UKY Ramblers

Haven't had to scare away any bears here (yet), but we have used the walking stick to wave our way through a herd of cattle before. 

Gosh, we have deteriorated in this thread! 

I'm glad someone thought of something new which could make rambling easier for me, though! 

I just talked to a friend at work who is a mountain rescue guy and he says not to buy boots that are a size larger. He thinks they should fit properly when you have thick winter socks on so that your foot doesn't slide around (which he says may be a size larger, or may not be). What do you think?

I just talked to a friend at work who is a mountain rescue guy and he says not to buy boots that are a size larger. He thinks they should fit properly when you have thick winter socks on so that your foot doesn't slide around (which he says may be a size larger, or may not be). What do you think?

Maybe that is a size larger than usual footwear for some because of the thickness of woollies? 

I can see both sides.  You want to have good room in the toe box so your toes don't bang against the front, but if you go a size larger your foot is more likely to shift around, give you blisters and bang in the front.

I just bought ones the seemed to fit well with the socks I always wear.  I always wear Smartwool lightweight hiking socks and if it is really cold, and it has to be really cold, I put on a pair of liners. 

Glad you mentioned it, because Tin was asking me about poles a couple weeks ago (her knees hurt sometimes) and I said I thought she ought to get some poles for that.

Yes I was asking about that, and yes my knees do hurt sometimes (especially going downhill) and yes I'm going to get poles.  Especially after seeing Mrs R save us from the ferocious dog with her fast-action pole maneuver! 

I just talked to a friend at work who is a mountain rescue guy and he says not to buy boots that are a size larger. He thinks they should fit properly when you have thick winter socks on so that your foot doesn't slide around (which he says may be a size larger, or may not be). What do you think?

Yeah, if you had seen my big toenails after I climbed up & down a Welsh mountain last August (should have taken a photo!  )...I need bigger boots.    My toenails are just starting to look normal again!

In retrospect I lost a big toe nail after hiking the WHW.  But I think that is just par for the course.   

Yes I was asking about that, and yes my knees do hurt sometimes (especially going downhill) and yes I'm going to get poles.  Especially after seeing Mrs R save us from the ferocious dog with her fast-action pole maneuver! 

  I hope it wasn't one whose owner liked to leave nasty presents. Well, if it was, maybe the dog deserved fast-action pole manoeuvre! 

I am thinking about a set myself: maybe for when I am better.   

Yeah, if you had seen my big toenails after I climbed up & down a Welsh mountain last August (should have taken a photo!  )...I need bigger boots.    My toenails are just starting to look normal again!

Yipes! I'm glad you didn't post a pic.  But also glad your toes are better! 

If hiking is anything like marathon then 1 size larger makes sense. I did a marathon (ok a half one in Dallas few years ago) and thank GOD for my trainers being 1 size bigger or my feet swelling woul dhave bust threw the shoe!
I need good hiking boots as it gets warmer I want to get out!

I think I also want a bike now

What should I look for if I am to invest in Nordic walking poles? Any recommendations / issues I should be aware of?

If hiking is anything like marathon then 1 size larger makes sense. I did a marathon (ok a half one in Dallas few years ago) and thank GOD for my trainers being 1 size bigger or my feet swelling woul dhave bust threw the shoe!
I need good hiking boots as it gets warmer I want to get out!

Yes because of my experience back in running days, I also get a size larger in running and walking shoes/boots.  I have an old pair of Vasque from the US that I still wear, and some new Merrell from the UK that I like too.  I wouldn't wear any shoe to ramble in the UK that wasn't waterproof.  I hate wet feet.

I do have wellies and wellie-warmer liners which are great, but I only wear them in the snow, or for shorter walks on very muddy paths, or at the beach.

I hope it wasn't one whose owner liked to leave nasty presents. Well, if it was, maybe the dog deserved fast-action pole manoeuvre! 

Don't worry, he was only a little jack russell and wasn't harmed.  She used the pole to shut the dog door. 

What should I look for if I am to invest in Nordic walking poles? Any recommendations / issues I should be aware of?

I have a pair of Leki poles that I really like, but they are really expensive and I am not sure that others aren't basically the same for cheaper.  Mine have lasted since summer '00 and are still fine though. 

Working from the top down:

First you want ones that have easily adjustable straps at the wrists, because they help distribute weight.

The grip sould be a neutral position.  I really don't like the ones with the little handle on top, I feel it gets in the way, but ymmv on this aspect.  I also don't like gummy grips.  But that is all personal opinion. 

Mine have three sections, so they are really small when they are folded (well not folded, but the sections fit into each other).  I like it because they can fit in my duffel bag for travelling on airplanes, but this can be a point of failure.  The more sections you have the more likely a pole will loosen and slide together. 

While hiking you are supposed to have shorter lengths for uphills and longer for downs.  The only place I really used this was in the Whites, but you might like to use it more often so make sure you find changing the length of poles easy.  Some have like little clips, mine just twist. 

Anti-Shock or not?

I have anti-shock.  I really like it, but my friend hates.  It has a little spring inside and I  think it helps, but also provides me with amusement while sitting around.  If you get poles with anti-shock make sure it can be turned off by twisting the poles into locking position. 

What type of tip and basket does it come with? 

This is the only thing I find annoying, my pair of poles did not come with a rubber tip to put over the metal end, not a problem when hiking on grass covered areas, but an issue with rocks. 

You can buy tips and baskets as extras, but I always forget until I am headed over the next set of rocks.

I suppose the other thing is the material of the poles?  I can't imagine anyone using anything other than aluminium these days, but I am sure some cheap-os might. 

These are my poles.  http://www.leki.com/trekking/trekkingPole.php?pID=42

If you like taking pictures some poles come with a built in camera mount as well.