Trekking Poles

[Takeem406]

I'm sure I just saw this post some where but can't find it.

Thinking about a pair of poles. I keep seeing the Esstons on Camofire but never have broken down and bought them. I think even one would be useful. Are there any that come as a part but have the mono pod shooting rest attachment? I'm planning on a Bog Pod, but I'd still need an additional pole. I sure could have used them packing my bear out last weekend!

 

[provoflyfisher]

Don't go with a single, get the pair and you will never leave on a hunt without them.

 

[AK Shane]

A set of trekking poles will change your life. Truly one item that after you use, especially for packing out an animal, you'll wonder how you ever made it without them.

I've sworn by Black Diamond poles for the last 10 years. Leki has some poles that have a couple of top mounting accessories. I know they have a camera mount but not sure about a shooting v rest. Get poles with the flip locks, NOT twist locks. The shock absorbing feature is nothing but a gimic in trekking poles. I'd also stay away from rubber grips. The rubber always feels gritty and dirty.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I broke one of my BD poles a couple weeks ago on a goat hunt and came really close to just sitting down and calling it quits, (coast guard, here's my coordinates, come and get me).

 

[realunlucky]

Just add a 1/4 20 nutsert in the handle and add any assortment of attachments to the top of the handle

 

[luke moffat]

Just add a 1/4 20 nutsert in the handle and add any assortment of attachments to the top of the handle

Yup!! That's what I have been doing for over 5 years now.

 

[jim thorpe]

Bought some Leki's for this past ML season. My first set ever. I don't think I could hunt the mountains without them honestly. They worked great. I bit the dust and faceplanted a creek bed on the second to the last day being clumsy. I used the poles to break my fall, and they did. However I broke both ends and bent both mid sections. I talked to Leki and they are sending me all new replacement parts at no charge. Great customer service.

 

[Dos Perros]

A few weeks ago we were moving into position on a bull we expected to come out that evening. Had to descend the this ridge edge...

Of course it doesn't look that bad in a picture, and didn't really across the way, either, but get we get there and all the loose rock, iphone measured 40 degree slope, and trying to stay quiet, we deployed the trekking poles. Well, the smile says it all...

Someone on here advised me to return the Easton's I got on Camofire because they lacked a carbide tip. It was very good advice.

 

[Dan-o]

I have packed trekking poles out west to Colorado, Montana twice, and now New Mexico. 31 days total of mountain hunting.

So far, I've never used them for anything.

I'm sure they are useful, but I've never felt the need to either pack them with me, or to take them out of the pack and use them when I have them with me.

Mine will likely be for sale soon.

 

[realunlucky]

Heavy loads they are knee savers but do take awhile to get use to. I wouldn't go anywhere where I expect to pack a heavy load without them

 

[SDHNTR]

So I want a pair of adjustable carbon, multipiece poles. What's out there? I loved the Easton Compact Carbon 5, but they are not made anymore and the size Large that Camofire sells is too long. Can't find a medium anywhere. Anything else out there similar?

 

[luke moffat]

Black Diamond Trailbacks....$60 and mine have lasted 5 years or so now. Aluminum not carbon but that isn't a deal breaker for me. I have had carbon poles and didn't feel like the price equaled the weight savings. Both have carbide tips anyways so both are loud on the rocks and require you to pack them away on a stalk in the rocks anyways. When mine do break I will be getting another set. Work well and ours have doubled as center poles for our tipis in 2010 so they get lots of use and abuse.

 

[GotDraw?]

My thoughts:

If you hunt steep/technical terrain and want to save energy, mover faster/with more confidence or descend technical terrain fast/securely, then poles are a must. In a race, I'd put money on the pole user vs any non-pole use, all else equal. The poles weigh nothing compared to the value proposition they bring to your hunt.

2) there is no denying that they can increase your ability to climb in the steep by at least 10% energy output (my brother is a doctor of Physical Therapy and once read an article that the actual number approaches 20%). So add that up over the course of a hunt. Set them long and use your abs to crunch into them as you step up.

3) they make it easier to move quietly over scree, allowing you to distribute weight on 3-4 points of contact keeping loose rock from sliding. They also allow you to move while spending more time looking up and around for elk, rather than down and where to put your feet.

