Trekking Poles... Do you use them?

[Macchina]

I backpack about 6 times a year, anything from weekends to 1-2 week long real hikes. I normally don't use any poles at all, I seem to do fine, but haven't ever tried poles for longer than a stroll around the yard (with other people's poles). I'm going snowshoeing for a weekend trip next month, and have been thinking about picking up some poles. Do you use them and do they make a difference? I'm interested in performance, not increasing my workout (I know they can burn a lot more calories if you use them in certain ways). Do you hike with them in the summer, or just snowshoe?

Budget: less than $100 ($50 would be ideal)
I like Black Diamond's snap adjustment method, but a twist-lock wouldn't be a no-go.
They need to come with removable snow baskets (or have snow baskets that can be purchased and attached)

 

[Guyon]

I think they're key for trips with weight on your back. They take a lot of strain off the knees, and you don't get as tired.
I have hiked a lot with my small children in a carrier, and I would not leave the parking lot without them. Lots more stability because you have more points of contact with the ground.

Check your email.

 

[xbxb]

I just use a bamboo walking stick. I've had it for 30 years now and it is still going strong

 

[TLR]

They make a huge difference for me. I had knee surgery on both knees in middle school and the difference between hiking with and without them (especially with weight) is massive.

 

[Macchina]

They make a huge difference for me. I had knee surgery on both knees in middle school and the difference between hiking with and without them (especially with weight) is massive.

Same story (almost) here. In high school, I had surgery on my left knee (torn meniscus, bruised patella, etc.) and had my right leg immobilized for over a month because of a severely dislocated patella. I have mild arthritis in my knees and I'm only 26! I am extremely thankful that my knees actually hurt less when I am keeping in shape and give them a lot of use. It's when I sit for a while or have not walked much that they start to really bother me.

Perhaps I'll give some poles a try before I further wear out my bones. What kind do you guys use, and do you recommend them?

 

[Macchina]

Trying to decide between the Black diamond

Trail, Trail Back, and Trail Compact

Don't really know what the differences are...

 

[STAGE 2]

Tried them and hate them. I don't have any knee or leg problems, so I cant speak to their usefullness for that, but they have always seemed to be a needless thing to carry on the trail that requires the full use of my hands.

 

[jkarp_53]

One of the best investments made were a pair of Black Diamond trekking pole sets. I'm in my late 50's with little pain or problems, yet these things make a big difference in my hikes...I can go twice as far and for fording streams and negotiating steep trails becomes much easier.

I'd say get an inexpensive pair to try them out, see if you like 'em. Some don't but most do if you ask around.

 

[brians]

I've been training with a pair of these Outdoor Products one's from Walmart after reading a recommendation from a few members at backpackinglight. I've got about 50 miles total training on them and they have held up well. I bought them to try as I have never used poles either

Same style of locks as the Diamonds and $12 bucks each. Not sure if you can remove the baskets - they are rather small:

 

[OwenM]

I broke a lock on one of those Outdoor Products poles just looking at it in the store, and would be a bit leery of them.
The difference in those Black Diamonds is mostly in weight and closed length, if I remember right.
Mine are the Trail(edit: oops-Trail Compact) model, and they have been great for steep sections, both uphill and downhill, and for balance on wet rocks and mud. I have problems sometimes with my knees, ankles, and plantar fascia, and don't hike without them. Don't know how they compare to other models, since they're my first trekking poles, but they help a lot.
One thing I would caution about the Trail: the handles leave my hands black when sweaty. They are also very grippy, and can stick to your skin when wet.
I'm eventually going to get a new pair of poles with something like cork handles-and that keeps the quick release locks. It's not like I'm changing the length all the time, but they still seem convenient compared to the screw down type(which may well be more durable and reliable, though).

 

[IUKE12]

I have a pair of Leki trekking poles bought specifically for snowshoeing but rarely use them. They don't seem to be needed for the type of terrain I frequent. Hiking is another matter, I never hike without a single walking stick. Much easier for me to scramble over small brooks and streams with the aid of my walking stick.

 

[not2sharp]

They make a huge difference for me. I had knee surgery on both knees in middle school and the difference between hiking with and without them (especially with weight) is massive.

I usually hike with a hiking sticks, and it does take alot of the impack shock off of the knees, especially when headed downhill over broken ground. It also adds much appreciated stability and is about as close as you can come to four-wheeling without a vehicle.

n2s

 

[omniviking]

They are handy in rocky spots too. and if you need to step down off a small ledge you can lean on your poles and step down while bracing yourself on the pole.

 

[Guyon]

My Komperdells have been solid over several seasons.

 

[mtwarden]

BD's flip lock system is just about bomb proof, the twist systems much less so

I've had a pair of the Alpine Cork's for three years now- use them three season backpacking and put on snow baskets for snow shoeing, my wife has the Enduros which are aluminum uppers/carbon lowers- same flick lock design, hers are going on four years now

hers are older as I purchased them because her knees would get sore hiking, she loved them almost right away- she'd let me try them out every now again and found I liked them too!

they're pretty handy handy for fording swift water

you can find BD poles for under $100 a pair pretty easily

 

[Vorpal Blade]

Over the years I have accumulated numerous back and joint problems. Poles help alot by spreading out the strain between upper and lower body. Poles are also great for fording streams and such.

But they are a big hinderance when hiking is mixed with frequent, short bouts of vertical climbing where there is a need to hold on with both hands. If I could return to youth and lose my physical problems, I would not use poles. But I want to keep on hiking so they have become necessary for me.

I have a pair of Black Diamonds with pressure locks and a pair of Komperdells with twist locks and impact cushioners. The Komperdells have become my favorites because of their lighter weight and softer strike. The key to using the twist locks on the Komperdells is to tighten them hard and they will be totally reliable. Hold the handle with one hand and twist the pole with the other until no further tightening is possible.