Trekking Poles

[josh litt]

I was just curious on the amount of thru hikers that carry trekking poles. An Rei employee who thru hiked, told me to get them but to be honest they seem a little strange to me and something ive never considered much in the past. What are the benefits and is it just more of a hassel lugging them around?

-josh litt

[Lone Wolf]

Don't just buy them cuz someone says to. Try hiking a couple of hundred miles without them. Borrow someone's poles and try them. They aren't needed.

[Ender]

I agree. Don't buy them just because someone told you to. Try them out first. Use an old pair of ski poles if you have them lying around to get the idea. Or even just a couple of sticks you pick up.

I use them because they help me a lot when going down hills, taking a lot of pressure off the knees. For flat ground and for going uphill, I don't find they do very much, and even slow me down on flat terrain. They also do help me a lot when crossing streams, using them for balance, but any stick picked up at the edge of the stream would do pretty much the same thing.

But yeah, try them out before you buy them. Some people love them, some people don't. Just depends. I like them, but that's because I'm me.

[swantekkie]

Trekking poles seem like another way to get trust fund hikers to waste more of there money. Why would u buy a trekking pole when there are hundreds of free ones in the woods, this sort of goes against the leave no trace theme but if the sticks not a living branch than what harm could it do.

[Lone Wolf]

Get some used ski poles at a thrift store for a couple of dollars like Warren Doyle does.

[josh litt]

excellent advice all of you! THANK YOU

[SalParadise]

I love my hiking poles and don't like to hike without them. But everyone else is right, try some out first before you buy. I also like being able to adjust the length of poles according to the grade.

But if you do get any, just get the cheapest ones you can find (ski poles work great, too). The hydraulic feature in expensive poles is just a waste of a lot of money. My last pair of poles was $10.

[mountain squid]

The only time I don't use poles is when I'm doing trail maintenance. My hands are usually carrying tools instead (and even then there are times when I wish I had them).

While hiking with poles, don't know how often they've kept me from having a nasty fall. On steep down hills, they help to slow momentum. On very steep down hills, they give you an extended arm to maintain balance as you step down. They also help when crossing streams strewn with slippery rocks and for determining depth of said stream. Also helpful for retrieving bogs that have "floated" away and then for maintaining balance on the "floating" bog.

At night, if staying in a shelter, they become my "whacking" pole (anyone remember "whacking" day? - DOH!!) for keeping pesky mice at bay.

Of course, any ole stick might suffice, but, in addition for me, one pole serves as a tent pole. Many lightweight tents have this ability in lieu of carrying an extra pole.

While hiking I never adjust the length, nor do I have springs inside. I agree that that is probably wasted money, but I'm sure some use that function often. Bear in mind that ski poles are not adjustable and there are a few times when you may need to stow them in your pack, ie. when traveling and possibly through Mahoosuc Notch, etc.

See you on the trail,
mt squid

[SalParadise]

One other reason I really like having poles with me is for any road walking. Too many people don't have the courtesy to move over and can get awfully close. When I'm roadwalking I like to stick one pole out a couple feet into the road, and it always works to move the cars over a bit. I guess they care a little more about scratching their car than hitting hiker trash.

[Kaptain Kangaroo]

Wow, I'm suprised at the negative comments about poles, especially considering that I didn't see one thru-hiker without them once I got past the first couple of hundred miles. I think they are possibly the best piece of gear I've got. They take a little getting used to, so please don't just borrow some poles for a day hike & then decide that you don't like them. It takes a week or two to really get them working & understand how to use them.

They let you hike further & faster (especially on rough terrain) and they WILL save you from falling. They save a lot of stress on your knees on downhills.

A comment on using ski poles - hiking poles have a small carbide tip that gives them good grip on smooth rock, ski poles don't & will slip more easily(usually at the worst possible moment:-) Also, having wrist straps is important as they allow to to put a lot of weight on the pole without having to grip it hard. So if you do use ski poles get ones with wrist straps. Oh... this is why a stick doesn't work so well either.

