Hiking Poles Recommendations

Spending2Much on 27/08/2023 - 18:50
Last edited 28/08/2023 - 06:11 by 1 other user

I've started doing alot of hiking, long trail walks, and recently few hills and what small mountains we have in southern WA.

Nearing 50 and still single, the walks are keeping me active and give me plenty of time to reflect on life's choices and decisions 🤦

Anyway, I think I want a set of hiking poles, to ease on the downhill sections of the trails, there's so much to choose from, I would like some expert OzB advice please

I've been to my local outdoor shop and they basically just said,
"We have this one or this one"
When I asked about the difference, it was
"Ones $50, ones $80"

So, please help with finding a good quality set, as a reasonable price

Sports & Outdoors Hiking Trekking Poles

Comments

  • omguleh on 27/08/2023 - 18:59
    +1

    Decathon ones are decent, use them for the kids when we go hiking.

  • Loot N Plunder on 27/08/2023 - 19:29
    +1

    Nothing wrong with using a stick easily replaced and cost you nothing and used with a bit of imagination it becomes your staff.

    https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/SRoAAOSw8aVhc4U3/s-l1600.jpg

    • apsilon on 27/08/2023 - 19:46
      +2

      Funny you should say. I've done it myself in the past but saw this in the news earlier in the week: https://www.insidestategovernment.com.au/queensland-rangers-…

      • Protractor on 27/08/2023 - 20:42

        Oh the irony. QLD farmers and developers wipe out more habitat in a day than walkers could do in a century of non stop bush walking for every man woman and child,there.
        Park rangers these days are ppl that flunked plod school.

      • Ozpit on 28/08/2023 - 09:46

        Walkers picking up a dead stick are upsetting/destroying the ecosystem? What a
        S-T-R-E-T-C-H. Park rangers will happily take a chainsaw to a tree or cut a new path through virgin forest if they see fit - that would have to affect the ecosystem thousands of times more than all the walkers in Australia over a decade or more who pick up a stick in a national or state park.
        Park ranger:”Don’t swat that mosquito! It will have far reaching affects on the balance of nature.”
        I think park rangers are just tired of removing all the sticks that walkers kindly leave for others as a walking aid at trail heads.

    • Sinnerator on 29/08/2023 - 09:26

      read a funny riddle the other century,

      what's brown and sticky?

      a stick

  • DJR9000 on 27/08/2023 - 19:39
    +2

    lots of choices. Carbon vs aluminium, material of the grips, folding/extension design

    Top of the line would be something like the leki that have the matching gloves - good if you do a lot of hiking as they protect your palms from blisters a bit

    folding poles like the black diamond Z poles are great if you want to fold them up small

    I trail run and the occasional hike and have these carbon folding poles from ali express - they have been quite good for the price - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003298668724.html?spm=a2…

  • rumblytangara on 27/08/2023 - 20:03

    I've tried a modest range, cheap Black Diamond aluminium fliplocks with and without shock absorption, Leki, Black Diamond carbon Z poles.

    As long as the lock mechanisms hold out (and they have for me) then they're all much of a muchness. Depends how much you value compact folding.

    It's worth mentioning here… most people don't have a clue how to use hiking poles to increase efficiency (if that's what you are trying to do). It's worth looking up technique.

    • HardQuiz on 27/08/2023 - 21:19

      Is one enough for efficiency? Or must be pair.

      • rumblytangara on 27/08/2023 - 21:22
        +1

        If you want poles for speed and distance, a pair.

        If you want poles as a balancing aid or to help bad knees going down loads of stairs (eg Nepal treks) one is fine.

        • Spending2Much on 28/08/2023 - 05:15

          Thanks. Mainly for the balancing aid and to help easing down the long downhill sections or many steps on some of the bigger popular walks/hikes.
          Didn't think I'd only require the one

    • Spending2Much on 28/08/2023 - 05:13

      Good advice. Thanks. I'll definitely read up techniques. I've got some pages marked on how to set them up correctly.

