Originally Posted by
ZQLewis
If pole shopping, things to consider.
Weight
Adjustability. I extend mine out a bit for down hill.
Sound, some really make a lot of noise if you hit something when off track, rifle barrel, hard dry stick, stone etc.
Shock absorbing. My First set had this and I miss it in my new Leki carbon fancy all bells and whistles.
An angled hand grip can make them easyier on your wrists.
Rounded top so when going down hill the palm of your hand is over the top of the pole so you can reach forward and down over steps.
Never use the hand loops. (well almost never.) one day you will slip and need to put a hand out to land on. Cant do this if your pole is in the ground and your hand is in the loop.
My old carbon Fairydown poles had Cork handles, built in shock absorbers, steel tips worn down and the heavy carbon body was quiet.
My new leki pols are very light, the angled hand grip is nicer and the adjustment system is much better and more secure, get replaceable tungsten tips. Down side is they are noisier and the top of the pole is smaller and harder so less comfortable on downhills.
I have a dodgy hip one side and the knee on the other side is getting piss-off with having to do extra work over the last number of years. Surgeon wants me to hang off replacements for a while if I can to avoid having to come back off a third replacement which they may not be able to do. Hence I work my sticks hard particularly on down hills.
Z