Anyway, this is just my opinion. Good quality poles do cost a lot, but I think they are worth the money.

Cheers,

kaptain Kangaroo

[rswanson]

Wow, I'm suprised at the negative comments about poles, especially considering that I didn't see one thru-hiker without them once I got past the first couple of hundred miles.
The folks who have an issue with them are typically more outspoken than those that like 'em. This thread comes up weekly at W/B. It comes down to a matter of personal preference.

[Michele]

I've hiked with and without poles. I prefer hiking with my poles now. Just 2 weeks ago they saved my butt (literally) from hitting the ground in a nasty fall when I turned my ankle. They also help me tremendously when I'm at the end of a long tiring hike where my energy levels are dwindling and I need that little extra "help" up a hill. When I first went out to try them it was awkward, but I was thinking about it too much. I finally found a rythym and love them now.

I do agree w/the consensus that you should just try some first and then decide. There are also another style of hiking poles, called Pacer Poles that Brian, from ULA sells. They look pretty interesting. http://www.ula-equipment.com/pacer_poles.htm Whatever you decide, good luck and happy hiking!

[Ender]

I hope my comments weren't considered negative. I meant them to be as neutral as possible. Just that someone should try them before he lays out $130 for a pair to see if he likes them.

I use them, I like them. But that's just me.

One note on how I use my poles, that prevents me from using plain sticks... because I use them primarily on the down hills, the hand grips need to be a certain shape for me. During the decent I will place the very top of the pole in the palm of my hand, right at the heel, and steady the pole between my ring and pinkie fingers. That way when I place the full extent of my weight onto the poles, it avoids me having to grip the pole tightly, and relieves stress on my wrists. Because of this, sticks won't work (unless I feel like having palmfulls of splinters) and neither will a lot of skiing poles... Downhill poles often have very large tops that prevent holding the pole that way, and xcountry ski poles are pointy on the top. Just something to think about if you end up using poles the same way I do.

And yes, poles will help one to catch their balance... 4 feet are better than 2.

YMMV

[Oklahoma 98]

I've hiked without them and with them. With them work works best for me.

[SalParadise]

when I hiked with ski poles I wrapped some athletic tape a few inches below the handles and switched between the two grips depending on whether I was going uphill or down.

[Peaks]

Well, short answer. Most thru-hikers seem to use them, even the ultra-lighters. Must be a good reason. (Maybe when I get old I'll try them myself.)

[d2m]

I switched to poles after hurting my ankel, in PA . this was in 2004 .i was hiking with a guy from alabama and after about four days of watching me limp he insisted that i try his poles out. they were a huge help and when i got to duncannon mary took me to the outfitter in harrisburg and i bought a basic set of lekis. since then i have allways used them. there were times during my hike this summer that they were a little bit of a pain. but this was mostly during the sections of rock climbing in NH and ME. so basicaly i'm for them, plus i noticed than my hands tend to swell up when i hike w/out my poles. i don't have this minor problem when i ues them.

[terrapin_too]

I've been hiking since the mid-1970s. I was in my early 20s then. I didn't bother with hiking poles until about six years ago. Even among thru-hikers, I don't think poles became really popular until 5-10 years ago.

These days, I wouldn't do a serious hike without them. Sure, there are times and places when I don't need them (eg., when the ground is quite flat and unobstructed) or can't use them (eg., on extremely steep ascents and descents.) For the "typical day" on the AT, I'll use them almost constantly. Nice to have adjustable poles so they can be "compacted" when not in use.

If in doubt, buy a cheap pair and give them a try. Campmor's basic set are $50.

