Mountain King gets 10/10 Review;

Country Walking Magazine has reviewed 10 of the leading Walking Poles; this vital piece of equipment will come into it's own for anybody who's walked over rough terrain for a fair amount of time! Factors to look for in walking poles vary according to preference, but all could be counted as nessecary for maximum comfort during your hikes.

What to think about when shopping for your Walking Pole;

1) Material; Many come in Aluminium or a similar alloy, although you can buy them in Carbon Fibre too. While Carbon Fibre is a lighter material, and stronger, you'll find that it's also higher priced.

2) Straps & Handles; A way of supporting most of the weight so you don't have to keep on gripping the handles. A high quality strap or handle will also have the padding so it's comfortable to hold for long periods of time. Adjustment is also a plus if possible; pulling it tighter can produce the correct swinging action, and some poles may even feature left and right handed straps for maximum stability and comfort.

3) Grips; Ergonomically shaped grips are considered essential for hiking long distances - combined with decent straps or handles will enable you to plod along quite happily without having to grip too tightly.

4) Shock Or Anti-Shock; More complex poles may come with built-in suspension - normally taking form on an internal spring that helps absorb judder if you're walking over harder grounds, although they do tend to be heavier than the standard poles.

5) Baskets & Tips; This is the disc of plastic on the tip of the pole - it'll prevent the pole from sinking too far into soft and damp ground. For use on snow, the basket will need to have a wider diameter. Tips are usually made from a hard metal material, but softer rubber stoppers can be slipped over the tip for walking on harder grounds.

Country Walking reviewed such brands as Mountain King, Blacks, TrekMates, CragHoppers, Vango, Black Diamond - but Mountain King's 'Super Trekker' edged it's way to the top with the following review;

"..A lightweight pair of poles with great padding. Although strong, there is a bit of flex in the shaft when fully extended. The anti-shock system is one of the most pleasant to use, with little noise when compressed and a firm, smooth action when weight is applied. The twist-lock machanism works well enough without slipping, even in wet conditions. The poles sit well in the hand with a dense sponge grip that works well even when wet. The foam grip also extends down the shaft of the pole for use when climbing, which avoids fiddling with the twist-locks. The wrist straps are comfortable with enough padding to support your wrists without chafing.."

The review in a nutshell; A great pair of poles at a great price - and they're made in the UK. The best in the test - 10/10!