Do you prefer
1 pole
2 poles
or no poles?
Do you prefer
1 pole
2 poles
or no poles?
Two-- my tent makes use of them.
"We can no longer live as rats. We know too much." -- Nicodemus
Two, using only one means that I end up switching hands often to keep a hand from swelling in the heat.
Two because it allows a rhythmic walking speed and also allows me to brace well on steep downhills.
When I hiked with a dog on a leash I used only one because I needed the other hand for the leash. Otherwise, two works better than one.
Two. Twice as much fun. Really though you can use both hands to propel you forward or stop you from falling left and right. Imagine your disappointment when you are falling left with only one pole in your right hand.
One pole. I like having one hand free. I mostly use the pole for clearing trail and for balance when crossing creeks or blowdowns.
Two poles.
The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
Richard Ewell, CSA General
Before age 40, no poles. After age 40, one pole. After age 55, two poles. "A man has got to know his limitations", Dirty Harry, circa 1973.
Let no one be deluded that a knowledge of the path can substitute for putting one foot in front of the other.
—M. C. Richards
Two. Never leave home without them.
One. I also like a free hand.
"It's fun to have fun, but you have to know how." ---Dr. Seuss
2, they hold up me and my tent.
I started with only 1 but recognized I needed to get used to 2. This felt weird, so I went to a fairly level local park to practice the rhythm of using them. I honestly think with one, you could do yourself more harm than good because you are not getting the full benefit out of preserving your knees/hips/ankles. Plus, they are just useful for a lot of other things, like hanging up a wet shirt or socks...
"Your comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there."
Depends on the trail. All of the above. Be flexible.
"Throw a loaf of bread and a pound of tea in an old sack and jump over the back fence." John Muir on expedition planning
This.
I don't use trekking poles, but a rake handle with a metal tipped end and a natural stick I found at the base of a steep uphill, RIGHT when I was trying to decide if I needed to use 2 poles. I can drop them in a heartbeat if needed, where the straps on trekking poles seem to get in the way. Of course, I don't want to count the times I've leaned them against something, only to have them slither downhill for a few dozen yards.
I just don't trust 210 pounds of elderly flab to thin tubes of aluminum.
Old Hiker
AT Hike 2012 - 497 Miles of 2184
AT Thru Hiker - 29 FEB - 03 OCT 2016 2189.1 miles
Just because my teeth are showing, does NOT mean I'm smiling.
Hányszor lennél inkább máshol?
Used to use 1 now 2. I did like the free hand and would alternate them as I hiked. I now almost always go with 2 however as it is more stable and also does seem to help once you get used to it. On my thru it a sort of became too used to it and found it awkward to use no poles even in towns)
I have saved myself in this situation with one pole, so perhaps not as good it can still be done.
Two. I'm old and decrepit. Plus they hold up my tent.
One, I also need a hand free.
None.
I use a walking cane, no poles for me.
Two. Definitely save the knees going down hill and hold up my lightheart. I think they do slow the hiking down so if i was under 40 I wouldn't (and didn't have them) Did they exist then? Maybe if I had them then I would still have cartilage in my knees.
Everything is in Walking Distance
One
I too like to keep one hand free... for one thing it allows me to keep one hand in my pocket to warm it up on chilly days without having to take along a pair of gloves... just alternate hands to keep them both warm.
Two poles, multiple uses...