High Sierra Topix

Does anyone have any recommendations for trekking poles. The whole nine yards. Brand names, material, etc? I'm 6'4 if that helps.

I've seen all types of ones, cheap to expensive, cork and rubber, from experience is one better than the other? Is it a personal preference? Does more $$$ always mean better?

Would like to get a good pair, but not exactly break the bank. Doesn't mean I won't spend money, I'd much rather do that than buy a cheap pair that needs to be replaced every other season.

Any companies or types I should start at?

Thanks

Lots of options - lots of opinions.
The main differences:
The locks - flick locks vs. twist locks.
Also the option of carbon-fiber vs aluminum shafts...
and cork vs. rubber/plastic grips.

Personally like/carry the aluminum, 3-piece Black Diamond corks, ~ $80. Flick locks work better for me and the weight savings, aluminum vs carbon-fiber, seems negligible as compared to the cost difference.

I guess it depends how clumsy you are. I have a friend, who shall remain nameless but he just posted before me., who broke poles two years in a row. Probably doesn't want to spend big bucks. I prefer carbon fiber with flick locks over the twist locks because the latter, though supposedly stronger, seem to get stripped if twisted too tight. Just found some lighter poles that convert to a kayak paddle pole that will give me an excuse to spend some $ this spring.

Anyhow whatever you decide you should try using them set a little shorter than you expect to. I see a lot of people lifting their arms up way higher than they do naturally--a waste of energy. You may want to lengthen them a little going down hill and I extend mine to max length when fording just in case I plant the pole in a hidden hole.

One more thing these gizmos certainly have extended my backpacking career. Think I'm at about 56 years since my first trip!

Mike

We have been using 2 pairs of Leki Super Makalu poles with shocks and cork grips for about 15 years I guess. My wife when with a lighter pair of Leki poles and gave her Makalu set to my son. Her's have a rubber grip which tends to react with her sun protection lotion and makes her hands look dirty. I like the cork grip and I don't think we will every break them since we haven't yet.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Very helpful so far.

BTW,
RE: The Shock feature option, forgot about that one -
IMHO, totally worthless except for the squeaky noise,
(and then, only if you like a squeaky noise.)

Good to know because I was half considering one with the shocks.

I don't have any opinion on the shock feature. I supposed I could modify the pole to get rid of the spring and the needless motion. Haven't really noticed the squeak. Love the cork.

The idea of a shock scares me when I want something solid to push off of.

Mike

oldranger wrote:The idea of a shock scares me when I want something solid to push off of.

Mike

+1