Whats the difference between Nordic fitness walking poles and hiking / mountaineering poles?
A. The main differences are the grips, straps and bottom tips. Each type of pole is ergonomically designed specifically to fit its intended use. • Hiking poles are designed to minimize energy expended while hiking by adding stability and taking stress off the knees. The poles are typically held almost straight up & down in front of the body, the handle grips often have finger-grooves and a flat top for down-hills, they normally have just a loop strap to help prevent dropping the poles, and they don’t have rubber tips since they’re not used on pavement. • Nordic walking poles are designed to maximize energy expended while walking for fitness by actively engaging your upper body with a full arm-swing and “plant and propel” action. The poles are typically held at about a 45 degree angle with the tips always planted behind your body (not straight up & down in front of your body), the handle grips are angled with NO finger grooves, the straps are like mini-gloves to help with the extended s
