Running poles have been a game changer for me and where an integral part of completing my first 100 mile race. There is the obvious advantage of helping you on any climbs particularly when the gradient gets steep. They also help immensely to save your legs for the later stages of the race as well as taking pressure off your feet and added stability when the going gets tough or slippery.

I have experimented with a few ways to carry my poles and have my personal preference but in general there are 3 recognised ways most people carry their poles.

Number 1 - Running Belt

If you were to draw a line with comfort on one end and convenience on the other - the running belt would be smack bang in the middle.

The loops of the belt and its positioning on the waste make it relatively easy to get your poles in and out (if its on your front). It also keeps them tight and secure to stop them bouncing around.

You can have the belt facing forwards or backwards depending on preference when running. Whilst it is easier accessing them if they are at the front of your waist (because you can see what you're doing) it is more comfortable having them at the back.

For me I rarely use my running belt to carry my poles. The poles still tend to bounce a bit on the back of my hips and makes the belt feel tight which particularly on a long run gets cumbersome.

Number 2 - Quiver

After trying my running belt a few times and not loving it I invested in a quiver. If you were to place the quiver on my imaginary line it would be on the far side of the comfort.

I used a Salomon quiver and found once the poles are inside and the bag is pulled tight (via the toggle at the base - see photo) it is by far the most comfortable way to run. You barely notice them on then when you have a full pack and it really is a case of out of sight out of mind.

However, I found it very inconvenient in terms of packing them away. Getting them out is easy with a simple reach over your shoulder and pull. Getting them back in there though is a lot trickier. I found I was using a yoga mat elastic to bundle them tight together to make the job easier of lining up the poles with the quiver opening.

More often then not I ended up just carrying my poles until i came across a runner or marshal and then asked them to place them back in for me. Not super useful on those long unsupported runs and often times in a race I would avoid using them so I didn't have to get them back in the quiver.

Number 3 - The front of my running vest.

Back to my imaginary line and this is by far the most convenient and now my preferred option. I am not sure if these were the intended purposes for these specific straps but for me it works perfectly.

Being on my chest makes it easy to get them out and pack them away quickly. I found I was using them more regularly because of this and after a while the positioning didn't bother me and I found it more comfortable than I was expecting.

The downside is that I had to remove some of the items from the front of my running vest. If I had to choose between having these items or the poles in a running belt I now much prefer to stash the items I use the most in a belt (or my trail tight pockets). The less I have to adjust and move things in my vest the more comfortable I find running in it long term. So really this is a win win.

So give these a go and when youre done - why not jump into the moretrail forum and share with others your thoughts on stowing running poles!?

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