Trekking poles

Do you guys/gals use no poles, one pole, or two?

I use two; I love the stability when going around tricky rock and slippery areas.

One question I have always wondered is why do people only use one pole? Is it for looks, couldn't afford 2, or is it something else?

Just a funny question, thanks for the input in advance.

Hmm, I myself don't use poles. If I need a guide on slippery surfaces or rainy days I just use a recently downed link of branch. But just to throw my thoughts into the loop, I think one pole would be for people that rarely use it and maybe don't want the bulk of 2? or perhaps they constantly need a free hand and just ditched the other one?

who have you seen that uses one pole?

Two poles seem alright for clear trails, but would be really annoying offtrail through brush, I would think.

I always carried a staff - it was my height and stout hazel - that I got in Scotland. Unlike a shorter, less robust hiking pole, the traditional staff can be used two-handed; it has some mass, so you can swing it forward for clearing a path through nettles; sheep recognize it as a tool of authority and make way for you; and it will never crumble under you when you most need it. The weight seems negligible once you are accustomed to it, you constantly change your grip as the ground changes, sometimes shooting it ahead of you to vault streams...

Two poles, nah, I need one hand free when I fall on my face.

I have two poles, Gossamer gear lightreks - like them much better than the aluminum poles. I always thought I didn't notice the weight of the heavier poles until it was gone. You really don't understand the difference until you try them.

I keep hearing that carbon fiber shatters.... well, metal poles bend, and locks jam or break, and all of them have their life span. So at 3.5 oz per pole for a multi use item that keeps me from falling on my face or being swept out to sea on river crossings, I'm there. Cannot imagine using a single pole trying to cross the Little Sur River in March. No pole vaulting that one. I've used them to deflect brush or animals, with a tarp for a tent, or to test boggy ground, among other things.

I use 1 of some extra stability / balance in rough terrain orbush wacking + I cant stand having something in both hands all the time like trekking poles.

Normally, for hiking, I use 2 poles (look at my avatar - ok, that's not hiking, but snow slogging while hauling 60 pounds on the sled). Years ago, I used a hiking staff. The uses and benefits of poles and hiking staves are different. For something like Kilimanjaro, having two poles is pretty much a necessity, especially on summit day when you descend a bit over 13,000 feet immediately after reaching the peak in one continuous stage from the summit to Mweka Campsite. Most people still end up with sore knees and sore leg muscles after that descent, even with poles to ease the load on that descent.

A staff (of proper length) can be combined with other companions' staves to make a tripod to hang a pot over the campfire, or in a slightly different configuration to make a washstand (yes, it works with the plastic fold-up basins if you configure it properly). You can't really do that with hiking poles.

Both a staff and poles can be used as a support for a tarp, and can be substituted for the support pole for pyramid tents like the BD Megamid (adjustables work best for this).

A pair of poles helps with keeping a smooth rhythm when hiking (if you use them properly), which provides an amazing boost to your speed (yeah, yeah, you could keep the beat by wearing your IPod or MP3 and turning ut up so loud your partners can hear it, too, but you will miss all the sounds of nature).

Bill S said:

...... A staff (of proper length) ......

My question is what is the proper length of a trekking pole I realize it will be different for each person but is it what is comfortable for you or is there a rule for adjusting them?

I have always used this as a rule of thumb / Standing on flat ground with your wrist straight you four arm should be parallel to the ground, is this incorrect?

mike068 said:

Bill S said:

...... A staff (of proper length) ......

My question is what is the proper length of a trekking pole I realize it will be different for each person but is it what is comfortable for you or is there a rule for adjusting them?

I have always used this as a rule of thumb / Standing on flat ground with your wrist straight you four arm should be parallel to the ground, is this incorrect?

I adjust my poles a little higher so they support the wieght of my arms and takes it off of my back and shoulders. Trekking poles are a must for me in order to keep my hands and fingers from swelling.

Gary C.

mike068 said:

"I have always used this as a rule of thumb / Standing on flat ground with your wrist straight you four arm should be parallel to the ground, is this incorrect?"

Yes, with your upper arm vertical by your side, lower arm bent 90 degrees parallel to the ground. But I think that is just a good starting point for level ground. On steep accents I like mine shorter, longer for descents. Really long for pole vaulting.

Thanks guys at least I'm not to far out of the ball park and the accent / decent part make's sense or it would get kind of uncomfortable.

Yes, that's what I generally do. Then I inevitably fiddle to make them longer for donwhills and shorter for uphills, as trouthunter noted.

If it feels comfortable, then it's good.

