Comments on: The advantages of using hiking poles. https://habitablezone.com/2012/05/24/the-advantages-of-using-hiking-poles/ Sat, 25 Apr 2026 16:17:27 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: bowser https://habitablezone.com/2012/05/24/the-advantages-of-using-hiking-poles/#comment-15329 bowser Sat, 26 May 2012 02:40:10 +0000 http://www.habitablezone.com/?p=15534#comment-15329 This is a pretty good search, and given time one might find some better deals. I have omitted the "shock absorbing" poles because of my personal preference and the ultra-light poles. I think they are too "ultra-light" for new users and for old users. Some of us who have had them around for a while and have developed some confidence and ability with them can stress the ultra-lights past their limits. My guess is that you won't be able to tell the difference between any of these. My BEST advice is to go to a cut-rate sporting goods store and buy a very cheap pair. They will weigh a bit more, and have grips which aren't quite as comfortable but you'll be able to try them out and see if you'll use them. On bigger trips I've taken along a couple of pairs of these to sell to folks who start out without them. (Cost + transportation.) I didn't realize it but Leki is making poles now with the lever lock system I prefer. If I were to buy a new pair today this is what I'd probably get. http://www.amazon.com/Leki-Khumbu-Aergon-Speedlock-Trekking/dp/B004P9R6UO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337998500&sr=8-1 For an economy pair, REI Outlet has these. Komperdell is a very good brand and these are inexpensive. A problem with these is that they collapse to 43", which is about a foot too long. You may want to get them onto an airplane carry-on, and many are 29". http://www.rei.com/product/831537/komperdell-tundra-trekking-poles-pair-2011-overstock REI has their own brand out, which has the advantage of a superb customer return policy (you don't like it you take it back any time). These look good to me. http://www.rei.com/product/812367/rei-traverse-powerlock-trekking-poles-pair Or some Black Diamonds. http://www.rei.com/product/830471/black-diamond-trail-ergo-cork-trekking-poles-pair Podrock has a great use, helping one get up. I had left that out, and another one. A person can plant the poles behind them, one butt-cheek on each one, and lean back a bit. Not perfect, but sometimes the best one can do and not bad, either. Another hint on hiking. It takes as much energy to hike up 1 foot as it does to walk 13 feet horizontally. So steeper hikes take substantially more energy. (Gotta million of these.) This is a pretty good search, and given time one might find some better deals. I have omitted the “shock absorbing” poles because of my personal preference and the ultra-light poles. I think they are too “ultra-light” for new users and for old users. Some of us who have had them around for a while and have developed some confidence and ability with them can stress the ultra-lights past their limits.

My guess is that you won’t be able to tell the difference between any of these. My BEST advice is to go to a cut-rate sporting goods store and buy a very cheap pair. They will weigh a bit more, and have grips which aren’t quite as comfortable but you’ll be able to try them out and see if you’ll use them. On bigger trips I’ve taken along a couple of pairs of these to sell to folks who start out without them. (Cost + transportation.)

I didn’t realize it but Leki is making poles now with the lever lock system I prefer. If I were to buy a new pair today this is what I’d probably get.

http://www.amazon.com/Leki-Khumbu-Aergon-Speedlock-Trekking/dp/B004P9R6UO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337998500&sr=8-1

For an economy pair, REI Outlet has these. Komperdell is a very good brand and these are inexpensive. A problem with these is that they collapse to 43″, which is about a foot too long. You may want to get them onto an airplane carry-on, and many are 29″.

http://www.rei.com/product/831537/komperdell-tundra-trekking-poles-pair-2011-overstock

REI has their own brand out, which has the advantage of a superb customer return policy (you don’t like it you take it back any time). These look good to me.

http://www.rei.com/product/812367/rei-traverse-powerlock-trekking-poles-pair

Or some Black Diamonds.

http://www.rei.com/product/830471/black-diamond-trail-ergo-cork-trekking-poles-pair

Podrock has a great use, helping one get up. I had left that out, and another one. A person can plant the poles behind them, one butt-cheek on each one, and lean back a bit. Not perfect, but sometimes the best one can do and not bad, either.

Another hint on hiking. It takes as much energy to hike up 1 foot as it does to walk 13 feet horizontally. So steeper hikes take substantially more energy. (Gotta million of these.)

]]> By: RobVG https://habitablezone.com/2012/05/24/the-advantages-of-using-hiking-poles/#comment-15325 RobVG Sat, 26 May 2012 00:18:28 +0000 http://www.habitablezone.com/?p=15534#comment-15325 I know you usually get what you pay for but do you have a recommendation for a set that's a good value? I know you usually get what you pay for but do you have a recommendation for a set that’s a good value?

]]> By: RobVG https://habitablezone.com/2012/05/24/the-advantages-of-using-hiking-poles/#comment-15323 RobVG Fri, 25 May 2012 23:36:06 +0000 http://www.habitablezone.com/?p=15534#comment-15323 My wife's knees have given her problems the last few years. Mine are just starting to complain. We don't hike the steep trails anymore because of this. It would be worth trying the poles. Thanks! My wife’s knees have given her problems the last few years. Mine are just starting to complain.

We don’t hike the steep trails anymore because of this. It would be worth trying the poles.

Thanks!

]]> By: podrock https://habitablezone.com/2012/05/24/the-advantages-of-using-hiking-poles/#comment-15300 podrock Fri, 25 May 2012 04:06:03 +0000 http://www.habitablezone.com/?p=15534#comment-15300 They're great for sitting down while wearing a pack; and, for getting back up again. Essential while contouring a steep slope. They’re great for sitting down while wearing a pack; and, for getting back up again. Essential while contouring a steep slope.

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