I'm fully aware that trekking poles rob some energy and impede your stride, however, my knees that have seen 4 decades of working on roofs and hardwood floors would highly disagree that I discontinue their use. I'd be done without them, as would my wife, who suffers from some balance problems. They're not for everyone. I didn't use them until I hit 55. There is absolutely no way I'd be ln the middle of planning our third descent into the Grand Canyon without them. If you have healthy joints and no balance issues, they seem a little redundant.