If you haven’t checked the boot tips of your Nordic walking poles recently, now is a great time—especially if you’re new to the activity.
Uneven wear on the boot tips, one smooth and one still with tread, often signals a technique issue related to your dominant and non-dominant arms.
The dominant arm typically masters the Nordic walking motion more quickly, lifting the boot tip slightly off the ground with each swing—an essential part of proper form. However, the weaker, non-dominant arm may drag the boot tip forward instead, which leads to faster wear and tear.
The fix is simple:
• Lift with your fingers: Use a subtle lifting action with your pinky and ring fingers to raise the boot tip just slightly off the ground. as your pole swings forward.
• Check your swing height: Ensure the pole handle of your non-dominant arm swings up to the very same height as that of your dominant—right to a “handshake position.”
If the handle swing is too low, the boot tip will slip back along the ground instead of planting. To correct this, swing the handle on your non-dominant side an inch or two higher (to a full handshake height) .
Avoid bending your elbow or altering your overall technique. Focus on the small adjustments of lifting slightly with the fingers and swinging both handles to a handshake height..
Pro Tip
Pay attention to the sounds your boot tips make. A consistent, quiet “thud” from both indicates proper form. If one boot tip drags or slips, the difference in sound will be noticeable.
