How to Choose the Right Walking Stick

I have a magical walking stick. At least I think that it’s magical. I found it one day (or it found me) when I was walking in the woods. It has runes carved into it, and was made from oak. It’s a very sturdy stick. I guess someone who was into magic left it on the trail by accident.

One time a couple of years ago I went camping with my friend Eric. I told him that my walking stick was magic. He jokingly said that he was goring to throw it into the campfire. I told him if he made fun of my stick, something bad would happen to him. He shrugged it off.

When we got in his brand new truck to go to the river to fish, he backed into the pole that had the electrical outlet in it and bent his bumper. When we got to the fishing place he got out of the truck and fell down, sliding down the hill near the river. He cried out to me: “Walt!. Make it stop.” He guess he now believed that the stick was magic.

Walking sticks can serve a lot of practical uses besides being magical. According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch: “Walking sticks can be a great tool for balance, stamina, even building arm, chest and core strength. And in a pinch, a walking stick can coax a stubborn snake off the trail. Nowadays, walking sticks range from hi-tech to homemade. One size doesn’t fit all.”

First, select which kind of walking stick that you prefer. If you are going to be walking mostly on a flat level surface, choose a walking stick. Most walking sticks are about three feet tall, which should work for you unless you are very tall or very short, then you will have to get one custom made.

However, if you plan on doing a lot of walking and climbing or rough and hilly surfaces, then you might want to get a staff instead. Staffs are much longer than walking sticks. Usually they are taller than you are. I have several of each and I usually take one of each of them on all my camping trips.

You want a stick that is sturdy enough to support your weight. Most hardwoods will do. I prefer a good stick made of oak or hickory. The rest is up to your choice in style and appearance. Sturdy is good, but you also don’;t want a stick that is too heavy. Remember, you will be carrying it around with you all day.

I have a stick from Ireland made out of black thorn, not the strongest in the world, but still very durable and extremely light, an excellent stick for walking around the city with.

They even make composite walking sticks that are available in camping outlets, but what is the fun in that. The best sicks are ones that you make yourself. They are really pretty easy to do. Just make sure that if you cut one off of a tree be sure to ask the tree’s permission first. You might just end up with a magical walking stick like mine.

Source: http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/fitness/article_c1e2ab93-60e9-5f99-a3f1-89cbe6fffa3d.html