Will there be a forthcoming fix to the Fenix 5, where it can accurately track steps when trekking poles are used? As of now, only about 30 percent of the steps are tracked, which is really inexcusable for a premium "Outdoor Recreation" wearable, especially for long-distance hikers and backpackers that use poles. Looking at past posts and talking with friends, Garmin has been aware of this issue for some time. Will it be fixed?
You'll see the same thing on other Garmin devices, and the same thing if you are pushing a stroller or a shopping cart.
What's happening is the watch counts steps, and when you hold on to the poles…
Yep. I was thinking about the foot pod, which also seems quite water resistant--per written specs. That way the rest of the watch activity tracking (HR, intensity minutes, etc.) will be maintained.
You can also put the watch into the pocket, or attach it to the backpack strap. If you need to record the HR, then you can use a chest strap, or attach the watch to the ankle (but then it may not be easy…
You can also put the watch into the pocket, or attach it to the backpack strap. If you need to record the HR, then you can use a chest strap, or attach the watch to the ankle (but then it may not be easy to use it for the navigation 
)
When using hiking poles, the watch cannot sense the step you do while the pole is on the ground and the wrist wearing the watch is not free in the air. It means it only senses the pole hitting the ground, which is one half of the steps. Wearing it elsewhere on the body allows the watch to sense both feet hitting the ground.
Garmin has not been transparent to potential buyers about the lack of ability to "track accurate steps" while using trekking poles.
From the support article :
