Gentlemen, I'm in the market for good, lightweight trekking poles for hunting rough country. I've seen a few posts on trekking poles here, but most are at least a couple years old, and technology does advance fairly quickly. After a recent desert sheep hunt (https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3411043/m/1951023032), I found that I quite like the additional support offered by the relatively inexpensive poles I used. That was my first real experience with them, and I think I'm hooked (on sheep hunting and trekking poles). Now I'd like a nice set to add to my kit. I'm also going to get a set for my dad, who I think would benefit greatly from their use.

So please, offer your thoughts on trekking poles if you will. Thanks!

I love them for descending steep grades with a load on your back! Night and day. Also great for sketchy stream crossings, etc..

I have some older Leki poles with the "twist lock" style locking mechanism. When I replace them it will be with cam-lock style. Increasingly, the mechanism that"locks" the pole when extending doesn't catch when twisting the poles. It's a real pain in the rear sometimes. I've had to take the pole apart a few times in the last few years.

My 2 cents on what style locking mechanism to consider.

I have had several sheep clients with trekking pole put their trust and body weight into them while descending and then plant their face straight into the rocks!
Couple tips...
Only extend your pole till it's just over waist high. This will make it stronger and because you don't have to lift your arms so high it will save your energy.
Twist locks stay locked better, but can slip if aren't really tightened. Whereas the flip locks are either tight or open.
Don't buy cheap.

I use a 100cm or my 110cm walking axe for every mountain hunt and will not use trekking poles. Unless I loose my walking axe.

I've had good luck with the Black Diamond pair I've had for years. Don't see any reason to change.

Helinox poles, preferably the 3 piece ones
- double button lock on the lower section
- camlock on the top section.
Top section infinitely adjustable.
Excellent adjustment on the wrist strap.
Titanium alloy aluminium poles.
Extremely lightweight but extremely strong.
Australian made.
U.S. Bushwalkers Assn. rated it tops in their world test.

double button on the bottom section ensures it cannot be inadvertantly released.
Adjustable camlock on the top section gives adjustment with security in use.
30+ trips a year over 4 years in tough country & they have never let me down, slipped adjustment when leaned on heavily or bent/crushed the tubing when the spike & pole bottom have jammed in rocks as walking on.
I guess it could be done, but I've always been able to release the pole when it jammed before any damage was done. there's a lot of leverage on a pole when that happens & they have stood up well to the loads in that situation.

I rate them 10/10.

I'm extremely happy with my LB130 pair & know extremely good hunters who use the same model as both trekking poles & double duty as a tent pole for a fly of a night keeping equipment weight to a minimum.

The 3 piece ones telescope together & fit in your pack when you need one or both hands free to carry stuff...........a big advantage over the 1-piece poles.

Helinox also make a range of lightweight & collapsible camping equipment that might be of interest to some.

Black Diamond carbon for me.

Black Diamond Flick-Lock Carbon. Worked so amazingly well I just can't imagine how to improvement.

Thanks guys. We're not quite at a consensus, but the Black Diamond carbons seem to have a solid following. I may have to unlimber my REI membership card...

quote:

Originally posted by DesertRam:
Thanks guys. We're not quite at a consensus, but the Black Diamond carbons seem to have a solid following. I may have to unlimber my REI membership card...

Try and visit a store to handle the poles first. I just looked at the picture in the link I put up and it looks like they have changed the handles. Mine has finger groves and looks larger diameter.

There is a 2 star review on the REI page complaining about the narrow handles.

Cheers
Jim

I saw that review. It may be best to look them over in person, but it'll be a while; the nearest REI is about three hours from here.

The handle just needs to be comfortable for the user. finger grips etc are not particularly advantageous for vertical grip( but can help pole stability, primary grip stability comes from an elliptical cross section handle shape) as the technique is to take the weight on properly adjusted handle straps under the palm needing only light grip to guide the pole step by step.

The handle strap is not intended as a loose fit safety strap around the wrist, but is the primary vertical loadcarrying component taking upper body weight from the knees & thighs.
Just like putting boots on & adjusting laces for a snug fit...........the hand is placed thru the strap to grip the pole & then the strap adjusted for length snug under the palm.
You can't put boots on with laces already tightened for snug fit & difficult to put trekking poles on with the strap already tightened for a snug fit.

Appropriate pole length is with the forearm horizontal at the waist on level ground. don't adjust strap length & grip position to achieve correct height, grip the handle centrally as designed...........if the length is wrong , adjust the pole or get another one if its 1-piece.

Appropriate pole position on the ground is beside the ankle for load carrying & behind the heel to lengthen stride with less effort , right pole moving in cadence with right foot & ditto the left.

Stepping up /stepping down with a load uses both poles together ontop/below the obstacle.

Not typical hunting scenarios, but fast walking up to jogging changes the pole cadence to have more steps between pole placement , alternating right pole then left.

FWIW

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
The best till proven otherwise

Agreed. Whatever you do get flick lock type and not the screw lock type. Screw locks suck. Carbon fiber and cork are nice for weight. Lekki also makes good poles, but I'd look for carbon fiber, cork, flick lock.

Brett

I also replace the small baskets with the next size up. That way when you hit snow it doesn't sink to the bottom and stick. Black Diamond used to offer baskets with the front cut out that were perfect. That way when you pulled the pole forward there was no resistance from the basket.

NEVER SUPPORT R.E.I. as they SUPPORT Defenders of Wildlife!!!

Boy I guess I am out of touch with all the new things.

Lets see, I use walking sticks made of vine maple, Hazle nut, and Flowering Plum, ( love the purple color )
And my old one made from black walnut with a carbide end mill epoxied in the business end of it.

JW

quote:

Originally posted by BrettAKSCI:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
The best till proven otherwise

Agreed. Whatever you do get flick lock type and not the screw lock type. Screw locks suck. Carbon fiber and cork are nice for weight. Lekki also makes good poles, but I'd look for carbon fiber, cork, flick lock.

Brett

Scored a pair of these from Cabela's while traveling over Easter. They had a nice sale going, so I saved $35 (and cashed in $58 worth of points).

quote:

Originally posted by DesertRam:

quote:

Originally posted by BrettAKSCI:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
The best till proven otherwise

Agreed. Whatever you do get flick lock type and not the screw lock type. Screw locks suck. Carbon fiber and cork are nice for weight. Lekki also makes good poles, but I'd look for carbon fiber, cork, flick lock.

Brett

Scored a pair of these from Cabela's while traveling over Easter. They had a nice sale going, so I saved $35 (and cashed in $58 worth of points).

Great choice. Were they the newer model with the thinner handles without finger contour?

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Great choice. Were they the newer model with the thinner handles without finger contour?

Yes. They feel pretty good in the hands. I also like the foam below the cork grips in case on needs to quickly adjust one's grip location on the poles. I'll get to break them in here in a few weeks on a hike with my son's Boy Scout troop.

I'm late to the conversation but I love my Leki folders

I currently have a pair of Black Diamonds, but I also like my single Leki.

I too, use Black Diamond flick lock poles and have for the past 5 or 6 years. Mine are aluminum rather than carbon fiber. I originally looked at the carbon but honestly, I couldn't see enough difference to warrant the additional cost. The weight was not that significant for me since most of the time, I only use one pole while hunting. Packing out, I use two poles. They have served me well.

quote:

Black Diamond carbon for me.

+1