Strangely, I feel much more comfortable with poles when I have a "large" (mulitidays) pack on my back, than on a day hike...It seems the poles keep the shoulders active also, less tired at the end of the day. And the "one swing of arms-two swings of legs" is the good rythm for me, too. I like this feeling of my whole body moving along, not only legs and back, very similar to cross-country skiing, but that's plain "nordic walk" technique!