should I use Ski Poles

“I am going Hiking on the AT in the Smokies for three days, coming up soon, should I take along some ski poles? I've never used trekking poles before, and do not want to make a big purchase.”

“Sure, why not give them a try? You won't be able to height adjust (shorter for uphill, longer for downhill, differing lengths for sidehill) Make sure the angle is correct (90 degrees @ elbow when standing). Make sure you use the straps correctly...put your hand in from the bottom of the strap and grasp both the strap and the grip...this will make for more efficient use and your arms will not be as tired and possibly sore at the end of the day.

My $.02”

“Poles definitely help your knees and back out when you're hiking with a load. This is more important for some people than others. Are ski poles built to take a load like hiking poles are? If so, I'd say take them, your knees will thank you afterwards. If not, you might want to consider hiking poles, or at least a stout stick. If you don't want to make a big investment, I used a hoe handle for a long time until I got poles, and it also helped immensely. A little heavy, though.”

“Three days?
That's alot of packing unused poles if you decide you don't like using them.

On the other hand, it's alot of self-cussing if you regrettably leave them behind.

Prolly should do a trial dayhike beforehand...”

“Ski poles should work just as well as trekking poles, just so long as they're the correct height.

I second what Gojo said....try them out on a dayhike. Chances are pretty good that if you use them correctly you'll want them for any hilly trip, forever more. But if you don't like them it'd be a pain hauling them along for three days. At least with trekking poles you can shorten them up and attach them to your pack.

Know anyone who'd loan you their trekking poles for a weekend?”

“On the Recent Devils Path trip i think i would still be sitting on the top of West Kill Mtn if I didn't have my treking poles to help me down the mtn. My knee is still bothering me but I refuse to go on the injured reserve.”

“Way to stay in the game, Lt!

Ski poles will work.
You can shorten by choking up on the shaft.......(not innuendo)”

“Without trekking poles, I would not be able to hike.”

“Hey Wounded Knee did you go out and get a set?

8)”

“Yep, like yours. Paid like $75 for a pair. Love them!”

“Take them, take them, take them!!! My girlfriend uses my trekkers since they are adjustable and my ski poles are too tall for her. I've been using my ski poles now for several hikes and they work great. Forgot them a few weeks back and was definitely cursing the lack of short-term-memory I seem to have.”

“I went on a shakedown hike with some scouts last year preparing for Philmont. The scoutmaster along tried out my treking poles but didn't want to spend money on any new poles. He used his ski poles at Philmont. He said they saved his knees.”

“I allowed a friend to use my for a bit this past weekend, but after about 2 miles I began to loose my left knee (the bad one). After getting them back the pain slowly died away. They are amazing.”

“I wouldn't bring ski poles because they don't adjust in length. I brought my cross country ski poles on a snowshoe trip in the Catskills and they were just about useless. They were just too long for hiking and I got to the point that it was uncomfortable hiking with them.”

“Hmmm.. well the discussion of 'ski versus hiking type' poles is certainly moving along. My thoughts on any sort of upper body help in general -- I feel fairly aligned with gojo's words. Let me state the same, the same way -- "When I first saw someone using poles, I really thought that to be the 'gayest' thing (forgive me guys for not being PC -- but its a southern thing.. and not meant to be as derogatory as it sounds to anyone not raised 'around here' .. ) and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I would never be caught using them 'spiderman looking things'.

Now? My gosh, what did I do before I had them.”

“I use X-country ski poles and have never found them to be worthless. They have been the best 10 bucks I have ever spent on BP gear. Shop around at any used sporting goods store for a pair. Make sure they have a lanyard to wrap around your wrist and good grip. Something else you can also do is wrap the shaft with pipe insulation and ductape. Thats for extra comfort when you use it more like a staff than a cane on the inclines. I cut most of the baskets off so they don't snag and when not in use they're stored much like a sword would be. And don't forget to give them to a friend when the lighting rolls in. hehehehe

If they every break I'm out 10 bucks and not 60+.”

“I felt the same way as Towndawg when I first saw trekking poles used, exactly. I wouldn't get rid of mine for nothin' now.”

“Yeah, I thought like Towndawg (shudder) and Sass. This past weekend, I split them up to let the newbie use one and I used one. He was getting tired going up a hill -- ya know, still adjusting to a new backpack and its weight -- so I let him use both poles. (He liked it!! And I didn't!! boo hoo!! lol)”