Are you finding your palms are sweaty/sticky in the warmer weather? If you are a pole user, this can result in a slimy discomfort, and cause your grip on the pole to become affected. Those of you who have completed your Power of Poles training, should be aware that a tight grip on the pole handle is not required or recommended (and will quickly lead to aching forearms!), but even with a light touch, the onset of clammy palms can become rather unpleasant when the temperature rises!

Here are a couple of tips and tricks which may help to overcome this issue:

1. Consider investing a in a light-weight pair of gloves – it may seem counter intuitive to suggest wearing gloves to prevent sweaty palms, but providing a barrier between your pole handle and your palm, may be a way to stop the build up of moisture. Those of you who use poles with clip in straps may think the strap itself acts as a barrier, but in reality, much of the palm is exposed. For users of Gabel poles, one option might be some short fingered gloves with the pole attachment clip built in, like these: https://store.walx.co.uk/shop/accessories/gloves/gabel-ergo-lite-ncs-s-f-pair/, or Leki pole users could try these: https://store.walx.co.uk/shop/accessories/gloves/leki-nordic-breeze-s-f-gloves-2019/. Alternatively, if you use strapless poles such as our Urban poles, you might find a bargain pair of fingerless cycling or fitness gloves would do the trick. These can also be worn under a pair of Nordic straps, and often have some gel padding on the palm which helps by cushioning the hand. In the winter, a thicker pair can also help keep the hands warm when the weather turns! Keep an eye on the centre aisles of your favourite budget supermarket, as they can often be found there!
2. Various natural/herbal remedies including sage, chamomile, valerian root and St. John’s Wort have been suggested for reducing sweating, but there is limited scientific evidence to support their use. However, if you find these to be effective, it is certainly worthwhile sourcing some quality products from a reputable supplier to try.
3. Antiperspirants can be used on the palms but they must be applied correctly to be effective, including applying the antiperspirant to completely dry skin and applying it just before bed. These are typically used by people who suffer from the medical condition known as palmar hyperhidrosis, and can be prescribed at higher strengths under certain conditions.
4. My favourite tip though, is to try applying a small amount of liquid talcum powder to your hands. This is a product available cheaply in the baby aisle of your local supermarket or high street pharmacy. A small, pea-sized blob of the liquid talc rubbed into the palms of both hands and allowed to “dry” works wonders for minimising the production of sweat. To be most effective, the hands must be totally dry when the talc is applied. I usually try to remember to do this when getting into my car to set off to my walk so that it has time to set. The talc must be rubbed in really well to avoid coating your steering wheel and gear leaver in a white film. Oh, and a word of warning – if you wear dark clothing, avoid touching it until the talc has dried completely. Like regular talc, it can leave a telling hand-print which simply doesn’t dust out! If you apply liquid talc to wet hands, or just before starting your walk it helps to reduce the moisture, but certainly doesn’t work as effectively as applying it in advance.

Do you have any other tips and tricks for reducing sweaty palms while you are walking? If so, please let us know so we can share them to help others!