TRAIL ESSENTIALS POLES
Whether you enjoy the odd hill, or you’ve decided to take on an ultra, a good pair of poles are invaluable on those ups and downs
BLACK DIAMOND Distance Carbon Z
£130wiggle.co.uk Tester Geri
These poles are very light and easy to carry on a running vest. Importantly, they’re both easy to erect and to collapse and stow away again, too. They were very helpful on long steady inclines for getting into a good rhythm to attack the hill. They’re harder to use on rugged descents as it was trickier to get a sure fi x for the end of the pole, but they helped with stabilisation and probing for good foot placement. If you’re planning an ultra they’ll make a good addition to your running kit.