Randy Newberg short video on trekking poles-opinions?

[Eric M]

Seems like as I get older the idea of these sound better. Used to think it was just something else to carry. Opinions?

[Fl0und3rz]

I like them.  Improve your stamina, save your legs and maybe your butt, tarp pitch poles, improvised rest, etc.

[kentrek]

I think it's a personal choice

For me I don't hunt with them 24/7...but i have them in camp 100% of the time

I use them when it comes time for any down hill meat packs or while training over the summer with heavy packs...i was pretty religious with a weighted pack most of the spring/early sumer and used them often...they really help me when ever I had some knee pain...but now it's July and after alot of controled down hill training I can get by with out them on my weighted hikes

If I have any 4000 plus foot drops they are absolutely coming with me

But while out hunting, i really just get annoyed with them

Anyone with any kind of pain should definitely use them tho

Hope this helps

[hughjorgan]

I like trekking poles because they relieve stress on your knees, especially with a heavy load.

[Lincoln4]

Funny, I just picked up a pair a couple of days ago.  Gonna take them out tomorrow.

[Jimmy33]

Always made fun of people that used them...I can't believe how awesome they are.


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[coop2424]

Pretty much have them everytime in the woods now either attached to pack or in my hands...   Flat ground don't use them but going up or down for much distance and will use them..  Allows me to not be as sore the next day and can go further with less strain.. 

[3dvapor]

Used them for elk and chukar hunting last year.  Worked great

[Eric M]

Always made fun of people that used them...I can't believe how awesome they are.


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That was me until my knees started bothering me this year. Thanks for the responses everyone.

[swashington2128]

I am down in San Diego and climbed up Mt El Capitan for exercise. 11.6 mile round trip and almost 4000ft elevation change on the way up. Very steep in places. Just with my pack and water it was hard on the knees coming down that thing and I saw old people (well older than me) trekking on past me with those things. So I got a pair and what a difference it makes. You can push up the hill and take some pressure off of the legs. Takes some getting used to though as using them takes practice. Your poles go with the feet which means your arm swing is opposite of what we are used to.

My opinion, get some and good ones and you will like them. I got some from REI on sale and they fold in half and fit in the rifle scabbard of my Eberlestock pack nicely.

[hunting4sanity]

I used to think they were gimmicky - then I used them with a heavy pack in some nasty rocky terrain, now I'm a believer and a user.

[Stein]

I tried them once, borrowed my wife's cheapie snowshoe poles.  Now, I really wouldn't go far without them.  I am so much more stable and less likely to fall plus on the flat stuff you can really cruise.

[_TONY_]

Trekking poles are a must for me and my crew in the hills.

[JeffRaines]

I think most serious backcountry hikers/hunters went through the same evolution...

"wow, I would never use those stupid things" to "wow, how did I ever hike without them?" They do take a lot of stress off your legs/feet.

They can be spendy. If you don't already have a set, keep your eye out at Costco. I hear the ones they have come through occasionally(some kind of Carbon with a weird brand name) are awesome.

[Branden]

I've used them a long time now. Started using them when I was 21 guiding sheep in AK. They really help take weight off your legs going up hill. Stabilize you on side hills. Relieve knee pressure going down hill.

Use them for a tarp if you tarp camp. Loop the loops over the handles and it makes a good bipod. I used them to climb a glacier. So many uses they are worth having a good pair.

If I'm scouting I have them retracted and strapped to my pack. Only use them if I need them for balance or walking on snow/ice. Same with hunting. I bring them along for shooting or the pack out but don't use them full time.

My favorite are the Black diamonds with the flick lock. My brother and dad both have Leki's and like those.

I would suggest getting them from REI. I slipped and rolled about 80 yards down a hill and turned one into a pretzel. REI replaced the whole set for free when I asked if I could buy just one pole.