Trekking Poles

[Muddyboots]

I have found over the last 5 years (now 69 6'4" 265 lbs) or so that the use of trekking poles has increased my ability to walk farther under less effort. I have used all sorts of them and have spent all sorts of $$$ on them. In 2017 I was training for a mule deer bow hunt in ND Badlands (Medora mostly) so I was walking quite a bit using poles so I decided to buy a set of really cheap ones from Wally World. I almost couldn't believe what I found out. I purchased a set for less than $19, used them for about 6 months hard including while local bow season carrying a climber thru swamps etc. I was saving my "good ones" for trip. The cheap ones from Walmart were so stout and held up so well I actually took them to ND and beat the crap out of them in ND. They held up fine and I am still using them so I decided to give link to see if anyone else might want to try them or had similar experience. I did have to replace one of the rubber stops and used a cane replacement rubber pad with JB weld and so far so good. It is almost embarrassing to see how well they work for such a low price.
https://outdoorproducts.com/products/apex-trekking-poles-set-of-2-4-2-ft

 

[Barrelnut]

Those look pretty good. Shows you can get functional stuff at a reasonable price.
I am of similar age and weight. I hunt in a lot of mountain clear-cuts. Clear-cuts can be kinda dangerous. They are not the pleasant mountain meadow that they sometimes appear to be. They can have very uneven terrain under the vegetation with large and small downed logs that are hidden under the vegetation too. It is very easy to get a broken leg or ankle when traversing a clear-cut. Trekking poles can save you in this type of terrain, especially with a heavy pack.

 

[Bravo 4]

I bought those cheap poles from Walmart to assist me on last year's elk hunt. They made a ginormous difference, and held strong. Some of the climbs wound have been hands and knees and that is when they really helped, especially going down. My buddy was crawling up/down behind me and was really expending a lot more energy.

 

[Len Backus]

A few years ago, the addition of trekking poles for hiking and backpacking in the mountains has made a HUGE difference for me.

 

[J E Custom]

For a while I just cut me a couple of the right size Aspen poles and used them but once I found how light and strong good trekking poles were, I never went back.

I always figured that when we lift one leg, we only have one on the ground. An Elk or mule deer still have three on the ground. for many years I used only one but found two were much better especially going down hill.

You don't have to be old like me to benefit from poles.

J E CUSTOM

 

[dok7mm]

Amen to the trekking poles and clear cuts. Those clear cuts are anything but clear, an accident waiting to happen!

Nearly as bad, are the thinning cuts the Forest Service makes. Rain and snow move them into rafts of solid 3-4" down timber. Impossible to walk on, you just have to skirt around them. At 71 years, good poles are a blessing hiking up to timberline. I keep saying I'm gonna hunt lower, but I always end up @ 9500 ft. I couldn't do it without poles.

 

[shphtr]

I am a dedicated diehard mountain hunter hunting the mountains of Alaska for goats and sheep til either successful or the season closes and then traveling to Asia and the Far East to continue my addiction. By far the best hunting/trekking poles are made by Black Diamond. They are called flip locks by virtue of their locking mechanism and do not slip with use. The strongest and pretty much the lightest are oval shaped and a combination of alum and carbon fiber. Using them will prolong your useable hunting years as well as help preserve your ankles and esp knees. In addition now a days many one man shelters/tents/tarps are supported by trekking poles and these will perform admirable service in this endeavor. Good luck

 

[popgun240]

I have found over the last 5 years (now 69 6'4" 265 lbs) or so that the use of trekking poles has increased my ability to walk farther under less effort. I have used all sorts of them and have spent all sorts of $$$ on them. In 2017 I was training for a mule deer bow hunt in ND Badlands (Medora mostly) so I was walking quite a bit using poles so I decided to buy a set of really cheap ones from Wally World. I almost couldn't believe what I found out. I purchased a set for less than $19, used them for about 6 months hard including while local bow season carrying a climber thru swamps etc. I was saving my "good ones" for trip. The cheap ones from Walmart were so stout and held up so well I actually took them to ND and beat the crap out of them in ND. They held up fine and I am still using them so I decided to give link to see if anyone else might want to try them or had similar experience. I did have to replace one of the rubber stops and used a cane replacement rubber pad with JB weld and so far so good. It is almost embarrassing to see how well they work for such a low

 

[popgun240]

I'm a 74 y.o. Amputee. I use Trekking poles to give me balance while trying to traverse uneven ground. It does help but if I were to jump game, I'll fall down trying to get rifle off my shoulder. So I use them to get close to my fishing spots.

 

[CONChunt]

I am a dedicated diehard mountain hunter hunting the mountains of Alaska for goats and sheep til either successful or the season closes and then traveling to Asia and the Far East to continue my addiction. By far the best hunting/trekking poles are made by Black Diamond. They are called flip locks by virtue of their locking mechanism and do not slip with use. The strongest and pretty much the lightest are oval shaped and a combination of alum and carbon fiber. Using them will prolong your useable hunting years as well as help preserve your ankles and esp knees. In addition now a days many one man shelters/tents/tarps are supported by trekking poles and these will perform admirable service in this endeavor. Good luck

I couldn't agree more. The Black Diamonds are awesome and the the stress that trekking poles takes off your knees is well worth the investment. Even if you are in your 20s they will reduce wear and tear on your body.

 

[SeboCreek]

I couldn't agree more. The Black Diamonds are awesome and the the stress that trekking poles takes off your knees is well worth the investment. Even if you are in your 20s they will reduce wear and tear on your body.

25 years or so ago a lot of guides looked at you like you were a softy (which I might have been), but now a lot more hunters and guides using them. Great help and energy saver.

 

[COmtnman1]

I had been reading about trekking poles a little over a year ago before i was going on my backpacking elk hunt in CO. I've pack hunted for years & never used them. I bought a pair & used them at home while getting in shape before my elk hunt. My biggest issue with them is not how well they worked but i was unable to use them in most of the area i hunted. The trail was either not wide enuf or a bank on one side or something. I hardly used them at all. Does nobody encounter such issues where you all hunt? I hunt backcountry/wilderness & for the most part the poles were useless.

 

[ofbandg]

I use poles extensively for my hiking. My favourites are the spring loaded ones that compress a bit when I am pushing hard on them going up hill. They really save your legs and back when the hill climbs are steep and help keep your balance on the downslopes. I lengthen mine on the down hills, shorten them on the ups and collapse them and attach them to the pack in the really rocky stuff. Most places that sell them also have replaceable rubber "boots" for them and I always keep spares. I can't go far without them any more.

 

[ThorThor]

I had a friend get me try his a few years back and went and bought the same ones. Leki Corklight I believe, best $120 I ever spent. I tell everybody it's human 4 wheel drive. Saves your knees and prevents bad falls. They work great as a quick sitting/kneeling shooting rest also, just loop the straps over each other and cross them. If your reading this thread get some, they are worth every penny. You don't need to be older. Iam 40 and in good shape and will not step off without them.