Good ballance or trekking poles

I am willing to wager that I have hiked at least a thousand miles by now.

Out of all those miles I have used trekking poles about three times.

I am not sure why they are so popular and if I need to purchase a good pair.

To date I have hiked many day hikes and a few over nighters. I have yet to do a backpacking trip for two nights or more. However, this year I have a couple of three to four night trips planned.

Do I need trekking poles? I have only used trekking poles when hiking in deep snow that is not well packed. It does help me to find a few rocks before my crampons do.

Other than that, I am not sure what people use them for. I get the impression that they would be nice to have when crossing a knee deep river. I however, have not been in that position yet. I do not venture far from the beaten trails. Most of them seem to have foot bridges across the river.

What do you use your poles for? For the most part, I seem to have good ballance. I don't really like to carry anything in my hands when hiking and find the poles to slow me down, at least in the snow.

Thank you for your opinions.
-John

John,

I've been backpacking and hiking for over 35 years at this point - the most I've used is a hiking stick (that I picked up in the woods) or an old faithful ice axe (used in snow, not as a walking stick).

I see a lot of people using trekking poles and I understand they can help you maintain a pace and perhaps make it easier to traverse rough terrain - but to a large extent it's my personal opinion that they're an example of the media's impact on peoples behavior.

As far as balance is concerned - good fitness - proper footwear and the correct loading of ones backpack would seem (for the majority of us) to be more than enough.

I dislike the carbide tipped trekking poles in particular because so many people are using them that it's scarring the rocks on many parts of the appalachian trail near where I live. You can actually see where the rock is being worn down, one impact at a time. The same happened in many mountain areas before the advent of lugged rubber soles on boots - the hobnails would wear down the edges of foot holds on popular climbing routes. I'm also not a big fan of the "click click click" that accompanies them.

For wading streams, you can always carry a portable wading staff (they fold - a lot of fly fishermen use them) or just find a stout stick before you cross and "return" it to the forrest floor afterwards.

Those are, however, just my observations and my opinion. Keep in mind, however, that humans have covered a lot of miles on foot without "trekking poles".

I don't think there is a definitive answer of "yes, you need them" or "no, you don't". I think terrain, load, and personal opinion.

I did not use them for a long time but was passed on the trail by a 60 year old guy who was using them. He said that his knees were just not strong enough to keep going, so his doctor told him to try the poles. The guy said that the shock to his knees was greatly reduces and I could obviously see that he was doing much better.

I can attest to the obvious; poles make a night and day difference while crossing rivers, in powder, and while carrying large loads. Moreover, I use them to reduce the abuse my knees take while going down hill. Now, almost 80% of my trips include my Black Diamond carbon fiber flik-locks. They don't even fold up small; that's how much I use them.

...and here's where opinion comes in. What works for me might not be a priority for you. It's not black and white here. I'd suggest using them consistently for a while and get used to them. After that, ditch them during a trip and feel the difference.

Cheers.

They are not required... but they do take stress off of your knees, especially on descents and help with balance. For someone who is young, but with bad knees, it really helps!!! (Remember you are top heavy!!! especially with a pack on!!!)

Just pick up a Free trekking pole off the ground before you set off.

I use one, and I love it. It has saved me from falling more than once when crossing the many streams that are present in the Smokies. They will help in taking some of the load off your knees, too.

As for picking up one off the ground, be careful. I saw a fellow years ago nearly impale himself on a stick that broke when he leaned into it on an incline.

I use hiking poles for day hikes and snowshoeing frequently when I am in steeper terrain, which I mostly do.

Pros:
*Take stress off my knees.
*Exercise my arms as well as my legs (hiking, at least a few times a week is my main exercise).
*Helpful staying upright on loose scree moving downward on steep slopes.
*Helpful on icy, hardpacked snow without crampons or snowshoes.
*I have good balance but they have kept me from falling more than once. Especially nice at night where even with a light it is easy to trip - I am out a lot at night.
*Augment my leg strength when I need it.

Cons:
*More to carry.
*I have crossed a pole in front of my foot, caught it in the rocks, tripped over it and OUCH!
*They inhibit maintaining and improving my natural balance (though I mainly only use them going uphill unless I really need them on the way down).
*They snag on plants and catch in rocks - can cause problems and not good for the plants.