  • capslock janitor on 27/08/2023 - 21:31
    +1

    aint nothing wrong with being single in WA, hope someone finds you my friend

  • roonie on 28/08/2023 - 08:11

    Wife and I bought Fizan poles when we did the Camino in 2015. (In our 50s). Pointy metal tips and removable rubber caps for solid surfaces. 3 pieces each. (Note that each piece is still quite long and only just fits into luggage). Really useful for downhill stretches allowing you to maintain “speed” (rather than being super cautious on the loose surfaces). Shock absorbers too

    • Telios on 24/03/2024 - 23:42

      Fizans are truly golden standard for price, performance and weight.

      They've gotten a bit pricier lately but are still the ultimate alu poles.

      You can make some savings with carbon but the reason I switched was water/temperature issues with alu in sub zero temps.

      • Dslrfirst on 25/03/2024 - 09:55

        No probs with ali in Antarctica.

  • Rob-4x4 on 28/08/2023 - 08:15

    I think Leki are the best made and my Partner uses them but for myself I got Black Diamond as one of theirs was the best fit for me as a tall person, all the Leki ones I looked at were too short .

  • Dslrfirst on 28/08/2023 - 09:42

    Have a pair of aluminum poles from Anaconda - have been all over the world including climbing in snow & ice in Antarctica. They collapse to fit in suitcase.

    • [Deactivated] on 29/08/2023 - 23:23

      Do Mount Everest next …. show those Sherpas what those aluminium poles can really do in the snow & ice.

  • bargaino on 28/08/2023 - 10:29

    They all follow the same design. Collapsible/adjustable length. Grip. Removable snow-thingy on the end. Spring shock absorber. A $20 aluminium eBay pair or $300 Black Diamond will do the same thing, 100g difference. Its not like you are in the Alps.

    • tonester on 28/08/2023 - 14:51

      They all follow the same design.

      -1

      How to Choose Trekking Poles

      • rumblytangara on 29/08/2023 - 23:07

        He's not wrong. They're all just sticks. As long as they don't actually collapse at the mechanism, once they are extended I've not noticed any difference between cheap and expensive.

        The only poles I've seen that are convincingly different were pacerpoles, a UK design. Not sure if they're around anymore though.

  • woolton on 28/08/2023 - 10:54

    Make sure the ones you get fold down enough to fit in a suitcase.

  • davebern on 28/08/2023 - 11:28
    +1

    I highly recommend trekking poles with a 'clip-locking' system rather than a 'twist-locking' system.
    The clip-locking system is a much securer and stronger telescopic pole locking system than the more common twist-locking system.
    I've used both systems. The clip-locking system has never failed me, but the twist-locking system has.
    I once owned a pair of Leki poles that had 2 locking systems: a clip-locking system at the higher end of the telescopic poles and a twist-locking system at the lower end of the telescopic poles. The twist-locking section of the poles collapsed multiple times on a hike through the Overland Track, despite tightening it (harder and harder) multiple times, whereas the clip-locking system never failed on that trip.
    I think the reason twist-locking section of my poles slipped could have occurred when the poles inadvertently got stuck in between the duck boards or in the mud. Unless you extract the poles in exactly the same angle that it was inserted, then they could inadvertently loosen when you pull them out.

    • tonester on 28/08/2023 - 14:52
      +1

      I highly recommend trekking poles with a 'clip-locking' system rather than a 'twist-locking' system.

      +1

      e.g. Black Diamond

      • davebern on 29/08/2023 - 07:43

        I've got a couple of Black Diamond poles and am very happy with them.

    • Dslrfirst on 30/08/2023 - 10:00

      My twist locks never collapse even on small mtns in Antartica.

      • Telios on 26/03/2024 - 23:40

        Eventually they will fall.

        I'm onto my third pair of fizans but I usually use my carbon ones now (flick lock).

        The internal twist locks eventually get rekt m wrecked from cold/water and use.

        They still lasted me 6 months of continuous use

        • Dslrfirst on 27/03/2024 - 09:37

          Mine are still going after 20+years.

