Why put gloves on Nordic walking poles?

A couple of experts weigh in on why it's important to use Nordic walking poles instead of regular hiking poles. It's all about the right tools for the job.

• "Many poles require a tight grip to move the poles. The major downside in these cases, the user must continuously hold on the poles. Wrist pain can build up and possible lead to carpal tunnel issues."
• "…the fingerless glove type straps eliminate the need to ever grip or squeeze the poles and ALL of the power is transferred effectively from the heel of the hand into the cradle of the strap."

I have tried to replicate the benefits of Nordic walking with traditional hiking poles and a different design called Pacerpoles.

• I plan to stay with the gloved Nordic walking poles because they let me move with a more natural walking motion while involving my upper body.
• When I teach Nordic walking, I encourage people who bring their own hiking poles to try the Nordic walking poles and then compare the experiences. If they still prefer the hiking poles (some aren't willing to buy a new set just yet), I show them some ways to approximate the Nordic walking style.

Some information from my walking experience: Nordic walking gloves has allowed me to move with a natural stride and arm swing.

• Without the gloves, i.e., walking with trekking poles, I felt a little more strain because of wrist movement. It made me think of typing at my computer keyboard in a way that led to carpal tunnel syndrome.
• I alleviated that feeling somewhat by keeping my arms bent and swinging them in as if running or power walking.

I also experimented with Pacerpoles. These don't have gloves like Nordic walking poles but have hand grips that are angled forward to get the walker closer to a natural arm swing. One person who tested poles said he experienced a more natural motion and less strain from the motion. I still felt a little strain in my forearms when pushing off with the poles for Nordic walking instead of using them for stability in hiking. Pacerpoles are a bit pricey, the least expensive pair costing £79, which converts to $101.42. However, if you're an avid hiker, they may be the right poles for you.