Trekking Pole-- Swiss Gear

[SunnyWalker]

yeah, MoBill. I agree. Cheeeeeesssssh . . . . .

[Elder]

YES Trekking Poles ARE made to hold body weight!
Check Leki's strength ratings.
Why else would you have them?

Everything else is a "Starter" pole

[J-Fro]

Been through 2 sets of Swiss Gear poles. Carbide tip wore very quickly, within 30miles on all 4 poles. Tip broke off on one of the poles after about mile 60 of 90mile section hike. Two of the other individual pole would not collapse and with slight force they broke and would not lock anymore. They are inexpensive, but you are getting what you pay for...my advise is go with Leki.

[FlyPaper]

I used the same poles from Wal-Mart. The baskets fell off after about 200 trial miles (spread over several section hikes). The cork handles began to fall off too. The telescoping mechanism worked fine. The tips were wearing out, but I don't see how that mattered.

Overall, I got my money's worth, although I'd be interested in learning about poles that could last longer. I just replaced my SwissGear poles with $20 poles from Target.

[gunner76]

I got a pair of the Swiss poles from Wally World. They would not stay extended, kept collapsing on me so I took a couple of self tapping metal screws and now they do not collapse. Used them on a hike and worked great ( I weigh 290). I will upgrade when these wear out.

[Monkey's Fist]

Check out...Campmor Peak Challenger Trekking Poles Made By Komperdell...$50...I got a pair in early 2008...used them for a shake-down 50 mile hike prep'ing for a Philmont Scout Ranch hike that summer. Have also used them on other hikes since. While not the lightest out there...9oz each...and no "shock-system"...these have held up nicely. The Tungsten/Carbide Flex Tips have barely any wear and the angled grips/straps work well. Never have had any slippage at the joints. Real work-horse poles and great for saving the knees and preventing falls on downhills.

[Schuetzen]

I bought the Swiss Gear poles from Wally World to see if I would like using poles, I did like using them but the Wally World poles were junk and were falling apart in a few miles. I took them back and got my money back and bought Leki poles. I recommend that if you don't know if you will like using poles buy a set from Wally World and try them either way they will probably fall apart and then take them back for a refund and buy good ones if you like using them.

[Wolfmaan]

I hike with a set of Schratt Trekking poles I got cheap off eBay. They lasted me over 1,000km of hiking in 2009.

I've never tried SwissGear poles. If they do break down on you, I'd send them back for repair as most of their stuff has a warranty on it.

[sleepyzzz]

newbie here, and just thought i would ask about the Swiss Gear Carbon Lite treking poles. i have a dealer that sells overstocks and returns from big retail stores, and just scored a pair for $18.

which i thought was a great price, but now i am not so sure.
anyone have these and what about the problems others have listed?

went thru boy scouts with my first son, and kind of got away from backpacking and hiking.

now my eleven year old has me back in it.

[wirerat123]

I've had my Swiss Gear poles for about 5 years, never had an issue with the locking mechanism, never had a basket fall off, still have enough tip to keep using them, and no bends or breaks. They've even been split into singles to give someone else a pole to take off some of their weight so single poles taking more weight and still no failures. Apparently I got one of the better sets or something.

With the locking mechanism never twist them more than needed to adjust them and they'll never fail. Twist them nice and tight once you get them to length. My baskets screw on, I have yet to have one come loose unless I removed it myself. I threw the rubber tips in the trash after their first hike.

These make fine poles if you aren't overly rough on poles. Like another poster said, these things aren't for pole vaulting over creeks.

Also take a look, they now have Outdoor products poles with a manual lock feature that works really well. The only downfall to these poles from my experience is harder less comfy grips and crappy straps.

[tech30528]

Yup, I've had mine for years and never had a problem. I've done all of Georgia a couple of times (day trips and long weekends). I've found they are also good for tubing. Good for pushing off the rocks or redirecting a tree limb here and there. My stepson got one stuck between a couple of rocks and snapped it off. We laughed, because it was just a $10 pole.

I've been an auto tech for over 20 years. There are tools you spend good money on, and those you don't. Buy good boots, buy cheap poles. When I see a mechanic with a huge toolbox with everything in it straight off the tool truck, I'm not impressed. It doesn't mean he's a good mechanic, it means either his priorities are screwed up or he's a noob with a high credit balance. Same goes for hikers. I carry $10 poles, two of my packs are from WalMart (the other is a Kelty), my favorite stove used to be a Pepsi can, and I carry a $600 pistol. It's all about knowing the difference between price and value.

[J5man]

i have the Eddie Bauer poles that Target offers. they are 2yrs old and have over 300 miles on them with no issues. i secured the baskets with silicone sealer. they can be removed with a bit of effort but normal hiking they stay put just fine.. the main thing is to get poles that you like and are comfortable with. they can be 9.00 poles or 100.00 its really up to your preference

I have these also because I didn't want to sink a lot of money into something I might not like. They have worked great. Not as light as some of the newfangled ones for the gram counters but for the average hiker like myself they were a good investment. I bought them for $15 a piece.

[Corporal_Dusty]

I'll chime in here too. Seems there's both ends of the satisfaction spectrum here. I have had my Swiss Gear poles for over 2 years now. Take them everywhere with me. I scrap the baskets unless I know I'm going to need them, then I'll throw them on. I've been on many hikes and put a ton of miles on them with no issues. I readjust and collapse mine all the time depending on terrain (sometimes I just collapse them and throw 'em in my pack if it's easy terrain and I don't really want to use them) and have had no issues. Just took them on a trek on the AT here in NY not too long ago. No issues at all. They've even saved my tail from a few slips without bending or breaking (yes, my full body weight on one, granted I'm 140 soaken wet plus my pack). I'm not a gram/ounce counter and I LOVE my Swiss poles. Will use them until they break on me, which at this rate may be awhile. Tips are showing a little wear, but that is to be expected.

[J-Fro]

I've been an auto tech for over 20 years. There are tools you spend good money on, and those you don't. Buy good boots, buy cheap poles. When I see a mechanic with a huge toolbox with everything in it straight off the tool truck, I'm not impressed. It doesn't mean he's a good mechanic, it means either his priorities are screwed up or he's a noob with a high credit balance. Same goes for hikers. I carry $10 poles, two of my packs are from WalMart (the other is a Kelty), my favorite stove used to be a Pepsi can, and I carry a $600 pistol. It's all about knowing the difference between price and value.

To each their own I suppose. Agree with you on the tools analogy, however, to me hiking poles are important tools. Can't tell you how many wasted poles I've seen on the trail. Also can't tell you how many times a good set of poles have saved me from falling on a knee or butt.

I have a good pair of Leki, you don't have to break the bank, just have to be a smart astute shopper. Agree with you on a quality pistol too!!

[jtbradyl]

That way when you come to a stream just wave it to the heavens, invoke God's direction and hopefully the waters will part. If not jump in. At least it will float if you lose your grip. Didn't cost anything, comes in any size necessary and need not be stowed when not needed.

[Sierra Echo]

I bought a set of wally world trekking poles today. I do believe I have the potential to be dangerous with these things!
What part is the basket?

[gunner76]

That way when you come to a stream just wave it to the heavens, invoke God's direction and hopefully the waters will part

Too much trouble, I just walk on water

All kidding a side I went on quick over night camp out a couple of weekends ago and forgot my sticks. Felt lost with out them.