Trekking poles vs a stick

VTguy17

VTguy17

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I've been an avid hiker and long distance backpacker all my life, mostly very steep mountain ascents. I've always just grabbed a stick at the beginning of a trail and used it as a walking stick/trekking pole. I've just never been able to warm up to the thought of those guys you see on the trail with two poles, they look like robots and they just look out of place in the woods.

Now with that said, my left knee is pretty shot from years of running and jumping down steep descents. Not to the point it would give out but it gets pretty sore after a long day. A couple days ago I went on a hike with a buddy of mine and he brought two sets of trekking poles with him in the car. I said what the heck I'll give one a try. So I just grabbed one of the poles and to my surprise I found myself really liking it. Even in the winter when snow shoeing I don't use poles but I'm really starting to rethink. If I did get a set I'd probably only use one of the poles as I really like having a free hand to grab onto tree's and rocks.

So what do you avid hikers prefer? Are you a stick guy or a pole guy and why?
 
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VTguy17 said:
I've been an avid hiker all my life, mostly very steep mountain ascents. I've always just grabbed a stick at the beginning of a trail and used it as a walking stick/trekking pole. I've just never been able to warm up to the thought of those guys you see on the trail with two poles, they look like robots and they just look out of place in the woods.

Now with that said, my left knee is pretty shot from years of running and jumping down steep descents. Not to the point it would give out but it gets pretty sore after a long day. A couple days ago I went on a hike with a buddy of mine and he brought two sets of trekking poles with him in the car. I said what the heck I'll give one a try. So I just grabbed one of the poles and to my surprise I found myself really liking it. Even in the winter when snow shoeing I don't use poles but I'm really starting to rethink. If I did get a set I'd probably only use one of the poles as I really like having a free hand to grab onto tree's and rocks.

So what do you avid hikers prefer? Are you a stick guy or a pole guy and why?
Click to expand...

use two for hills, up or down. shorten for going up and lengthen for going down. can't beat them but don't usually use them on the flats. makes climbing or descending a heck of a lot easier
 
Back in the day, i was also a hiking stick/pole/staff kinda guy. I made 'em out of Ironwood saplings and they were great fun. Then for awhile i went completely without (patrol's, weapons, etc purged 'em from me!!).

Once i got back into mountaineering/backpacking for fun again, i *knew* i needed something to help in the deep snow. I tried a pair of adjustable hiking poles w/big 'ol snow baskets and WOW!!!! what a difference they made. On long slogs up they help take some of the strain off - even though it seems like i'm not pushing much w/my arms, it don't feel as tired. For those slippery creek crossings they're helpful and heading through talus slopes is sooo much easier with a pair of poles to help take the strain off.

Heading back down the mountain there is a *HUGE* difference - especially with a pack. I've blown my ACL/tore meniscus (had 'em repaired) and i can tell you from 30 years of backpacking/climbing/hiking that i'll never go backpacking without 'em again.
 
I got some Black Diamond poles a few years back. I am fond of them for several reasons. As was mentioned they are great for lots of up and down. I also like them for dangerous terrain. I do a lot of hiking alone. I don't relish the idea of a break or sprain crossing slippery rock. In those situations I like using two, and I do like the light weight and colapsibility of man-made poles.


God bless,
Adam
 
i'm a 2-pole guy myself to ease the strain on my back (minor back problem years ago) and like others said, makes tackling steep terrain a whole lot easier...it's like having four legs. if you do buy collapsible ones, get quality ones or the lock might give out when you need it the most.
 
I've used trekking poles quite a bit. I like them a lot whether on slopes or on flats. I've seen some studies where use of dual poles aids walking some significant percent, but I've forgotten how much now.

One complaint I have had from other people I have hiked with is that the poles (mine are Komperdells) are noisy, and I have to agree, especially when hiking on rocky ground.

Andy
 
I know that using two poles would be more comfortable on my knees, but like you, I like to have one hand free to grab on to things. I'll generally switch the pole between hands, depending on which one is downhill.

Another big use for the pole for me is to deal with blackberry bushes (my mortal enemy). I'd prefer to walk around the blackberries, but I don't always have that choice. The trekking pole is light weight, yet beefy enough to thwack the blackberry branches down enough for me to step forward through them.
 
I'm a 2 pole guy. They are really helpful in steep situations and on loose terrain. I've also used them to hop cracks and small streams. I use the straps in case I have to let one go to catch myself, or in case I fall.

I just use a pair of old ski poles, nothing fancy.
 
CWL brings up another good point. Stream crossings, they make these so much better. Either letting you leap what you couldn't otherwise leap, or giving you another 2 points of contact when the world is slippery stones and strong currents.


God bless,
Adam
 
I used to laugh and make fun of the 2 pole crowd. Always just carved a stick/staff.

Then started doing 4 to 17 day hikes and with the added weight and activity traded up to a couple of poles.

What a HUGE difference, I started picking out better campsites at the end of the day not just dropping my pack at the first flat spot, energy to gather wood or fish....... plus not being so leg and shoulderstrap sore in the morning.

Now at 40 with a couple surgeries on 1 knee there is no way I could do half the hikes the wife and I frequent without at least 1 good pole.
 
