Nordic Walking Poles Custom Fit to Your Height. Quality 1-Piece Poles - 32 Lengths Non-Collapsible. #1 for Hiking, Trekking, Physical Therapy.

Sometimes when you purchase exercise equipment, it turns out to be a fad or a gimmick. I've used my SWIX Nordic Walking Poles about a dozen times now, and they have turned out to be a wise purchase. I'm an older male, with joint and balance issues, but the poles help maintain my balance, are easier on my knees, exercise my upper body, and improve my cardiovascular workout. Plus, they took about 5 minutes to learn to use. What's not to like? Frankly, I also worried that I might look "goofy" trying to use them, but that turned out to be a non-issue. No snarky comments to date. You mostly just swing your arms in a natural motion and can "push off" on the poles to increase the upper body workout. Also, I might mention that these are the less-expensive poles made of aluminum (as opposed to carbon fiber), and they are non-collapsible. I like both of those features. Carbon fiber is ultralight and great for many applications, but aluminum is stronger and still lightweight. I think trail runners might opt for the carbon fiber, while older, heavier folks would favor aluminum. Carbon fiber tends to splinter when it breaks, while aluminum typically bends. I'm on the chunky side, and I just feel more secure with the aluminum. Plus, the non-collapsible feature helps keep down the weight and just feels more stable. All-in-all, an excellent purchase and highly recommended. As they say, check with your doctor first; but--for many people--these poles are a solid exercise option.

Although I already have good, not-flimsy flip-lock REI 3-piece hiking poles, I wanted a pair of one-piece, no-fuss poles for walks where there's no need at all for constant height adjustments (longer for steep downhill, shorter for steep uphill, per one style of pole hiking that's popular in the San Francisco bay area). The ones that Swix sent are very light but sturdy, quality poles with comfortable, flexible wrist straps and boot-like tips. I like the Nordic style of walking with poles slightly angled back, as it tends to propel you forward and the upper arms get the exercise they rarely do in standard poleless walking, due to naturally doing a full arm extension when you plant a pole inline with the opposing foot's heel, moving forward. The printed instructions were detailed and very helpful, but the DVD video, while somewhat useful, mainly shows people jumping around with the poles in high areas. The first thing I noticed was that I'm naturally walking faster, not that I always want to -- it just happens -- and it leads to longer strides and definitely more exercise for the upper body as you put weight from the heel of your hand into the cradle of the strap. There is less strain on the knees and hips. I'm having a lot of fun with these and it's somewhat addictive. In situations where balance is more important, I'll keep the poles more perpendicular to the ground. Definitely they make downhill hiking less of an ordeal. The Swix representative, Pete, is very responsive in email and is a good communicator, and delivery was unusually fast!

Three surprises for me when I received these. First, they are phenomenally light weight and sturdy. Must be manufactured from special composite material. Also, they come with two different ends - one which is good for providing a non-slip connection between the pole and cement walks or indoor surfaces and when removed leaves a pointed end that is perfect depth for digging into trail turf. The other surprise is the well designed padded and securely sewn hand strap that makes the grip on the pole so comfortable and effortless and is an integral part of how one can choose to plant the pole or not depending on the terrain. I use these to ensure that when I take my walks and hikes that I use a proper posture. The stability of proper gait has reduced the stress on my knees and allowed me to take much more challenging outings. Using a pole of the right height encourages the forward stride that no longer felt comfortable for me as it once did when I was young. I also notice my surroundings because my posture and balance allow me to look up not at my feet. These poles are specifically sized to your height. Also ordered a pair for my 87 year-old Mom. She loves them!!! She has friends that have seen hers and are choosing the walking poles over their walkers! They love being more upright. One of many benefits is to avoid developing a stooped position. Really recommend this for people who want to build back their strength and stability after an injury or due to aging. I have used adjustable hiking sticks before with both round grip at top and handle grip. They may be okay for some purposes but now that I have experienced these walking poles, I would much prefer these light weight perfectly sized poles that have a grip that encourages an upright posture. There is no comparison with the functionality of two poles that are designed for your own height and grips that conform to your natural walking stance, instead of a hiking stick that is designed to have to lean on it in order to have it function at all.

