PACERPOLES: The worlds first left and right handed trekking poles.

Pacerpoles are the first poles to use biomechanics to create a more efficient and powerful thrust. UK physiotherapist Heather Rhodes analysed the way we walk, and applied biomechanical principles to evolve a handle shape which allows the poles to fit in with the way we walk, rather than forcing us to adapt our movements to the poles. Compared to conventional poles, Pacerpoles give

MORE POWER with LESS EFFORT and NO wrist or hand STRAIN

when going up or on the flat, and

MORE CONTROL, MORE ACCURATE PLACEMENT & LESS STRAIN when going down.

In all major tests (mainly in the UK), Pacerpoles have come out on top for efficiency, comfort and stability.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Left and right handles have colour plugs for rapid identification
• 3 sections for compact stowage
• No energy wasting spring
• Interchangeable baskets for snow, mud or rock
• Carbide tip
• Precision locking
• Safety cord allows release of handle grip without pole loss
• Hole for optional camera mount
• Mesh bag to store pole sections

Aluminium model: 7075 T6 alloy, 3 piece, collapsed length 67cm, max length 137cm; 650gms/pair

Recommended retail price : NZ$219 inc GST

Carbon model:  3 piece; carbon fibre, collapsed length 64cm, max length 132cm 518gms/pair

Recommended retail price : NZ$286 inc GST

Testimonials

Action Shots: Mark Inglis on Everest ,  River crossings.

DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Four legs vs two legs

Have you ever seen goats, chamois or thar move across steep mountainous terrain? The speed, agility and grace with which they move reveal the advantages of four legs over two. If we could use both arms and legs for thrust and support with a biomechanically efficient pole design, we could maximise our speed, agility, balance and safety.

Lifting and thrusting

The 2 phases of using poles for support and thrust are the thrust phase, when you are pushing the pole on the ground while moving forward, and the lifting phase, when you are swinging the pole forward to the next position. For the lifting phase, the lighter the pole the better, particularly at the tip end, which has the greatest swing. For the thrusting phase the handle must transmit power with a relaxed grip, the optimum wrist angle, and from the optimum part of the hand, the base (where you do a karate chop). Conventional trekking poles do the opposite. They transmit power only with a tight hand grip or via a strap around the sensitive area of your wrist and they hold your hand at a pre strained angle. 

Natural Movement

To add arm power to leg power so that you can move more efficiently, the poles and arms must work smoothly as a single unit. The key to achieving this is the design of the handles, as they are the connection between the poles and your body.

  1. Pacerpoles are paired left and right like your shoes, with a unique contoured thumb shelf. The handles naturally slip into your palms, holding thumb and fingers in a relaxed position. Fingers are loosely held, just enough to precisely position the tip of the pole in the ground. 

  2. The Pacerpole handle has a patented angle which holds the hand at the optimum angle of relaxation, eliminating wrist strain.

  3. The handle a unique flared base. The heel of your hand rests against this base, providing the platform for forward thrust. No wrist sling is necessary.

  4. The patented handle shape immediately disperses the impact along its contours when the pole hits the ground, making a shock absorbing spring unnecessary. Eliminating shock without an energy wasting spring allows more efficient muscle use.

These features work naturally together to control the pronation of the forearm as it pivots over the pole tip during the thrusting phase, creating the most natural and efficient line of thrust. The poles become extensions of your arms, increasing power, stability and speed, and at the end of a day’s use the hands are unstrained.

Natural Posture

    The use of Pacerpoles encourages a more erect posture and reduces the tendency of the body to slump forward under load and fatigue. Combine Pacerpoles with Bodypacks to create the optimum posture for minimizing energy expenditure under load hour after hour.

Ideal Balance

Pacerpoles widen your support base, making it easy to stay upright. When moving, you have at least two contact points with the ground rather than one, enhancing stability.The handle contours make positioning of the pole tip more precise, making the poles suitable for running, and rapid movement on rough terrain.

 If you are carrying a load, combine the biomechanicanical efficiency of FlowMo Bodypacks with Pacerpoles to get the ideal balance under load.

The formula for the best experience of moving through the wilderness is:

FLOWMO BODYPACK + LIGHT LOAD + PACERPOLES

For further information, see: www.pacerpole.com