I also have this obsessive need to make sure both of my trekking poles are exactly the same length. I will mess with them until I'm sure they're even. It does not matter if the trail is lopsided or uneven, the poles must be the exact same length.

I use one pole, mostly. I live in the desert and it's a great tool to poke around with, looking for rattlesnakes. It does come in handy for stability too!

I use them here in AZ and in utah if the trail is really really rough. But I try not to use them often, as many people become dependent on them. I'm not talking about people who have to use them due to injuries, age, etc. But you can test this yourself by hiking a mile or so with the poles, and then a mile just carrying them. Im willing to bet you pick up a heck of alot more speed without them.

I use two, and they save these old knees. Like Alicia, I am fastidious about having them "exactly" the same length.

A few years ago, my wife found an abandoned hiking staff by the trail and adopted it. A week ago we had our first "team" hike and she finally decided to get a pair. I will use the REI dividend for the purchase of a pair (I have been cruising the store for a reason to buy something).

I see that Titanium Goat has their poles available again. Does any one have any experience with these poles?

tm

base871:

I have tried this in the past and have actually done the opposite. When it comes to tricky rock areas and I do not have my poles, I tend to slow down so I don't lose my footing. With the poles, I cruise through everything and don't skip a beat. My rhythm is very important and it keeps my pace steady. I think if I didn't have my poles, I would be a mess on the trail. Thanks for the input.

ps. Ever jump the New River Gorge Bridge in WV? Always wanted to since I was at Bridge Day, but can't afford another expensive hobby. :)

No havnt done new river. I was signed up to go in 2001, but someone crashed an airplane into some buildings and ruined that for us.

I used a single hickory staff for many years. Still get it out for day hikes, and recently loaned it to a friend for a week on the AT and he loved it. A few years ago, due to aging knees, I started using dual trekking poles. Sure glad I did; it really helps take some of the load.

Brerarnold said:

I used a single hickory staff for many years. Still get it out for day hikes, and recently loaned it to a friend for a week on the AT and he loved it. A few years ago, due to aging knees, I started using dual trekking poles. Sure glad I did; it really helps take some of the load.

I have a bad knee, due to an injury and a couple operations to fix it, and I've noticed that using a couple treking poles helps out a lot. When I've tried using a single staff my "good knee" would end up sore, but using dual poles has helped me to keep both knees feeling good.

I tried using a pair of poles but found I just didn't like it. I always carry one pole or staff now. My favorite is a hardwood broom handle with a crutch tip, wrapped with parachute cord as a handgrip and topped with a binocular rest. I also use a 2-section adjustable pole that extends to 5 feet 6 or so, also topped with a binocular rest. I use it for stability on rocks, when crossing over creeks on logs, and in steep descents. I also find it comforting just to carry it in one hand when not using it for stability.

As mentioned above I've also had knee operations so I find the pole as an extra knee, helps take the pressure off.

I find that when I want to make lots of ground I utilize both polls but when distance but when I want to take it slow and photography I always put the other in my pack.

Just got back from the "north country" of New Hamsphire, otherwise known as the Great North Woods. Three things came to mind while hiking 3 short steep day trips.

1. I'm REALLY out of shape!

2. I didn't have or want "rhythm", but did try a few times. Didn't make much difference, I was breathing way too hard.

3. I wish I had trekking poles! The descents, even tho' short, were brutal on my knees and stability was always a concern. This while watching my 15 year old son bounding both up and down the trails!

You see first you buy 2, then you go hiking with someone who has 0, the next thing you know you only have one.

For those interested I believe REI will be having 25% off all Leki trekking poles during their Labor Day sale.

joelman said:

You see first you buy 2, then you go hiking with someone who has 0, the next thing you know you only have one.

HaHa...so true! Sounds like the voice of experience.

I couldn't imagine hefting two poles along the uneven terrain of the High Sierra. I want at least one hand to steady myself around trees, boulders, etc.

I started out just using a staff about 15 years ago, but eventually adopted hiking poles. I cannot hike any appreciable difference without them anymore. I cannot count how many times they have helped me stablize, climb, and save myself from a nasty fall. And my hands no longer swell when I hike/backpack. I even take them dayhiking. I often even train using them.

Style, preference, age, health issues all contribute to one's needs and taste. I know my hubby harrassed me about my poles. Then I got him one to use that had a camera mount on top. Then we got him a second... :) He doesn't tease me any more :):):)

I tried poles while hiking on spring snow this year, was lukewarm about the experience as I ended up carrying them part of the time. I think they're still in my car trunk. Cross-country ski poles with the baskets cut off, incidentally, bought at a thrift store.

