Trekking poles, pros and cons

Trekking poles are a relatively new phenomenon and in a short time they have taken the outdoor community by storm. They are quickly evolving from a rare novelty to standardized trekking equipment, used by professionals and beginners alike. 

                                                        

These results lead to the inevitable question: "Why?". Well, there are many reasons but here is a list of the highlights. 

• Increased stability in rocky, steep or slippery terrain (Think of the poles as two extra legs- works well for dogs, right?)
• Spreads the strain of walking from just your lower body to the upper body as well, reducing leg fatigue
• Takes pressure off of your knees (Especially nice on long descents) 
• Provides an activity that keeps your mind off the weight of your pack, thus leading to a more pleasurable outing 
• They can also be used in a variety of shelter constructions, in addition to a guide tarp, or in ultra-light tents that save weight and bulk by utilize trekking poles as the tent poles
• Easily shortened and packed away when their use becomes an encumbrance (Scrambling routes etc) 

There are, however, a couple downsides to using poles. These include:

• With use of arms and legs, we believe that overall exertion will be slightly higher with the use of poles
• They can get in the way when you want to get at your water bottle or when you really need a snack
• They can become an encumbrance on very narrow trails, where there is not enough room to place your poles 

Despite these shortcomings we believe that trekking poles over all create a safer and more pleasurable hiking experience. Which is probably the reason they have become so popular in the outdoor community.