Best light trekking poles?

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Oct 10, 2018
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Never used them before. I have a long willow stick that I've been using for 6 years! But wanting to try some out because the downhill hiking really sucks for my bad knees and hips. I would like to get some soon to grow accustomed to them before Sept season. Any tips or wisdom on getting used to them, what to avoid, brands... etc? Thanks
 
Have (since- posting) read alot of stuff about trekking poles... my brother uses Peax backcountry elite. I remember trying them and having sore hands quickly because of the grip orientation vs my stick. With my stick, which is about eye -level in height, I reach out while stepping and let the pole slide through my hand (You like that, don't you?!) before reaching stick out again at next step...

This grip thing is what i am not sure i can get used to... I will just have to try some out to see if I can. Maybe I ll stick with my stick - it has helped me out on many bucks and several elk packouts.

Still appreciate your feedback on which poles work for you all.
 
I prefer aluminum. Cascade Mountain Tech aluminum have been good to me. Carbon fiber will shatter, aluminum will just bend and will still be usable.
 
After breaking 3-4 Cascades in the last few years I broke down and got some of the Durston Iceline's. Hope these last me more than one mountain hunt lol.

 
Black diamond expedition 3 pole in aluminum, a couple oz heavier than carbon but only problem I’ve had in many years of hard use was smacking a tree branch too hard and snapped a lower part. Use them all season hunting, training, skiing. Easy to replace a section if needed. Also, some poles have lower grips that are nice to choke up on if you’re going up something steep. Cam lock style are better than twist lock. 3 piece is nice to make smaller and toss in the pack. Lots of good options these days, good luck!
 

I like these. USA made parts and every part is sold direct to consumer and replaceable. Every part!
 
After looking over all of them, I went the buy once cry once route and picked up the LEKI Black Series FX Carbon Collapsible Lightweight Walking Poles for Trekking & Hiking. I'm glad I did! These made a huge difference when we were humping through Southwest Wyoming.
 
BD alpine carbon corks are quite tough, by far the best pole I’ve used. Extra stiff which is nice.

Predominantly used the aluminum black diamonds but last trail pro pair had super flexible lowers and their smash lock adjustment system, which was a POS.

I’ve used the argali poles as well - the carbon pole itself was good and stiff, I just didn’t get along with the foam grips they use. Never had an issue with foam prior to that, but pushed me to cork for sure.
 
Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork, 4 seasons and going strong, super tough. I'm 230 and put all my weight on a single pole a few times. 18 ish ounces.

Have 30 miles on the Durston Ice line, only 10 ounces. Not as stiff as the Alpine Carbon Cork but way stiffer than Argali ones, Costco ones, and every other black diamond one I tried. What I will be running this season and man can you feel the weight difference during a long day
 
Never used them before. I have a long willow stick that I've been using for 6 years! But wanting to try some out because the downhill hiking really sucks for my bad knees and hips. I would like to get some soon to grow accustomed to them before Sept season. Any tips or wisdom on getting used to them, what to avoid, brands... etc? Thanks
I have a set of the Sissy Stix's from Peax and have best the crap out of them and they have held up great. I would buy them again.
 
I prefer aluminum. Cascade Mountain Tech aluminum have been good to me. Carbon fiber will shatter, aluminum will just bend and will still be usable.

Are there different aluminum models? Which ones did you get?
 
Best light pole? There are none if you are a big guy.

I know, I know...the OP specifically asked about UL poles....but he also said he has never used them where I've been using them for a couple decades.

I'm 6'3" 240. Tall guys have these extended longer making that lower section of a UL pole pretty flimsy. I've bent a "Quality" Black Diamond UL pole and so has a buddy. My last was just sliding on a gravel fire road downhill with a weighted pack- pretty ridiculous but the pole probably saved me a knee surgery- so there's that.

I bought the Poles marketed as heavy duty carbon poles on Amazon [$39] and they have lasted me 3 seasons- bulletproof....but NOT UL.
 
I have been using the argali carbon x and have been extremely impressed with durability. With a lot of weight on some crazy packouts I’ve been surprised they haven’t broken on me. Especially occasionally getting them wedged between rocks and still going strong.
 
Best light pole? There are none if you are a big guy.

I know, I know...the OP specifically asked about UL poles....but he also said he has never used them where I've been using them for a couple decades.

I'm 6'3" 240. Tall guys have these extended longer making that lower section of a UL pole pretty flimsy. I've bent a "Quality" Black Diamond UL pole and so has a buddy. My last was just sliding on a gravel fire road downhill with a weighted pack- pretty ridiculous but the pole probably saved me a knee surgery- so there's that.

I bought the Poles marketed as heavy duty carbon poles on Amazon [$39] and they have lasted me 3 seasons- bulletproof....but NOT UL.

Favor? Could you possibly paste the link of the ones you bought? I am looking for a set.
 
I got a set of Black Ovis off camo fire. They're super nice for the $50 I paid for them. I'll probably buy more. I've got horrible luck with losing high end poles. Not sure on the weight. Don't really care. I can cut weight in other ways.
 
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