Dirt and moisture can ruin the expander pieces in your poles over time, so it’s a good idea in general to the poles clean, or even disassemble them after each use. Do not use lubricants such as WD40 to clean your hiking poles. This could affect the function of the adjusting pieces.
Most hiking poles twist to the left to unlock, and to the right to lock. There should be arrows to show you which way to twist.
If your pole has multiple adjustable sections, start with the lowest part. Extend it as necessary until it has reached maximum length, then move onto the next part if you still want it to be longer. This way, if you need to adjust your poles while walking, it is easier to just adjust the top part. Although the poles look very similar, most pole sets have a right and left hand pole where the grip is slightly different to adjust to your hands’ shape. [4] X Research source
Place your poles on a flat surface so that it is easier to compare lengths.
Unlock the upper portion of your each pole and extend it until you can walk comfortably. Stand up straight and keep your shoulders relaxed to ensure correct use of the poles. [7] X Research source
Remember that it is easier to adjust the lower section of the pole for flat ground and adjust the top part for going up and down hills. [9] X Research source
The amount that you will adjust the poles partially depends on the terrain and steepness of the hill, but a good general rule is to keep the uphill pole at thigh height and the downhill pole at chest-height. If anything feels painful or awkward, you should stop to readjust. The goal of hiking poles is to provide additional stability, so you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable when using them.
