Trekking poles are a simple tool used in hiking to ease the workload on your joints. The knees and the lower back can be especially worn out by hiking, and even more so if you are carrying a loaded-down backpack. Trekking poles allow you to employ your arms when hiking, helping stabilize your body and gain ground when hiking while reducing your lower body's stress. Many hikers are greatly aided by these poles, but there are some downsides.
Faster Fatigue
Trekking poles allow you to distribute to your chest and arms the workload normally assigned to your legs and back. Since you are using your upper body for the long workload of walking, you are going to tire yourself more quickly and require more breaks while you hike. You'll also experience shortness of breath much faster than you would normally. The more you rely on your arms, the quicker you will tire, and this can surprise many hikers---even experts---who are using these poles for the first time.
Improper Use
Not all hikers are instructed or knowledgeable about the ways trekking poles should be used. This reduces the benefit of the poles to the hiker and can end up costing more energy and wear than they're worth. Similarly, many hikers employing trekking poles use them at their sides, which significantly widens the area of path they consume. For passersby, this can be uncomfortable and an inconvenience, especially on narrow trails.
Loss of Your Hands
Of course, you can always set down your poles if you need your hands. But for the most part, anytime you are walking, your hands are occupied with the handles of trekking poles. Simple tasks, like grabbing a snack, taking photos or simply lending a friend a hand, are made much more difficult with poles. Even if you set them to the side, you still have to worry about keeping track of the poles and making sure the shafts aren't stepped on accidentally. This can be more hassle than it's worth for some hikers.
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