+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.