Poles essentially provide extra legs as you travel. They give stability on rough terrain, alleviate pounding to the knees when going downhill, and are indispensable when crossing streams.
• 3-section, telescoping trekking poles • Great for hiking, backpacking, and uneven terrain • Aircraft-grade aluminum for superior strength • Interchangeable basket system allows you to switch baskets according to activity
This is the first pair of trekking poles I've purchased. I was never a big fan of using poles, but have realized that they can very usefull. I didn't want to go all out and buy one of the top-of-the-line models, so I settled for the EMS Alpinist. I also bought the snow cages, so I can use the poles in deep snow. This brought about the first problem. Getting the snow cages on was very difficult. You have to strectch the cages over the fitting at the end of the pole so that two notches line up, then you must twist the cage until it locks into place in two more notches. As the poles are twist-lock, twisting the cage into position locked the pole into a permanent length. There should be some sort of warning telling you to put the poles in a vice or something. That's just what I had to do to get the poles back out. The twist-lock mechanism causes problems when hiking also. Unless you've tightened the twist-lock as tight as possible, there's a good chance that the pole will slip down when your weight is put on it. When the poles are wet, or you're wearing gloves, twisting the poles hard enough to get them to stay can be very difficult.
However, the poles have greatly helped when ascending and descending steep terrain. Using your arms allows you to take some of the weight off your legs. Any pole would do this though.
bdewoody - Jan 7, 2004 11:30 pm - Voted 2/5
Untitled ReviewHowever, the poles have greatly helped when ascending and descending steep terrain. Using your arms allows you to take some of the weight off your legs. Any pole would do this though.