Trekking poles for my wife and I are mandatory, rather than being pieces of consumer jewelry. I don't think their true utility is realized unless they are used with lots of elevation gain/loss and multi-day trips. My wife has balance problems, yet she has negotiated some sections of trail with huge exposure and done OK. Without them, she would not even try. I often day hike without them, but my knees (even with constant training to strengthen them) are relieved tremendously by their use on steep and rugged trails. Like with almost all things that can be sold for profit, they are over-sold and hyped, but they are not items that are to be dismissed, and can be very purposeful. Something I learned as a fly fishing guide: 2 poles are better than one in stream crossings and wading in general. I would carry client's rods, and let them use 2 wading staffs. Reduces the numbers of dunkings significantly.