UKC

Hi any recommendations for good cheapish walking poles. For them knee breaking down walks.. My older ones our looking tobe replaced. Which are Trek mates, cheap as chips but have stood up to some abuse..

Thanks

In reply to Jedi1969:

I swear by my MSR carbon fibre poles, I think they're the 'dynalock ascent' model. Had them a few years and never let me down. Been in all sorts of terrain and conditions. Well worth the extra cost for the longevity and reliability.

In reply to Jedi1969:

I've just had some replacement Black Diamond Z poles (one broke after 6 years,  due to me falling in a deep peat bog).

They're the carbon ones, so over £100,  but the aluminium ones are a bit cheaper.

One of the best bits of kit I've bought in recent years

In reply to Jedi1969:

Decathlon

In reply to Jedi1969:

Are they any good 

In reply to Jedi1969:

Like you I've got Trek Mates. Bought cheap to see if I liked them, fully expecting to replace when they broke with BD. 

Still going strong, except the the tips which have pretty much worn down due to being just steel rather than the usual (is it tungsten carbide?) you get with better poles.

I do also now have a set of BD carbon fibre z-poles but rarely use them unless scrambling or doing via ferrata, preferring the chunky handle grip and sprung impact of the Trek Mates.

In reply to Jedi1969:

Keep an eye on "the middle of Lidl", they come up there fairly often, I've got a couple of pairs at £15 each. They seem to be just as good and robust as much more expensive ones I've had in the past. 

In reply to Jedi1969:

Check out Harrier trail running poles. Great quality at a sensible price.

In reply to Jedi1969:

I did some research into this recently as I needed to buy a pair (they make a huge difference, especially with a heavy pack).

The general consensus from reading lots of reviews is:

- avoid ‘twist-lock’ models as they eventually fail, and go for a pinch lock mechanism 

- avoid ‘suspension’, it is a gimmick that doesn’t make much difference and is another thing to go wrong.

- horizontal (perpendicular) grips feel nice on the shop floor but get annoying on the trail; better to stick with regular vertical grips 

- cork grips feel nice and some people swear by them.

In reply to Jedi1969:

Not cheap but I like my Pacer Poles. Going strong after a good 8 years. 

In reply to Jedi1969:

Best pole design by a mile is Pacerpoles, the ergonomic handle is streets ahead of all the ski pole-based designs. Not cheap, but comparable to other quality brands.

Aside from that there's a big range of choice depending how you want to come out on things like lightness vs durability, or folding vs telescopic, and what mechanism you prefer, and how much you're willing to spend. Sounds like you've done well with the value brands before, and I was impressed with a Trekmates kids' pole for £12 that we reviewed recently, so there really isn't any obligation to spend a lot if you just want simple/robust.  

One thing for sure - avoid the bouncy sprung ones (if anyone still makes those), they're awful

In reply to Alun:

Totally disagree on this one, I find the jolting of a non-suspension pole really jarring on my wrists. Have both and much prefer the suspension ones, especially on hard surfaces which tbh is when I find poles most useful.

In reply to Jedi1969:

The Black Diamond Trail poles are on the money for me.

There are a few models but you won't go wrong with aluminium, flick-lock. 

I've had the Trail Back poles for about 10 years. Put at least 3000 miles on them and have replaced the tips (easy peasy- I did it with a camping stove and small pan out in the sticks of New Jersey). From memory they cost me about 50 quid when I got them. New tips were about a tenner I think. 

I've known a few people snap carbon poles by both Leki and BD. Would always go for aluminium personally.

In reply to Robert Durran:

I've a (relatively) expensive pair from Black Diamond which I originally bought for skitouring. They are good & have been reliable for some 10 years. But I also have a pair from Decathlon which I found abandoned in a local car park. I asked around & no one said they had left them behind so I've kept them as a spare pair for visitors or sometimes myself as they tend to live in the car. Maybe not quite as well made as the Black Diamond pair but sturdy & so far reliable. Not sure what model but one of Decathlon's more expensive models.

In reply to Dan Bailey - UKHillwalking.com:

Agree about Pacer Poles. I don't have any myself but for my wife. She is not a walker by any means and has difficulty with one knee and gets pain after walking a couple of miles, even on the flat. She bought some of these poles and says they have really helped.

Dave 

In reply to Jedi1969:

I've got these, so impressed I bought another set for my wife.

Not the lightest but super sturdy and well made. feel like that will last for ages.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trekology-TREK-Z-Collapsible-Tri-fold-Trekking/dp/...

In reply to Jedi1969:Another Pacerpole recommendation, mine are 9 years old and I’d broken 3 or 4 cheapies before I bit the bullet. Not only comfortable for your wrists, especially downhill, but they use a strong alloy. I’d add that if you keep them clean (separate and wipe after use, and store in their bag) the twist lock is mechanically stronger and less prone to snagging in boulder fields in winter (looking at you, ‘sneachda) than the flip lock. Carbon version available, but alu better if you’re hefty or laden, and cheaper.