I see some of the yuppie hikers dressed in the latest hiking fashion carrying them but I don't understand the purpose, it seems to just be herd mentality.
What are they for? Is there something I've missed in 35 years of backpacking without them?
Apparantly some of the terrain I've traversed is what you've missed.
Got a little test for ya:
Get yourself a 20in plyo box. Load 50# in your pack. Do ten step ups every minute (five each leg) using a pair of trekking poles for 15min.
Try it two days later without the poles and get back with us.
It's like the difference between doing a strict overhead press and a push press or a push jerk.
