For me, trekking poles are useful when you are on trail or easy cross country. Since I go with my dog, I go free hand or with a rattan pole. There is a particularly nice 1.5 man solo tent by light heart that uses trekking poles for support. It looks like a very nice design. I have been drooling over it since TomD posted the link at the end of summer. Perfect for me and my dog.

sk