Educate me on trekking poles

[TRD1911]

Starting to get serious about backcountry hunting and researching gear options. Between shelters, water filters, packs, clothing.....the options and features are exhausting to research. I figured that trekking poles would be simple; handles, wrist wrap, poles, pointy end. That should be it, right? Wrong. So, here's what I'm looking for - something lightweight, collapsible and can double as a tent poles at the end of the day. What have you tried? What works best for you? Leaning towards carbon so, what brand do you recommend?

[Skyvalhunter]

I  have been thru my fair share of poles. I am pretty hard on poles weather it be using them to wack down brush, fling debris out of the way, etc. I like the black diamonds as if you break, bend, etc a section of the poles you can order a replacement instead of the whole new set. Heard good things about Leki. Just remember you get what you pay for.

[Magnum_Willys]

$30 costco carbon poles were a good starting point for me and never upgraded.

[dscubame]

$30 costco carbon poles were a good starting point for me and never upgraded.

 

[bracer40]

If looking for the Costco poles, check your area warehouse close out section (ask a store employee if not sure where to look). They’re no longer stocking at this time. They’ll probably be back in stock come spring.

[Mtnwalker]

Right now I’m running the $100 aluminum black diamonds. I keep trying to break them so I can upgrade to carbons but they just keep on keepin’ On. I really have no complaints about them, I’m sure I’ll bend one eventually but I haven’t managed to yet. For me the cam lock style is a must, I’m constantly adjusting height for uphill/downhill and terrain. And I’ll sacrifice a couple ounces for sturdiness, I put a lot of weight on mine when coming down the mountain loaded.

[dscubame]

Here is what I use:
https://www.leki.com/us/trail-running/poles/2754/micro-trail-vario-115-130cm/

The Leki micro trail vario.  Most have either the Leki or the Black Diamond if going top of the line pole.  It really comes down to those two imo if your looking to spend money.  I prefer the Leki system after seeing both in action the last couple years.  I like the way Leki folds up and I like the speed lok system on the Leki.

But if I ever break them I will just buy the Costco ones.

[blackveltbowhunter]

Of the poles I have used, the BD Carbon corks have held up the best.  I went through a couple costco sets and they were great for the money. But ended up breaking with out to much effort. The Leki was the top of the line Carbon pole but not a cork handle. I have heard alot of people preferring  the Leki cam lock over the BD, but my experience was the opposite. Maybe I had a bum set, but they slipped under heavy load unless very tight and then the tabs seemed flimsy. They still functioned well, just not as well as the BD imo. After they broke I purchased another set of BD corks.

Heres my observations, for what your describing telescoping is the only way to go. The tent pole style will get smaller and are vertically stronger. However they do not adjust, and if they break you are done. Every time I have had a break on a telescoper I have been able to still use it by clamping above the break point. The BD offers replacement pieces which is very nice. My first set I would still be using if not for a pole getting lost.

 While I overall like the carbon poles from BD my next set will be a quality aluminum, to compare durability and weight.
 

[Call em in]

Definitely worth getting the cam locks!

[TRD1911]

Of the poles I have used, the BD Carbon corks have held up the best.  I went through a couple costco sets and they were great for the money. But ended up breaking with out to much effort. The Leki was the top of the line Carbon pole but not a cork handle. I have heard alot of people preferring  the Leki cam lock over the BD, but my experience was the opposite. Maybe I had a bum set, but they slipped under heavy load unless very tight and then the tabs seemed flimsy. They still functioned well, just not as well as the BD imo. After they broke I purchased another set of BD corks.

Heres my observations, for what your describing telescoping is the only way to go. The tent pole style will get smaller and are vertically stronger. However they do not adjust, and if they break you are done. Every time I have had a break on a telescoper I have been able to still use it by clamping above the break point. The BD offers replacement pieces which is very nice. My first set I would still be using if not for a pole getting lost.

 While I overall like the carbon poles from BD my next set will be a quality aluminum, to compare durability and weight.

This looks like a winner to me. Seems like they aren't too rediculous in price range either. Thanks

I think I'm going to have to start another "educate me" thread on some of this other gear that has my head spinning.

[Stein]

$30 costco carbon poles were a good starting point for me and never upgraded.

Me too


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[rasbo]

Brown mountain work great,

[Duckslayer89]

Black diamond trail pro... they have stainless clamps instead of plastic and I can’t believe how durable they are. Can’t live without them

[yakimanoob]

I use a pair of Leki Makalu Ultralight Ti poles, and have been through the lifetime warranty process with Leki and it's solid.  One of the sections bent slightly and they replaced it for free no questions asked - complete with the matching section for the other pole.  I've had them for nearly a decade now and have abused the hell out of them.  IF I ever need a new pair, which doesn't seem likely at this point, I'll buy Leki's again for sure. 

Only complaint I have is that they're twist-lock instead of latch/cam lock.  Buy Lekis.  Don't buy the twist-lock version. 

If you're new to using poles, be prepared to feel super awkward for the first few miles until your brain adjusts.  Once it clicks in though, you have many miles of four-footed security ahead .