[Programbo]

I think the only reason 90% of people you see with them carry them is because they see everyone else with them or some salesman told them to buy them....I sold backpacking equipment at one of the largest stocked and busiest outdoors stores on the east coast 6 days a week for almost 11 years and never once sold a "trekking pole" and all those thousands of hikers I helped outfit weren`t out there falling all over the place or passing out from exhaustion beside the trail..They were in general carrying more weight than todays hikers and using for the most part inferior equipment and I can honestly say I really never met anyone either on the trail back then or in the store who had physical problems...It`s just a fad...I`m sure there are some cases where they help some people but in most cases they are pointless...I think the majority of people who seem to be having "problems" (Falls, ankles, knees) that these poles cure are having the problems due to incorrect packs and or boots...Getting in shape and slowing down wouldn`t hurt either.....But since I am out of the loop era wise I shall say try them out and see what you personally think.

[handlebar]

I don't think my 61 year old knees would have survived 2175 miles this year without them. Started using one pole on a 100-mile trek with multiple passes when I was 49. Found that supplementing it with a stick found in the woods really improved the utility and took a lot of weight off my knees. Wouldn't hike without them. On up and level terrain I use them to push off with my lats and they really increase my speed. Descents, they are helpfull to take stress off the knees and stabilize. On this year's through hike I used them every day---even through Mahoosus Notch and on the descent from Katahdin. Only rarely did I let them hang by the wrist loops from my writst while using hands and legs both to scramble. Highly recommend, but recommend trying (using some sticks or ski poles before buying).

Handlebar
GA-ME 06

[terrapin_too]

It`s just a fad...

Do you hang out on the Trail much, these days? In the last few years of section hikes, I'd say close to 100% of the thru-hikers I've encountered (mostly in New England) have been walking with poles.

I'm sorry to say this, but most sales people at "large outdoor stores" don't know diddly about long-distance hiking. And that goes for the fine folks at my local REI and EMS outlets as well.

Poles sure aren't a fad among skiers (alpine or Nordic) or snowshoers or those who hike in snow.

I had hiked for 25+ years without poles. My very first hike with Lekis was from the Dartmouth Coop to Lyme, NH, June 2002. During the first few hours of that hike, I thought to myself, "why did I wait so long to try this?"

I find poles not very useful on easy, flat stretches, and useless on seriously steep stretches. But in that vast range between, and particularly on lumpy ground, they're great.

[cutman11]

Ya, computers are just a fad too, someday, we will forget all about them and go back to the good old paper, pencil and mail days.

[Programbo]

[quote=terrapin_too;283171]>>>> I'm sorry to say this, but most sales people at "large outdoor stores" don't know diddly about long-distance hiking. And that goes for the fine folks at my local REI and EMS outlets as well.<<<<

Perhaps I wasn`t clear when I said I worked at one of the largest outdoor stores..I didn`t mean large as in a chain store or a place that sells everything related to out-of-doors..I meant large as in size and amount of backpacking equipment we carried..This store sold ONLY backpacking / camping equipment as far as "outdoors" goods..I regularly spoke with and discussed equipment design with guys from pretty much every major maker including Wayne Gregory and Lou Whittaker at JanSport and I often recieved advanced versions of equipment to evaluate.I did a LOT of long distance AT hiking prior to getting that job and although I never thru-hiked I attempted to and covered GA-Duncannon PA before my funds ran out

>>>>Poles sure aren't a fad among skiers (alpine or Nordic) or snowshoers or those who hike in snow.<<<<

Correct. THAT is what poles are for!...That is how the internal pack craze started..When the internet and backpacking magazines became mainstream people would see photos of the guys mountaineering using internal frames and assume that meant they were better..But the fact is they would carry the equipment to the mountains over the trails in EXTERNAL framed packs and then switch to the internals when climbing..But no one takes photos on the approach trails so no one saw these guys using the external frames and thus people just figured the pricier and fancier internals were better since all the professionals used them (Sound familiar with poles?)..Since a good internal cost like 2-3 times more than a good external who were the pack makers to argue?..So the marketing boys went to work and we have what we have..Now it`s poles

[chknfngrs]

I hated mine at first. They were a gift, so I didn't think much of them w/r/t how much bank I was out. My arms grew more tired because I was moving them more, to balance me more. In the end, however, they are a utility as well. Instead of a tent you can carry a tarp for shelter. Prop it up with your poles.

