I hike with my dog about 5 miles every day. I recently started to use poles, which have been great for clearing debris from the trail, and fighting off unwanted attention from unruly dogs on the trail.
I have a pair of lightweight aluminum twist to lock collapsible poles, but after 12 days of use the twist lock mechanism failed on one.
I am looking for something that is going to be more sturdy. I do not need ultra light weight, as the initial thought behind using them was for an upper body workout while hiking. AMA having a little more weight to them should I need to use them as a club would be welcome.
Mostly I care about them being sturdy, and having comfortable grips.
I bought a set from Costco a few years ago. Never used them much but if you got that route at least you can return them if they crap out in a few days. They are not twist locks, they are like a tripod latch.
Those look promising and I love Costco’s return policy.
Just picked these up in store. A single set for $35. They include all kinds of attachments for free. I went to REI after and they had basically an identical pair for $120 with no attachments, but each was sold separately for an extra $20. Great deal.
If you want something durable it’s best to go with two piece poles rather than three pieces. When poles bend or break it’s always on the bottom piece because it’s the thinnest.
Unfortunately two piece poles can be hard to find. I’ve been considering getting some MSR poles because it’s a reputable brand and they have a two piece option. I just wish they offered a model with cork handles because I’ve gotten used to cork and will miss it.
https://cascadedesigns.com/products/dynalock-trail-backcountry-poles
These are intended for snowshoeing, which makes sense considering the only time I’ve bent a pole it was while snowshoeing. But of course they can be used anywhere and come with regular mud baskets. If you’re looking for maximum durability, these are a good option.
