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.....:-)