All said before is great, but HYOH! Do what's best for you.

And never listen to an REI or EMS salesperson unless you HIKE with them.

[hopefulhiker]

I didn't think I needed them but I ended up using them and I used them a lot.. But then I am old and out of shape.. If you do get a pair get the simple ones without the shock absorbers... You can use them for tent stakes too.

[Namaste]

I hike with them because my knees can't do it alone . I hiked Katahdin without and was hurting for days afterwards. I hiked Chairbacks on another occasion with them and didn't have the same achy problem. They're also a great aide when crossing streams. I use them because they improve the quality of my life while on the trail. They'll be with me on my thru in 2010.:D

[terrapin_too]

So the marketing boys went to work and we have what we have..Now it`s poles

Well, this is kinda funny and odd and ironic. Some of my hiking habits and gear are ingrained from 30 years ago. I've done 90% of my AT hiking so far (about 3/4 of the trail) using a 1988-vintage Camp Trails Adjustable II pack. It was an antique even during my attempted "thru" in 1990.

I've also been a lifelong skier, so using poles comes naturally. I can only tell you my experience. While I generally have excellent balance and a solid build (below the waist, anyway) I find that poles are generally very useful for my hiking. Clearly, "YMMV" but honestly -- this is no fad.

Years ago, it was de rigeur to wear heavy leather boots for AT treks. The real serious folks got theirs from Peter Limmer. That's gone almost completely by the wayside, at least for typical thru-hiker purposes. I'm not ashamed to say, good riddance to those heavy monsters.

Hell, Ed Garvey launched one of the most foolish fads of all on the A.T. -- the ridiculous attraction to Dickies outerwear, and his insistence (along with Earl Shaffer's) on wearing long pants.

The trail has changed, even in my short lifetime. Hiking gear and techniques change. People learn. Hell, America even knows how to brew a decent cup of coffee now. Imagine!

[Programbo]

Years ago, it was de rigeur to wear heavy leather boots for AT treks. The real serious folks got theirs from Peter Limmer. That's gone almost completely by the wayside, at least for typical thru-hiker purposes. I'm not ashamed to say, good riddance to those heavy monsters.

I don`t know..Those stiff leathered mountaineering boots sure have a lot of support..Try having your feet land with the toe on one rock and the heel on another or the toe on a rock and the heel on the ground 4 inches lower and the weight of a pack on your back and you`ll instantly see the advantage they have over trail shoes or light weight hiking "boots"..Might save a lot of stress fractures, ankle twists and falls.....Oh but I forgot.. They are heavy so out they go! :D

[terrapin_too]

For a boot to really "protect" your ankle it would need to be built like a ski boot. The "ankle protection" argument is a myth -- you can twist or sprain an ankle in heavy leather boots just as quickly as you can with a pair of New Balance 991s. You cannot walk properly with a rigid, "protected" ankle.

Fact is, lighter is safer, within reason. It's a matter of physics. Less weight on your back means you're quicker and more agile, and less subject to fatigue. Most folks get injured when they're tired. Less weight on your feet means you can walk more surely -- less energy needed to lift the foot, swing it forward, brake the swing, and set it back down, accurately. Repeat this "simple" sequence 30,000 times a day and the difference is huge.

Anyway -- I do what I do not only because I've observed what others do, but because it works for me. There's a fair amount of BS in the "ultralight" hiking movement, but there are some basic truths as well. These become more important to me as I grow older.

Do yourself a favor and read Ryan Jordan's excellent book on lightweight hiking. This is not a fad. It can certainly be taken to excess, but there's a good reason why folks are cutting back on their gear weights.

