If you've been following the standard advice for walking with poles, you might have a mental note: "shorten for uphill, lengthen for downhill." But what if you've already shortened your poles for a steep climb and you're now standing at the top, looking down a long, rocky descent? The answer is you don't shorten for downhill—you lengthen them. The most important thing to remember is that you need to revert your poles back to a longer setting for the descent. This guide explains why, how to do it quickly, and the simple adjustments you need to make for a safe, knee‑friendly descent.

The Myth: "Shorten for Downhill"

It's a common confusion. Many walkers think that because you shorten for uphill, you also shorten for downhill to "get lower to the ground." This is a dangerous misconception.

You lengthen your poles for downhill.

The reason is simple: when you're descending, your feet are lower than your hands relative to the slope. You need a longer pole to reach the ground ahead of you without leaning forward or stooping. A longer pole gives you the braking leverage you need to control your speed and protect your knees.

Step 1: The "Downhill" Setting – Lengthen, Don't Shorten

Your downhill length should be 5‑10 cm longer than your flat‑terrain setting. This extra length is crucial.

• Why? It allows you to plant the pole firmly ahead of you and use it as a brake. The longer lever arm gives you more control over your momentum.
• How to find it: Stand on a steep slope. Extend your pole until you can plant it ahead of your foot with your elbow at a comfortable, slightly open angle (about 100‑110°).

Step 2: Adjusting Your Poles for the Descent

You need to make this adjustment quickly and efficiently. The method depends on your pole's locking system.

For Lever‑Locks (FlickLock, SpeedLock, Powerlock)

1. Flip the lever open to release the lock.
2. Slide the lower section down to extend the pole by 5‑10 cm from your flat length.
3. Close the lever firmly. You should feel a secure click. Push down on the handle to test the lock.

Pro Tip: If you use lever‑locks, you can mark your downhill length on the shaft with a small piece of tape or a permanent marker. This allows you to find the setting instantly, even with cold hands.

For Twist‑Locks

1. Loosen the twist‑lock by turning the lower section counter‑clockwise (left). Do not force it.
2. Slide the lower section down to extend the pole.
3. Tighten the lock by turning the lower section clockwise (right) until it is firmly snug. Do not over‑tighten.

Caution: Twist‑locks can seize in wet or cold conditions. If your pole feels stiff, the mechanism may be gummed up. A quick rinse in a stream can help clear the grit.

Step 3: The Braking Technique

A longer pole is only useful if you use it correctly. On a descent, you need to adopt a different technique.

1. Plant Ahead: Plant your poles ahead of your feet, not beside them. You want to use them as outriggers to brake your momentum.
2. Lean Forward: Lean your body slightly into the slope. This is counter‑intuitive, but it allows you to transfer your weight through the poles into the ground, giving you more control.
3. Double‑Plant: On very steep or loose sections, plant both poles together ahead of you, take a step, and repeat. This "tripod" stance is the safest way to descend.
4. Short Steps: Take short, shuffling steps. Don't over‑stride; you want to keep your centre of gravity stable.

Step 4: What About the Uphill Setting?

You'll likely need to shorten your poles for the climb. This is fine. The key is to remember to lengthen them again for the descent.

• On the Uphill: Shorten by 5‑7 cm. This keeps your shoulders relaxed and your chest open for breathing.
• At the Summit: As you transition from the climb to the descent, stop for a moment. Lengthen your poles back to your flat length, then extend them further for the downhill.

Step 5: The "Three‑Mark" System

To make these adjustments instinctive, mark your pole lengths.

1. Mark 1: Flat Length. Your neutral, 90° elbow length.
2. Mark 2: Uphill Length. Your flat length minus 5‑7 cm.
3. Mark 3: Downhill Length. Your flat length plus 5‑10 cm.

When you're walking, you can glance at your marks and adjust in seconds.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Descending with an Uphill Setting: This is the classic mistake. You'll be hunched over, your poles will be useless for braking, and your knees will take a pounding. This is a sure route to knee pain.
• Descending with a Flat Setting: This is better than an uphill setting, but you're still missing out on the braking power of a longer pole.
• Not Trusting Your Locks: Always test your lock by pushing down on the handle before you commit your full weight.

Maintenance for Winter Descents

Descending on wet, icy, or muddy ground puts a lot of stress on your locks.

• After a Wet Descent: Dry your pole thoroughly to prevent corrosion.
• Winter Tips: Fit ice tips for better grip on frozen ground.
• Lock Tension: Regularly check the tension screw on lever‑locks. If the lock slips, tighten it with a small Allen key.

The Golden Rule for Downhill

Remember: lengthen for downhill. This is the most important adjustment you can make to protect your knees and ensure a safe, controlled descent. By taking an extra 5 seconds at the top of the hill to extend your poles, you'll transform a potentially jarring, painful experience into a smooth, rhythmical one.

Over to You

Now you know the answer: you don't shorten for downhill—you lengthen. So, next time you reach the summit of a steep hill, stop, twist or flip your locks, and slide those poles out to their downhill setting. Your knees will thank you for it. (Word count: ~1,080)

How to shorten trekking poles for downhill?