  • LFO on 28/08/2023 - 13:03

    Please excuse my ignorance but what is the advantage of a hiking pole for easy hiking?

    I've done some easy hiking and never felt the need for a pole/stick to help.

    Thank you.

    • roonie on 28/08/2023 - 13:28

      I found the poles useful when descending dirt tracks. Provides sure footing

      • LFO on 30/08/2023 - 11:10

        So you are actually putting some of your body weight on those poles? Like with a walking/walker stick?

        Asking again because when learning downhill (snow) skiing the use of pole is paramount (or so trainers say) to precisely define your movements. No pressure needed nor intended, just like "marking" the snow.

        Thanks again.

    • bargaino on 28/08/2023 - 15:15
      +1

      "to ease on the downhill sections of the trails" as OP said.

      Saves your knees too. There are other reasons in different terrain (snow, mountains), but they don't apply here.

    • rumblytangara on 29/08/2023 - 23:50
      -1

      'Easy' hiking? Not much in the way of advantage, really. Unless you're very uncertain as a walker or nursing an injury. For easy stuff, imo a pole or a pair of poles is just extra weight.

      • LFO on 30/08/2023 - 11:03

        Spot on!

  • diarlin on 28/08/2023 - 19:56

    I've been looking at these Naturehike ones that are $60 per pair on sale. Budget and lightweight.

  • Sweet3st on 28/08/2023 - 19:58

    NOT KMart! I bought a pair of Fizans from Kathmandu after the KMart pair fell apart instantly. Very handy especially in rocky uneven terrain.

  • Quokka37 on 07/10/2023 - 17:43

    I hike weekly in the Perth Hills done over 250kms so far this year and have been using the Kmart poles with no problems except needing new rubber feet, which I got from eBay. While I have two I usually only carry one. Find it really helps climbing down steep slopes common in the hills. I regularly walk on rocky uneven terrain. Just my experience. Well worth the $10 each IMO.

  • Daniel Plainview on 30/10/2023 - 16:46

    This thread might have run it's race but as someone who hikes a fair bit and has decent quality sticks (Fizan upper tier ones) which they don't use a lot - my thoughts would be just get some of the real cheapies. Unless you're needing them to break down to take in your luggage places etc - the cheap aluminium poles are for all intents and purposes just as good as the multi hundred dollar ones.

    YOU will always be the weakest link in the chain - so I'd really not sweat it and focus on putting your $$$ into other aspects of your kit.

    • greypotatobake on 23/03/2024 - 20:01

      Agreed. I've had the cheap carbon fiber Aliexpress ones for years and hundreds of kms and upgraded almost every aspect of my kit except trekking poles (for example bought a duplexL (imported and paid GST), montbell versalite (top and bottoms), xtherm nxt, spark 4, hmg 3400 55L and that's the tip of the iceberg)

    • Daniel Plainview on 21/05/2024 - 17:34
      +1

      Is funny in the 9mths or so since I posted this - I've somewhat changed my attitude. I still think that cheaper trekking poles are essentially just as good as upper price tier ones - the differences being a very modest weight differential, possible mechanism reliability, superior comfort hand grips - but thats about it.

      I've done a bunch of walking now - with a bunch of clubs with a bunch of experienced walkers and I can attest that by far the biggest variable is the user technique. As i am sorry to say but most folks, even those with very expensive poles use them badly or improperly. Almost none of them knowing how to properly use the wrist straps or even worse they cut them off!

      If you use trekking poles correctly they will very noticeably assist in the uphill sections, taking a bunch of strain off your legs. And on downhills, creek crossing etc they provide stability with atleast one extra point of contact at all times.

      They're a no brainer IMHO - but rather than dropping $150+ on carbon fibre, cork gripped ones - you're better off buying the $10 each ones from Kmart and learning how to use them properly. And yes, you need two to do this. And also unless you're walking on tarmac etc do yourself a favour and take and leave the rubber cover off and the plastic baskets on, the carbide will dig in on even rocks and the basket ensures it does not go in too far on soft soil or leaf litter. Happy trekking!

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