[Frosty]

One note on how I use my poles, that prevents me from using plain sticks... because I use them primarily on the down hills, the hand grips need to be a certain shape for me. During the decent I will place the very top of the pole in the palm of my hand, right at the heel, and steady the pole between my ring and pinkie fingers. That way when I place the full extent of my weight onto the poles, it avoids me having to grip the pole tightly, and relieves stress on my wrists. Because of this, sticks won't work (unless I feel like having palmfulls of splinters) and neither will a lot of skiing poles... Downhill poles often have very large tops that prevent holding the pole that way, and xcountry ski poles are pointy on the top. Just something to think about if you end up using poles the same way I do.

And yes, poles will help one to catch their balance... 4 feet are better than 2.

YMMVI use poles the same way you do on downhills. I started using them because my knees were going bad. I used just one pole for years, but now use two to get into that rhythm on less steep sections of trail.

Poles are very useful rock-hopping across steams and balancing on wiggly bog bridges, but I can see where one could pick up a branch to the same effect.

[woodsy]

There is no excuse not to use poles in winter hiking on snowy or icy terrain, every mountaineer knows that a 2 0r 3 point contact is far more likely to save you from a slip or fall than a mere 1 or 2 point contact. And if you do slip and start sliding you can use the tip of one or both of your poles to help self-arrest like you would use a ice axe. I don't hike/climb without them in winter.

[the_iceman]

I have been hiking about 40 years now and have never used poles until this year. I am preping to thru-hike this March and have upgrading my gear and shaving off weight. I have also read a lot of posts here about poles and have seen all the thru-hikers using them.
I have a pair of old Chinourd adjustable ski poles with interchangeable tips and handles for backcountry skiing. I decided to give them a try on the trail. I figured I owned a pair already so why not. I was sold over a 4 day period. They saved my knees and saved me from a nasty fall. To each their own. Like PC versus MAC but you have to form your own opinion by trying them. My poles are coming with me.

[the_iceman]

Come to think of it I guess I have always used a hiking stick. I just moved and found my collection of favorites picked up from the trail each year. My favorite is a piece of ironwood that I found next to the AT in Kent. A by-product of trail maintenance.

[wilderness bob]

I use them for many reasons and will hike with them again. One large plus for me was rhythm. Rhythm equals miles. Also, hiking poles transfer pack weight to the arms. Who doesn't want weight off their back?. Think of cross country skiing and use some of those same techniques used there. Most hikers who try them convert and, most who finished used them for part of if not all of the trail. You be the judge.... peace.

[Programbo]

Also, hiking poles transfer pack weight to the arms. Who doesn't want weight off their back?

While you don`t want pack weight on your back, moving it to your arms certainly isn`t where you want it to go..The idea is to transfer it to your hips and legs which a proper pack will do..Trouble is most of todays hikers think lighter with no exception means better and they are attempting to long distance hike with what are basically oversized day packs or weekend packs or in some cases giant stuff sacks with straps attached...This causes people to walk in an un-natural manner and they then need these poles to shove their body back into proper alignment

[wilderness bob]

Programo,

Too true... You do not want to transfer back pack weight to your arms if you are wearing an ill fitted or poorly designed back pack. I agree whole heartedly that the hips are the best place for the weight to go (a different subject indeed). Trekking poles will except the transfer of weight from not only the pack, but the upper body as well. Keep in mind that this technique may not be suitable for all, IMHO, it sure does help. :)

[Lyle]

I use them for many reasons and will hike with them again. One large plus for me was rhythm. Rhythm equals miles. Also, hiking poles transfer pack weight to the arms. Who doesn't want weight off their back?. Think of cross country skiing and use some of those same techniques used there. Most hikers who try them convert and, most who finished used them for part of if not all of the trail. You be the judge.... peace.

I agree, the added momentum of rhythm makes the miles click by (when that is what you want). I used to use a natural walking stick, picked up occasionally for this.

