Trek Poles..

[hikathon]

Had a question about trekking poles..

I see that among those available, some have spiked bottoms and others have flat bottomed rubber grippers like found at the base of most walking canes.

So, pros & cons of each from someone in the know would help in this decision..

My inexperienced impression would lead me to believe (maybe mistakenly) that a spike tip gives a more stable footing in loose soil/loose stone conditions and a rubber flat bottomed tip would hold better on rock. Am I on the right track? Is there anything further I should be made aware of???

I see also most telescope to adjust length for climb vs descent. Is there anything about this feature worth noting or that differentiates some from others (ease of adjustability, etc).

And finally, in sections where you may choose not to use them, I assume they telescope down to be more compact and strapped onto your pack.

Please recommend some of the brands/models to consider. I'm sorta at the beginner stage, so please recommend something that would be relatively budget conscious but also functional (if those two can co-exist).

[Tenacfan]

In my vast experience (yeah right) price doesn't really mean a lot (maybe a little weight), I broke my $30.00 pole last month, and a more expensive pole would have broke right beside it. All I can say is once you use a set you won't go back without them...yes i bought another one to replace my broken one.

[rocketsocks]

I got a pair from sports authority after piecing parts back together that were strewn about, think i paid about $12 buck, these are cheapy poles that will not likely last...but again cheap...I like cheap. They are not light like the more expensive ones, and should they fail(and they will) i may consider buying a pair that are more expensive, better built, lever lock...and yes lighter in weight.

the rubber vs hard tip I believe come both with most poles, never seen them sold one or the other.

oh, and the poles are "Swiss Gear" I think.

[illabelle]

Definitely love having trekking poles! You will not regret having them.

All of the ones I've owned were sold with a removable rubber or plastic tip, which I understand is for the purpose of keeping the metal tip from damaging things - like when it's stuffed in a suitcase, or in the car, or on your lovely hardwood floor. In the woods, the rubber or plastic tip has no purpose, and you would certainly not be putting the tip on and off from dirt to rock to rock to dirt. I've either lost or thrown all of mine away.

My first poles were a cheaper twist-lock type. They worked fine, but I didn't like the grip. My second set (the ones I'm using now) are Leki brand, and have a clasp lock. I've heard some people say they are better.

Most all of them do telescope, which is necessary to get them into luggage (if you're traveling to the trail), and also makes them more compact in the car. Yes, they can strap onto your pack.

My first brand was MountainSmith (I think), and currently using Leki. My husband uses a pair of Black Diamond, an elliptical shape, which is supposed to be stronger than the round ones (he kept bending his poles). I think we paid $139 for them. Maybe you could save by getting some used poles from Craigslist or here on WhiteBlaze.

[rocketsocks]

And yes, walking on flat ground and down hills I use one setting (length) and I shorten them on the up hills, much easier!

[Fur Queue]

Hiking poles look great on girls and the more effeminate types....but the song is always the same...clickety clack...clickety clack...I use a branch or stick, call it what you will, I much prefer the Merlin feel and you don't have to stop and adjust them...you simply move your hand to suit the elevation.

[rocketsocks]

Hiking poles look great on girls and the more effeminate types....but the song is always the same...clickety clack...clickety clack...I use a branch or stick, call it what you will, I much prefer the Merlin feel and you don't have to stop and adjust them...you simply move your hand to suit the elevation.

Yeah ok Merlin

[Fur Queue]

If you can find some Hazel you are quids in!


"Magical Properties: Artistic ability, magical knowledge, and optimism are provided by the enchanting use of Hazel. The energy of hazel wands promoted love and creativity allowing a person to move beyond self-serving modes of existence. Hazel is the bringer of change. Hazel also promotes creative expression, eloquence, and art of all types. This was the most common wood used to create wands in the ancient Celtic traditions. Also used in magic spells for wisdom, creativity, intelligence, navigation, inspiration, and wrath."

[rocketsocks]

If you can find some Hazel you are quids in!


"Magical Properties: Artistic ability, magical knowledge, and optimism are provided by the enchanting use of Hazel. The energy of hazel wands promoted love and creativity allowing a person to move beyond self-serving modes of existence. Hazel is the bringer of change. Hazel also promotes creative expression, eloquence, and art of all types. This was the most common wood used to create wands in the ancient Celtic traditions. Also used in magic spells for wisdom, creativity, intelligence, navigation, inspiration, and wrath."

Now I see...I'm gonna rush right out...thank you Merlinhypnosis.jpg

[rocketsocks]

truth be told, i did not like hiking poles at first, but a couple PA rocky hikes, I was sold, and won't likely hike without them again. Sure I have my wooden Sassafras hiking stick that I cut from a woods, but it dose not collapse or stow like my poles do, So...it's poles for me. Now that said I like doing day hikes with my ole' trusty wooden hiking stick..very rewarding, and it just feels right.