4) I have learned first hand that Carbon fiber poles are notably louder than aluminum when moving through rock. Aluminum is acoustically pretty dead, carbon sounds hollow and seems to amplify the noise of the metal tip hitting stone if you are moving fast. Not a huge issue, but notable. When stalking and moving carefully, both pole types are quiet.

5) If your poles are at all shiny, scuff sand them, then mist them lightly with flat spray paint. I have seen anodized poles reflect from a mile away across a ridge in the morning light.

6) Check REI for pole deals.. I use twist lock carbons, they weigh 14oz/pair. Yes, the twist lock is not quite as secure as the flip locks, but they are a couple oz lighter. I got a great deal on mine at an REI garage sale ($20)/pair. Just need to be sure to twist them snugly. I have also gotten a pair of great aluminum poles at an REI garage sale and also once opted not to buy a set of carbon flip-locks there that were well priced at $30.

JL

 

[Bughalli]

I echo everything others have said. They're a must have for steep or rocky terrain if carrying a pack. I'm actually moving away from carbide tips and trying softer, quieter tips. I mostly use these on rocky terrain, where I'm taking bigger steps and carbide tips are noisy, as well as slip on rocks. Black Diamonds have screw-on covers that go over the carbide if hiking on rocks.

Check out Sierra Trading Post, ironically I just picked up a pair today. Black Diamond Distance Cork-Z: aluminum, break down into three sections and are compact when broken down (only 15 inches so they fit in your pack). Best of all they only weigh 6.5 oz each. They're on sale for $94 a pair, but if you use one of their coupons you get another 35% off, so it was something like $64 with free shipping for both. I need to hit them with some flat paint so they're not so shiny. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/bl...rString=s~black-diamond-poles/&colorFamily=01

They have others on there as well from Leki and Black Diamond.

The poles by Locus Gear are pretty amazing as well....fully adjustable and only weigh 5oz! They're only offered via online from Japan. They're about $60 a pole. Shipping isn't bad at all. Ultra light backpackers seem to love them. I haven't tried them yet.
http://locusgear.com/products-2/trekking-poles/cp3?lang=en

 

[colonel00]

The single biggest benefit to me is using them when descending especially on steep slopes. Over 39 years on this planet, I have abused and beat up my body and my joints have taken their toll. My knees are probably due for an overhaul and one has already been reconstructed 20 years ago or so. Anyway, poles are great for climbing and all the other reasons that others have mentioned but they really shine for me when coming down. Those steps down put a lot of strain on the knee and having poles really helps take some of that strain off the joints. [StartSoapbox] Many of you younger guys may think you are fine and don't need the support but in 10-20 years when it hurts to mow the lawn some days, you may wish you had used the simple tools that were at your disposal [EndSoapbox]

 

[GotDraw?]

One more thought line of thought RE poles...

Be certain the poles you choose are strong. Mine have surprised me a few times with their strength. Backcountry hunters (especially successful ones) carry far more load than day hikers/ultra light hikers. If you are in steep terrain and have a dynamic fall/off balance situation, you won't want to fall due to a pole failing when jammed hard it into the ground while you trying to recover your balance.

You will also have many times during a hunt where one pole will penetrate deeply and unexpectedly into soft mouse/mole/marmot softened ground while you're walking forward or get caught between rocks. A weak pole can snap when trapped and levered against a fulcrum like this.

JL

 

[Ross]

As noted trekking poles provide great benefits in steep terrain and when packing loads. For the minimal weight penalty they are well worth it for most and even more so for US older worn out joint crowd.

 

[Violent Hippie]

I have used black diamond poles for backcountry skiing and hiking for years and they are solid. Using poles is a definite advantage that I enjoy . AK Troutbum "just sitting down and calling it' . That's a seriously funny thought man. Made me laugh.

 

[bowhunter15]

I joined the club and bought a set of Easton Hike AL3's with cork grips. Needed something to use for a non-freestanding shelter but I'll probably start using them while hiking too.

 

[airlocksniffer]

Been backpacking with poles since I started backpacking in the late 90's. I carry them around bowhiking now but I'm sure they're worth their weight in gold when packing out an animal. I use a tarp shelter so I need them to pitch it anyway. I have some Leki Makalu twist locks. I think the spring suspension is basically worthless and I don't have any straps (chewed off by a packrat looking for salt). The BD ones on Massdrop now look pretty sweet.