If you've been following the standard advice for walking with poles, you might have a mental note: "shorten for uphill, lengthen for downhill." But what if you've already shortened your poles for a steep climb and you're now standing at the top, looking down a long, rocky descent? The answer is you don't shorten for downhill—you lengthen them. The most important thing to remember is that you need to revert your poles back to a longer setting for the descent. This guide explains why, how to do it quickly, and the simple adjustments you need to make for a safe, knee‑friendly descent.

The Myth: "Shorten for Downhill"

It's a common confusion. Many walkers think that because you shorten for uphill, you also shorten for downhill to "get lower to the ground." This is a dangerous misconception.

You lengthen your poles for downhill.

The reason is simple: when you're descending, your feet are lower than your hands relative to the slope. You need a longer pole to reach the ground ahead of you without leaning forward or stooping. A longer pole gives you the braking leverage you need to control your speed and protect your knees.

Step 1: The "Downhill" Setting – Lengthen, Don't Shorten

Your downhill length should be 5‑10 cm longer than your flat‑terrain setting. This extra length is crucial.

• Why? It allows you to plant the pole firmly ahead of you and use it as a brake. The longer lever arm gives you more control over your momentum.
• How to find it: Stand on a steep slope. Extend your pole until you can plant it ahead of your foot with your elbow at a comfortable, slightly open angle (about 100‑110°).

Step 2: Adjusting Your Poles for the Descent

You need to make this adjustment quickly and efficiently. The method depends on your pole's locking system.

For Lever‑Locks (FlickLock, SpeedLock, Powerlock)

1. Flip the lever open to release the lock.
2. Slide the lower section down to extend the pole by 5‑10 cm from your flat length.
3. Close the lever firmly. You should feel a secure click. Push down on the handle to test the lock.

Pro Tip: If you use lever‑locks, you can mark your downhill length on the shaft with a small piece of tape or a permanent marker. This allows you to find the setting instantly, even with cold hands.

For Twist‑Locks

1. Loosen the twist‑lock by turning the lower section counter‑clockwise (left). Do not force it.
2. Slide the lower section down to extend the pole.
3. Tighten the lock by turning the lower section clockwise (right) until it is firmly snug. Do not over‑tighten.

Caution: Twist‑locks can seize in wet or cold conditions. If your pole feels stiff, the mechanism may be gummed up. A quick rinse in a stream can help clear the grit.

Step 3: The Braking Technique

A longer pole is only useful if you use it correctly. On a descent, you need to adopt a different technique.

1. Plant Ahead: Plant your poles ahead of your feet, not beside them. You want to use them as outriggers to brake your momentum.
2. Lean Forward: Lean your body slightly into the slope. This is counter‑intuitive, but it allows you to transfer your weight through the poles into the ground, giving you more control.
3. Double‑Plant: On very steep or loose sections, plant both poles together ahead of you, take a step, and repeat. This "tripod" stance is the safest way to descend.
4. Short Steps: Take short, shuffling steps. Don't over‑stride; you want to keep your centre of gravity stable.

Step 4: What About the Uphill Setting?

You'll likely need to shorten your poles for the climb. This is fine. The key is to remember to lengthen them again for the descent.

• On the Uphill: Shorten by 5‑7 cm. This keeps your shoulders relaxed and your chest open for breathing.
• At the Summit: As you transition from the climb to the descent, stop for a moment. Lengthen your poles back to your flat length, then extend them further for the downhill.

Step 5: The "Three‑Mark" System

To make these adjustments instinctive, mark your pole lengths.

1. Mark 1: Flat Length. Your neutral, 90° elbow length.
2. Mark 2: Uphill Length. Your flat length minus 5‑7 cm.
3. Mark 3: Downhill Length. Your flat length plus 5‑10 cm.

When you're walking, you can glance at your marks and adjust in seconds.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Descending with an Uphill Setting: This is the classic mistake. You'll be hunched over, your poles will be useless for braking, and your knees will take a pounding. This is a sure route to knee pain.
• Descending with a Flat Setting: This is better than an uphill setting, but you're still missing out on the braking power of a longer pole.
• Not Trusting Your Locks: Always test your lock by pushing down on the handle before you commit your full weight.

Maintenance for Winter Descents

Descending on wet, icy, or muddy ground puts a lot of stress on your locks.

• After a Wet Descent: Dry your pole thoroughly to prevent corrosion.
• Winter Tips: Fit ice tips for better grip on frozen ground.
• Lock Tension: Regularly check the tension screw on lever‑locks. If the lock slips, tighten it with a small Allen key.

The Golden Rule for Downhill

Remember: lengthen for downhill. This is the most important adjustment you can make to protect your knees and ensure a safe, controlled descent. By taking an extra 5 seconds at the top of the hill to extend your poles, you'll transform a potentially jarring, painful experience into a smooth, rhythmical one.

Over to You

Now you know the answer: you don't shorten for downhill—you lengthen. So, next time you reach the summit of a steep hill, stop, twist or flip your locks, and slide those poles out to their downhill setting. Your knees will thank you for it.