WALX Poles vs Other Poles: A Clear Comparison
When it comes to walking poles, the options can be overwhelming: Nordic poles, Activators, trekking poles, rehab poles… and now, WALX Poles. So how do you know which is right for you or your clients?
This guide compares the most common pole types — and explains why WALX has moved away from older models like Activator poles, and why we’ll never go back to strap-based Nordic Walking poles.
1. Pole Types at a Glance
🔹Strap-Based Nordic Walking Poles
- Designed for performance walking with a glove-style strap
- Rely on correct thumb release and grip timing
- Often feel awkward for beginners or older adults
- Can cause wrist strain or injury if used incorrectly
🔹Activator Poles (Urban Poling)
- Designed for rehabilitation and stability
- Often prescribed for medical or post-surgery use
- Heavier, with bell-shaped tips and shock-absorbing features
- Used historically in NHS settings
🔹Trekking Poles
- Common for hiking and outdoor pursuits
- Focused on stability over rough terrain
- Designed for vertical push-down rather than forward propulsion
- Often telescopic and wrist-strapped
🔹WALX Poles (Velocity, Xcelerator, Xplorer, Pro & Ability Models)
- Designed for Total Body Walking™
- Feature patented strapless WALX Ergo Grip
- Contoured handle supports full hand contact and natural wrist movement
- Suitable for fitness, rehab, clinical, and outdoor use
- Available in lightweight 7075 alloy with multiple tip options
2. Why We Don’t Use Strap-Based Poles Anymore
Strap-based Nordic Walking poles used to be the gold standard — but experience (and feedback from thousands of users) has shown us the downsides.
Gill Stewart, one of the UK’s leading Nordic Walking coaches, explains it perfectly in her blog: Nordic Walking Without Straps:
Many people find the glove-strap fiddly, restrictive, and uncomfortable. Worse still, it can create dependence — rather than encourage correct technique and natural movement.
Straps can:
- Trap the hand in a fixed position
- Reduce natural proprioception
- Increase the risk of wrist or thumb injuries
- Make it harder for beginners to grasp and release correctly
WALX Poles remove the strap entirely, replacing it with a contoured ergonomic grip that mimics the hand’s natural shape. The result? Better control, safer technique, and easier teaching across all age groups.
3. Why We No Longer Use Activator Poles
Activator poles once served a purpose — and for years, WALX used them extensively in NHS, clinical, and community settings. But as our training methods evolved and the demands of our participants became more diverse, their limitations became increasingly clear.
Here’s why we moved on:
⚖️ Too Heavy and Bulky
Activator poles are significantly heavier than modern alternatives. Their weight makes them cumbersome for long-term use, especially for those looking to progress from stability into fitness walking.
🧱 Rigid and Unnatural Hand Position
Their fixed, vertical grip does not encourage a natural arm swing or promote grasp-and-release — both of which are essential in re-training posture, gait, and upper-body engagement using the Total Body Walking™ method.
🛑 No Pathway to Progression
These poles are great for early-stage rehabilitation, but they become a dead end. You can’t scale them into more dynamic activity — which means starting over with new equipment when your clients are ready to move forward.
🚫 Biased Biomechanics
The movement pattern taught with Activator poles often encourages a push-down motion rather than true forward propulsion. It places a lot of pressure on the ulnar area of the hand. This square-style motion lacks the fluidity and functional benefits of our WALX Tri-Motion™ technique.
⚙️ Push-Button Adjustment Issues
Most Activator poles use a push-button telescopic mechanism, which is prone to wear, instability, and slippage over time — especially when frequently adjusted for different users. This undermines both safety and user confidence.
🌏 Quality and Sourcing Concerns
While marketed as specialist poles, Activators are mass-produced in Asia using mid-grade alloy and generic components. Over time, we found quality inconsistencies and durability issues — particularly under regular community use. We also have an issue of sustainability where poles are shipped from half way around the World
Why WALX Rehab Poles Are the Better Choice
We designed our WALX Rehab Poles to address these exact limitations — and to offer a better experience for instructors, clients, and clinicians alike.
Both of these newer poles feature a 15-degree angled handle, designed to provide enhanced support and comfort. If you are using the poles for rehabilitation, stability, or other medical needs, you may also be eligible for VAT exemption through a simple form process.
Xcelerator Poles: Offer excellent support and assistance with walking.
Ability Poles: Designed for those who need even greater stability and support for mobility challenges.
With both models, we are able to apply a VAT Exemption for anyone using them for rehab or a specific medical condition. We just need to send a simple digital VAT exemption form to you
WALX Rehab Poles are:
- ✅ Lightweight and durable, made from high-grade 7075 aluminium alloy
- ✅ Fitted with the WALX Ergo Grip — contoured, strapless, and soft-touch
- ✅ Built for forward motion, not just upright stability
- ✅ Ideal for rehab and beyond — helping users progress safely into more active programmes
- ✅ Height-adjustable with secure twist-lock and quick lock mechanisms, not flimsy buttons that can catastrophically fail.
They’re more than a piece of kit. They’re a teaching tool — built for biomechanics, user comfort, and long-term success.
Bottom line? Activators had their moment. But today, WALX Poles are the future of movement — for rehab, for fitness, and for confidence at every stage.
4. What Makes WALX Poles Different
Our WALX Poles are more than just walking sticks. They are purpose-built tools developed over years of experience, combining the best elements of Nordic and rehab poles — without the pitfalls.
Key Features:
- Patented WALX Ergo Grip for strapless, full-hand support
- Contoured palm area to promote natural grasp-and-release
- Neutral wrist positioning to reduce strain and encourage proper swing
- 7075 alloy shafts for lightweight strength
- Multiple tip options (rubber paws, bell tips, spikes)
- Two models: Xplorer (fitness) and Rehab (clinical use)
Designed for:
- Older adults
- Rehab and post-surgery clients
- Fitness walkers and beginners
- Outdoor health and wellbeing programmes
5. Who Each Pole Type is Best For (Comparison Table)
Bottom Line
The pole you choose shapes the experience you have.
At WALX, we’ve tested them all — in real-world settings, with thousands of clients, across all ages and ability levels.
We no longer use Activators. We don’t recommend straps.
Instead, we offer something better: a pole designed for progression, inclusion, and safety — with ergonomic, strapless handles and a full ecosystem of support.
Whether you’re walking for fitness, recovering from injury, or leading community sessions, WALX Poles give you the freedom, feedback, and function to move better.
