Equipment

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When it comes to Nordic Walking equipment there are two key areas than can make or break a good walk. Poles and Shoes.

Dont try and use hiking or walking poles, Nordic Walking Poles were adapted from cross-country skiing poles to allow skiers to train when there was no snow on the ground. Their use differs from walking or hiking poles which assist the user in maintaining balance and stability by being placed in front of the body. Nordic Walking Poles are used behind the body to propel you forward as an extension of your arm.

For the best experience, high quality poles use composite materials, often carbon fibre blended with glass,  aluminium / fibre glass or carbon fibre alone. Entry level poles are often made from aluminium.

We offer the Italian produced Gabel poles, either one piece or telescopic. These high quality poles range from $135 - $240 per pair .The specially designed handle grip reduces vibration, and the detachable hand strap system on all Gabel poles is extremely comfortable and reliable. The adjustability and locking system for adjustable length poles is rugged and will not come loose.

Your instructor can advise on the best pole to suit your requirements and the length you need. It is important to use a pole of the correct length to suit your height.

There is a formula for calculating the ideal length of your pole and this is :

Your height (cm) x 0.68.

So a person 174 cm tall x 0.68 = Pole length 118.32cm.

A check is then made by standing upright with the pole vertically at the side of your feet. Gripping the handle, position your upper arm in line with your torso. If the pole is the correct length, the angle to your hand grip from your elbow should be slightly more than 90 deg (arm pointing slightly down).

Initially setting with an adjustable pole will allow you to experiment with the pole length. While it is recommended to learn with fixed-length poles, a pole too long may feel cumbersome and cause additional strain on your shoulders and arms. Too short, and you will limit the support, putting more pressure on your knees and lower body. It is worth spending time to get the pole length correct.

Fixed lengh poles come in 5cm increments from 105 to125 cm, adjustable poles can be adjusted between 105 cm and 135cm.

The following chart outlines the pole lengths for a specific height.

Height (cm)                     Pole length (cm)

150 - 155                                   100

156 - 160                                   105

161 - 165                                   110

166 - 170                                   115

171 - 175                                   115

176 - 180                                   120

181 - 185                                   125

186 - 190                                   130

191 - 195                                   130

196 - 200                                   135                                       

Ideally, walking shoes with a low heel drop to allow a certain amount of ankle flexibility or terrain shoes are suitable. Terrain shoes are generally lighter and have good flexibility, allowing you to roll from your heel to the ball of your feet to push off with more power. Look for a pair that has a curved heel. At a push running shoes could be used but are generally not ideal as many have cushioning and motion-control features with a rigid shank that stiffens the shoe along its length. This can make it difficult to create a good foot-rolling action.