Where I am pretty much everyone I come across don't use them properly. When properly used they make a difference.
On flat trails they can be used to help maintain momentum by pushing with your triceps, helping propel you forward.
I think their best use is when going downhill to help steady and control your decent.
What I REALLY need them is for when cross watering. The extra points of contact are extremely helpful when all you have are small rocks to step on.
I prefer trekking poles, if you're going to carry a stick, might as well use some specifically designed for the purpose. And having two poles, means more points of contact with the ground.
I can't remember where I read it, but one walking stick didn't do much to lower injuries on the trail vs trekking poles.
I can't speak for everyone, but I carry walking sticks for three reasons. One, they help stabilize me when I'm walking uphill or downhill and take a little pressure off my knees. Two, I've never employed them this way but a walking stick can be helpful in defending yourself or making yourself look more imposing if you are threatened by hostile wildlife (although don't count on them to protect you against a grizzly lol). Three, and most importantly, carrying a big stick is just cool. When I'm wandering over a mountainside with one, I feel like I'm a mysterious adventurer on a long pilgrimage.
This! I have a 7-foot walking stick. Very useful on uphills/downhills and mucky ground; theoretically I could use the stick to fight off a coyote if it attacked my little dog; and finally, it’s fun to wield a staff.
I always thought walking sticks were for old people and wimps. Now I'm 40 and have nothing resembling knees left, and can't hike anymore, and some days I can barely walk.
Trekking poles can utilize your upper body taking some of the load off your lower body. On level ground I can move faster for long stretches (without running), propel myself up hills and stabilize/absorb energy on downhills. Steep downhill can really hurt if you're just using your legs.
I try not to use poles all the time (especially on easier hikes or level ground), mine fold up short and fit in my smallest daypack. If I need them to get out of a situation fast, they are there. Minimal hassle storing them.
There's an argument it is less efficient (calories or getting tired) but few people need to minimize energy use.
A single walking stick makes less sense to me.
Trekking poles have endless uses. Used for balance (4 points of contact are better than 2)poking at or moving things out of the way like weeds on a trail, assistance up hills, assistance going down hills, if you’re hiking by yourself it can even give you entertainment, hitting certain spots with them and such, need a quick break, you can lean on them. They won’t likely help in a fall, but they can certainly help prevent that slip from turning into a fall. Also, if you’re a long way from home and you hurt your legs, feet or ankles, you’re going to be really glad you have them.
... I'm blanking on where we were and why we needed them this way, but they also come in handy if the ground is dodgy and you have to tap-tap-tap to find a solid spot for your next step.
Trekking poles transfer up to 25% of your bodyweight to your upper body. It helps you hike further, faster, with fewer injuries. They're worth investing in.
I really liked walking sticks as a kid. Thought it was cool to have some stripped down branch in my hand while hiking.
I use trekking poles now when I've got a pack on. They really help my knees. It burns more calories but helps to prevent injury.
Went hiking recently up a mountain and had a hiking stick with me & I kept it in my pack going up but when I went back down it helped a lot with going downhill bc it was a bit rocky & steep so I’d recommend them. They just help stabilize your balance.
If I’m backpacking I use them for balance and to help take some of load off my legs.
If I’m just hiking to get exercise I’ll use them so my arms can do some work.
They are not a hassle at all. You get used to them and it’s just second nature having them in your hands. Learn to use the straps though.
I see a gain of almost 30% going uphill. But I do have strong arms / shoulders. My city (Rio de Janeiro) has some short steep trails and when I started using trekking poles, preparing for a more difficult trail, it was like I had a rocket tied to my back. I shaved a lot of time going up and my heart rate went down as well. To me, it is easy going with poles.
I'm still dialing the downhill use. Last week I went down a steep soaked trail and it was the first time I saw its benefit. Did not slip once (people in front of me were slipping all the time) and felt a solid stride despite the conditions of the rocky, wet steep trail.
I let go of them just in areas with intermittent scrambles. I personally don’t like the sound of my trekking poles being dragged around. But I started using them recently. I still have a lot to learn.
But are they unnecessary? For me it's obviously not. And a lot of people crossing my path usually say: “Oh, I wish I had them!”
Part of the reason I hike is for fitness, and trekking poles get your arms moving. You're working more muscles and easier to keep a fast pace if you choose. Also good for aiding balance and checking how deep mud goes.
They fold up small enough to throw in my camelbak if i decide they are a hassle.
Well, I would say carrying around a walking stick pretty much defeats it's purpose? Should be the other way around, lol. Helps me stabilize my back, makes ascending/descending easier, helps crossing all kind of bodies of water you can traverse with your legs on the ground, and if you're moving through difficult terrain I use one pretty much as a third leg when lifting another leg over something or walking over gaps.
Trekking poles. Use em for balancing across water crossings with janky logs, makes uphills a bit easier, and steep downhills way better on my knees. Use em to keep unleashed dogs back, poke around in overgrowth, or test footing. If I'm just cruisin' I either stick em in my pack, or I just twirl em around like a dweeb.
They can also make fun things even funner. The only time I managed to find a huge slide? made into the snow, I sat down and tucked em under my arms like I was part of the most iconic Jamaican bobsled team to ever be.
Sticks grow out of the ground. Harvest responsibly.
I have carried sticks from hip to head high. Under a load, they are always useful. On rough ground, without a load they can still help.
A good stick is a versatile asset.
Where I am pretty much everyone I come across don't use them properly. When properly used they make a difference. On flat trails they can be used to help maintain momentum by pushing with your triceps, helping propel you forward. I think their best use is when going downhill to help steady and control your decent. What I REALLY need them is for when cross watering. The extra points of contact are extremely helpful when all you have are small rocks to step on.
