What do the walking sticks look like? How are they constructed?
The Nordic walking pole is sometimes called a walking stick or hiking pole, and its function is to minimize strain on joints and help the walker to evenly distribute their body weight. It provides additional grip on rocky or uneven terrain, and it gets the upper body involved in the walk. Those that use Nordic walking sticks claim fewer back or knee injuries, and that using them allows them to cover ground more efficiently.
Many people regard the Nordic walking stick as an essential piece of outdoor equipment. Many models are telescopic, which allows the user to adjust the pole to their height or easily store them away. Most poles have soft grips that comfortably fit the hand and allow the user to hold the pole for a longer period of time. There are several features to consider when buying walking poles; look for those with shock absorbers and adjustable settings. The latter allows the user to select a setting appropriate to the terrain they will be covering, and the former can help absorb shock when going downhill.
Nordic walking poles come with a wide selection of tips. The most common are single point, rubber coated, and chiseled. The chiseled tip is the most versatile, but the rubber tip is best for hard ground and the single point works well on ice and snow. Aluminum is frequently used for chiseled and single tips, but carbide is becoming popular as well.
Other features like padding above the tips, or a compass, are not considered to be essential by those who regard the Nordic walking stick as a tool by which to achieve better balance and overall fitness. Regardless of which side you take, you can easily find walking poles at almost any sporting goods store, especially one that carries hiking and camping equipment.