| Are walking sticks longer than trekking poles? | | | | What if you don't have knee problems, and you |
| What about hiking staffs and hiking sticks? | | | | are hiking on level ground? Then maybe there is |
| Whatever you call them, and whatever their | | | | no point to using trekking poles. They can be just |
| differences, they are supposed to help your | | | | more things to carry. |
| knees more than anything. This they do very well, | | | | Do they save energy? They take weight off |
| at least when you're going downhill. | | | | your joints, but logic says you'll expend more |
| What else are they good for? They help you | | | | energy by carrying them. I use a walking stick at |
| keep your balance. You can use them as defense | | | | times, when my knees insist, and it's fun to poke |
| against wild animals as well. I use a walking stick | | | | at things, but it's not a necessity. For what it's |
| to rest my head on from time to time, and I also | | | | worth, Ray Jardine, the "father" of ultralight |
| use it as a monopod for steadying the camera. | | | | backpacking, doesn't recommend trekking poles. |
| Do You Need Trekking Poles? | | | | |