cost in the range of 1–2 thousand rubles.
• Basic models for a mass buyer with standard functionality will cost up to 4 thousand rubles.
• Professional Scandinavian designs are one level higher in cost, they must be of very high quality and suitable for frequent use, therefore, durable and high-quality carbon and other materials that meet these criteria are used in their production. As a rule, they are sold with replaceable nozzles at a price of 5 thousand rubles.
• The cost of exclusive models from world brands starts from 10 thousand rubles.

Kinds

1. Fixed - these are monolithic one-section devices in which the length cannot be adjusted, that is, they cannot be adjusted for growth.
2. Telescopic - sliding structures that are made of aluminum alloy and can be adjusted to different length parameters. They tend to be cheaper than fixed ones and are more suitable for beginners.

Specifications

The choice of the length of the stick depends on the height of the person. If the user's height is within 180-200 cm, then the stick should be 130-140 cm.People whose height is lower than 175 cm is better to pick up a stick no more than 125 cm long.For training in fitness groups, add another 5 cm to the selected length, for professional training - 10 cm.

Growth	Health group	Group fitness	Sports group
150	110	110-115	110-120
160	115	115-120	115-125
170	120	120-125	120-130
175	125	125-130	125-135
180	130	130-135	130-140
190	135	135-140	135-145

A suitable structure weight cannot be determined by standards. It all depends on individual preferences for comfort and training efficiency. The ideal approach is a stick, the weight of which is hardly felt, because the heavier it is, the more difficult the activity will be.

In terms of elasticity, the structure should not give off vibration to the hand and it is difficult to push off. You can check this by taking a few quick steps.

Which company is better

The best manufacturers of Nordic walking equipment pay special attention to the quality of their products, therefore they are very popular among users.

• Leki. The brand from Germany is focused on the production of good products in a wide price range.
• KV +. The company has established itself well thanks to high quality Swiss products. Main focus: ski poles and accessories for Nordic and trekking walking. For professional athletes, there is a discount for all products if supporting documents are available.
• Exel. A Finnish brand focused on the production of premium products, so the prices for the models are higher than the market ones, however, according to user reviews, the cost is quite justified.
• Ecos. Popular models of the Taiwanese manufacturer occupy a leading position in the market for affordable products. They feature a wide range of telescopic poles.
• Ergoforce. Another brand from Taiwan, focused on the budget segment in the production of Nordic walking equipment. The products are in demand among beginners.

Rating of quality Nordic walking poles

Finpole NERO 100% Fiberglass

Fixed models with a very durable fiberglass compound. They have a comfortable ergonomic handle and a half-glove lanyard. The well-thought-out rubberized texture of the handle is ideal for sports at any time of the year, in winter - the material will maintain a comfortable temperature for the body, and in summer - the device will not slip out of sweating palms.

Price - 1150 rubles.

• Ease;
• lanyard - semi-glove;
• rubberized handle;
• suitable for people of all ages.

• There is no possibility of adjusting the length for growth.

Vinson / Vinson Plus

Telescopic two-piece poles with plastic or cork handles. The soft lanyard and anti-shock absorber make this model the ideal choice for getting started with Nordic walking. When choosing the Vinson Plus modification, the buyer receives poles with a cork handle and rubber inserts that help avoid slipping and make the structure even more reliable and convenient to use.

Price - 1400 rubles.

• The presence of a shock absorber;
• comfortable adjustable lanyard;
• produced according to the TUV quality standard;
• budgetary cost;
• high strength;
• the ability to adjust for height up to 135 cm.

• If handled carelessly, there is a risk of breakage of the clips;
• are more designed for beginners, so they are not suitable for frequent use.

Read more about these sticks in the video:

Finpole STAR

Very high quality, reliable and easy to use telescopic poles. Lightweight aluminum is used in production, which contributes to a long service life.The lanyard-trap is designed for excellent fixation of the hand, making walking more comfortable. The ergonomic cork handle absorbs excess moisture in hot weather and keeps you warm in cold weather.

Price: 2200 rub.

• Cork handle;
• a light weight;
• comfortable lanyard;
• production according to the ISO quality standard;
• the kit includes all the necessary attachments.

