Trekking poles.

[scottcrb]

Did a quick search and isn't come up with much. Those of you who use trekking poles which brands/models do you like. Want them for snow shoeing and backpacking maybe to help with heavy pack outs.  Been looking at Easton, Ieki ,and black diamond.

[Fl0und3rz]

Leki Makalu.  Of course, get the snow baskets.  Trekking poles also make a nice field expedient rest.

[WAcoueshunter]

I've got these.  They've been great so far.  Super light, lock tight, durable, but expensive.  I know some people prefer the adjustable length poles. But I use these going both up and down hill a lot and find the fixed length to work just fine for me.   

http://www.rei.com/product/877683/black-diamond-distance-carbon-z-pole-trekking-poles-pair

These only weigh 10 oz. for the pair.

[mburrows]

My Leki Cristallo's have held up great and work well.

[BeWitty]

Black Diamond Z-poles.

[pianoman9701]

I got a pair of carbon ones at Costco because the aluminum ones make too much clanking noise. The feet wore out really fast. Now, I just have the round end and it's wearing ok. They were cheap for carbon, like $25/pair.

I have a bad hip and I'm getting older. The sticks have an amazing effect on my stamina in the woods. They're especially helpful going downhill with a heavy load.

[coachcw]

leki

[Karl Blanchard]

Trekking poles LITERALLY NEVER leave my pack.  Single best item in my pack.  I have broken quite a few pairs but my current black diamonds have held up well, under some heavy weight.  Get a good quality pair that compresses short and my personal preference is a flip lock style.  Had way too many failures with the twist locks.  Also I do prefer cork grips over foam but my current poles are foam.  Foam seems to rub my hands after a while.

[WAnoob]

Use my black diamond all the time.  Take them backcountry hunting or packing out moose when it helps alleviates pressure off my bad knees going down hills and giving you extra umph to make it up the steep parts.  I don't have the shock absorbing ones and I have never had a problem.  I've seen many debates on sheep hunting threads where people argue over black diamond or leki, either one and I'm sure you would be fine.

I agree about the flip lock and cork handles.  My current pair has foam handles and they are kind of uncomfortable without thin gloves on.

[Bean Counter]

I bought the cheapest brand at REI for my wife and I. They're going strong for more than 10 years now. They are the plastic grip and twist lock. I thought the twist lock mechanism was broke earlier this year but all I had to do was finagle it and its fixed. Just did some hiking on them.

[jbeaumont21]

Bought this one for $18 bucks and its been great for the past 4 seasons.  Used it as a gun rest to shoot my elk this year. 

http://store.sluicemagnet.net/Meteorite-Hiking-Trekking-Pole-with-rifle-rest-2501.htm

[Skyvalhunter]

Owned several different pairs. Currently have the Black Diamond carbon fiber. While they are tough they are not indestructable.

[coachcw]

find ones that your hand fits over the top well . some are urgo and dig into your palms when your bearing down . rounded off are better 

[jackelope]

I've got these and so far, so good. Easton Carbon Hike 3. Very lightweight and very durable.

http://eastonoutfitters.com/product/hike-carbon-3/

[Karl Blanchard]

find ones that your hand fits over the top well . some are urgo and dig into your palms when your bearing down . rounded off are better 

Good point!  Anytime I am descending with weight I am out of my straps and I'm paling the top of the pole's so I can really put weight on them. 

[kentrek]

I've got these.  They've been great so far.  Super light, lock tight, durable, but expensive.  I know some people prefer the adjustable length poles. But I use these going both up and down hill a lot and find the fixed length to work just fine for me.   

http://www.rei.com/product/877683/black-diamond-distance-carbon-z-pole-trekking-poles-pair

These only weigh 10 oz. for the pair.

  I've got the same pair I use from time to time...not so much for hunting but playing on big mtns they sure are nice on the way down

If I had hunting areas where I was packing meat down hill I'd definitely use them but unfortunately it's all up hill for me so I don't use them

[jackelope]

find ones that your hand fits over the top well . some are urgo and dig into your palms when your bearing down . rounded off are better 

Good point!  Anytime I am descending with weight I am out of my straps and I'm paling the top of the pole's so I can really put weight on them.

Maybe it was through growing up a skier but I've always stayed in the straps. No slipping off the tops, no losing the poles. Better leverage if needed in the straps.
 
Whatever works best.

[Karl Blanchard]

find ones that your hand fits over the top well . some are urgo and dig into your palms when your bearing down . rounded off are better 

Good point!  Anytime I am descending with weight I am out of my straps and I'm paling the top of the pole's so I can really put weight on them.

Maybe it was through growing up a skier but I've always stayed in the straps. No slipping off the tops, no losing the poles. Better leverage if needed in the straps.
 
Whatever works best.

I was told by a buddy that does a lot of mountain climbing that when going down hill, get out of the straps because if you go down and start to tumble, having a busted off aluminum pole, which now has a sharp point on it, is not something you want strapped to your body, so I have always just unstrapped.

[coachcw]

Karl's all about protection!

[jackelope]

find ones that your hand fits over the top well . some are urgo and dig into your palms when your bearing down . rounded off are better 

Good point!  Anytime I am descending with weight I am out of my straps and I'm paling the top of the pole's so I can really put weight on them.

Maybe it was through growing up a skier but I've always stayed in the straps. No slipping off the tops, no losing the poles. Better leverage if needed in the straps.
 
Whatever works best.

I was told by a buddy that does a lot of mountain climbing that when going down hill, get out of the straps because if you go down and start to tumble, having a busted off aluminum pole, which now has a sharp point on it, is not something you want strapped to your body, so I have always just unstrapped.

It might just be the skier in me.

[CAMPMEAT]

skiwalking.com

This is where I got mine. If you talk to the guy, he might give you a break on last years or discontinued ones. That's what he did for me..

[Karl Blanchard]

find ones that your hand fits over the top well . some are urgo and dig into your palms when your bearing down . rounded off are better 

Good point!  Anytime I am descending with weight I am out of my straps and I'm paling the top of the pole's so I can really put weight on them.

Maybe it was through growing up a skier but I've always stayed in the straps. No slipping off the tops, no losing the poles. Better leverage if needed in the straps.
 
Whatever works best.

I was told by a buddy that does a lot of mountain climbing that when going down hill, get out of the straps because if you go down and start to tumble, having a busted off aluminum pole, which now has a sharp point on it, is not something you want strapped to your body, so I have always just unstrapped.

It might just be the skier in me.

At least you're not a knuckle dragger

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Never even thought of using these walking sticks while packing meat out? Another good reason to keep up to date at the HW family on a Friday night!

[thom9719]

I went to goodwill and picked up some ski poles for a dollar. A quick coat of spray paint and they've worked great!

[BLUEBULLS]

I went to goodwill and picked up some ski poles for a dollar. A quick coat of spray paint and they've worked great!

$1 ski poles will always be in my rig for my buddies that forget poles or don't bring them. It's amazing how many people want to talk smack about trekking poles until they use them. Possibly the best idea ever to add years to knees.

[fisheral87]

I used a set of black diamonds this year to back out my elk. The flat tops definitely help as others have stated.

I'll never not pack them again.

Al