Trekking Poles

[USMCret]

So what do you recommend? Does it really matter the brand? Maybe does the weight come into play really? What about fixed length vs adj.

 

[madtinker]

I got my wife some nice ones from Costco; carbon fiber and cork grip. She uses them on pretty tame trails. I use some beat-up aluminum, twist-to-lock poles because I use them hard. I like aluminum because when it breaks it doesn’t splinter, and you can bend it back to shape (sort of). If you are at all clumsy like me, you might appreciate not spending too much money because it’s the number one gear item I break.

 

[MntHunter]

Get Black Diamond, mine took a beating in the Yukon. But still work great.

 

[ReddingArcher]

I use them on any backcountry hunt. I used carbon poles for years and ended up buying an aluminum set for my sheep hunt, for the reason mentioned above. I didn’t want to get one jammed between rocks and splinter all to hell. I want to say they are the Black Diamond ones but I don’t remember. I wouldn’t do a sheep hunt without them.

 

[Smoke10]

I use aluminum trekking poles for the same reason listed above. If it bends you can still use it.

I would get adjustable. Travel through an airport and then if/when you put them into your pack(say for a stalk) they are more ergonomic.
- I'd look into cam-lock vs twist lock if you go adjustable length. I personally like the cam-lock style

Mine are the "mountain cascade" brand with cork handles - like $30 for the pair. I am on my second pair and have been using this brand since 2018.
I had zero complaints with them on my AK backpack sheep hunt and don't see a reason to buy a more expensive pair

 

[LostWapiti]

Love the carbon ones from Costco, they are cheap, light, and get the job done. I keep looking at other ones and there isn't really a reason to go another direction.

 

[Truaxdw]

I broke the lower section of a carbon Leki pole on a fall in the NWT. I was able to wear down the carbon to the next joint and still use it as a short pole. I replaced it with set off of Amazon. I haven’t had a chance to put them through their paces yet, but there’s a pretty thorough rokslide review on them.

 

[mtnbound]

Been using the same set of Sissy Sticks for almost 15 years. They are holding up good and have had no problems.


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[LongWayAround]

Fixed length doesn't make any sense. You want to be able to extend them for going down or shorten them when going up.

I use aluminum Leki.

 

[Grant K]

Black diamond Carbon Z are by far the best for me, you can get them fixed or adjustable, they pack far better than collapsible poles and make everything else feel super clunky, FWIW I haven't used adjustable for years, you just grab the fixed length wherever you need to, adjustable just adds weight and is less rigid...
I break a CF pole about every 3/4 years of heavy use, it's not a mystery when its about to happen, they start getting pretty flimsy well before they break. I am a medium-sized human so take that into account, if you weigh 270 you probably want something beefier.

 

[chasewild]

Black Diamond whippet. Metal. Tool screws on and off if you don't need it.

 

[Dragonfish]

I broke the lower section of a carbon Leki pole on a fall in the NWT. I was able to wear down the carbon to the next joint and still use it as a short pole. I replaced it with set off of Amazon. I haven’t had a chance to put them through their paces yet, but there’s a pretty thorough rokslide review on them.

i broke a Leki as well. Black Diamond with cork handle has held up well over three hunts.

 

[7mm-08]

I absolutely endorse the use of trekking poles - they'll save you energy and knee impact on downhills, especially with weight. Like some of the others, I have used Cascade Design's carbon trekking poles (from Costco) with good success. If I was going to do a once in a lifetime, high-dollar hunt in Alaska or Canada, I'd buy aluminum poles with a cam lock.

 

[adamkolesar]

Like many above, I snapped one Leki carbon on my goat hunt. The better news is they replaced the set w/ no questions asked.

 

[Grassymike]

Maybe not the sexy choice but cabbon techs from Costco have lived through two years of 9-10 day Alberta backpack Sheep hunts for me. Even packed out a Ram in 2023. I also have a pair of black diamond aluminum but they are bright shiney red.

 

[Wrongside]

Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Corks. Not the cheapest- but light, strong and very stiff. Noticeably stiffer than the Costcos carbons I’ve been around. Still, the Costcos are probably better bang for the buck. If budget is a higher priority than the last few percentage points of performance.

 

[OutdoorsMD]

I will echo what others have said. I broke both of my Leki micro vario poles on my NWT dall hunt. Replaced them with the BD Alpine Carbon corks and they have been durable and are still in good shape after two years of use and two subsequent sheep hunts.

 

[Blockcaver]

Have used adjustable aluminum Black Diamonds on 8 DIY Stone archery hunts and one guided Dall hunt. They are good. Also made shelter with them as poles with my sil tarp. Ski x-country with them with big bails on them in the winter too.

That said I’ve been using Costco carbon poles for maybe the last 6 years and packed out caribou and buddy’s stone using them. Bears too. Lighter and quieter than aluminum. But likely not as tough but I’ve got no complaints for $20 on sale….put a pair in each truck.

Both varieties are flip locks. Had a set of twist locks many years ago and they were not up to mt hunting like I used them.

 

[Snowhunter11]

LEKI Khumbu Lite Aluminum is what I use. They have worked good for me the last few years of mountain hunts/trips. No hesitation to recommend. $120 reg or $100 on sale.​

Flip locks- I like for adjustability. You need to adjust based on ascent, decent, and occasional sidehilling.

Also learn how to properly use your straps. I believe exo/ hunt backcountry have a video on proper use/different styles.

 

[idig4au]

I also use BD carbon z poles. They can take a beating considering their weight. I’ve never had the need to use adjustable poles.