Trekking Poles on the Trail: When They Help (and When They're Dead Weight)
Poles split opinion more than almost any other piece of trail gear. Some runners won't go long without them, others find them more trouble than they're worth. Both are right, depending on the terrain and the runner.
Where they genuinely help
Sustained steep climbs are where poles earn their keep, adding propulsion when your legs are already tired and taking real load off on the way back down. They also add stability on loose, off-camber ground where an extra point of contact matters more than speed. If your regular routes involve real elevation, this is worth trying properly rather than dismissing after one awkward run.
Where they get in the way
On flat or rolling trail, poles mostly just occupy your hands for no real benefit, and on technical terrain that needs scrambling or hands-free balance, they become something to stow rather than use. If your usual loop is mostly runnable without much climbing, poles are more likely to be dead weight than an upgrade.
The technique that actually matters
Keep your hands through the straps, not just gripping the shaft. That's what lets you transfer weight into the pole efficiently instead of just holding it. It takes time to feel natural, and most people who try poles once and give up haven't given the technique enough runs to click.
Carrying them when you're not using them
Poles are only useful if you can stow them fast on the sections where they're not helping, which is most of the appeal on mixed terrain. The LECAMO ROOT18 has an external bungee system built for exactly this, so you're not stopping to strap poles on or holding them uselessly through a flat, runnable stretch.