Trekking poles?

[Ricenuts]

Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm kind of new to hunting and kind of new to backpacking. I'm currently doing my research on a good pack (think I'm going to go exo).

But this isn't what this post is about. I've noticed all of the guys I see in the mountains with the good gear use trekking poles. So I think it's time to suck up my pride and admit I was wrong (when hiking with my wife I told her the poles are stupid and unnecessary). There are trekking poles on Amazon with great reviews for like 50 bucks. But I'm thinking with the use and abuse they're likely to endure from me with a full pack maybe I need to drop some money on a good set of sticks.

Do any of you use poles? Does it mater what ones I get? Or am I likely to be ok with the carbon fiber ones I found on amazon for 50 bucks? I havent seen any on the web sights I've been looking at packs on, what are the preferable brands? Or are there any good ones made with hunting in mind?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sportsman]

My trekking poles saved me from falling several times this year while going down rocky slopes with a heavy pack so you are right to get them. But, I have Black Diamond TLZ's and would not recommend them. They pull into three shock corded sections and fold up which is convenient but the tip would stick in the ground and then separate at a joint. I ended up using electrical tape to keep them intact. I can't speak to their telegraphing poles. I should have listened to a few reviews complaining about them separating.

 

[Low_Sky]

I’m happy with my Black Diamond alpine carbon corks, but they’re spendy and I’m sure there are cheaper options out there that perform just as well (they’re just sticks after all). The Costco brand poles get recommended here a lot.

I don’t always use them when I’m on the move, but you’ll find all kinds of uses for them. I pitch my tarp with them. Combine them with other poles to make improvised meat poles. Use them as shooting sticks. And when I have a 70+ lbs pack on, you can pry them from my cold dead hands.


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[Topo_trekker]

Leki poles with speed locks(clamp style) are the probably the most trusted out there. Sierra trading post has some good deals on them. I would stay away from the cheap carbon poles, they’re brittle.


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[Jimss]

I would say yes and no! I haven't ever used trekking poles when hunting on relatively flat, non-rocky terrain. I swear by using trekking poles on steep, rocky, terrain or when hauling heavy loads. Trekking poles make lots of noise so that's a consideration to keep in mind while hunting...in fact a hiker spooked the heck out of a group of rams I was hunting a few weeks ago....I could hear the clanging of the poles around 1/2 mile away! There are a few tips that you can learn to use trekking poles correctly....so possibly look some of these up on youtube.

I bought a pair of Leki's from Sierra Trading for around $40 around 15 years ago and they still work incredible. I've used and abused them on quite a few Alaska , Colo, and Wyo sheep, mtn goat, and elk hunts. ST still likely has incredible deals for about 1/2 off.....take a look at the reviews on the particular pole model you are interested in.

 

[Ricenuts]

Amazon has the bd alpine carbon corks on sale for 120 right now...

 

[JohnnyScranton]

I’ve done a good amount of hiking with aluminum, shock absorbing poles. It’s really nice to have that shock absorbing feature but those poles are heavy for backpacking.
I recently purchased the cascade mountain tech carbon fiber poles. They have hundreds of positive reviews, hope they work well on my trip to ID this year.

 

[Idaho Sandman]

Search as this topic has been beaten to death.
Here is just one.

Trekking Poles

Looking for a new set of trekking poles. I previously had the Costco set and they were great. My kids broke them so I’m looking at possibly upgrading. I’m looking pretty hard at the Leki Corklite. Any others I should be considering. Any reason to get a more premium pole or should I stick with...

www.rokslide.com

Since I’m big into snow sports I’ve owned all the high end collapsable poles as well as broken them all. Bought the Cascade Mountain tech ones a couple years ago just for hunting. Didn’t want to use a high dollar set. Couldn’t be happier. I skied with mine last season and was very impressed.

 

[Azscafe]

I have just started using trekking poles as well. I have the Cascade Mountain poles and really like them. Although I don't have anything to compare to.

 

[87TT]

Get the Cascade Mtn poles at Costco. Can't beat the price and they are tough. A must have when packing meat.

 

[Ndstevens]

Get the Cascade Mtn poles at Costco. Can't beat the price and they are tough. A must have when packing meat.

Ill second this. I love mine. Tons of miles on them. Creek crossing, river crossing, steep climbs they become human 4wd and they have been great! Plus if your like me and your ballence is thrown off slightly their awesome for walking logs. Not something I use while actually hunting cause i want to carry my bow but the hike in and out their great. Especially with any substantial weight. As said before there have been many discussions about poles and if you look into them youll find all the info your looking for.

