To bring them or not to bring them is the question. I know that there will be varying opinions. Looking at the terrain, what is yours? I haven’t bought any yet, and am wondering if it’s going to be one of those items I bring and want to send home. Thanks for your feedback.
J
I once had the same question when I had no experience with them. I asked a thruhiker. They said that they didn’t start with any in Georgia, but when arriving at Damascus they bought some and wished they had always had them. So, I got some. Not only do they help your knees on the down hills (if you hold the straps correctly) taking the ill effects of gravity off those fragile body parts, but anything awkward, they give you two more points of balance. Rock hopping, river fords, steep ups…and downs, they are well worth it. One is better than none. Two is better than one. Hiking poles make noise, which you’ll become oblivious too. On smooth terrain just snap them together and carry in one hand or in the pack. Too many benefits not to use them. This thruhiker ('04) says, YES, you should use them.
postcard
You’ll encounter many mud pits on the Long Trail. Hiking poles not only let you gauge their depth but they’ll also help you find those submerged rocks to hop across on.:happy
Rough
i feel naked without my leki’s, they provide balance, brakes on the downhills, something useful for the arms to do while waiting to get to camp, and you can make a tripod out of two poles and a stick. i find that i actually go faster with poles, something to do with swinging my arms i suppose.
matt
I don’t use them for most day hikes but I never go out backpacking without them for all the reasons mentioned above. You can get the sam benefit from a couple of sticks or old ski poles. Also I have used both the kind with the shock absorbers and without and prefer without.
Big B
I started using them 4 years ago. I would not hike without them now. Once you are on the other side of 50 as I am they are priceless for saving your knees on long hikes. They also in my opinion prevent a lot of falls.
Roadrunner
Like Postcard said … learn how to use them right. I was amazed by how many thru hikers I hiked with that didnt use the straps right.
They should be used like ski poles. Hands up thru the bottom so the round part of your strap is resting on the top of your wrist. push down on the ‘v’ of the strap with your thumb and palm of your hand. This way, you don’t even need to really grip them.
If you learn to use them right you’ll be plenty happy you bought them! :cheers
Boorah
I would estimate that about 80% of thruhikers use them. There’s a good reason why! Using treking poles will definitely increase the number of miles you’ll be able to walk.
Rainbow
Thanks a ton, everyone. I don’t know why I was starting to doubt my original plan to get them. I appreciate the input!
J
Don’t go out without them, IMHO. I too prefer the Leki’s without the anti-shock springs, but definitely with the Coretec grips because they’re so comfortable in the heat and cold. The Leki’s cost more, but they are a superior product as far as construction.
P.S. Don’t ever spray the inside of them with any kind of lubricant. 
Chris and Lindy, among others, have a Leki repair booth at trail Days in Damascus. They are just awesome. :tongue
Lady Di
Do not use poles for the wrong reasons. If you fall or hurt your knees without them you must relearn how to walk before you start hiking with poles.
dirtnap
I hiked the LT last summer and started without trekking poles then got a pair in Manchester. I’m not sold on them. When the trail got overgrown (and once it splits with the AT, it is nearly always overgrown) the poles snagged in the overgrowth. I frequently had to stop to yank them out of the nettles or a fissure in the ground where they’d gotten stuck. I’m clumsier than most (hence the trail name) and tripped on them a few times.
That said, they gave me something to do with my fidgety upper body. Everyone else on the trail had them and loved them.
I wonder though, in many cases they just seemed to be part of the thru-hiker ‘look’.
Tumblina
Tumbleina - I use old ski poles and removed the baskets to prevent them from snagging on vegetation and roots. Now - no problems. You can do the same with commercial trekkers like Lekki.
Rough
I can’t abide the logic behind “don’t do it.” Poles reduce stress on your knees during rugged downhill portions of the trip. This is not a problem that can be solved by better mechanics or technique - being able to have the poles and your arms absorb some of the impact is the mechanism for protection. Perhaps a very slow descent would offer the same protection.
The same goes for falling. If you are coming down a slippery rock surface or stepping on small wet rocks in the course of a stream crossing, the extra points of contact are very helpful.
I appreciate the upper body work poles provide - that’s probably helpful for keeping the upper body in shape during a long trip.
I did experience some of the annoyance with poles getting stuck that Tumblina mentions (I think I met her on her last full Northbound day on the LT), but I found them helpful in avoiding other annoyances - brushing away wet growth that crossed the trail, breaking spider webs that crossed the trail.
pedxing
The LT is one of the ruoghest and steepest trails I have ever been on. If you value your knees, back and hands, I suggest having a pair of them. They have other uses as well: lending a hand crossing a stream, picking up something dropped, checking the depth of water, snow, mud, etc. They can be used as a makeshift tripod, dipping your bandana into a cold stream, something to lean on, and will hold up a full pack. Good luck and take your time. I did my last 30 miles last year. It had been 14 yrs since I’d been on the trail and had forgotten just how rugged it is-and I’ve been on the PCT, AT, CDT, CT, FT, and several others, so i know what I’m talking about.:eek:
different socks
for the love of yes say yes to hiking poles. be very careful though. i was on top the hump in a storm. fell and slid ten feet down a rock face, had my pole and arm wrapped around my backpack and slammed into a baby tree. Lucky for me the pole bent and not my bones. IF you take them, think about the quick release straps like leki has. It was that moment that i wished i had that damned function! 99 percent of the time you will be glad you have them poles!
sinenomine