So, as you begin to look at the array of hiking poles available, it can be difficult to determine the features that make sense (or not). Some features are just unnecessary/useless gimicks and others are personal preference.

For starters, i would avoid the "SHOCK ABSORBING" versions. They're more expensive, the shock-absorption can be misleading when you need something solid and introduce another component which can fail.

Secondly, in preferences column, i like the 'flick locks' instead of 'twist locks'. They're easier/faster to use and lock up solid with zero slippage. With twist locks, it's easy to over-tighten them. This may seem like nitpicking, but when you going up and down alot you have to adjust from time to time and flick-locks are sooooo much more convenient. I have multiple sets of twist locks - Komperdells, Lekis and a store-brand or two, but only one set of flick-locks and they are my personal choice. The others are loaners. Though I do really like my EMS brand (twist-locks made by Komperdell) because they have enormous snow-baskets (an optional but *very* useful accessory), but my Black Diamond flick-locks are my go-to set and the snow-baskets are large enough.

Finally, handle design. This is in the preferences column. Do you want an angled handle set? Made of poly/nylon? Made from cork? Have an extended grip section to minimize length changes? These are all very much personal preferences.

I personally *don't* prefer angled handles - i'm gaining or loosing ALOT of elevation usually so the angles would hinder use for me. I prefer the "cork" handles - they just have a better feeling in-hand. I *do* like the extended grip section on poles, but i don't have any so i can't say how well they work (or don't). I think they'd be great.

Accessories: Snow-baskets, tip-protectors and storage bags. There may be others, but that's all i can think of. Honestly, for me, snow-baskets and tip protectors are essential items. I don't at all about storage bags, but snow-baskets and tip-protectors get used every time - depending on the conditions.

I didn't mention pole material because for that, aluminum is the only game in town. There is carbon fiber, but it would be, well, dangerous and while there are other great materials available i haven't heard of them being used (thinking magnesium alloys, etc). Aluminum is most widely produced and so easy to locate.

OK, thats all i've got...
 
I've always felt mine made me look like a praying mantis. I look very silly and funny looking with my poles flawing around. But, I like them on the flats and no where else. Oh, and I would recommend getting the shock absorbing kind. I didn't even know they had shock absorbing kind but I will check them out. Having another component that would compromise rigidity and fail on you is OK in my book. After all, I'm using mine on flat paved walking paths. I wouldn't use them in the hills or crossing streams. That sounds dangerous. I use a walking stick for walking the woods.
 
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I went from "branch on the side of the track" to a broom stick with duct tape, to a single pole with a flat knob. If you're doing a lot of ascending and especially descending I won't leave home without it.... unless doing serious off track work where a pole just gets in the way.

I've never tried 2 poles, but if I ever get back to hiking in a serious way I'll definitely go that way. I never like the carbide tips = noisy on rocks, so I always used the rubber tip protector and the snow baskets helped to stop the pole sinking in the mud.
 
Most of the trails here are up and down. I use two bamboo hiking sticks with a higher grip for level/descending and a lower grip for ascending. I use rubber electrical tape designed for wiring well pumps to make the grips. Cheap(maybe 4.00 each), multi use- for a shade tarp and help a great deal for this OF. My left knee tends to want to bend backwards when descending, a brace is likely in my future.
Bill
 
I don't think there's any real comparison. I've cut a stick before and then soon dumped it when its usefulness has given way to incumbrance. It's one of the reasons why I have never had a “keeper” stick. Poles are a different kettle of fish entirely. They are never a burden and the technique for using pairs of poles is nothing at all like a simple lone stick. There's clear blue water between the two. I'd be loathed to give mine up. That said, when I can hear people clicking along with them on barely undulating terrain I find it intrusive. It's just as bad as gobby people or those twats that tie a bell round their dog's neck and then go to the woods with it
 
I've decided to get a pair of black diamond cork flick locks. I'll probably only use one, maybe two when I snow shoe but it's a start. I appreciate all the replies, don't want to get fancy with the anti shock and all that though.
 
VTguy,

The flick lock system is a nice system, the twist to lock/unlock can get quite annoying. Cork is an excellent grip. The anti shock stuff I haven't found terribly useful. My black diamonds don't have it. I have a Leki stick which is more like a cane, with anti-shock, never felt very benefited by it.


God bless,
Adam
 
^ The one I used the other day was an EMS twist lock and while I liked it it came loose a couple times and was kind of a pain so I'm going to go with the flick lock. I checked out a few pairs last night at the store and I think I know what I want now. I like the Black diamond trail Ergo cork's

(( not a paid BF dealer ))
 
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Those look interesting. I'd want to try out the angled grips before I committed to that personally. It looks like it would put your wrist in a pretty strong position though. The only thing I do want to say on line of the Black Diamonds. They look like they have the same strap system that is on my pair. They work best when they are actually tight enough to provide support. However, they tend to work their way loose fairly frequently. I wish you good luck in the way of the walking stick.


God bless,
Adam
 
I tried the same pair out last night at the store I liked the angle of the grip, obviously didn't hike with them but they seemed like they would be nice. The one I used the other day had an angled grip and I liked it
 
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