[Odd Man Out]

I just got a pair of Black Diamond Alpine Ergo Cork poles. These list for $140/pair but I found several places that had them on sale for about $80/pair. I picked these because I like the lightweight and soft feel of cork handles. They have the flick lock adjustment (rather than the twist lock). The flick lock is maybe a little easier to operate and gets good reviews for reliability. The ergo models from BD have the handles mounted on a more ergonomically comfortable angle. I considered a fixed length pole since I do not adjust the length much when going up or down. However, I got the adjustable ones because I do need to adjust to use them as tent poles or for storage/packing/travel. These have very fancy straps which do a lot of the work when used correctly.

I don't like the shock absorber models (loud, unnecessary, something more to break). The rubber bottoms are sometimes called "street feet", thus I assumed they are designed mostly for use on pavement. I also assume they wouldn't last long when using off trail. I never use them. I considered some of the cheap department store models (my wife has the Swiss Gear ones), but I wanted some of the features above. I also considered the ultra light models, but was worried about durability. Leki, Black Diamond, and Komperdell seem to be the biggest brand.

[hikathon]

If you can find some Hazel you are quids in!


"Magical Properties: Artistic ability, magical knowledge, and optimism are provided by the enchanting use of Hazel. The energy of hazel wands promoted love and creativity allowing a person to move beyond self-serving modes of existence. Hazel is the bringer of change. Hazel also promotes creative expression, eloquence, and art of all types. This was the most common wood used to create wands in the ancient Celtic traditions. Also used in magic spells for wisdom, creativity, intelligence, navigation, inspiration, and wrath."

That's the experience I'm after,...especially the wrath! I want to gain ultimate dominion over this world of ours by reaching the highest of mountain tops..from these lofty elevation, the suns rays can impart superior capabilities on the 'chosen few'. After which point, I will gain ALL magical enlightenment!! SIGN ME UP FOR YOUR CULT!! You're not Charles Manson btw, are you??

Does this Hazel have the integrated compass feature?? I need all the navigational "magic" the spirit world can offer.....

[hikathon]

I just got a pair of Black Diamond Alpine Ergo Cork poles. These list for $140/pair but I found several places that had them on sale for about $80/pair. I picked these because I like the lightweight and soft feel of cork handles. They have the flick lock adjustment (rather than the twist lock). The flick lock is maybe a little easier to operate and gets good reviews for reliability. The ergo models from BD have the handles mounted on a more ergonomically comfortable angle. I considered a fixed length pole since I do not adjust the length much when going up or down. However, I got the adjustable ones because I do need to adjust to use them as tent poles or for storage/packing/travel. These have very fancy straps which do a lot of the work when used correctly.

I don't like the shock absorber models (loud, unnecessary, something more to break). The rubber bottoms are sometimes called "street feet", thus I assumed they are designed mostly for use on pavement. I also assume they wouldn't last long when using off trail. I never use them. I considered some of the cheap department store models (my wife has the Swiss Gear ones), but I wanted some of the features above. I also considered the ultra light models, but was worried about durability. Leki, Black Diamond, and Komperdell seem to be the biggest brand.

Lots of good info there...ty

Maybe ponying up for something more tried and true is worth the extra change..even though I only get out to use them once or twice annually.

[Fur Queue]

That's the experience I'm after,...especially the wrath! I want to gain ultimate dominion over this world of ours by reaching the highest of mountain tops..from these lofty elevation, the suns rays can impart superior capabilities on the 'chosen few'. After which point, I will gain ALL magical enlightenment!! SIGN ME UP FOR YOUR CULT!! You're not Charles Manson btw, are you??

Does this Hazel have the integrated compass feature?? I need all the navigational "magic" the spirit world can offer.....

There are some things you just can't get from aluminum!! You know it's true!

[atraildreamer]

Hiking poles look great on girls and the more effeminate types....but the song is always the same...clickety clack...clickety clack...I use a branch or stick, call it what you will, I much prefer the Merlin feel and you don't have to stop and adjust them...you simply move your hand to suit the elevation.

I use a wooden pole...it's great for river & stream crossings !

Moses.jpeg

[Odd Man Out]

Lots of good info there...ty

Maybe ponying up for something more tried and true is worth the extra change..even though I only get out to use them once or twice annually.

Just to be clear I wasn't advocating for one particular model or brand. Just recapitulating my thought process.

[Swordpen]

Three things.

I hike in rocks & hard packed sand mountains. The rubber tips on the ends offers way better control from slipping on this, than the uncovered hard "point".

On the 2 types locking mechanisms:

1. the Flick lock makes changing the pole length much easier & faster (good for either climbing or descending; or for having to adjust the pole height when you use the trekking poles as your tent poles).

2. From what I have read, the Leki "Twist Lock" is more reliable & holds little bit more weight than a Flick lock system. But its drawback is: its a PITA to learn to use & I have stripped the locking mechanism on other Leki pole sets twisting them too much or the wrong way (watch the Youtube videos, they weren't around when I was learning how to use my first Leki set years ago).

