Folding vs. Regular Trekking Poles?

CjMelendrez

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 27, 2021
Messages
139
Location
South Central Idaho
So I messed up and lost my trekking poles on my last hunt....

Now I am in the market for something new. I had an older model of Kelty carbon poles that they no longer make and I loved them.

My question is, do you guys have any experience with the folding models similar to this?


or do you still prefer the standard telescoping models like below?


I want carbon, or a carbon hybrid with an aluminum lower. I don't weight enough to worry about snapping carbon, and I'm not chasing animals in sheep and goat country.

I'm also open to pole recommendations. I've seen a lot of guys talk about Cascade Mountain tech poles for example and I'll look into those as well.

Thanks!
 

P Carter

WKR
Joined
Nov 4, 2016
Messages
679
Location
Idaho
I have a set of folding poles and a set of telescoping poles.

The folding poles are best for running/hiking. They are very stowable; much more "solid" in use (no rattles, less flex, less reverberation); quicker to deploy (no need to adjust length every time you pull them out); and much lighter.

However, you can't use them to support a shelter or for glassing. (Sidenote: the wiser precision sparrow is awesome).

When I shift away from the folders to the telescopers, I get very annoyed at first but get used to them quickly.

If you want the secondary uses, I'd stick with the telescoping poles. If you're just using for hiking, the folding ones are great.

I have the Black Diamond Z distance, in aluminum, as the folders and the Black Ovis carbon as the telescopers.

For what it's worth, for me it was worthwhile to spend a few bit of time experimenting with using the poles in various scenarios. It seems dumb, but some consideration of technique was quite helpful.
 
OP
CjMelendrez

CjMelendrez

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 27, 2021
Messages
139
Location
South Central Idaho
I had the Wiser Quick-stix mounts on my previous poles and plan on putting those on my next pair as well. Leaning towards the telescoping poles because of this, but wanted to explore other options.

Thanks for the input!
 

Matt5266

WKR
Joined
Sep 19, 2021
Messages
623
Location
SW Idaho
I have had a pair of cascade mountain techs for years and they have been fine. I also have the wiser quick stix on them too. Personally I dont see what I would benefit by paying hundreds for a pair over these
 

199p

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 4, 2015
Messages
143
Location
New Zealand
I had a mate that brought some cheap ones from china and they slipped in together like tent poles.

Worked great until the foot got caught up and the poles pulled out and he went down hard, One of the funniest things i have seen,
Then to make it even better he was jammed between a couple of rocks and was stuck on his back like a turtle.

Wish i got a photo
 
OP
CjMelendrez

CjMelendrez

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 27, 2021
Messages
139
Location
South Central Idaho
I had a mate that brought some cheap ones from china and they slipped in together like tent poles.

Worked great until the foot got caught up and the poles pulled out and he went down hard, One of the funniest things i have seen,
Then to make it even better he was jammed between a couple of rocks and was stuck on his back like a turtle.

Wish i got a photo

yea.... never go full turtle
 
Joined
Nov 7, 2012
Messages
7,951
Location
S. UTAH
I like adjustable ones because depending on the terrain I like to adjust the length. Longer helps more going down hill and shorter makes them better for steep climbs.
 

Poser

WKR
Joined
Dec 27, 2013
Messages
5,556
Location
Durango CO
Telescop are way more versatile. As mentioned above, you can use them at different lengths for side hilling. You can also use them as a variable length bipod.

I like the Peak's design with aluminum as the bottom pole. They also sale replacement sections for their poles. Full carbon poles just aren't burly enough for mountain hunting.
 
OP
CjMelendrez

CjMelendrez

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 27, 2021
Messages
139
Location
South Central Idaho
Telescop are way more versatile. As mentioned above, you can use them at different lengths for side hilling. You can also use them as a variable length bipod.

I like the Peak's design with aluminum as the bottom pole. They also sale replacement sections for their poles. Full carbon poles just aren't burly enough for mountain hunting.

that's a good point about being able to buy lower sections.
 

tttoadman

WKR
Joined
Oct 3, 2013
Messages
1,748
Location
OR Hunter back in Oregon
I bought a pair of Leki folders with the length adjustment. They seem fine when I have used them, but I found them to rattle at the joints a little. My Leki telescopes are workhorses that are over ten years old. I carved down the rubber on one of the ends so I can invert and put that end inside the other pole to make a tall tent pole with the handles on each end.
 

Ditt44

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 30, 2023
Messages
246
Location
PA
Telescoping. Just feel more stable for rough work.
Cascades + Wiser is hard to beat.
 

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