Anybody use hiking poles?

Macchina

Macchina

Joined
Apr 7, 2006
Messages
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I like to backpack a few weekends a summer and try to commit a full week once a year (sometimes deer:thumbup: and guns:thumbup::thumbup: are combined into this week). I usually carry a 35-40 lbs. backpack. I see a lot people on the trail using hiking poles, but I've never given them a try. A lot of the hiking I do involves short steep hills up, down, up all day. I stick to Michigan trails and the beautiful Canadian Pukasaw Nat'l Forest (which is temporarily closed due to lack of funding to fix the suspension bridge :mad:). I am planning on doing the Adirondacks next year. Would poles help me out on this kind of terrain or hinder me? If you use some, what kind/brand would you recommend?
 
I've never used them before, but was talked into getting a pair for an upcoming six day hike. They are supposed to make things easier on your knees... Leki is supposed to be a good brand. I found a decent pair on the bay for $50.
 
I don't use them. I had a hiking friend who used them and let me try but I never liked them.
 
I use 'em religiously now. I used to make fun, until I almost doubled my pace with 'em. They have saved my knees and ankles on numerous occasions as well. You should try em and see what you think
 
I used them on my trip to Philmont Scout Ranch.

Worked great and did indeed help my knees (mostly on the downhill parts).

Also gives your hands something to do and you can get a little upper-body workout if you really get into it.

Plus, they're just fun. :D

Dan


p.s. I used Black Diamond "trekking" poles. Cheaper than quality ski poles, but still tough!
 
I use a single one. I have a very nice, lightweight carbon fiber model with a 1/4x20 camera mount stud hidden under the ball on top of the grip. I also have an older aluminum model with a switchable anti-shock feature.

I never go into the woods without one, and especially appreciate the pole when carrying a pack. It really helps with safety/stability on decents or in rocky sections.

Both mine are Komperdell brand. Highly recommended!

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
I use them when I go backcountry in the rockies. I used them this winter, and I'll use them again this summer. They're pretty great. I also use them because they are what holds my tent up. I use a tarp tent from Henry Shires:http://www.tarptent.com/squall2.html

I used to think they were too stupid, but I got over myself and decided to use what works. They work.
 
My wife and I share a pair of Leki's -- very useful when carrying a pack over rough ground, steam crossings, and on down slopes.
 
I have to use a walking stick of some kind to walk off road. (bad foot ). I use one of those when we travel in the car because it telescopes down to a nice hort length. I usually use a homemade one if I am using the truck for transportation. My real hiking days are over.
 
We recently spent some good money on Black Diamond poles, me first to try them and then for my wife who now swears by them. They make the hikes go faster and with a lot less stress on hips and knees.

Highly recommended...!
 
I bought a pair of Leki Makalu titanium sticks a few years ago and would recommend them or poles in general.

The sticks helped me with balance, they keep my hands up and moving so they never swell, and make a perfect center pole for my tent.
 
I use them... great for stream crossings and can be used to make a fly shelter with a tarp. They are excelent on hills up or down. And in Georgia I rarely walk a trail without some sort of stick or pole. Good for clearing spider webs and "scaring" snakes.

:)
 
Standard gear for me. One holds up my shelter too. They make stream crossings and rock-hopping much easier. Going up, you can add your upper body strength to those big steps up rocks and roots and coming down "root ladders" becomes a ballet rather than feeling like you're going to do a face plant in the rocks with your pack adding to the mess. You reach down, plant a pole or both, step down to it and repeat. Not only is it easier on the knees, you get an upper body workout too.

I'm trying to figure out a setup with some fishing pole line guides and a closed face reel seat. Not much for action, but you could toss a lure or bobber rig a ways with it :cool:
 
I have a pair of Komperdells that I use. They have a comfortable cork, ergonomically angled grip. Each one only weighs 8 ozs and they collapse small enough to lash down to my pack.
 
I haven't yet used them, but am looking around a bit.

I talked with some people from Leki, and their claim is that they make you 6% more efficient, in addition to relieving your knees. On a weeklong trip, I think that anybody would benefit from having some.
 
I always poo-poo'd them until a friend bought me a pair of Komperdells. now I won't backpack without them. Like previously stated, they really help on trails that climb and descend. Also work great for crossing rivers and streams.
 
The folks I hike with swear by them. I have tried them out, but still go without. I think I am going to get some, but I am still young and my knees are doing fine for now. Leki is the brand most people I know use, but a friend got some generic ones that seemed just as good to me when compared with his wife's lekis. I couldn't tell a difference other than the color/pattern and his were 1/5 the price.
 
I had never used one, just a hiking stick every once in a while. When we did a rim to rim of the Grand Canyon, I decided to try one. I am glad I did. On uneven ground up or down, it's great to have that 3rd point of balance, especially with a heavy pack. Going uphill, it provided a kind of boost to my stride by pushing off the ground as it was at it's axis behind me before the forward swing to replace. Wish I had two on the uphills.

I will use def. use again on any terrain that is uneven, ots of ups and downs and anything that requires several or technical water crossings. Def. worth the weight.
 
Yes, I bought a pair of Black Diamond's a few years ago and use them whenever I hike now. just yesterday I was hiking around a very rocky area (Hawk Mountain in PA) and the poles saved me from going down quite a few times. They also help me sustain an increased pace and help take some of the weight off my knees and hips.
 
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