Trekking poles??

[Wetwoodshunter]

Anyone know anything about trekking poles or good ones? My wife is hiking the John Muir trail this year during September and I was thinking about getting her a set of poles. I have never used them, neither has she but from what I've read its life changing for someone hiking.

Anyone have any recommendations?

[Fl0und3rz]

Leki Makalu.

This is the third or so thread on poles pop up in the last month, FYI. 

You'll probably find lots of recommendations here.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,193065.0.html

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,186026.msg2460866.html#msg2460866

[jackelope]

I've been using poles as of late. I will no longer be caught dead without them. Get her a good set. It's one of the best pieces of gear you can have if you ask me.

[Fl0und3rz]

As I've noted before, in addition to being great hiking aids, they make a great field expedient firearm/glassing rest.

I resisted before, when I was younger, thinking I would look like a goofball.  Now I look like a smart goofball.

[trophyhunt]

I've been using my old ski poles, work just fine.  Not sure what the difference is but they didn't cost a hundred plus dollars! 

[jackelope]

I've been using my old ski poles, work just fine.  Not sure what the difference is but they didn't cost a hundred plus dollars! 

Weight.
Compacted size when not in use.
Strength.
Noise.
I can keep going if you want.

[trophyhunt]

I've been using my old ski poles, work just fine.  Not sure what the difference is but they didn't cost a hundred plus dollars! 

Weight.
Compacted size when not in use.
Strength.
Noise.
I can keep going if you want.

I can spend 700 on a pack but 100 for poles, probably not happening soon. With my huskemaw scope, noise don't matter!! 

[Fl0und3rz]

I've been using my old ski poles, work just fine.  Not sure what the difference is but they didn't cost a hundred plus dollars! 

Weight.
Compacted size when not in use.
Strength.
Noise.
I can keep going if you want.

Adjustable: Uphill or sidehill, at least one is shorter than when going downhill.

[coachcw]

Leki

[buglebrush]

So I have been toying with the idea of Trekking poles for a while now.  I have always figured they would end up being just one more thing  that I wouldn't ever really use.  I hunt with camp on my back, and here in the NE corner it is like a jungle.  I can definitely see their value in the blues or in hiking in a trail to set up a base camp.  So, my question is do any of you use yours when carrying camp on your back and/or in really brushy country?  Thanks.

[jackelope]

So I have been toying with the idea of Trekking poles for a while now.  I have always figured they would end up being just one more thing  that I wouldn't ever really use.  I hunt with camp on my back, and here in the NE corner it is like a jungle.  I can definitely see their value in the blues or in hiking in a trail to set up a base camp.  So, my question is do any of you use yours when carrying camp on your back and/or in really brushy country?  Thanks.

Westside high country can get real thick. I always have them. They've stopped me from falling head over heels more than once. I think the best purpose they serve is stability, so with the weight of camp on your back, rifle, bow, whatever, I think that's pretty much specifically what they're there for. Descending steep hills they shine too.

[Motorjosh]

They save my knees a lot when going down hill and make it very stable with a full pack.

[haulinbass]

I never used them til I went to Idaho last year and now I never leave my truck without them. Light weight carbon fiber if you are worried about weight and I can tell you right now that they can be worth 10X their weight when you need them. Hope this helps with your decision.

[buglebrush]

Thanks for the feedback.   

[carpsniperg2]

I picked up a set of LEKI Journey poles. I'm looking forward to testing them this year.

[davk]

So I have been toying with the idea of Trekking poles for a while now.  I have always figured they would end up being just one more thing  that I wouldn't ever really use.  I hunt with camp on my back, and here in the NE corner it is like a jungle.  I can definitely see their value in the blues or in hiking in a trail to set up a base camp.  So, my question is do any of you use yours when carrying camp on your back and/or in really brushy country?  Thanks.

I usually have mine with me ... unless I forget them .  Ill usually collapse them and put them on the pack or carry them when it gets really thick with lots of blow downs that I am climbing over or Im grabbing onto brush to pull myself up a mountain.  They save your knees going downhill, you have better stability, can take some weight off your legs uphill, and are amazing for riving crossings and log crossings.  Im dry now, but I sure wouldnt have been a few times in the field if I didnt have them.  I also have used them as stakes for shelters in snow, help prop up shelters, put up drying lines by my fire, etc.

[Utah]

Easton or Black Diamond

[MountainWalk]

REI makes nice ones.

[Duckslayer89]

Black diamond trail pro shock. The pro series has stainless clamps instead of plastic. I've had them drop down into cracks walking through clear cuts where I thought they were going to break in half with all my weight on them and they are straight as an arrow and sturdy

[Caretaker]

Ditto on the recommendations.  I have both Leki and Black Diamond, think I like the Black Diamond a little better, make sure to get the shock tips.  I use them religiously, they are like having two additional legs.  They are very helpful when backpacking, hiking, packing a load of meat out, climbing St. Helens... etc. I used to laugh at them when I was a kid, now I won't get caught without them.

[Miles]

My right knee hasn't been right for the last 5 years.  Last year I tried trekking poles and now wish that I hadn't waited so long.  Even if only using them to pack in and out of camp they are knee savers...  Makes my loaded downhill pack outs bearable.

[Duckslayer89]

My right knee hasn't been right for the last 5 years.  Last year I tried trekking poles and now wish that I hadn't waited so long.  Even if only using them to pack in and out of camp they are knee savers...  Makes my loaded downhill pack outs bearable.

 

[trophyhunt]

looks like the black diamond pro shock has better reviews than the leki.  REI has the black diamond on sale for 104.89 with free shipping.  Duckslayer, you ever have yours loosen up on you and collapse? Only bad review I saw on yours was they stuck in the mud because of the long tip, but I think for the most part they have worked really well.

[James]

I use Leki carbon lites. I like them, only two issues:
-They are carbon fiber, so if you step on them they will break not bend
-The handgrips will turn your hands black for a while.

[luvmystang67]

Look on sierra trading post for good deals.  I have Leki ones and they're great.  I use them all the time.

[Duckslayer89]

looks like the black diamond pro shock has better reviews than the leki.  REI has the black diamond on sale for 104.89 with free shipping.  Duckslayer, you ever have yours loosen up on you and collapse? Only bad review I saw on yours was they stuck in the mud because of the long tip, but I think for the most part they have worked really well.

No man they are super tight. That's one thing I was skeptical of before purchase but now after having them I know that wouldn't happen. I went with the pro because of the stainless clamps. I have put a ton of miles on my original carbide tips and they are still going strong. In muddy areas I usually try to stick them into logs and stuff but in grass they are fine. You can unscrew the little baskets they come with and put bigger baskets on for the snow. I really wish I had been using them before last year I know my performance during all the backcountry stuff I've done would have been much much better with lower fatigue. It's a bad ass upper body workout to when you use them you will feel strong in the upper body after

[davk]

Look on sierra trading post for good deals.  I have Leki ones and they're great.  I use them all the time.

  I got my Leki poles for 40$ from there.  Nothing fancy ... twist lock aluminums but they work great.

[RadSav]

I always hated trekking poles.  Noise and impact just were not my thing.  Then in training for NWT I had a friend loan me a set with the anti-shock.  Boy did that change the game for me!  Now, if I'm headed for the high country or planning on packing out a heavy load they are a must.  I have yet to get the fancy ones and I'm still happy.  Looking forward to upgrading and see how much better it can get!