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[RussGS]

I couldn't justify the high end trekking poles, so I went with the Mountainsmith Pinacle. $36 for 2. The trade off is these are probably on the heavy side. But they have held up well to a lot of miles.

Pinnacle

Pinnacle Single Built with a new adjustable soft-touch wrist strap and paired with a cork handle, the updated Pinnacle Single trekking pole offers an unmatched level of comfort that eliminates hot spots and pressure points. To ease impact, the spring load

mountainsmith.com

Whichever you choose, trekking poles definitely help coming down the mountain in the dark. They help conserve your legs on ascent as well. They spread a portion of the work to your arms, and help your legs go longer. They are awesome for creek crossings when you want to rock hop.

Additional uses:
-Pitching a tarp
-Monopod-I use a tripod, but my wife and kids sometimes don't want to carry one, so the trekking pole can give some stability over free-handing binos.
-Shooting sticks-this is taught at the USMC mountain warfare training center.
-Loop the straps together with the poles crossed, resting the rifle on the interconnected straps. This video shows a different method, but either way, it can be a good shooting rest.

 

[justinspicher]

I always have mine but rarely use them. I have several other uses for them, like others have stated previously. I’d rather have and not need than the other way around.

 

[AK Troutbum]

Like what’s already been stated several times in this thread, and many more times on other threads, pick up a pair of the Cascade Mountain Techs at Costco for around $30, and use ‘em. There’s no sense in spending upwards of a couple hundred dollars on trekking poles that are probably still made in Asia, and aren’t any lighter or more durable than those Cascade’s. Use that money you saved towards a good pack, optics, shelter, or hell, even a hunt for that matter.


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[WyoElk]

Like what’s already been stated several times in this thread, and many more times on other threads, pick up a pair of the Cascade Mountain Techs at Costco for around $30, and use ‘em. There’s no sense in spending upwards of a couple hundred dollars on trekking poles that are probably still made in Asia, and aren’t any lighter or more durable than those Cascade’s. Use that money you saved towards a good pack, optics, shelter, or hell, even a hunt for that matter.


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Spot on. I had the Costco poles and after my kids broke one playing in the yard I just ordered a pair of Leki poles. After receiving the leki poles I’m returning them and getting another set of the Costco sticks. I actually think they have better options and user-ability than the leki poles.

Turns out however, the Costco poles aren’t made to be used as baseball bats in the yard

 

[RaggedHunter]

+1 on the Costco (Cascade Mountain) Poles I don't have a Costco nearby but still found them on amazon for ~$35

 

[couesbitten]

The poles that Costco sells (Cascade Mountain Tech) can also be purchased directly from the Cascade Mountain Tech website, where they also sell replacement parts if you break something.

 

[SharkDog]

I will add I really like the cork grips on my ~15 year old black diamond poles. The cork is way more comfortable when your hands are sweating.

 

[dla]

Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm kind of new to hunting and kind of new to backpacking. I'm currently doing my research on a good pack (think I'm going to go exo).

But this isn't what this post is about. I've noticed all of the guys I see in the mountains with the good gear use trekking poles. So I think it's time to suck up my pride and admit I was wrong (when hiking with my wife I told her the poles are stupid and unnecessary). There are trekking poles on Amazon with great reviews for like 50 bucks. But I'm thinking with the use and abuse they're likely to endure from me with a full pack maybe I need to drop some money on a good set of sticks.

Do any of you use poles? Does it mater what ones I get? Or am I likely to be ok with the carbon fiber ones I found on amazon for 50 bucks? I havent seen any on the web sights I've been looking at packs on, what are the preferable brands? Or are there any good ones made with hunting in mind?

Thanks in advance.

Hiking poles are a necessity to me. I started by spending $3 at Goodwill for X-country ski poles (last a long time). I'm tall enough that they work fine. All it takes is one misplaced step to twist an ankle, and that alone convinces most folks that hiking poles are a good investment. At least it did with me.

Usually what kills a pole for me is getting caught between rocks when descending a slope. I did have one get broken by an energetic lab. Poles can be dual use for setting up a tarp shelter.


Costco used to sell a pretty decent set of poles - ~$30.

 

[Eric4]

I'd avoid the folding style poles, and stick with a three piece flip lock for versatility. For a few seasons now, I've been using these $36 carbon poles on aliexpress, and have no complaints about them. They're one of the lightest poles I've found, and the aluminum flip locks are a nice insurance, as the plastic ones can break.

You can lash the wrist strap onto the opposite poles, and you've got a perfect rest for your rifle. I also set my binoculars on them for longer glassing sessions.