Clothes for nordic walking

Short answer: Nordic walking gives steady heat through the whole body, including the arms. That means your upper body gets warmer than on an ordinary walk, so choose a thin layer that moves moisture from your back and shoulders, plus one you can take off.

Your arms work too

With poles your shoulders and arms warm up, not only your legs. Every pole plant pulls on your upper body, and after fifteen minutes you feel the heat in your back and under your arms. Dress your upper body a little lighter than for an ordinary walk. See bamboo tops for women.

Room for the arm swing

Nordic walking needs a long, free arm swing forward and back. A top that is too tight over the shoulders pulls on your back with every plant. Choose a fit that sits close without squeezing, and sleeves that do not ride up. Try the movement at home before a long walk.

Steady pace, steady heat

The heat builds slowly and stays stable through the whole walk. You do not suddenly heat up, but after ten to fifteen minutes you are warm and stay that way. That is when you should take off a layer. Soft layers that are easy to take on and off suit it well. See bamboo sweat clothes.

A layer you can take off

Start with one layer more than you need once you are warm. Take it off after fifteen minutes and tie it around your waist or put it in a small backpack. Put it back on if you stop to chat or take a break. A thin layer takes almost no space.

Socks for many steps

An hour with poles is many thousands of steps, and your feet feel it. Socks that sit smoothly without folds reduce rubbing in the shoe. Moisture from the foot needs to leave, so the skin does not turn soft and sore. See socks for men and women.

Your hands and the pole

Your hands hold the pole the whole way, and in winter they can get cold even when the rest of you is warm. Thin gloves help against cold and against rubbing from the grip. In summer it may be enough to adjust the straps so your hand rests rather than grips.

Nordic walking in rain and cold

In the rain your outer layer gets wet, but the inner one can stay fairly dry. Thin layers that dry quickly are better than one thick one. In winter it is tempting to wear a lot, but then you sweat quickly. Dress so that you feel a little cold for the first minutes.

After the walk

When you stop, your upper body cools quickly, because it has been warm the whole way. Change into a dry top if you will sit still afterwards. Wash your clothes at a moderate temperature with a mild detergent and let them air dry. Turn socks inside out.

Frequently asked questions

What is different about Nordic walking

That your arms work too. Your upper body gets warmer than on an ordinary walk at the same pace, so it should be dressed a little lighter.

What should you wear

A thin layer that moves moisture from both back and shoulders, plus a layer you can take off when the heat comes. Socks that sit smoothly matter too.

How long does it take to warm up

Ten to fifteen minutes. After that the heat is stable, and that is when you should have taken off a layer, so you do not sweat for the rest of the walk.