I missed a few things:
Pros:
*When on slick surfaces without traction devices on my boots they give me two points that grasp the surface.
*When I have had problems with my knee they have been wonderful in helping me get back down.

Cons:
*When you need to use for hands to climb they get in the way.

I have only used a pole once - on a backpacking trip this year, I found a nice pole that had been left at a stream crossing, and I used it for a day before catching up to the owner, who spotted it as I walked up.

For me, it seemed to be more work than benefit. The only time it came in handy was on a stream crossing.

I also know some other hikers who swear by them. To each his own. Sometimes I wonder if poles are nothing more than fashion accessories for some hikers.

Awe shucks, I am still stuck.

I do have a couple of poles. They are very cheap poles and sometimes colapse on me. I have only used them a few times and I end up carry them most of the time in hand in a horizontal fashion.

I am hesitent to pay so much for something that I may not use.

I think I will have to see if I can find a friend to loan me a pair. But it would be my luck that I would leave it by a stream. :)

Thanks for your replies.

-John

I think most of the points have been covered by now, but I wanted to add that I love my trekking poles. I do think that it’s a personal preference and they’re certainly not a required item, but I personally have only seen benefits to using them, particularly on long and/or steep routes and/or when carrying a heavy load.

The number one reason I use them is to take some of the load off my knees, particularly on steep and/or long descents. Before I started using trekking poles (about six or so years ago) I often got achy knees after a steep descent, but now that never happens. I also believe that poles give you a better all-around workout since you use your upper body with them. For me, using trekking poles is a preventative health measure so I can keep my knees healthy as long as possible and hike and run longer in life.

I don’t have the best balance in the world either, so I really appreciate poles during stream crossing. They make me much more confident.

They also can come in handy for rigging up a tarp or other shelter.

As for the carbide tips marking the rocks and making that annoying clanking noise, I usually put the rubber tips they sell on the end of my poles (they make them for walking on the road). This gets rid of that noise and the tips don’t scratch the rocks. However, the tips will change the poles’ traction and you do risk losing the rubber tip if it gets stuck in the mud somewhere and never finding it again and then worrying about having littered somewhere on the trail.

I recommend other people try out trekking poles, particularly if they have any concerns about their knees or balance. I find I go faster with them than without and feel better for having them. I use them on all backpacking or snowshoeing trips and most hikes, but usually not for short and/or very flat day hikes. Since they’re telescoping I use the same poles for cross-country skiing too and just switch out the baskets in winter for all winter activities.

Ultimately though, it comes down to personal preference. If you’ve tried out trekking poles and they slow you down or don’t help your balance or pace or knees, then do whatever feels best for you and what works for the terrain you cover. Trekking poles work for me, most of the time.

Poles do tie up your hands, but considering that I have hiked with and without, I find the pros outweigh the cons. As I have aged, I find they give me greater overall strength and balance. I have also heard that poles take off at least the equivelent of 15 pounds off the back. No way would I ever do a big trip without them again.

Note, too that I use the sold poles instead of the segmented ones. I don't have to worry about them collapsing. I don't know anyone with adjustable poles who adjusts or nests them on the trail anyway.

Thanks folks.

I think I am going to get a pair. I also will get the colapsable type and I cannot forsee myself using them very often. When I cross a river I would like to have them and trekking down hill on a cliff edge with a large pack I think I might want to use them.

I have not had knee problems yet, even at my age. However, I have not done more than an overnighter either or day hikes.

This year I plan to do as atlest three nights or more each month.

I guess if I do not use the poles much now, in time I will.

Now the hard part, what poles to buy. I have always heard Leki is the best, but they make many types, which one do I need? I will have to do some research.

Thanks again.
-John

I would recommend waiting for a good pair to show up on steepandcheap.com. I ended up getting a nice black diamond pair for over 60% off.

Also, really consider the flex of carbon fiber against the rigidity of aluminum. I would highly recommend Flik-loks over twist-locks any day!

Side note: I have broken an internal tightner in a Komperdell pole and my buddy broke both of his Leki poles. I now use the backcountry ski poles made by Black Diamond. They are two section Flik-loks made from carbon fiber.