Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting hiking poles sugestions

In the past I would just make a staff/cane out of a piece of wood when I wanted extra stability, i.e. packing meat off trail. As I am getting older I see the advantage of using adjustable hiking poles. Any suggestion on brands and models to try or those to stay away from?

Thanks in advance,
Scott

i have a pair of the cheap costco carbon fibers. ive been very very pleased. very sturdy, real cork handles. currently on sale for 2 pair for 70 bucks

Leki - micro vario carbons

8 years? of backpacking and hunting on the same pair.

Black diamonds.

Lots of choices, both alum and carbon fiber.

Carbon fiber is lighter but can break easier especially in sub zero weather. I have a pair of carbon fiber Eastons that have served me well. Cam locs or flick type locks seem to work better than twist locs.

I also have alum trekking poles and use them as wading staffs mostly.

Flip locks. I've had twist locks get water in them and freeze. You can't adjust them until they thaw out.

I've beat on a set of Leki Makalus for several years now, and they're still going strong.

I have two sets of Leki. One is the heavier aluminum and then the lighter weight set. Flip locks. I havent broke any to date but I imagine if I ever get one wedged between two rocks and use it for a pry bar my big arse will bend it. I actually like the heavier set better but it might be I am just used to them.

Both make noise when whacked on rocks but aluminum is worse. The worst part of the noise seems to be the lower shaft rattling inside the upper.

I have Black Diamonds and the Costco ones. For around $30, give the Costco sticks a try. I've used them plenty for summertime hiking. Good value for the price.

I use Leki carbon micros and like them a lot. My guide on a recent Dall Sheep hunt used cheap Costco ones and after seeing them in use, I would not spend the $200+ on the Leki. We used the Costco ones as our tent pole as well and they were just as good as the Leki.

Good information to know about the twist lock freezing up in cold wet weather. This information give me a place to start from.Thanks to all.

I'll start with which ones to avoid first- Black Diamond Z poles; the first one I broke was fording a (albeit swift) stream, which left me with one pole w/ 80+ miles to go on a trip; Black Diamond was good about warrantying it, but this time I went with the heaviest duty aluminum Z pole they made, bent one of those early on a winter trip- no fun snowshoeing with one trekking pole! Both poles failed at the same location. I will say that I still have a pair, the first pair of Z poles I purchased- the very lightweight carbon ones they make- these are reserved for light & fast outings ON trail only- definitely not a hunting suitable pole. It's a really cool design, but after two losses not going to risk them again.

I've now got a pair of Black Diamond Carbon Corks that replaced the last pair of z-poles, the FlickLock setup while not as handy as the Z folding ones, is much sturdier and less prone to failure- these are the ones I now use hunting (and hiking if there is going to be a lot of off trail stuff). My other pair that I use mostly in the winter is their two piece Traverse ski pole- extra stout and can take their whippet attachment.

Any of them can break if you stick it between 2 big rocks as you're falling down. Some of us know these things.

ahhh- that's how you become oracle

bd flip locks. Costco are decent for the money have broke 2 pair but I'm pretty rough on them

Get cork grips

Indeed, or if you're stable and the scree slides on you....grin...

Some of you have had better luck w the Costco sticks than I. The twist locks went out in short order on 3 of 4 sticks. Will not spend money on them again.

They need replacing, so watching this thread.

Black Diamond aluminum flick locks for me. I need a new pair too. The Costco ones are lighter, but it sucks when they break.

I use the weaver leather CF showstick cow pokers. One piece, non-collapsible and I've never broke one..... with the Wiser coupler, they make a damn good set of shooting sticks.