Telescopic Alloy Hiking Walking Pole

Velleora Home Decor's Telescopic Hiking Pole takes a measurable share of the load off knees and ankles on a descent, and gives you a third point of contact on loose ground, wet rock and river crossings. It is the piece of kit walkers most often wish they had brought.

The shaft is drawn from lightweight alloy in telescoping sections, so it extends to full height for going downhill, shortens for a climb, and collapses short enough to strap to a daypack. Twist locks hold the length under load, a moulded grip with a wrist strap keeps your hand in place when you are tired, and a shock-absorbing section takes the jar out of each plant. The tip is carbide for grip on rock, with a rubber boot for pavement and a snow basket for soft ground.

Set the length so your elbow sits at roughly a right angle on the flat, and check the locks are tight before you commit weight - a pole that collapses mid-step is how people fall. Use the wrist strap correctly, from underneath, and inspect the tip and locks before each walk.

• Telescoping lightweight alloy shaft
• Twist locks with wrist strap grip
• Shock-absorbing section
• Carbide tip with rubber boot and basket
• Collapses to pack length
• Check locks before every use