I had a MVA which left me with balance issues before I retired. After regular physical therapy I still had balance issues and pain in my shoulders from working 40 years as a nurse. Trying to avoid surgery, improve balance issues and exercise daily, I found a You tube video about Nordic walking. The doctor and physical therapist on the video emphasized using non adjustable poles, that is one customized to your height so I searched the internet and found these wonderful poles that produced the results I needed to improve my balance, tone my core, painlessly exercise my shoulder joints, and most of all, provide me with a 30 minute daily exercise routine I have been able to maintain for the last 5 years. I purchased these pole for me, a pair for my friend, a pair for my son and a second pair I keep at our vacation home. My doctor also told me there is quite a lot of research on general health benefits for anyone because you are using both sides of your body so it maintains symmetry of all your skeletal muscles. I have replaced the asphalt “paws” tips once because the majority of walking I do is in my neighborhood and local parks. I could not be more pleased by this very beneficial STIX quality walking sticks! I am most pleased with the benefit of avoiding shoulder surgery by improving my posture and body alignment. On a final note, during my 30 minute walk daily I pray and thank God for blessing me with a way of becoming healthier than I was before I retired.

I bought another brand adjustable poles before buying these nice one piece poles. I'll keep the adjustable poles around for a walking partner to use. These one piece poles are much more quiet when walking on blacktop or hard surface. No vibration like the other two piece poles. These poles are light weight yet solid. Not flimsy at all. The pole length is perfect for my height (5'6"). The hand grips are good sized, not too big or too small. The sling straps are so much better than a straight strap. I did have a slight issue with the straps loosening the first few times I used them. I emailed the seller and received an unbelievably fast response (about 10 minutes -- seriously 10 minutes) with clear directions on how to resolve my issue. I am happy to say that the straps have not loosened since. Just to be clear, the strap issue was the result of USER ERROR (my error). I did not push the cap down enough. Simple fix. I am so impressed with these poles, as well as the customer care I received. I'll be a repeat customer for sure and have already recommended them to two people.

These poles are great. As a newbie to Nordic walking, these are wonderful for me. The length was correct, the grips are comfortable, the glove adjustable, and the overall quality is great. These are durable and should last a long, long time. I have loved walking with my poles. I really work up a sweat and I am getting toned and losing inches. Additionally, the customer service has been great--really impressive! I give 4 stars instead of 5 only because I had looked at some Leki single length poles and the Lekis had a feature that allowed the user to detach the glove from the pole if you needed to use your hands. With these you have to remove the glove entirely if you want to free your hand. When I want to look at a trail map or adjust my glasses, etc. this can becomes a bit bothersome. However, the Lekis were also much more expensive. The adjustment mechanism for the glove is a little hard to deal with, too, but I called the company for help and they were so helpful on the phone. Lastly, I find these almost impossible to use on any kind of gravel, which I do run into on some trails. If I take the rubber tip off, the sound is obnoxious and with the rubber tip, I find they slip too much. Other than these two minor things these poles are fantastic and I am very happy with my purchase and the company. I would give 4.5 stars if I could.

Nordic Walking Poles are easy to use, and really enhance one's walking activity by getting in whole body movement. I am extremely happy with them and think that using them puts FUN into going for a walk. The poles are like having a friend walk with you. Upon ordering I was contacted immediately for my height so that the proper length for me would be shipped. They arrived earlier than I expected ( under promise and over deliver!) and I have been using them fairly regularly, and get myself to do much longer walks than without them. Additionally I ordered the book Nordic Walking for Total Fitness which gives so many ideas and illustrations on how to use the poles for other activities and exercises. These are an excellent tool for enhancing fitness at any level, recovering from an injury which I am, burning calories more easily than just a regular walking routine, and having fun doing something you have always done, but with more energy and a better outcome. One can use the poles on different terrains, on and off road, such as rocky trails by simply taking off the rubber tips. I would definitely suggest getting extra rubber tips. I haven't needed them yet but glad I have them in case something happens to the ones that came with the poles.This has been an extremely satisfying and pleasurable investment and I love these poles!

I love these poles. I retired to the beach seaveral months back and love to walk on the beach and sandy paths to the beach. I had a sedentary job for years and gained a lot of weight and and have arthritis in my knees. Walking on the beach, paths and hills had become difficult and painful. I went for weeks without visiting the beach. I thought I made the wrong move to a beach. I got these poles and am now out every day, even in the rain. Up and down hills and enjoying the coastal beauty. Got my email the next day to confirm my height. They were shipped out and arrived quickly. They just feel right in your hands and only took one time out to feel comfortable. I like their light weight, although they feel strong. The straps are comfortable even with mittens or wet in the rain. I have a small house and these poles take up no space! My walking posture has improved, no more bent over body climbing hills and I no longer have balance problems in the dry sand. My knees and hips don't hurt after a walk! And boy what a workout. I use the tips in the sand and easily pop on the rubber tips to enjoy walking the asphalt streets in the adjoining neighborhood! I'm grateful!