Trekking Poles

Hi guys! I'm Wes. I've been on here on and off over the last few years...and my last trip has me craving some trekking poles, but I've never bought any.

I do mostly 1 or 2 night trips over the weekends. I am wanting the poles for decreasing fatigue / soreness - plus, I really like the idea of some of the UL tents that use the trekking poles as part of the structure.

So, here's my question - I notice there are some trekking poles that are around the $40 range and they go all the way up into the hundreds - what should I look for when picking these out? Since I'm wanting to use them to hold up a tent in the future, should I be looking to spend a larger amount?

PS: just in case: i did search this topic and was unable to find anything about trekking poles except in the "making your own" section - and I don't want to make my own.


Thanks!

Any pole will work, I have friends using old beat up ski poles. As you go up in price you get features. Lighter weight, adjustable length, better handles....... I would start with cheaper poles and as you use them you'll find features you like and then upgrade a few years from now.

I always refer folks to this site: Pete's Poles Page

If you just want to try out poles, get a pair of used ski poles the correct length (try thrift shops). Once you're sure, then try a bunch of different good ones of different styles. You probably need adjustable poles if you're using them for a shelter, although that depends on the length you need for hiking and the height of your shelter. You'll need to decide whether to get the kind you turn to adjust (which I use) or the kind with flick-lock adjustment. I prefer the former but a lot of folks like the latter. I prefer Leki poles because I've used them (or a Leki walking stick) since 1989, and have had no problems whatsoever. Again, there's a lot of personal preference at stake here!

I also use my poles (with rubber tips on the points) for exercise walking around home. It turns walking into a whole-body exercise!

I don't know what your maximum spending limit is but http://www.rei.com/product/830471/black-diamond-trail-ergo-cork-trekking-poles-pair are nice. I believe I have the older model of the same ones. The cork grip rocks!!

I also don't know your height, and a lot of the shelters need to be 125-130 cm. So, adjustable poles may come in handy.

I really like those that you posted! I've read that the handles are a big deal...rubber seems to be pretty frowned upon. I like the idea of cork. Thanks!

you know what, I have Black Diamond carbonite, 2 pairs Leki's, and a selection of wood staffs that I made myself. bottom line, I've spent from $0 to $145.00 for a pair of poles (the latest Leki's, black diamonds about 120), yet the wood poles I made myself to commemorate a specific trail and experience are great for hiking under most conditions. I'm a gearhead, so anything I'd recommend would be costly....wow, not proud. I think, really, any set of poles will do fine. You can spend 50.00 or $200.00, I'm not sure the difference matters. Just my philosophy. Colin Fletcher hiked a lifetime on a bamboo staff.....I swear by my trekking poles, they do make a difference, but I think the big difference from one to another is marketing nonsense, which I am vulnerable to.....:-)

I have used replacement shovel handles, a mop handle found on a beach, saplings plucked from a brush pile and trimmed, as well as a nice pair of adjustable Lekis. They have all worked quite well. The Lekis did have one advantage - with metric intervals on the shaft, they served quite nicely for archaeological record shots. DJT is right - you can spend as much or as little as you wish. They will all accomplish the objective.

If you don't wish to make your own poles and need to cut costs, watch for used poles. People sometimes upgrade and sell their owlder poles.

Depending on your personal needs, you may benefit from decent handles, especially ones with "ergonomic grips" and lighter weight. A fifteen year old may not notice the extra weight or grip as much as a fifty year old who might have the beginnings of arthritis, etc...

I'm still happily using the flick-locks I got at Walmart 3.5 years ago. They are heavy (21 oz/pair), but quite durable and the cheapest ($14.88/ea at my store) decent pole I know.

I would not buy any twist-lock - too many things that can go wrong which may not be repairable in the field.

deja vu! I have developed a tradition of making hiking staffs from memorable hikes. I also have 2 pairs Lekis and a pair of Black Diamond Carbonlites. I do use them, but really enjoy picking out one of my wood commemorative staffs for use on day hikes. I put carbon tips on them.

I'm just now really getting into DIY and customization; the sky is the limit. I'm also tired of spending more money than necessary to achieve a capability.

When I was younger and hiking less mountainous terrain I used to just pick up a big stick along the trail. These days I really find a pair of poles a big help, especially on steep descents.

I found a pair of Easton ATR 70s online at Dicks over the Winter that are usually about $70 but were on sale for $35. Combined weight is 1.44 lbs so not the lightest out there, but pretty good considering the price I got.

Ditto. Although I only use one.

I adore my Gossamer Gear Lightreks. One of them finally broke, after several years of weekly use and some serious hammering - it was my fault for continually throwing them in the trunk. The break was very obviously due to horizontal strain, which carbon fiber poles don't appreciate; they are made to take the punishment along the vertical axis.

However, since Gossamer Gear offers sections of poles and parts, and are incredibly simple to fix yourself, I didn't have to buy another set. Just a section. Twist locks take a lot more weight than flip locks (not that this is a concern to me) and the GG poles have a twist lock setup that's totally fixable. On the occasion that they don't lock, I pull them apart and reset the twist lock easily, and within minutes I'm hiking with poles at the proper length without further ado.

I have a pair of Eastons for search and rescue, but they weigh a pound apiece. I use the Gossamer Gear for all my leisure hiking and for shelter poles.

I really like the Gossamer. Whenever I get around to upgrade, I'm giving Gossamer a real good look. I definitely prefer cork handles over rubber after using my Black Diamond for so long.

ETSU Pride:

I agree completely with you about those Black Diamond's with the cork handles. Got mine on Cheap & Steep (over half off) after talking last summer with some veteran CMC hikers during some hikes -- an unusually large percentage of them had them. (I'd had Leki's for a dozen years.)

Best part: when you're in below-freezing temps they work. With their flip locks, they don't freeze up like the twisting kind like my original cheap pairs, or the more recent Leki's I had.

I'll be doin' a snowshoe using them in the Red Rocks area with it's new foot of snow tomorrow.