A set of walking, trekking or hiking poles are used by many hikers to improve stability, to take pressure off their knees and ankles on long walks, and to give them additional points of contact with the ground when walking over uneven or rocky surfaces. They are of special help to backpackers carrying heavy loads. Some hikers prefer a single staff rather than a pair of poles. The latest models in trekking poles are made of lightweight metal or ultra-light carbon fiber, have straps to hook over your wrists, and are adjustable to different lengths. The telescoping style poles allow a hiker to shorten the length for uphill climbs and then lengthen them easily when hiking downhill. Grips are typically made of dense foam or cork.
What to Look for
Pairs or single hiking poles are available at sporting goods retailers, specialty chain retailers such as REI and EMS, and camping/backpacking shops. Brands include Leki, Black Diamond, Komperdell and the REI house brand. They cost from $80 to $140. The most expensive poles have small shock absorbers built in to provide extra comfort. Some poles come with rubber tips. You can buy rubber tips for poles without them if you play to hike over rocky surfaces. Most good poles have small baskets at the bottom so they don't plunge too far into a soft surface.
Common Pitfalls
If all you want is basic support, there is no need to spend extra money for super-light models or those with shock absorbers. Nor do you need to buy poles that come with extra touches like removable handles that can be converted into a camera mount, or a tiny compass built into the handle. If you are under 5 feet tall, you might save a few dollars by buying "junior" poles created for children that are shorter than adult poles.
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