I also like the "Antishock" option, as I have a lot of arthritis, & boy, does it help cushion shock on not just your knees & hips, but your wrists, elbows & shoulders too.

That said, I have trekking poles that have both locking mechanisms, the Leki Lhasa Lite Antishock Women's Trekking Poles.

I did this, as I want to be able to adjust the pole length easily with the Flick Lock, when setting up my tent (as these are the poles I use), but I also wanted the extra strength of the Twist Lock (Which I dont ever adjust the pole length using that twist lock pole section, I just leave it alone).

HTH

[leaftye]

Some people swear by trekking poles, but I can do without them when it's not raining and I'm not hiking over snow. The only time I missed having them was when I was pursued by an aggressive turkey.

My inexperienced impression would lead me to believe (maybe mistakenly) that a spike tip gives a more stable footing in loose soil/loose stone conditions and a rubber flat bottomed tip would hold better on rock. Am I on the right track? Is there anything further I should be made aware of???

It should, but I haven't noticed a difference. The main reason I stopped using the rubber tip was because it got stuck in some mud. The rubber tip would help protect the floor of a Zpacks Hexamid, but there are lighter ways of doing that.

I see also most telescope to adjust length for climb vs descent. Is there anything about this feature worth noting or that differentiates some from others (ease of adjustability, etc).

I don't waste my time with that. I did at first, but that got old. The external flip locks are supposed to work better. My twisties work well enough. When I do use poles, I only adjust them for my shelter and for hitching.

Please recommend some of the brands/models to consider. I'm sorta at the beginner stage, so please recommend something that would be relatively budget conscious but also functional (if those two can co-exist).

Since I don't always use them when I bring them on trips, I usually want the lightest available. Gossamer Gear, Titanium Goat, Locura Gear, Rock West Composites.

In the snow I want the strongest poles, so I'll use my Leki Super Makalu's. I've borrowed Black Diamond Alpine Carbon poles in the snow, and they feel strong enough for me to consider buying if I need to replace my Leki's.

Since you're just trying to figure out if you'd like using poles, get the poles at Walmart.

[hikathon]

Some people swear by trekking poles, but I can do without them when it's not raining and I'm not hiking over snow. The only time I missed having them was when I was pursued by an aggressive turkey.



It should, but I haven't noticed a difference. The main reason I stopped using the rubber tip was because it got stuck in some mud. The rubber tip would help protect the floor of a Zpacks Hexamid, but there are lighter ways of doing that.



I don't waste my time with that. I did at first, but that got old. The external flip locks are supposed to work better. My twisties work well enough. When I do use poles, I only adjust them for my shelter and for hitching.



Since I don't always use them when I bring them on trips, I usually want the lightest available. Gossamer Gear, Titanium Goat, Locura Gear, Rock West Composites.

In the snow I want the strongest poles, so I'll use my Leki Super Makalu's. I've borrowed Black Diamond Alpine Carbon poles in the snow, and they feel strong enough for me to consider buying if I need to replace my Leki's.

Since you're just trying to figure out if you'd like using poles, get the poles at Walmart.

Also rather convincing to get in on the entry-level...

Anyway, use in ice and snow is not an anticipated use for me, so I'm getting closer to a decision it seems.

Lightweight I guess is a valid consideration too, if you'll be toting them for any distance. Not even sure I'll develop a feel for walking with them, but since my knees are giving me issues (mainly with descending), I wanted something to help slow the momentum gain (and knee stress) of traversing downhill with heavy pack.

I am wondering about length then now as another concern. Since they are mainly intended/needed on descent, how long would they need to be to be useful for slowing me up on the descent??

Some I've looked at are 54" long (4.5 ft). Seems that when I stretch my arms out in front of me, and if the terrain is descending in front, I'd have to hunch down unnaturally, even at full extendion of the poles. Seems I would need something longer possibly and I'm not tall (5'9") to keep a natural stance and avoiding hunching and of course potential back pain.

AHH! Confusing to sift thru all the details with these things. Hopefully, I get the info to have a chance at making an informed purchase (and something I'll be satisfied with).

[Odd Man Out]

...
I am wondering about length then now as another concern. Since they are mainly intended/needed on descent, how long would they need to be to be useful for slowing me up on the descent??

Some I've looked at are 54" long (4.5 ft). Seems that when I stretch my arms out in front of me, and if the terrain is descending in front, I'd have to hunch down unnaturally, even at full extendion of the poles. Seems I would need something longer possibly and I'm not tall (5'9") to keep a natural stance and avoiding hunching and of course potential back pain.

I'm 6'0" and set my poles at poles at 125 cm (49.2"). When walking downhill, even without extending them, I don't feel like I am hunched down. You just reach out with your arms. At 5'9", I don't think you need to worry about any poles on the market being too short for you.