I use one pole if I have the dog with me because I don't have three hands... grin

Hiking with a partner that can be depended on to handle the dog, I switch to two poles.

They've saved my butt more than once on mud and creek crossings and I can't begin to tell you how much they help on both uphill and down grades.

I also use one pole here in town when I take the dog out for his walks...the outrigger effect works well on slippery sidewalks!!