Once on my way north to the mountains on a hike, I realized I’d forgotten my trekking poles at home, more than two hours away. I found the nearest outdoor gear store and picked up a pair of metal poles for a reasonable price. It was either that or go home. I never hike without carrying a pair.
Do you use trekking poles?
When I first began hiking, I noticed that some of my companions used poles. They looked cumbersome, and I thought a bother to carry.
After seeing them in use, particularly fording streams and on downhill trail sections, I decided to give them a try.
Not wanting to invest heavily in poles, I picked up a pair at a nearby Walmart for $25. I still have this set of heavy aluminum budget poles a decade later, and still carry them in winter.
In my first season hiking in the mountains, I found them indispensable. The extra stability can get you safely across strong running streams, steady you when you’re rock hopping shallow water crossings, and help preserve your knees on those steep downhills in the mountains. I found poles help distribute a hiking load across my frame, taking some pressure off my legs on and hips on long hikes.
If you’re undecided as to the utility of trekking poles, I recommend you take the plunge and purchase a pair. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the benefits that even an economical set of trekking poles offer.
An Unmapped Route: A Hiker's Blog 