I feel like I need both hands free going across boulderfields and through brush. And for swatting mosquitoes.

But lots of people find poles helpful. Many different walking styles and preferences, all equally valid for their practitioners.

Hello OEJ

Cross country grips are very similar to fitness/Nordic walking grips and actually make you work harder.

No baskets make you likely to bend, break and plow in soft ground.

Current quality trekking poles are much more than ski poles.

Lighter, strong and compactable. Designed to make Hiking easier and safer

Find a store or friend, use them correctly..with straps, trek baskets etc.

There is a serious strenght difference in poles.

If it says something like 'for balance only, not body weight'

Please, what are they thinking?

Thanks, Elder, but I've skied for years and find the Nordic grip-and-strap very familiar and ergonomic. As far as buying new specialty poles, no thanks -- at this time my travel style simply does not require them. Maybe as I age...I'm 53 now, so perhaps at 63 I'll feel more comfortable with poles. Or not.

Hello my first reply -I use one pole because no matter what I cant get co-ordinated enough with two-but like others I often change grips or hands.My pole also holds the front of my tent up so its multi use,recently I fell spraining my ankle badly 10km from my car and was glad to have the pole along -I wasn't using it when I fell!-a lesson there.One more tip if walking single file in a group and you are just "carrying" your pole hold it so the point is in front where you are less likely to spear one of your frien.ds

I'm almost 54.

I use a pair of old ski poles with baskets removed.

I think they cost all of one dollar at a garage sale.

They help me keep my balance, prevent my fingers from swelling, maintain a rhythm, 'pull' my way up steep sections like a truck in 4WD, take impact off my knees going downhill, flip snakes and poison oak out of the way, stabilize me when stream crossing, etc.

I've pushed down on a scale with about the same force I use when hiking and measured the 'weight' at nearly 10 lbs. per stride... that adds up to a LOT of weight off my knees at the end of the day.

They don't have shock absorbers or telescoping mechanisms but for a buck, I can live without the bells and whistles. I can 'choke up' in a heart beat if I'm on an incline and stick them under my arms or strap them to my pack if I don't feel like using them.

They also serve double duty as tarp poles.

Perhaps the best dollar I ever spent.

Alicia said:

Yes, that's what I generally do. Then I inevitably fiddle to make them longer for donwhills and shorter for uphills, as trouthunter noted.

If it feels comfortable, then it's good.

I also have this obsessive need to make sure both of my trekking poles are exactly the same length. I will mess with them until I'm sure they're even. It does not matter if the trail is lopsided or uneven, the poles must be the exact same length.

Comfort is what it is all about.My knees love poles on the descent with a pack on.But i can relate to the need to have them the exact same length.I dont know what that is all about due to the fact that no part of the earth i plant them on is anywhere near level.Ah but it does let my mind rest at ease knowing that they are the same length.

Skimanjohn said:

But i can relate to the need to have them the exact same length.I dont know what that is all about due to the fact that no part of the earth i plant them on is anywhere near level.Ah but it does let my mind rest at ease knowing that they are the same length.

I know. I'm perfectly capable of walking on uneven ground without any problem or complaint, but the poles must be equal. It's a compulsion.

Alicia said:

I know. I'm perfectly capable of walking on uneven ground without any problem or complaint, but the poles must be equal. It's a compulsion.

I'm the same way. I've memorized the height markers that I like to use for my poles.

You guys must not do much traversing on steep terrain. I find that the ability to adjust (or swap) the poles so that the uphill pole is shorter and downhill is longer makes a big difference. Going up steep snowfields switchbacking I find it makes a huge difference. If it is a short distance, I will just "choke up" on the uphill pole. By steep, I mean slopes greater than 35 or 40 degrees (yeah, yeah, I know, 38 deg is the angle at which the percentage of avalanches is maximum, but sometimes the snow is consolidated). It really makes a difference at 50-60 deg. And yes, I have measured these from time to time with my avy clinometer, since I am well aware of the tendency to overestimate the slope (lots of people call 30 deg "straight up" or "absolutely vertical" - when I do star talks, people will call an object at that elevation angle "straight overhead"). I don't bother, though, with 10 or 15 deg slopes, since the difference is only a few inches (5 or 6 inches at 15 deg).

Bill S said:

You guys must not do much traversing on steep terrain. I find that the ability to adjust (or swap) the poles so that the uphill pole is shorter and downhill is longer makes a big difference. Going up steep snowfields switchbacking I find it makes a huge difference.

We don't believe in switchbacks in the East, Bill. Just go straight up!

We use two Leki trekking poles.