Walking stick

From Trail-Finder -- Dedicated to getting you outside

Overview

A walking stick, in its most primitive form, is nothing more than a fallen branch picked up along the trail. Many people still use these, discarding the branch when you return to the trailhead. In some places, such as Zion National Park, there's even spots set up by the US National Park Service where these can be picked up when heading into canyons, the dropped off upon your return. As hiking became more popular, and new materials became readily available, the traditional walking stick is gradually being replaced by newer options.

Newer Options

The most obvious successor for the walking stick is the hiking staff. Hiking staffs are single, lightweight poles, generally made of aluminum alloys, fiber glass, or other light, hollow materials, often with adjustable height, and a sharp point at the bottom. Hiking staffs have the advantage of being more durable and generally stronger than walking sticks.

The successor to even the hiking staff is trekking poles. Trekking poles are basically pairs of hiking staffs.

Uses

Walking sticks, and their successors, are used for several purposes:

• Added stability: Adding a walking stick essentially adds a third leg, giving you a significant increase in stability on rugged terrain.
• Pain reduction: For people with bad backs, hips, or legs, a walking stick can greatly reduce, even eliminate, pain from walking.