Dear Bill:
After reading your notes on using hiking poles, I bought some and tried them out. I love them.
They not only give the upper body a workout, but they make hiking much easier. I’m amazed that I’m just beginning to learn about them. As I’ve had a life of hiking.
The poles are also wonderful when crossing narrow areas and small bridges and rocky streams. It really helps my balance, especially on slippery rocks.
And the fact that they fold so easily, makes it easy to store them when traveling. I can pack them in my suitcase and check them with my luggage.
Thanks for getting me started.
Sincerely,
C. D. Seattle
Gear
| HIKING POLE | PRICE | TYPE | LOCK | WEIGHT | SHAFT | GRIP | LENGTH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork | $170 | Telescoping | Lever | 17 oz. | Carbon | Cork | 25 in. |
| Leki Micro Vario Carbon DSS | $220 | Folding | Lever | 17 oz. | Carbon | Foam | 15.5 in. |
| Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork | $120 | Telescoping | Lever | 18 oz. | Aluminum | Cork | 29 in. |
| Montem Ultra Strong | $50 | Telescoping | Lever | 19.2 oz. | Aluminum | Foam | 24 in. |
| REI Co-op Flash Carbon | $139 | Telescoping | Lever | 14.8 oz. | Carbon | Foam | 27 in. |
| Gossamer Gear LT4 | $191 | Telescoping | Twist | 9 oz. | Carbon | Foam | 33 in. |
| Black Diamond Trail Back | $80 | Telescoping | Lever | 21 oz. | Aluminum | Rubber | 25 in. |
| REI Co-op Traverse Power Lock Cork | $100 | Telescoping | Lever | 20 oz. | Aluminum | Cork | 27 in. |
| Leki Micro Vario Ti Cor-Tec | $140 | Folding | Lever | 19 oz. | Aluminum | Cork | 15.5 in. |
| Leki Corklite | $140 | Telescoping | Lever | 18 oz. | Aluminum | Cork | 26.4 in. |
| Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z | $170 | Folding | N/A | 10 oz. | Carbon | Foam | 16 in. |
| Mountainsmith Halite | $80 | Folding | Lever | 21 oz. | Aluminum | Cork | 16 in. |
| Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber | $45 | Telescoping | Lever | 16 oz. | Carbon | Foam | 28 in. |
| Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock | $140 | Telescoping | Lever | 21 oz. | Aluminum | Foam | 27 in. |
| Kelty Upslope 2.0 | $40 | Telescoping | Twist | 18.5 oz. | Aluminum | Foam | 25.5 in. |
| BAFX Products Anti-Shock Poles | $21 | Telescoping | Twist | 24 oz. | Aluminum | Plastic | 26.5 in. |