Trekking Poles

[4ester]

Started using Trekking Poles this year. Not sure what I would do without them now. They increase my range, help me keep a steady pace and are in-valuable when packing out meat. I'm using Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Corks.

 

[wyodan]

I feel a good set of trekking poles will add at least 5 miles to the day. I use Leki brand, their customer service has been excellent.

 

[Takeem406]

Sounds like Black Diamonds are the way to go?

 

[Shrek]

Sounds like Black Diamonds are the way to go?

I snapped my Black Diamond Ultra Distance pole like a twig when I needed it. Fell hard ! One year warranty.

 

[Weekender]

Leki are awesome poles. Just a touch heavier but they feel firm

 

[CA Karen]

BD Trail Ergo Corks here!

 

[gmajor]

I never thought I'd be one to carry poles. I do now. That being said, when I've been deer and elk hunting since I've had them, I can't bring myself to not have my rifle in my hands. So: I use them to pack in if it's not hunting hours, they prop up my megatarp, and they'd get used for the pack out. For bear hunting I use them during the day as well. They really do help me go faster (and I'm not slow without them) with less effort.

 

[AZ Vince]

I went to the Kifaru Gun Bearer so I could use my poles and have the rifle handy.

 

[Fireguy]

I never would even consider using them a year ago.....then I tore my meniscus. Not a big deal but once the doc went in to fix it he saw that I have worn my cartilage down from all the pounding over the years. I'm only 36. Now I WILL NOT step foot in the mountains without them. It is amazing how much strain and load they take off your knees. Especially going up and down steep hills.

My advice is for EVERYONE who wants to hunt for a long time to start using them now. Save your knees. I'd recommend a young 21 year old hunter to use them. Why not? I cringe now when I see guys with heavy packs going up and down the mountain without poles because I know the damage they are doing to their knees. When your knees go bad, your days of hunting in the mountain slam to a complete stop. You would be a fool not to use poles. At least during steep climbs/descents when you have a loaded pack. On flat ground just put them away in your pack.

Don't fall into the tough guy I don't need help blah blah blah mentality. Just 40 pounds on your back is a lot of weight and causes tremendous force on your knees. Save your knees. TRUST ME. Knee injuries are no joke and they will send a active hunter into a deep dark depression when their mobility is gone for a while because they jacked up their knee. It took me six months to get back to normal and it was very, very hard both physically and emotionally. Do everything you can do to protect your knees and your back so that you can hunt into ripe old age.

FYI my dad is 72 and honestly will outhike/hunt damn near all of us on this site - serious no joke he is a stud......and he has been using some form of poles for over 40 years. Knees still don't bother him. He warned me years ago but I didn't know what I didn't know.

 

[Ross]

This well stated, all you young ones pay attention because it sucks when your knees have issues! "My advice is for EVERYONE who wants to hunt for a long time to start using them now. Save your knees. I'd recommend a young 21 year old hunter to use them. Why not? I cringe now when I see guys with heavy packs going up and down the mountain without poles because I know the damage they are doing to their knees. When your knees go bad, your days of hunting in the mountain slam to a complete stop. You would be a fool not to use poles. At least during steep climbs/descents when you have a loaded pack. On flat ground just put them away in your pack.

Don't fall into the tough guy I don't need help blah blah blah mentality. Just 40 pounds on your back is a lot of weight and causes tremendous force on your knees. Save your knees. TRUST ME. Knee injuries are no joke and they will send a active hunter into a deep dark depression when their mobility is gone for a while because they jacked up their knee. It took me six months to get back to normal and it was very, very hard both physically and emotionally. Do everything you can do to protect your knees and your back so that you can hunt into ripe old age".
..............wish I had done this 30 yrs ago! Can I have a mulligan......

 

[Takeem406]

So I went ahead and picked up a hundo dollar pair of the basic Black Diamond poles. Our local store only sells BD. I first went there thinking to spend $50. Ran up to Scheels and looked at the $50 Mountain Smith poles. I extended one out and laid my 225 pounds on one. It bowed out pretty bad, plus they had the twist locks. That sold me on the Black Diamonds. You guys ever feel out of place going to a hippie store for your hunting gear??? Seems all back country specialist shops are run by people who probably would rather hug a griz than shoot it. But the "hippie" was actually an elk guide in the Bob... Awesome!
Anyways, these poles saved me from a couple bad falls, no more like several, I lost count. On the snow covered rocks and steep terrain with even my "day pack". I packed in for three days on Sunday, the first part of the trail was very steep! On the way back down that part today I slipped and my left pole saved me! It bowed pretty bad and didn't even phase it! I don't think I'll even praire hunt without em! Going to actually let my dad try them. He's getting older and is slowing down. On level ground I can't believe how much faster I can walk. And being a short "stocky" guy that says a lot lol! Thanks guys!

 

[gmajor]

You guys ever feel out of place going to a hippie store for your hunting gear??? Seems all back country specialist shops are run by people who probably would rather hug a griz than shoot it. But the "hippie" was actually an elk guide in the Bob... Awesome!

I've long ago stopped being surprised by the amount of hippies and people that ilk who hunt, it's pretty cool if you ask me! I'm always glad to see the pursuit isn't limited to certain groups, cultures, stereotypes, or whatever bang-flop-grin-and-grip dudes are on TV.

Oh, and Black Diamond makes some solid poles!

 

[Takeem406]

Earlier in this thread someone mentioned retro fitting a Bog Pod rifle rest into the top of a pole for a mono pod? They just screw in after making a pilot hole?

 

[MallardSX2]

My knees kill me and Im in my 30's.... Im definetley getting a pair of these for my Colorado trip this year. Going downhill is hard on my knees after a couple hours..

 

[DRP]

I too am a trekking pole convert, My hunting buddy let me borrow his black diamond trailbacks while packing out a bull, it was amazing how much better it felt being able to stand up straight. I immediately went down and bought a set myself. wont go to the hills without them.