Recommendation on Trekking poles

[Hovik]

Can anyone recommend a quality but affordable Trekking pole?

Is Leki any good?

Thanks.

[Hikin_Jim]

I have a set of these: http://www.rei.com/product/745686 They're sold individually; I bought two. They're nothing fancy, but they've worked very well for me. I've had mine since 1999 or so.

One of the truly useful things about them is that the top of the pole screws off. The thread underneath is a standard camera mount thread. I use them all the time for group shots or shots when I'm solo hiking.

REI poles are manufactured by Komperdell; these are not some cheap brand.

[KathyW]

I have not used them, but WalMart sells a pair of hiking poles for just over $20:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5723661

[Hovik]

Thank you both,

I kind of like the looks of both of those. I've also been watching the LEKI's
Model 2130: http://www.leki.com/html/trek_ultralite_2130.asp
Model 2148: http://www.leki.com/html/trek_ultralite_2136.asp

which can be highly discounted on E-bay... we'll just have to see. Thanks again!

[zippetydude]

Cool pic (I think it's called an avatar or something like that) Where is that?

z

[KathyW]

If I end up buying a new pair of trekking poles (I don't use mine as much as I used to), I'll probably go with a pair of Black Diamond Poles because they don't collapse as easy as the Leki poles do. I've had a pair of Leki's for a while and they sometimes can be a pain because they loosen up and collapse a number of times over the course of a day hike. It's not so bad that I want to throw them away, but I had a pair of Black Diamond Poles once that worked much better. Going with lightweight poles is a good idea - carrying around heavy poles isn't any fun.

http://www.bdel.com/gear/trekking_poles_overview.php

[Hikin_Jim]

Cool pic (I think it's called an avatar or something like that) Where is that?

z

I think that's Mt. Ararat in Armenia.

[JayO]

I heard all the usual comments when I showed up at the beginning of the Spring Season's Mt. Whitney practice hikes with a pair of $20 WalMart poles. However, these same poles recently accompanied me to the top of Whitney and are still working. They have worked fine all year.

[KathyW]

Jay - The Walmart poles are probably made in the same factory (probably in China) where the Leki poles are made - just different names are put on them at the end of the assembly line. The poles with the Campmor name are made by Leki.

Kathy

[Hikin_Jim]

Poles with REI are made by Komperdell.