Kids hiking poles: are they necessary and which are best?

As families venture onto trails together, a common question arises: should children use hiking poles? While not essential for every walk in the park, kids' hiking poles offer significant benefits on more challenging terrain. They promote stability, build confidence, and can make the hiking experience more engaging for young adventurers. However, choosing the right poles and teaching proper technique is crucial to ensure they're helpful rather than hazardous.

The Case For Kids Hiking Poles

Children naturally have a higher center of gravity and less developed balance than adults, making them more susceptible to slips and falls. Hiking poles provide several key advantages:

• Enhanced Stability: On uneven terrain, stream crossings, or descents, poles offer valuable additional points of contact, significantly improving balance and preventing falls.
• Joint Protection: Just like adults, children can experience joint strain during long descents. Poles help distribute impact, reducing stress on young knees and hips.
• Engagement and Fun: Many children find poles enjoyable to use. They can become tools for imagination—probing puddles, pointing out wildlife, or making trail games.
• Building Good Habits: Introducing proper pole technique early establishes lifelong hiking skills and encourages an upright, efficient walking posture.

When Are Poles Appropriate?

Poles are generally recommended for children aged 4-5 and older, particularly when:

• Hiking trails with significant elevation change
• Navigating rocky, root-filled, or slippery paths
• Carrying a lightweight backpack
• The child shows interest and coordination to use them safely

For simple, flat nature walks, poles may be unnecessary and could even become a distraction.

Key Features to Look For

When selecting kids' hiking poles, prioritize these characteristics:

1. Adjustability: Children grow rapidly. Look for poles that adjust significantly in length (typically from about 24 to 55 inches) to accommodate growth and different terrain. Proper fit is crucial—elbows should form a 90-degree angle when tips touch the ground.
2. Lightweight Construction: Heavy poles will frustrate young hikers. Aluminum models offer the best balance of durability and lightweight performance.
3. Safety Features:Quick-Release Wrist Straps: These prevent entanglement if a child falls.Rolled Tips or Rubber Tips: Sharp carbide tips can be dangerous; rounded tips are safer for young users.No Shock Absorption: Most experts recommend avoiding shock-absorbing poles for children, as the mechanism adds weight and complexity they don't need.
4. Durable but Simple: Kids will test gear to its limits. Choose poles with reliable external lever locks (easier for small hands than twist locks) and robust but not overly technical designs.

Top Recommended Models

• Black Diamond Kids' Trekking Pole: A standout for its quality, featuring a simple adjustable design, durable construction, and reliable FlickLock mechanism.
• Leki Micro Vario: Offers excellent adjustability range, making it ideal for growing hikers. Its quality construction withstands rough use.
• REI Co-op Tarn 12: Specifically designed for children with safety-focused features including removable rubber tips and easy-adjust mechanisms.
• PCT Children's Hiking Pole: A budget-friendly option that doesn't sacrifice key features like adjustability and lightweight design.

Teaching Proper Technique

Simply handing poles to a child isn't enough. Take time to demonstrate:

• The opposite arm/leg movement (left pole with right foot)
• How to plant poles slightly forward, not directly beside feet
• Safe carrying methods when poles aren't in use
• Awareness of other hikers to avoid tripping hazards

Potential Drawbacks and Solutions

Some children may initially use poles as swords or get them tangled. Establish clear trail rules before starting. If poles become more trouble than help, don't hesitate to stow them and try again another day.

The Verdict

Kids' hiking poles are valuable tools when matched to appropriate terrain and a child's readiness. They're not essential for every hike, but their benefits for safety, confidence, and skill development make them worth considering for regular family adventures. The best poles will be lightweight, adjustable, safe, and—perhaps most importantly—excite your young hiker about hitting the trail. By choosing wisely and teaching proper use, you'll equip your child with both the tools and the techniques for a lifetime of enjoyable hiking.