I have updated all of my gear to lightweight (not to extreme) and it has made a world of difference in both comfort level while hiking and the number of miles I can travel comfortably.

I now use pacer poles and find they are even better, more comfortable, than other poles with in-line hand grips. They are pricier (sp?), but worth it for me. As an aside, the poles support a good portion of the weight of your arms on every step, considering that arms typically weigh 7lbs apiece, 14 pounds off my back and hips is nothing to sneeze at! You don't even have to add any excessive upper body muscle to get this advantage.

Modern, lightweight gear and hiking poles are NOT fads, they are a natural progression and refinement. All you have is old, heavier gear? then use it. If you are currently buying new gear, do yourself a favor and go lighter.

[mythicyeti]

Here are a few thoughts on hiking poles.

They can get expensive...But for around $50 or so you would get a perfectly reasonable pair of poles that are adjustable.

Ski poles are not adjustable so you can't vary the length of the pole for steep terrain.

They have saved my oldish knees a lot of wear and tear.

People have walked without pole for eons.

The bigger your backpack the more you'll appreciate them taking weight off of your legs and helping out when you get stumbly near the end of the day.

They make great snake prodders.

Hiking poles make slippery stream crossings a more safe experience.

You will burn more calories if you use them - but they can help keep your arms from wasting away as you progress in your thru-hike.

Um...I'm sure there are hundreds of other points to be made. The bottom line for me is that I couldn't imagine hiking without them after using them.

Your local OUTFITTER should have a demo pair or you can contact LEKI and they will get you in touch with someone who does have a demo pair to try.

Good Luck.

[mnof1000v]

I must be the clumsiest person on the Earth. If there exists a way to slip, trip, stumble, or fall, I am sure to find it. And thereafter, without poles, my body finds the fastest route to the ground. I started my hike without poles, and thought I was doing ok. Bruised and battered, but ok. I had poles sent to me at Neel's Gap (they were a gift...), and never looked back. Yes, I still fell. But I also avoided at least 2 bad tumbles each day. To me, that's security I'm not willing to give up.

[Lone Wolf]

I've never used them and never will.

[Nean]

Haha, I knew what LWs answer was but wanted to see if there were any friggins sprinkled in.:D I've never used them either (maybe a mile here and there to see if I liked them, no) but won't say I never will. Someday, if I get old I might!:eek: There are times going up a steep that I'll pick up a stick though.:o

[Lone Wolf]

I use sticks when I ford the Kennebec. That's it.:)

[Pacific Tortuga]

I've never used them and never will.


Never could be a long time and I hope it will be L. Wolf. I would be willing to wager with as active as you are that in 10 years your golf clubs will not be the only sticks you love. :cool:

[Dancer]

I've enjoyed my new poles quite a bit. They have saved my ankle once already. Fall & winter hiking means leaves in the trail covering rocks and roots. I'm clumsy as a general rule so having my poles has been great.

[skyhiker2]

I never thought I would use them,, but there nice for steep uphill/downhill slopes. Especially when your tired. They help you maintain posture, and for me that's one of the most important things. because it gives me better comfort, and more secure feeling of not slipping..

[esmithz]

I section hiked 1/5th the at. I used poles. They take the load off my knees. Prevented a couple of bad face plants early on. Probably saved me from twisting my ankles another time. Early in my hike someone told me a story about being struck by lightning because they were using alumninum poles. I didn't know if the story was true or if there was any creedence to it but from that moment on I was always paranoid about being hit by lightning while carrying my poles. But I used my poles anywhay. I also used my poles to stake my ultralight tent. So the poles were a practical good item to have. However I did not like carrying them. Think I try using a single stick for a while on my hikes and see how that works.

[terrapin_too]

When used normally, poles will have zero effect on your odds of being hit (or not hit) by lightning. They might have a marginal effect if you raised them in the air over your head... but that would be kinda stupid, right? ;)