 
There are new, lighter trekking poles
being made every year. These two trends are coming together to
change my mind.
You see, you never used to use trekking poles, or walking sticks
on backpacking trips. I also bought the argument that more
weight meant more total energy expenditure - a potentially
serious issue for a long-distance hiker.
Then I was laying on my back one day, 20 miles into the day with
6 miles more to go to get home, unable to walk due to the pain
in my knees. After laying with my feet uphill for a while, I was
good for another few minutes of hiking. I eventually limped
home. The next time I took a long hike, I brought along a
walking stick. It really seemed to help on the downhill
stretches.
Do You Need Trekking Poles?
What if you don't have any knee problems, and you're hiking on
level ground? Then there may be no reason to use trekking poles.
Of course bad knees are not the only reasons to use trekking
poles. Let's look at some of the supposed advantages and
disadvantages.
Carrying them in addition to everything else means you expend
more energy. This is the reasoning used by many to reject their
use. This is true, but the flaw in this thinking is that it
assumes total energy expenditure is the only important factor.
It may be the most important factor for some marathon hikers.
However, for many backpackers, the limiting factor isn't total
energy, but the wearing out of their legs or knees. Trekking
poles do take weight and stress off your legs and knees,
especially on downhill stretches. They may even make an extra
couple miles possible.
Trekking poles also help you keep your balance. You can defend
yourself against wild animals with them. I use my walking stick
to rest my head on from time to time. I also use my walking
stick as a mono-pod to steady the camera for certain shots. If I
didn't have any knee problems, however, I wouldn't use a walking
stick or trekking poles.
I recently saw a pair of trekking poles that weigh just 2.7
ounces each. They are made of a high-strength carbon fiber, and
are supposedly as strong as any normal poles. That's about half
the weight of the nearest competition, and I would own a pair
now if it weren't for the price.
. Just be aware that there are many good trekking poles out
there that weigh less than 9 ounces each. You tend to get what
you pay for, so be careful with the "cheapies" unless they good
ones that just happen to be on sale.
One solution is to make a walking stick along the trail. You can cut a
dead stick, which you can use until I lose it. I commonly forget
my walking stick somewhere a good reason not to buy
expensive trekking poles. Sometimes, at the end of the trail, I
leave it for the next backpacker. They may not be as light as
high-tech poles, but you can leave them behind when you no
longer need them.
Want a cheap alternative that doesn't involve cutting and
whittling your own walking stick? Try ski poles. You may want to
remove the baskets, especially if your hiking in wooded areas
where they may catch on something.
Bamboo also makes good light hiking staffs. It's stronger than
it looks try a piece that is only about 3/4" thick. I bought
mine as decorative bamboo , and cut it to size. I glued on soft
leather for a comfortable handgrip, and wrapped the bottom so it
wouldn't split.
I prefer one walking stick or pole to a set of trekking poles or
walking sticks. I like to have a hand free. However, most people
seem to prefer the balance of using two at once. You just have
to try it both ways to see which works better for you.
Some of the new tents and tarp shelters for backpacking are
designed to use your trekking poles as supports. Getting one of
these shelters may help you justify the extra weight of the
poles.
Key Points
1. Trekking poles cause you to use more energy, but save your
knees.
2. You may not need them.
3. There are other alternatives to trekking poles, like walking
sticks and bamboo staffs.
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