As spoken by Aristotle, “In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.” Hiking allows us to experience the beauty of nature and become more connected to ourselves and the world around us. In addition, hiking improves our mood and keeps us healthy and fit. Hiking offers many spiritual, mental, and physical benefits and is an enjoyable activity for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Whether you’re going on a long trek or have mobility issues, hiking sticks can maximize your hiking experience and performance. They can reduce strain on your leg muscles and joints, while increasing mobility, speed, and endurance. Here are some of the advantages of hiking sticks:
- Reduce strain and pain. When you walk with a hiking stick, you exert less pressure on your leg muscles and knee joints. Research shows hiking sticks can reduce compressive forces on your knees by up to 25% when hiking downhill and by about 5% when walking on level ground. Another study found hiking sticks can reduce pressure stain on the opposite leg by up to 20%.
- Improve balance and mobility. While some hiking trails are paved, many involve walking on uneven or slippery terrain, such as loose rock, mud, or snow. A hiking stick increases your balance, mobility, and traction, so you can move more easily, efficiently, and safely. A walking stick is especially helpful if you have balance issues and when crossing rivers and streams.
- Increase speed and endurance. A hiking stick spreads the work out between your lower and upper body, allowing you to hike longer distances before getting tired. At the same time, a hiking stick helps you keep a consistent rhythm and walk at a quicker pace, especially on flat and non-technical trails.
To improve your hiking experience and performance, utilize a high-quality hiking stick. Hiking sticks from Brazos exhibit the highest quality craftsmanship and construction. Made in the USA, our hiking sticks are made from the finest native and exotic woods and handmade by local artisans in Texas. Visit Brazos online today to browse our beautiful and sturdy hiking sticks.