For some time now, certain people and websites have been making totally unfounded claims about the supposed “danger” inherent in the “collapsing” of adjustable Nordic Walking poles.
Maybe their experience has been limited to cheap, off-brand models, or just plain bad luck, or their inability and/or incompetence in making simple, secure adjustments.
Based on our extensive, multi-year experience with quality one-piece and with adjustable poles, we can categorically state that neither us, our students, or hundreds of satisfied customers have had any problems whatsoever with any “collapsing” of any of our quality LEKI and Swix adjustable poles.
Tom Rutlin, the true pioneer of Nordic Walking sells and promotes adjustable poles and so does Marko Kantaneva, another pioneer of the sport.
It is unnerving to hear certain Nordic Walking upstarts and so-called “professionals” demeaning the experience of these two men, questioning their expertise, as well as the safety of quality Nordic Walking poles, made by reputable manufacturers.
We, at Nordic Walking U.S. will continue to promote and sell both one-piece and adjustable poles, noting and explaining to our friends and customers the advantages of each type.
Frankly, during the past two, or so years most of our customers have been choosing different types of LEKI adjustable models more than any other type and so far, we haven’t heard a single complaint about their quality, safety, or about any sudden, dangerous collapses.
It stands to reason that the pole’s locking mechanism must be properly tightened, but that is a relatively simple matter and I have seen five-year-old children quickly and securely adjusting their own poles. If you have any doubts, consult the owners manual, which comes with the poles, or email us directly for answers and/or help.
In short: properly tightened quality adjustable poles are as safe and swing as well, or almost as well as properly fitted quality one-piece poles, while providing certain undeniable advantages. Ease of packing, the ability to be used by persons of different sizes and can also be tailored to particular terrain and the type of workout desired. To get all of those advantages, you would have to own several one-piece poles.
