[pct-l] Trekking Poles

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

Don't get the anti-shock. It's a gimmick meant to extract money from  
you and nothing more. Other than that, I don't think it matters a  
whole lot what brand the pole is or what it's made of.

People like the Black Diamond because of the latch locking of the  
segments rather than having to twist them closed. The twisting thing  
always fails.

I have Gossamer Gear Lightrek 3 which aren't adjustable at all. I've  
come to the opinion that most things that are adjustable are stupid  
because once it's adjusted there shouldn't be any reason to adjust it  
again, so why not just get stuff that fits right the first time.  
That's my personal opinion. My poles fit my tent, not me, and I just  
hold them at the base of the handles. No big deal. But I'm a nut so  
don't listen to me.

Billy Goat traded his poles for bamboo sticks (after his poles were  
stolen). I heard he liked the bamboo better. It really matters very  
little all the brand names and whether or not you have the "best"  
anything.

On Jun 2, 2012, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> Subject: [pct-l] Trekking Poles
>
> Hello all,
>
> I'm looking at trekking poles and trying to decide what is best for  
> the PCT.
> I've got a bit of a trick knee, so I want to make sure I get the  
> best for
> such a long hike.  For this particular piece of equipment, cost  
> isn't a
> concern.
>
> So....
>
> 1) Brand?  I've heard a lot of good things about Black Diamond, and  
> it seems
> to be really popular.  There's usually a reason.
> 2) Anti-shock vs Standard?  I'm thinking Anti-shock is the way to  
> go, but
> I'd love to hear some opinions.
> 3) Aluminum or Carbon fiber?  Aluminum is lighter, so I'd imagine  
> that's the
> way to go.  Is there a particular "type" of aluminum I should look  
> for?
> 4) Cork or foam grip?
> 5) Anything I'm forgetting?