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.

[blackveltbowhunter]

Another yes vote here. I only recently started using them, but already consider them a must have for my pack. Besides just taking weight off your knees, they are awesome if you have poor footing or when crossing streams. I have heard from a training standpoint they increase your caloric output significantly as well.

[Eric M]

Another yes vote here. I only recently started using them, but already consider them a must have for my pack. Besides just taking weight off your knees, they are awesome if you have poor footing or when crossing streams. I have heard from a training standpoint they increase your caloric output significantly as well.

Last week I fell and landed on my knee with a pack on. Just starting to feel better now. That was sort of what got me thinking about the poles. Then I saw this video. I used to laugh at people who used them. I think I'll start shopping for a set.

[andrew_in_idaho]

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.

Cascade mountain tech is the brand of the Costco ones, picked up a set of carbon fiber with cork handles for $30 the other day. I've never really used trekking poles before but realized a couple of years ago that hiking with a stick really helps to improve my stamina and also balance on those steep slopes where nearly every step the ground gives out from under your feet whether going up or downhill


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[andrew_in_idaho]

Another yes vote here. I only recently started using them, but already consider them a must have for my pack. Besides just taking weight off your knees, they are awesome if you have poor footing or when crossing streams. I have heard from a training standpoint they increase your caloric output significantly as well.

Last week I fell and landed on my knee with a pack on. Just starting to feel better now. That was sort of what got me thinking about the poles. Then I saw this video. I used to laugh at people who used them. I think I'll start shopping for a set.

See my post above, great deal at Costco


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[Eric M]

Another yes vote here. I only recently started using them, but already consider them a must have for my pack. Besides just taking weight off your knees, they are awesome if you have poor footing or when crossing streams. I have heard from a training standpoint they increase your caloric output significantly as well.

Last week I fell and landed on my knee with a pack on. Just starting to feel better now. That was sort of what got me thinking about the poles. Then I saw this video. I used to laugh at people who used them. I think I'll start shopping for a set.

See my post above, great deal at Costco


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Thanks!

[Jonathan_S]

Unless I am really loaded down, I keep them in the pack. However, when headed downhill, they are a life saver...possibly literally. I have avoided some nasty spills with them

[Eric M]

Unless I am really loaded down, I keep them in the pack. However, when headed downhill, they are a life saver...possibly literally. I have avoided some nasty spills with them

That's when I took my spill-on a downhill.

[ian_padron]

Love em. Use them to pack in camp and on heavy training hikes. Agree 100% with what has been said about inclines/declines. Helps the legs stay fresh, simple physics, less force makes it down to your feet.

 Hunting with them is a pain in the you know what if a quick shot opportunity presents itself and you don't have your rifle handy. I leave them in camp.

I also use mine as the poles for my shelter, double duty is the name of the game for backpacking gear.

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[swashington2128]

A note of caution using them. They will not save you from all falls. You have to be careful on where you plant them for good stability. Yesterday I climbed up Mt El Cajon down here in San Diego. 4000ft elevation change and very steep going down. All hardpan and rock. I planted, put weight on it and my foot slipped. The pole slowed me down but it slid too and down I went. Limping on a sore knee today. Learn from the dumb guy.

All my own fault on not paying enough attention to where I planted that thing. Cant wait to get back to Washington where there is good soft soil with moisture in it.

Good luck and be careful out there.

[lamrith]

Not watched the video, but I know they sure help, specially on climbs/descents with pack on.

[pd]

I always, always, always climb/hike/hunt with trekking poles.

Use two (2) poles!  One pole is a waste of effort.  These are NOT for the aged!  I have been using them since I was climbing in my early thirties, and I adopted them not to spare my knees, but because they make me a faster climber.

I make an exception when I hunt: I carry the poles in my backpack while stalking, and only use them on the way out at nighttime.  I need both hands free to hunt, and trekking poles are very noisy.

[BIGDOG253]

Like many have said already, I used to make fun of people who used them, until I tried them out for myself. They make long hikes with heavy packs a little easier to handle.

When im hiking/training in the off season I tend to leave them at home to make the workout a little harder, but come hunting season, I don't leave home without them. 

[cbond3318]

In addition to what everyone has said in favor of poles, I have found the also help get into a distance burning rythm on the loooong gradual slogs out/into somewhere. Really helps chew off distance.

The only time I get frustrated with them is in tight trail with heavy knee high brush along the edges, during these stretches I rest them over my shoulder and don't bother. Every where else me and my poles are a well oiled machine!