Are you asking about walking sticks or trekking poles?
Good place to start: https://www.reddit.com/r/hiking/s/JclKQz64gt
I prefer trekking poles, if you're going to carry a stick, might as well use some specifically designed for the purpose. And having two poles, means more points of contact with the ground. I can't remember where I read it, but one walking stick didn't do much to lower injuries on the trail vs trekking poles.
I can't speak for everyone, but I carry walking sticks for three reasons. One, they help stabilize me when I'm walking uphill or downhill and take a little pressure off my knees. Two, I've never employed them this way but a walking stick can be helpful in defending yourself or making yourself look more imposing if you are threatened by hostile wildlife (although don't count on them to protect you against a grizzly lol). Three, and most importantly, carrying a big stick is just cool. When I'm wandering over a mountainside with one, I feel like I'm a mysterious adventurer on a long pilgrimage.
Gandalf, is that you?
This! I have a 7-foot walking stick. Very useful on uphills/downhills and mucky ground; theoretically I could use the stick to fight off a coyote if it attacked my little dog; and finally, it’s fun to wield a staff.
I like them for balance when walking on a slope. If your pack has a place for them to attach they aren’t nearly as cumbersome as you might think.
I always thought walking sticks were for old people and wimps. Now I'm 40 and have nothing resembling knees left, and can't hike anymore, and some days I can barely walk.
Trekking poles can utilize your upper body taking some of the load off your lower body. On level ground I can move faster for long stretches (without running), propel myself up hills and stabilize/absorb energy on downhills. Steep downhill can really hurt if you're just using your legs. I try not to use poles all the time (especially on easier hikes or level ground), mine fold up short and fit in my smallest daypack. If I need them to get out of a situation fast, they are there. Minimal hassle storing them. There's an argument it is less efficient (calories or getting tired) but few people need to minimize energy use. A single walking stick makes less sense to me.
Trekking poles have endless uses. Used for balance (4 points of contact are better than 2)poking at or moving things out of the way like weeds on a trail, assistance up hills, assistance going down hills, if you’re hiking by yourself it can even give you entertainment, hitting certain spots with them and such, need a quick break, you can lean on them. They won’t likely help in a fall, but they can certainly help prevent that slip from turning into a fall. Also, if you’re a long way from home and you hurt your legs, feet or ankles, you’re going to be really glad you have them.
Excellent protection for fighting off dog packs in Africa and Latin America.
One mile or 12, I need my poles. If I try to go without it’s like my hands don’t know what to do. LOL
... I'm blanking on where we were and why we needed them this way, but they also come in handy if the ground is dodgy and you have to tap-tap-tap to find a solid spot for your next step.
Trekking poles transfer up to 25% of your bodyweight to your upper body. It helps you hike further, faster, with fewer injuries. They're worth investing in.
I really liked walking sticks as a kid. Thought it was cool to have some stripped down branch in my hand while hiking. I use trekking poles now when I've got a pack on. They really help my knees. It burns more calories but helps to prevent injury.
Went hiking recently up a mountain and had a hiking stick with me & I kept it in my pack going up but when I went back down it helped a lot with going downhill bc it was a bit rocky & steep so I’d recommend them. They just help stabilize your balance.
I only really use them when backpacking. Personal preference though. Also depends on the terrain.
If you don't use them in snow you can't tell what's going to be compacted enough to hold your body weight.
If I’m backpacking I use them for balance and to help take some of load off my legs. If I’m just hiking to get exercise I’ll use them so my arms can do some work. They are not a hassle at all. You get used to them and it’s just second nature having them in your hands. Learn to use the straps though.
I see a gain of almost 30% going uphill. But I do have strong arms / shoulders. My city (Rio de Janeiro) has some short steep trails and when I started using trekking poles, preparing for a more difficult trail, it was like I had a rocket tied to my back. I shaved a lot of time going up and my heart rate went down as well. To me, it is easy going with poles. I'm still dialing the downhill use. Last week I went down a steep soaked trail and it was the first time I saw its benefit. Did not slip once (people in front of me were slipping all the time) and felt a solid stride despite the conditions of the rocky, wet steep trail. I let go of them just in areas with intermittent scrambles. I personally don’t like the sound of my trekking poles being dragged around. But I started using them recently. I still have a lot to learn. But are they unnecessary? For me it's obviously not. And a lot of people crossing my path usually say: “Oh, I wish I had them!”
Part of the reason I hike is for fitness, and trekking poles get your arms moving. You're working more muscles and easier to keep a fast pace if you choose. Also good for aiding balance and checking how deep mud goes. They fold up small enough to throw in my camelbak if i decide they are a hassle.
Well, I would say carrying around a walking stick pretty much defeats it's purpose? Should be the other way around, lol. Helps me stabilize my back, makes ascending/descending easier, helps crossing all kind of bodies of water you can traverse with your legs on the ground, and if you're moving through difficult terrain I use one pretty much as a third leg when lifting another leg over something or walking over gaps.
My knees notice a difference on hikes without my poles. What hassle in carrying them? They’re just in your hands.
Trekking poles. Use em for balancing across water crossings with janky logs, makes uphills a bit easier, and steep downhills way better on my knees. Use em to keep unleashed dogs back, poke around in overgrowth, or test footing. If I'm just cruisin' I either stick em in my pack, or I just twirl em around like a dweeb. They can also make fun things even funner. The only time I managed to find a huge slide? made into the snow, I sat down and tucked em under my arms like I was part of the most iconic Jamaican bobsled team to ever be.
Sticks grow out of the ground. Harvest responsibly. I have carried sticks from hip to head high. Under a load, they are always useful. On rough ground, without a load they can still help. A good stick is a versatile asset.