Thread: Hiking poles, whos uses them?

Gday team, just wondering what the general concensus is on hiking poles/ walking sticks? I got yarning to an old biddy up the top of the Rangitata and she couldn't shut up about her bloody walking poles. Having recently had a knee reconstruction (Cartilage out, Torn Meniscus fixed, plus ACL graft) I got thinking about them and I reckon they might be a bit of allright.
From what I understand they are used to take some of the weight off your knees, ankles etc and seem like they would be bloody good for downhill, which is what originally busted out my knee.
Is there any one technique to using them that works better than others? What about height, what height should they be set up at? Just until they "feel" right?
I have bought one as I was originally concerned about the extra weight but it doesn't weigh very much so im wondering if the benefits of using two are worth it?
Im thinking of taking them into fiordland with me and hope they don't just turn out to be a bloody hinderance and spend all their time strapped to my pack.

Im getting a pair after using a single pole a few times on the tops

Have used one for a few years now, including in fiordland, wouldn't be without it now on long trips.

Walking poles are very good, but not the best in thick bush. They definitely help the knees.

Are they all created equal? I see some are $20 and some are $200! Im guessing the more expensive ones use a more durable alloy. Might just use some cheapys for a start and see how they go, im all for saving my knees though so more than happy to get decent ones if they work out.
Three years ago I would have laughed any of my mates off the mountain if they turned up with a pair but they are looking very attractive right now! (the poles, not the mates..)

yup, definitely worth a go if you want to reduce knee strain.

i started using them for fly-fishing and now use at least 1 for general tramping as well. they have saved me from several slips & trips.

try to get telescoping ones, so that you can adjust the length depending on uphill, downhill etc. rubber grip on the bottom is good too, the ones with metal tips are insanely noisy on rocks.

an older model I have has a "shock absorber" built into the bottom, nice feature.

Carbon fiber macpack ones are on special atm

Originally Posted by 199p

Carbon fiber macpack ones are on special atm

Cheers! Off to have a nosey, although, isn't EVERYTHING from Macpac ALWAYS on sale/special....

They look like the business for river crossings too I reckon?

I suppose as an added bonus you'll have two fly poles when you set up camp for the night... I like the idea of them come downhill time, my left knee is fucked

PS they were all the rage in Grey Lynn last year, I'd have packs of 10-15 babyboomers pavement-skiing on the (100% flat) past my workshop... Priceless

Yep use Mac pac carbon poles
Great for shithouse ankles and knees
Also saves lots of energy on up hills.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by Tommy

I suppose as an added bonus you'll have two fly poles when you set up camp for the night... I like the idea of them come downhill time, my left knee is fucked

PS they were all the rage in Grey Lynn last year, I'd have packs of 10-15 babyboomers pavement-skiing on the (100% flat) past my workshop... Priceless

Hahaha think we still used the t3

I use and love them. angled grips,easy length adjustment,spring loaded,concave carbide tips. two is much better than one. I find I go faster-esp on rough ground ,feel like I'm using less energy(99.9% sure this is in my head) and it takes a lot of stress of my lower body. I have bad knees(thanks D.O.C.) and it helps a lot with them but the man thing is my f*#ked ankle (thanks sports) gets hurt a lot less.the last point is the main reason I use them as have had to sit tight for a day or two a few times before I started using them and never since.

Best thing i ever bought. 80$ from bivouac. Gives you more stability esp going downhill. Have saved me arsing up many times. The benefits for those with bung knees ankles eyc far far far outweigh the negatives. Also Ryan try light weighting or ultra lightweighting your gear. I dont mean cutting the handle off your toothbrush. I mean pack sleep gear shelter boots. Makes a biiiig diff.

I use them, especially for long trips with heavy packs. As said 2 can be a pain in thick bush, but the rest of the time they're great for reducing load and impact on the legs. My knees are solid downhill but I definitely go up hills with a heavy pack faster if I'm using granny poles, lets the arms do some work too.

I have a pair of macpac carbon fibre ones which weigh bugger all, they're tougher than I thought too - fell over once and sat sideways on one with the end stuck between rocks, felt it bend like a banana and it sprung straight again when I took the weight off it.

Make sure you get ones with external clamps for the telescoping adjustment, the twist-lock mechanicanisms you get on some poles are rubbish.

As far as pole height goes, set them so your elbows are at a right angle when the pole is on the ground and you'll be about right. Some people shorten them a bit for steep uphills and lengthen them a bit for steep downhills, but I don't really bother with that.