Hiking Pole Question

A couple of years ago I gave adjustable hiking poles a try, didn't like them and gave them away. They would slip at the adjustable joint if I put a lot of pressure on them.

Are there poles available that won't slip under a heavy load? Canes and crutches come with a near failsafe adjusting system that uses a spring loaded button. Something like that would give me more confidence in the hiking poles.

Are there poles available that won't slip under a heavy load?
Yes. Take a look at the Black Diamond Flick lock or the various other "me too" designs from Leki (SpeedLock) Exped (?) and Easton (RockLock).
If you are a heavy person look for the longer type (53-55") . At 5'7" I use the longer type simply because they are more versatile for my tents
as well as extra length for the downhill bits without having to extend them fully.
Franco

+1 for the Black Diamond system. I started hiking the Long Trail with cheapo trekking poles that came with my snow shoes and they lasted all of 10 miles before breaking and not staying locked in position. Those ended up in a hiking box and I went to the closest EMS and bought the black diamond poles. Those lasted me the rest of the trip (260 more miles then the cheapo's) and they're still in excellent shape and still lock into the desired height. Don't give up on trekking poles just yet, just try out a new system/brand.

Nope, Black Diamond flicklock is closest, but I can collapse mine. The critical need sensor works great - they always collapse at the wortst possible time.

The supposed advantage of adjustable poles is that you can stow them on your pack when bushwhacking or on third class trails. I think they need to collapse to 25" or less, but few do.

If you can afford the nicer poles, certainly give them a try. Have a pair of Dyno trekking poles that I paid less than $30.00 for including the shipping. Probably have about 50 miles on them so far. Most of my use is boulder hopping. Keeps me from having to get down on all 4's in spots. Far as I'm concerned I've gotten my monies worth out of them.

It sounds like you want a single-section pole. The obvious answer is go to the local hardware store and pick up some sort of hoe or rake handle (my first was called a "utility" handle), drill a hole at top and run a cord through it for a strap. A bit heavy and bulky, but it won't break - or, if it does, the cause will be so traumatic that a collapsed pole will be the least of your problems.

A lighter alternative is the Tracks Lite Staff: http://www.trackspoles.com/walking_hiking.asp?Action=LiteStaff

It's a nice, sturdy staff. I used this for a while, too (this was way back when collapsible poles were still getting started.) It never gave me any problems - although, if you happen to fall in such a way that you pin it against a good-sized rock and wrack it just right, it will bend. (Don't ask how I know that. The answer would involve a moss-covered rock under half an inch of water, and a bit too much trust in my boot tread.)

Mine don't slip under a heavy load, but then again, they aren't collapsible. I got mine at a thrift store for $3. They are just ski poles. Maybe I will put straps on them someday.

I have been using Leki poles for over 10 years and they never slip if properly maintained. I have an ultralight, 15.4 oz per pair, all aluminum version that is a few years old and I can poll vault over creeks with them. I weigh about 195 lbs.

I heard their aluminum strength is the envy of aluminum manufactures but Leki won't share how they do it.

I use a pair of K swiss aluiminum adjustables. They are twist lock desighn. They support my weight and supported a friends that is over 100 pounds overweight. They tend not to if you twist your wrist while they are bearing weight as this unlocks them. They cost 9.99 at Farm and fleet and on my last trip to the smokies, there were many leiki users. They could not beleive they were that cheap! They are good poles and I talked to a couple thru hikers that had them. They bought them at backpacking stores and paid 30.00 a piece. I saw same poles in a shop in Estes Park a few weeks ago for 30.00 as well. If you are in mid west go to Farm and Fleet!

They dont need straps those are considered a strapless grip ski pole!

Maybe there is nothing to share.

It CAN happen that a pole manufacturer knows some secrets about aluminum that the aluminum industry doesn't. It can also be like one of those fantastic emails that circles around and never dies because people WANT to believe the story (David vs Goliath).

Maybe there is nothing to share.

It CAN happen that a pole manufacturer knows some secrets about aluminum that the aluminum industry doesn't. It can also be like one of those fantastic emails that circles around and never dies because people WANT to believe the story (David vs Goliath). [/quote]

Fair enough and I hate those emails and didn't mean to be so vague! I was told when I was a rep for Leki, maybe I was lied to but I don't think so. Been a while since I repped them though.

I've used hiking staffs, ski poles, trekking poles, ice axes and everything in between. I've used a cane for the last six years and would never use anything else:

Thanks for the picture and idea. I pretty much use my ice axe like a cane anyway. That's why I got one that is longer than normal.

Your wooden cane looks pretty classy. I have an adjustable aluminum one that should do the trick, however. I think I will give it a try.

When I hurt my back a couple of years ago I was using adjustable aluminum crutches at home. I was considering them as an option also. I liked them.

I haven't had any problem with getting Leki poles tight enough, or adjusting them to use with my shelter--even though I'm one of those who has to get a neighbor to help when I need to open a jar! I don't have enough strength in my fingers to work the flicklocks on Black Diamond or the new Leki poles, though. Just proves we're all individuals!

There are fixed length hiking poles available, or you can get used ski poles. I can't use fixed length poles because the length I need for hiking is shorter than what I need to support my shelter. If you're not a shorty like me, it's easy to adapt a longer pole to a shorter shelter.

The advantages of using two poles are great. I used a single hiking staff for 15 years after my knee injury before switching to two. The improvement in my hiking speed and in my balance was infinitely greater, and I'd never go back to a single pole!

Here is an excellent site showing how to adjust and use trekking poles.

Update... picked up this Komerdell cane and used it this weekend. I don't find it quite as comfortable as my well worn shepherds crook version, but it's a couple ounces lighter, can collapse to a small size and can be made longer if I want it (my regular cane is 90cm)... picked it up at REI for a hefty discount. I don't like the "anti shock" stuff (this isn't) and it seems very stout. http://www.rei.com/product/783183

Well that is cool. I have never skiid, just snowboarded. I just know that the height and cost were perfect.

Here is what I have used for quite a while now.

http://trackspoles.com/walking_hiking.asp?Action=SherlockStaff

They also come in a lighter fixed version if you prefer.

I believe they are made in WA

Copy and paste the link.

Howie

I like that adjusting button. It looks similar to what is used on aluminum crutches and canes.

I absolutely love my Tracks. They work so well, and yet on this forum they are never mantioned. It could be that they are slightly heavier than some poles, but I really don't see a problem with them in that regard. They are extremely strong. Sometimes I have caught one in a rock cleft and stumbled, thinking surely I damage my pole, but no. After eight years or so they are still just as good as new besides a few scratches.

The rubber tips screw on very securely with an option to remove them and use the spike instead. I have always stayed with the rubber tips but under icy conditions the spikes would likely be the way to go.

Howie

For comparison purposes I weighed and measured the adjustable aluminum cane that I have here.

It weighs 10.5 ounces and will adjust from 30" to 39" long. It easily comes apart and then consists of 2 pieces that are each a little less than 21" long.

If one was flying I think they would allow the cane to be carried on intact.

If one wanted to pack the cane into suitcase or backpack the 21 inch disassembled length would work well.

The cane is very strong, will carry a lot of weight and gives no indication that it would ever slip from the adjusted position.

On a side note, my wife doesn't want me to take it on the trail because it makes me look even older than I am. I like the idea of using it and was thinking that I might take one of those self defense classes called canefu (sp?).