Cheap Hiking Poles?

[DanShell]

Im not huge fan of hiking poles but I think I need to start trying to get some use out of them and see if it helps with my aching knees on those end of day down hill sections.

I have a pair of elcheapo alloy poles from eBay that are heavy so its time to get some that are probably a little more suitable.

Being a bit of a tight #$%@ and given that Im still not convinced if I want to use poles I am not prepared to spend hundreds on a set but id like them to be reasonably light and at least closer to what id probably end up with if I decide to buy a quality set later on.

So, I found these http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2pcs-lot ... 34802.html

Do you think they would be ok or should I bite the bullet and just buy a decent set? My elcheapo alloy poles have a walking stick type handle and I don't like it, id prefer this vertical style handle.

Any opinions or advice?

[horsecat]

I wasn't a fan of the poles either for a long time but many long, multi day and multi week trips have changed that opinion. I now take them on most hikes.

Personally I hate the twist type locking mechanisms - so much so that I hurled a pair into a crevasse on a glacier in Nepal where they will be crushed into fine dust.

The best types I have used are the Black Diamond Flick Lock (many different models). Yep, they are more expensive but will last forever and not do your head in by refusing to lock like I have found the twist locking ones do. I think it is moisture and cold that causes the locking issues on the twisties (Leki)

[Tortoise]

HI DanShell,
My approach would be to save your pennies for a really good pair. My personal experience (and I ask a lot of my poles):

1. Leki lightweights of some kind

+1, horsecat. Drove me nuts. Cost a packet, but the poles kept slipping - having to pull apart and adjust the screws many times a day in the end.

2. Black Diamond flick locks

MUCH better, but not foolproof. Good deal on them through this forum.
Eventually the bottom section slipped a bit, despite having the screw as tight as I could make it. Great poles, would never go back to twist locks for a spiffy pair. Bulky to carry on my pack when I need both hands.

3. El cheapo Denali poles from Anaconda, half price to boot.

4. El cheapo Kathmandu something or others ($20 the pair at a sale i think)

Both 3 & 4: so far so good, but I haven't used with a full pack yet. They live interstate.

5. Black Diamond Z poles

Got them a little discounted at a shop, too impatient to wait for a really good deal on them. Love them. No chance of slippage! Odd tip, though, and no option for a mud/snow basket. Maybe they'll redesign that one day. Much easier to stow on/in my pack when required.

[beean]

I'd spend a decent amount of money on them, I think you can get black diamond poles (best locking mechanism by far) for around $80-$100. Cheap poles have a tendency to break or collapse when weighted, which can be bad news if you're using them for balance, could send you into the drink or down a slope.

Another thing to consider is the terrain you'll use these on, carbon poles will break rather than bend so if you're on rocks or among roots and the shaft goes through a hole and you weight it, it may break. Fine for on track walking but if you do any bushwacking it's something to consider.

I've got BD trail backs, I think they're the cheapest you can buy and BD traverse (a ski touring pole). Both are light enough and have served me well.

[DanShell]

Thanks very much everyone, so something like this?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/black-diamon ... 1c4da266f4

I think ill pop into Paddy Pallin and check a few out. They always price match for me too.

[horsecat]

I've seen those types of folding poles, but never used them. Not too sure about the strength and locking mechanisms. I have the Black Diamond Contour Shock model (Flick Lock) which I think are one of the stronger types around (they aren't round which make them stronger). I've done hundreds of kilometres with them in all conditions (wet and very, very cold). Best to have a look in Paddys and try out a few models

[Strider]

Odd tip, though, and no option for a mud/snow basket. Maybe they'll redesign that one day.

They have, last year

http://eu.blackdiamondequipment.com/en/ ... 5_cfg.html

[north-north-west]

Black Diamond Carbon Cork Flicklock. Never broken one, never had one slip. I just keep losing them.

Like the one that was sitting on top of a rock at the southern end of Olympus on a perfectly still day, when a sudden gust of wind came out of nowhere and sent it flying off down the cliffs . . .

Cheap poles are a waste of time, money and effort.

[Empty]

Dan

I resisted buying poles for ages but, now I have them I could not imagine being without them. I use mine every day when my wife and I walk up the local mountain for excercise and they are of even greater benefit with a full pack.

I went with Pacer poles from the uk and highly recommend them. Great value at the time but our dollar has dived since. If you invest a reasonable amount in quality poles I can just about guarantee you won't be disappointed.

[horsecat]

Another reason to avoid the el-cheapo poles is that the grips can be uncomfortable in the hands after a while. Saw one bloke a while back who actually had bleeding hands swathed in bandages after only a few days of walking in torential topical rain. The cork had disintegrated but the fool kept on using them. The BD ones I mentioned are very comfy and have little shock absorbers built in too

[DaveB]

Helinox

[rollingk]

The ones at Aussie Disposal, Rays or anaconda cost around $30 for single pole last time I checked. I would really recommend you investing into quality poles instead. I have used a cheap pole and I can say that the twist lock can get stuck sometimes and they will hurt your hands. You better off with a blackdiamond or leki.