• Rattling and vibration may occur with prolonged use.

Fixture overview:

Ergo Pro 100% Carbon

Three-section telescopic very light models for orthopedic use. They are characterized by increased reliability of fastenings between sections and quick-detachable lanyards. Sticks can be used on different surfaces.

Price - 4000 rubles.

• Balsa wood handles;
• conveniently folded for transportation;
• lungs;
• anti-shock system helps to smooth out shocks;
• quick-detachable trellis.

• Danger of injury if accidentally folded.

ALPINA Carbon 60%

Excellent ratio: price - quality, suitable for people of different ages, experience and weight up to 120 kg. The high carbon content of these telescopic structures gives the poles excellent handling properties. The lanyard is comfortable, and the handpieces are suitable for walking both on asphalt and gravel, and on frozen and icy soils. Equipped with a removable soil ring to prevent the stick from sinking into the ground or snow.

Price - 4200 rubles.

• Ease;
• the use of natural materials in the manufacture;
• wear resistance.

• The clips can break if dirt, sand or water gets in.

One Way TeamFinlandPRO 60% Carbon

The peculiarity of these fixed structures is that they are made of ultra-light Diamond Carbon material, which increases the durability of the structure and makes them as comfortable as possible in any conditions, the technology has no analogues and is an innovative development of the brand.

Price - 5900 rubles.

• Ease;
• adaptable lanyard;
• natural cork handle;
• serrated tip;
• length 105-135 cm.

• There is no length adjustment option.

KV + Adula 80% Carbon

This model of telescopic devices is primarily distinguished by its practicality and compactness, when folded, the length of the structure is only 63 cm, which is a significant advantage during transportation. In addition, the brand has equipped its products with one of the most convenient types of lanyards - a quick-release semi-glove that fits comfortably and tightly to the hand.

Price - 6800 rubles.

• Weight;
• 80% carbon in the composition;
• natural cork handle;
• velcro lanyard lock;
• ideal for practicing in different terrain conditions.

• Traumatic if accidentally folded.

Video review of sticks:

Leki Smart Traveler (Carbon 100%)

One of the most popular models of three-section telescopic structures for Nordic walking. In it, manufacturers have managed to successfully achieve the perfect combination of quality, design and functionality. The ergonomic handle made of natural cork material fits comfortably in the hand, and the adjustable lanyard allows for maximum comfort. Another feature of this model is the reflective elements, which increase the level of safety for training in the dark.

Price - 12,500 rubles.

• Optimized balance by combining ultra-lightweight aluminum and carbon;
• optimal distribution of weight between all parts of the structure;
• good grip on all types of soil thanks to well thought-out tips;
• SLS system guarantees faster length adjustment process

• Cost.

Fixture overview:

Principle of operation

Nordic walking involves a movement in which the arm is retracted at an angle of 45 degrees. At the same time, the muscles on the main parts of the body and the press are strengthened when turning. In this case, sticks are simply necessary, but their weight should be minimal, because the load is distributed by working with the weight of the body, and not by the sticks themselves.

Stick device

The design consists of such accessories as: a rod, handles with a lanyard and tips. The main element is precisely the rod, it must have a certain degree of elasticity, as it pushes the person forward and dampens the impact on the hand, making the risk of damage to the joints minimal.

The lanyard is responsible for fixing the handle to the hand so that the stick does not slip out during movement. The tips make the passage of a distance on different terrain more comfortable, therefore, for soils that are hard and soft, different types of these elements will be needed.

Adjustment instructions

In order to adjust telescopic devices to the desired length, you need to follow a few simple guidelines:

1. Open the swivel mechanism on the intersectional lock, for this you need to make several turns following the arrow on the indicator;
2. extend the bottom of the stick in accordance with the growth;
3. fix the stick at the desired mark by turning the lower part behind the corresponding arrow;
4. check the reliability of fastening by pushing off the floor with a stick several times.

Which model is better to buy, everyone decides on the basis of individual characteristics. Beginners should focus on telescopic structures, so it will be easier for them to start training and get used to the selection of the correct length, and in the future you can switch to sticks with a constant length, relying on more professional properties and capabilities.