I have never used trekking poles before, but I am looking to purchase a pair. The country we hunt is pretty steep and uneven. There are a lot of options out there and I am not sure how to navigate all of the options. I would like a pair that is light weight, but won't crumple under a heavy load. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Be sure to get the flip lock type. The twist locks can be hard to get loose once you tighten them enough to take a load without slipping. Also, I've had water get in the twist locks and freeze. You need pliers or heat to get them loose.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
Black Diamond Carbon Z's never slip, are super simple, and fold up with no hassles. Every locking type I have used has slipped which makes them an easy pass for me.
I have a bad knee so I bought some Black Diamond trekking poles last year. What a difference. Only way I was able to make it up and down the mountains of Idaho. Can’t recommend them enough.
The bd flicklocks are the best I've e found. Carbon will be lighter but significantly less durable in big rock. If you're talking trail use, the cascade mountain tech from Costco is a bargain, but don't expect them to hold up to much off trail rock.
Like MCH I had trouble with adjustable poles slipping. I had a few aluminum's bend.
I used these last year and I love them. They are PERFECT....except they aren't....they're one piece fixed length. The fixed length doesn't bother me at all when using them as the grip is long enough to work around that in use. Strapping them to a pack sucks though....everything's a trade off.
In the future I'll probably try some of the Carbon Z's that MCH mentioned previously. I doubt I'd like them more than the Ultimate Directions when using them but no doubt I'd like them more when not using them!
yep. Cork definitely better. Can get the BD aluminum cork version for around 75 bucks on sale. Have both. Never had the flip locks fail. Check them every once in awhile. I like the adjustability for different terrain, snow, mud etc.
As I mentioned above, those are great poles, and a heck of a bargain. But carbon and big rock (glacial moraine) is a bad combo. If the rock can score the carbon (because the poles are slipping between rocks) you'll break them in very short order.