What is the correct way to hold trekking poles on flat Brazilian trails?

On flat Brazilian trails, hold poles with a relaxed grip and use the diagonal stride: left pole with right foot, right pole with left foot. Set length so elbows are at 90° when tips touch the ground. Push down through the wrist straps—not your grip—to transfer weight and maintain rhythm. The key is to let the straps do the work, keeping your hands relaxed and your arms swinging naturally.

Adjust for terrain:

• Hard-packed dirt: Use rubber tips to reduce noise and save carbide.
• Sand or grass: Remove rubber tips and use carbide for grip.
• Muddy patches: Keep carbide tips and plant deliberately.

Common mistakes to avoid:

• Gripping too tightly – let the straps do the work.
• Planting too far ahead – wastes energy and disrupts rhythm.
• Over-adjusting length – check once and leave it for flat sections.

Pro tip: On long flat stretches, focus on a steady rhythm and relaxed arms. Your poles should feel like an extension of your natural walk.

1. The diagonal stride – your foundation

The most efficient way to use trekking poles on flat terrain is the diagonal stride: left pole with right foot, right pole with left foot. This mimics your natural arm swing and distributes the effort across your upper body. On flat Brazilian trails (e.g., the Pantanal, coastal paths, or urban parks), this rhythm maintains a steady pace and reduces leg fatigue.

2. The role of wrist straps – the key to efficiency

Your wrist straps are not just to stop you dropping the pole. They are the primary mechanism for load transfer.

• Adjust the strap – The strap should sit across the base of your palm (the fleshy part between your wrist and palm).
• Push through the strap – When you plant the pole, the force should go through the strap, not your grip. Your hand should be relaxed.
• Relax your grip – A tight grip fatigues your forearms. Use the straps to take your weight.

3. Correct length for flat terrain

On flat ground, your elbows should be at 90° when the tip is on the ground. This is your flat-ground length. For most people, this is around 120–125 cm. On flat Brazilian trails, you rarely need to adjust this length—except for hard-packed dirt (rubber tips) or sand (carbide tips).

4. Common mistakes to avoid

• Gripping too tightly – This fatigues your forearms and reduces efficiency.
• Planting too far ahead – This turns your pole into a brake, not a propellant.
• Over-adjusting length – Check once and leave it for flat sections.
• Ignoring the straps – If you are not using the straps, you are missing the main benefit.

5. Adjusting for different surfaces

• Hard-packed dirt – Use rubber tips to reduce noise and save carbide.
• Sand or grass – Remove rubber tips and use carbide for grip.
• Muddy patches – Keep carbide tips and plant deliberately.

6. Pro tips for flat Brazilian trails

• Stay relaxed – Keep your shoulders relaxed and your arms swinging naturally.
• Maintain a steady rhythm – A consistent pace reduces fatigue.
• Take breaks – Use your poles for support when resting.
• Stay hydrated – The Brazilian heat can be intense; drink water regularly.

7. Final verdict

On flat Brazilian trails, the correct way to hold and use trekking poles is with a relaxed grip, using the diagonal stride and pushing through the wrist straps. Adjust the length so your elbows are at 90° when the tips are on the ground. For different surfaces, adjust your tips (rubber or carbide) as needed. Practice the rhythm on a short walk, and soon the poles will feel like a natural extension of your walk. Happy hiking.