The debate over hiking poles: essential tool or unnecessary weight?

I used to swear by hiking poles on every trip. Thought they saved my knees and helped with balance. But after a 10 day trek in the Smokies last fall, I left them behind by accident and honestly didn't miss them. My buddy swears he can't go a mile without his. So which side is right? Do poles actually help or are they just something else to carry?

2 comments

2 Comments

markl7517d ago

Did you try them on steep downhills or just flat ground?

dylan_anderson17d ago

Start with something small like that and you realize half the gear you carry is just habit. @markl75 I think downhill is where they earn their weight, but even then most people rely way too much on gear instead of just getting stronger legs and better balance. It's like carrying a spare tire in your truck bed for years on the off chance you get a flat.