What equipment do you need and what to wear for Nordic Walking…
CLOTHES
Getting started with Nordic Walking is super easy, there is no need to go out and buy new outdoor walking gear, all you need are clothes that are comfortable and easy to move around in, ensuring you can get a good swing in your arms and a comfortable stride. Your clothes should be suitable for the season and terrain that you are walking in. I would recommend that you keep your clothes light weight and dress in thin layers as your body will warm up in no time once you get walking!!
And you can absolutely wear a loose fitting skirt if this is what you feel most comfortable in.
SHOES
Any outdoor shoe or walking boot will do but make sure it works for the environment you are walking in, ultimately it needs to be flat with a grippy sole. I would advise a trail shoes or a walking shoe with a gore-tex lining (needed on wet days and wet ground) as this allows free ankle movement and the soles are more flexible to walk through the whole foot from heel to toe.
WATERPROOFS AND BAG
Waterproofs for back up!! An essential item as we Nordic Walk in all weathers through out the year. I recommend a rucksack as its better for your back as the weight is distributed evenly, I would not advise an over the shoulder or slung across the chest bag as this can put unnecessary pressure on your back, shoulders and neck.
HYDRATION
Ensure you carry water with you on all walks, you may think you do not need it but our body’s require at least 6-8 glasses of water per day, recommended by the NHS. Your body will thank you for it!!
We can add in coffee and cake at the end of the walk!!
POLES
Hold your horses!! Do not buy any straight away, Evie will loan free poles to you to try before you buy!!
Nordic Walking poles are design specific to the Nordic Walking technique.
2 poles are required as Nordic Walking is a whole body work out that works both sides of your body.
It is essential to have the mesh hand strap, this slips over your hand and has Velcro to ensure a good secure fit around your hand, the hand strap is also connected to the pole but it does have a quick release action.
The top grip of the pole is straight or ergonomically shaped, this allows you to fully release and propel forwards properly.
Nordic Walking poles have a spike at the end of the pole, this design allows for good traction when you strike the ground and helps with the forward propulsion.
Rubber ‘paws’ come with the poles so you can slip these over the spike when you are walking over harder ground to get traction.
Nordic Walking poles should be properly sized for you, essentially this is based on your height however, arm length, walking style and your body geometry should be taken into account. Evie will set poles specifically to fit you when you book on for your beginners course or taster session.
If you do want to purchase poles…
We would recommend either Exel or Lexi Nordic Walking poles, Exel being involved in the very first walking pole designed for ‘pole walking’ as it was known then and Leki have not been that far behind in the original market, both produce very good averaged priced and expensive high tech poles.
It’s worth borrowing poles to see what suits you before you jump right in and buy. Nordic walking poles come in many price points and a average cost set of poles can be perfectly good for walking a few times a week. Please do not feel you need go “top of the range” poles!!
Fixed or adjustable Nordic Walking poles..?!!
If you know your personal pole height a fixed pole could be perfect for you, however also think about what else you may need from you poles, will I take it traveling with me, do I need it to adjust it into a shorter size to fit in a bag, if its adjustable you can lend it out to a friend to try. Its not a one fits all regarding Nordic Walking poles so it is worth spending some time researching and if you can try them out in a shop.
Just remember walking and trekking poles are NOT Nordic Walking poles!!
Links to Leki and Exel Sports
Welcome to Walk Nordic 