Equipment & what to wear

 

Nordic walking poles

You walk with ultra-light poles fitted with ergonomically designed grips and supportive straps that cradle your hand comfortably. They have spiked tips for use on softer surfaces and interchangeable, shock absorbing ‘paws’ for use on tarmac and pavements.

Moving Feet uses top quality, market leading Exel nordic walking poles to ensure you get the maximum benefit from your exercise.

Where can I buy my own nordic walking poles?

An increasing number of sports retailers are now stocking nordic walking poles - go to Nordic Walking Uk's website for details of the latest stockists and online shops.  Check the chart here to see the size you need. 

Komperdell and Gabel poles are also stocked by Euroski, a long-standing supplier to the nordic ski and rollerski community.

Can I use trekking poles for nordic walking?

Nordic walking poles are lighter and less cumbersome than trekking poles. The grips and straps are designed specifically for nordic walking techniques so you avoid the discomfort that can be caused by using poorly adapted equipment for the job.  We mostly use Exel nordic walking poles in our classes so you can try them out and compare them to trekking poles.

Can I use my ski poles?

For Nordic walking you need poles that are significantly shorter than you would use for cross country ski-ing, for example I use a 115cm nordic walking pole but a 140cm classic ski pole. Using the right pole length means you enjoy your exercise more and ski poles usually have baskets, which make them slightly awkward for nordic walking.

 

What do I wear for nordic walking?

 

Footwear

The right footwear is the most important thing - supportive trainers or walking shoes. Avoid anything with a rigid sole or walking boots.

If you do a lot of nordic walking have a look at the Asics range of nordic walking shoes which are light, flexible and supportive – the Gore-Tex ones are good if you often walk in wet grass. Running Bare and Up and Running are two stockists.

Clothing

With nordic walking you’ll get warm once you’re on the move, so wear layers of the sort of unrestrictive clothes that you’d use for walking or running. You’ll feel more comfortable if you wear breathable or wicking fabrics that move moisture away from the skin – running and outdoor shops have the best selection.  Avoid cotton t-shirts and jeans that rapidly feel heavy and clammy when they get damp.