Hiking poles for hunting

[Don_D]

I am disabled but I hunt the general season, I rely on a cane and have pretty limited mobility but I was wondering if anyone uses hiking poles and if so what kind they have and how they have held up?

The absolute most I can get off the road or out of the truck (might be wishful thinking on my part) would be about a mile and that would take me an eternity but I am more than willing I just need something better than a cane to help take me there. An added bonus would be a shooting stick/hiking pole combo as I hunt modern.

Thanks guys!

[JLS]

I bought a set of Komperdells off of Sierra Trading Post for about 60 bucks.  I take them everywhere.  They aren't going to hold up forever, I can tell that now.  However, I've beat them up pretty good for the price and will likely get several more years out of them before they need replaced.

[Jonathan_S]

Don, that's a good option for you. Costco has some poles that have pretty decent reviews and a good price. Based on what you said, there is really no need to invest $170 in Leki poles when you aren't really able to hike terribly far anyway.

This was a good idea for you to invest in though. Regardless of your disability, the trekking poles will help you. Every pound you can transfer through your arms and poles, is considerably less on your back, knees and hips.

I personally avoid the twist lock poles because they seem to lose their "lock" at the worst possible times. Lever lock or multi-piece (tent pole-esque) are what I have found to be more reliable. As far as carbon vs aluminum, I don't think it will matter much.

[JLS]

I personally avoid the twist lock poles because they seem to lose their "lock" at the worst possible times. Lever lock or multi-piece (tent pole-esque) are what I have found to be more reliable. As far as carbon vs aluminum, I don't think it will matter much.

They can also freeze solid on you if you don't dry them out after they got rained on, and three days later it's minus 5 in Montana.

[kentrek]

I think youl be amazed the stability you will have while running them....my dad had double knee replacement and has been struggling with the cross country....double walking sticks are just the ticket ! Ive had the cheaper kind break in half on me so be sure to stay with a reputable brand/model

If you can get away with a ski pole those work pretty well too and are very stout....lots of good deals out there

Good luck !

[Don_D]

Great info to consider guys thanks tons. Yeah the twist lock thing is a great point. Lever lock sounds like just the thing to be able to rely on.

Anything that can help get us out in the woods is a good thing!

[AWS]

By looping the wrist strap over the opposite pole you get a pretty good cells stick type rifle rest.  I do that when I'm predator hunting on XC skis.  I carry my rifle in a Nimrod back scabard to free up my arms to handle the poles.

[Jonathan_S]

I personally avoid the twist lock poles because they seem to lose their "lock" at the worst possible times. Lever lock or multi-piece (tent pole-esque) are what I have found to be more reliable. As far as carbon vs aluminum, I don't think it will matter much.

They can also freeze solid on you if you don't dry them out after they got rained on, and three days later it's minus 5 in Montana.

  sounds like trouble

[trapp01]

I run the el cheapo twist lock poles from Walmart for 8 years without malfunction. I think they're Swiss gear brand. They've taken me to the top of Rainier, Mt. Adams twice, Mt Stuart, Mt Stone, Eldorado Peak, Mt. Ellinor in winter, 8 High buck hunts, and dozens of backpacking and snowshoeing trips. I was skeptical at first but then realized looking cool didn't get me into the backcountry easily. They add tons of stability and mak3 those inclines and downhills a lot easier.

Jason

[SemperFidelis97]

I run the el cheapo twist lock poles from Walmart for 8 years without malfunction. I think they're Swiss gear brand. They've taken me to the top of Rainier, Mt. Adams twice, Mt Stuart, Mt Stone, Eldorado Peak, Mt. Ellinor in winter, 8 High buck hunts, and dozens of backpacking and snowshoeing trips. I was skeptical at first but then realized looking cool didn't get me into the backcountry easily. They add tons of stability and mak3 those inclines and downhills a lot easier.

Jason

Its funny I keep waiting for our cheap walmart ones to break as well, and we have hundreds of pretty hard miles on them.  I will upgrade to a better pole when these fail, but given how well they have held up I don't know that it will be anytime soon.  To the OP once you get used to using poles you will not want to hike without them, I have very bad feet, and I have been able to cover allot of ground with the extra support the poles provide.

[Jonathan_S]

I run the el cheapo twist lock poles from Walmart for 8 years without malfunction. I think they're Swiss gear brand. They've taken me to the top of Rainier, Mt. Adams twice, Mt Stuart, Mt Stone, Eldorado Peak, Mt. Ellinor in winter, 8 High buck hunts, and dozens of backpacking and snowshoeing trips. I was skeptical at first but then realized looking cool didn't get me into the backcountry easily. They add tons of stability and mak3 those inclines and downhills a lot easier.

Jason

It's not breaking that concerns me, it's the working loose and slipping part  I never have been able to get them to stay. Glad yours work well

[Wetwoodshunter]

After posting nearly the same thing I went with some LEKI poles with the quick clips. The ones I got came from camofire for about $80. Last weekend my wife put 24 miles on them with no problems.

I think they are the Micro Vario Ti poles. I like them so much I will be ordering another set.