Trekking poles a necessity?

[BayouBen]

Well, I'm going to go against the grain here....I hate them. My heavier buddies use them, but they aren't for me. Even on pack outs I don't use them. I like to be light and nimble and I find they just get in the way. Granted, I do keep them in the truck in case I kill in some steep rocky terrain, but that hasn't happened yet.

 

[Pawvbow]

Strictly a eastern hunter here, WV and PA. Thought it may be a bit ridiculous last season when I bought them for our mountains here but wow what a difference. I feel going up takes about 25% less effort and coming down takes about 50% less effort.

 

[Poser]

Two words: creek crossings.

When you have a pack on and the rocks are slippery, they are a savior.

And when the current is whipping your foot purchase downstream while your trying to put weight on those slick rocks. I know I would have been on my way downstream at least once or twice without poles jammed firmly into the river rocks.

 

[isItFallYet]

And when the current is whipping your foot purchase downstream while your trying to put weight on those slick rocks. I know I would have been on my way downstream at least once or twice without poles jammed firmly into the river rocks.

Definitely went into the drink a few times because I thought I could do it without my poles. Probably can’t count the times I’ve done it fishing.

 

[highcountrymuley]

Don't like the thought of losing poles I paid for. But I have been carrying this willow stick for 3 years! Cut from fresh blowdown. Just right height for glassing with binocs on top. I make a new one for the downhill pack out each year

 

[JDMBEND]

You don’t need them til you do.

 

[ElDiablito]

Definitely helpful. I take them on every mountain hunt.

 

[Randle]

Not a necessity but nice to have i leave at the truck with the packframe. Sticks everywhere i hunt so i end up using a stick first load out.
If a carried them with me i would get ones that pack down to fit inside my pack some where.

 

[cogill]

Great to have for pack outs. Severely sprained my ankle a few years ago and they're were a huge help.

 

[SoloWilderness]

Must have. As others have said, they help immensely with balance when climbing, descending and side-hilling in steep terrain and crossing water. Load carrying is night and day. Study's show there's like a 25%+ reduction in impact weight on your feet/ knees/ etc. (from memory, numbers probably off...). Left mine at home last year by accident. Ended up packing out a bull 9 miles and close to 2500' of vertical above the truck last year. Had to find a little aspen sapling to cut down every mile or so, and broke several of them in the process. They give you a good opportunity to rest and shift weight while packing. I use Black Diamond carbon Z-poles, super light and packable. Handles are slender, and it's easy to velcro them together and grab them both with one hand for extra rigidity. I do this a lot if I'm carrying my rifle in nasty terrain.

 

[doc holiday13]

If you value your knees and ankles... yes

that said you could probably get by without, but when you're descending a mountainside and have a heavy pack, they'll control descent and give you stability

 

[Boarmaster]

I fall a lot less using them. So I consider them a very important piece of gear for me. I initally bought them as sort of a gimmick but then quickly realized they actually worked great. I use mine as a rifle rest as well.
I bought an accessory that connects the poles from Wiser Precision. Another gimmick that actually worked out.

 

[PapaGolfTango]

I started using them backpacking and now bring them hunting. Don't usually use them unless I'm super heavy or in technical terrain but I always bring them. Just my 2 cents

 

[GunsAreFun]

Base camping makes it an even easier decision because you’re not carrying much extra weight.

I think they can be especially valuable hiking at night as you’re much more likely to fall/trip, and they can very likely save you a fall. Also great for the initial hikes through terrain with no elk (open safe brush) to save your legs for when you are where elk may be.

 

[aorams]

New hunter getting ready for a hunt in eastern wyoming. Ive plotted out some hypothetical routes in OnX and hikes with 1800 feet down and 1800 feet back up within 3 miles are common.

Would you consider trekking poles to be a nessesity, a nice to have, or a gimmick for this?

Necesity.

I’ll never leave home without them anymore. Even if I leave them at the truck and only use them for the packout. They save your knees and make you stronger and faster

 

[KTK]

Does anyone notice a big difference between a $40 pair or a $140 pair of poles? Is the price difference mostly just weight savings?

 

[BBob]

Does anyone notice a big difference between a $40 pair or a $140 pair of poles? Is the price difference mostly just weight savings?

No not much really. I have an expensive pair of lighter carbon Leki and a really old pair of aluminum Exped made by Leki. For hunts I use the old Exped and for whatever reason they are my favorites. Maybe because I'm pretty sure they are more rugged and I can count on them because they've never failed me?

 

[KTK]

No not much really. I have an expensive pair of lighter carbon Leki and a really old pair of aluminum Exped made by Leki. For hunts I use the old Exped and for whatever reason they are my favorites. Maybe because I'm pretty sure they are more rugged and I can count on them because they've never failed me?

Thanks for the info. I haven't used them much so I only have a cheap, heavy pair for now.

 

[DonJuan14]

Its a staple in my pack. Always worth having.

 

[The Ri Guy]

They have their pros and cons, but if you don't want to buy one, just make a walking stick.

As for myself, I take one pole/stick for archery hunts, and generally pack double poles for rifle. If I forget, I simply make a walking stick.

Surprised @robby denning article wasn't linked already: https://www.rokslide.com/the-walking-stick/