How To Run With Poles | Salomon How-To, by Salomon TV on YouTube. 3 min 29 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 29 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Set your pole length so the grip sits near hip height when the tip touches the ground beside your foot. Adjust both poles to the same length.
Hold each grip with a light hand and pass your hand up through the wrist strap from below. The strap should take the push, not your fingers.
On gentle climbs, plant one pole as the opposite foot lands and push back as you step forward. Keep the arm swing natural and close to your body.
On steep climbs, shorten your poles slightly and plant them closer to your feet. Push down and back to add power to each stride.
For fast running on flatter trail, use a double-pole plant: both tips hit the ground together and you push off with both arms at once.
On descents, lengthen the poles a little and plant them ahead of you for balance. Let the tips touch lightly rather than taking your full weight.
Cross rocky or uneven ground by placing poles wide for stability. Keep your eyes on the trail ahead, not on the tips.
When you no longer need the poles, fold them into two or three sections. Stow them in your pack or a pole quiver so your hands stay free.
Tips and common mistakes
Do not grip the poles too tightly, or your forearms will tire quickly on long climbs.
Shorten poles for steep climbs and lengthen them for descents so your posture stays upright.
Practise the double-pole plant on easy ground before using it on technical trail.
Check the tips and straps before each run, since worn tips slip on rock.
Questions
How long should my trekking poles be for trail running?
Set them so the grip is around hip height with the tip on the ground. Shorten them a little for steep climbs and lengthen them for descents.
Do I need wrist straps when running with poles?
Yes, the straps let you push through the pole without gripping hard. Pass your hand up through the strap from below and rest it across your palm.
Can I run downhill with poles?
Yes, but use them mainly for balance. Plant them ahead of you and keep the tips light so they do not catch on roots or rocks.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
