'To me walking sticks are multitools. For example, it can be used as a sling staff to hurl rocks with much greater strength than a simple hand sling. You can also screw a 1/4-20 hanger bolt into the top to turn it into a handy camera monopod.';

'>>2719043
On flat ground? Eh, some people like them. I don't find they make that much of a difference.
On steep slopes and uneven or icy ground? Yeah, they're the fucking shit. Uphill or downhill, they're great.

They're not essential by any stretch but if you're planning a long hike (say a week of 6+ hour days) then I'd suggest giving them a try.';

'>>2719043
Pretty handy. I always carry at least one
>move branches, bushes, cobwebs out of the way
>use to check for snakes when I’m in the bush
>pitch my tent
>good for extra leverage going up and down bad terrain
>swing it around for fun like a stick';

'>>2719043
These are known as bitch sticks.';

'The people using them on regular walking trails are usually old or tourists, but they actually make a big difference on steep mountain trails';

'I like having something to do with my hands and they're good for stability on uneven terrain, great for uphill. Have done with and without and will pretty much always bring them.';

'>>2719043
Why do you even make these threads man? Why waste your life that way?';

'>>2719043
They genuinely help distribute the load but can feel unweildly sometimes. When they become useful is when your personal fitness level and/or the type of hiking you're doing makes it easier to use them than to not. Idk how to explain it better than that, it's all circumstantial and you'll only know when you try them.
Personally I've only ever relied on them to do some steep winter hikes in deep snow. Otherwise they're more of a hassle and limit my natural gait more than they help.';

'>>2719047
did posting this make you feel cool? faggot';

'>>2719080
Pity him, his schizotypal mental health issues have made him both an /in/cell, and incapable of experiencing positive emotions.
There is also a high chance he gets very upset over random rock piles, will probably be trying to have his own genitals cut off soon, and will likely not live long after.';

'I just use a tree branch that I cut and carved 30 years ago instead of spending hundreds of dollars on hollow chinese pot metal poles that bend if I put any amount of force on them.';

'>>2719080
Yeah, I do feel pretty cool that I can walk like a normal human being without the aid of bitch sticks.';

'>>2719088
Imagine being in your 40s (or even late 30s t b h) and still posting on 4chan. Grim.';

'>>2719093';

'>>2719089
im proud of you for finally getting out of your mom's basement and being able to walk a couple laps around the mailbox but some of us actually hike on this board.
>>2719088
imagine if that thing could talk. thanks for the visualization anon';

'>>2719043
They're the amerimutt filter
Americans hike on trails that are basically roads for other countries. When they don't, it's to go in either desertic or densely forested areas, two environments where poles are useless
They never need poles because they don't have the trails that require them. Poles are amazing in rocky or muddy trails that are steep. The whole thing is to use the lanyards to move your weight around like it's a crutch (when going down) or to pull yourself up using your arms and back instead of having to take weird steps. They really help if you're carrying a larger pack, because they spread out the weight and let you always have 3 points on the ground which is great for balance
Basically they're useless if your hike is even ground, which leads to contempt from amerimutts who only do half day hikes on the nearest instagrammable trail they find';

'>>2719043
>Enables a tripod arrangement for maximum stability
>Allows arms to take part in propulsion and ascent
>Lets you distribute your load a bit better, an unwieldy load may be more annoying to position over your center of gravity
>Can be used to keep yourself steady or even catch yourself on uneven or insecure terrain without needing to take a tumble or risking your wrist or shoulder as a means of catching and steadying yourself
>Gives you some better proprioception because your sticks are constantly engaging with the ground around you, so you've got a lot more information available for your reflexes to work off of
>You can use them to test the stability of your next foothold
>You can rest on them for a bit if needed
>Even when not walking, you've got an adjustable length stick for something like pitching a tarp
Sure it's less useful on a standard dry path, but it gets significantly more useful in more adverse conditions and is almost indispensable in the winter when hauling or moving through deeper snow. There is some argument to be made for a longer single stick, since two sticks just require a constant back-and-forth shifting and rebalancing, but that's mostly personal preference.';

'>>2719043
They're mostly useful if you're frail, old or fat.';

'>>2719116
>Americans hike on trails that are basically roads for other countries
So in other words, you've never hiked in the rugged mountains of the Northeast US and spent your time on tourist paths in the national parks';

'>>2719116
All this seethe lmao';

'>>2719116
Eurofag requires a crutch to walk around.
"HA Ha , Mutts don't need crutches like I do."

every time';

'i use them so I can zone out while stoned. You can walk pretty relaxed on some pretty uneven terrain without much thought.
some guy in the army told me soldiers get 20% more ruck 'efficiency' while using them...no idea if its true...but the army studies everything.';

'>>2719116
are you an actual person? i fell for the bait right?';

'>>2719043
I shit you not, I was at the gym today and saw a fat boomer setting up a pair so he could walk around the indoor track. I despise the "silver sneakers" program';

'>>2719093
I'm 35, have children, have a wife, and I still post here, don't forget, you're here forever.';

'>>2719080
kek, found the bitch';

'>>2719233
Cringe. Girls don't make eye contact with you do they?';

'>>2719222
Solid trips
Getting to 29 in July, been there for 11 years at this point, marrying next year hopefully making a kid next, digits and OP gets an /out/ gf
Also trekking poles are based on long hikes, esp with large packs';

'>>2719094
No one under 35 will get this.';

'>>2719045
>I live where it is flat and only hike trails
I've been hiking all my life and have walked longer and further with more weight than you ever will.
Poles aren't much use on flatland--in every other situation they significantly improve mobility and increase efficiency.';

'>>2719062
Yet here you are posting.
Interesting.';

'>>2719047
Ask me how I know you aren't white.';

'>>2719043
Never used that sort of pole myself, but I've seen plenty of broken ones along the trail, so I doubt they're that good.
On a purely physical level, unlike some people claim, poles do not reduce the strain on your knees or back on flat ground. I'm too lazy to google for the studies right now, but it's been proven a few times with different measurement methodologies.
Where poles are great is rough terrain, where you can use them to aid with balancing yourself (especially with a heavy pack). But for that, a longer pole where you can slide your hand up or down to match the slope is much more useful. For comparison, the one I'm using in the hills I'm living in (up to 150% incline, but mostly around 100%) is 2,1m long, and there have been times where I could have used an even longer pole.';

'>>2719261
Unless you are using them for skiing there is no reason to ever buy a non-extendable pole and lots of reason's not to.

It isn't uncommon where I'm at for a trail to gain over 1000 feet in elevation in a mile or less. I short the poles uphill and make them very long downhill. Two point adjusters are usually better than single point especially if you hike very steep terrain.';

'>>2719251
I'm a zoomer and I got this
faggot';

'>>2719097
Some of you don't hike, as evidenced by your larp.';

'>>2719295
>I'm not the LARPer!!11 You are!!111
we know you don't go outside son.';

'>>2719043
Speaking of which, can you guys recommend me a good brand of trekking poles? Preferably foldable or extendable ones. Thanks!';

'>>2719259
White here, I also call them bitch sticks';

'>>2720143

>t. Nigger';

'>>2719043
Why do 95% of AT thruhikers use them? It can’t be because they’re weak, considering they hike ~15 miles a day for months on end. It’s not because of their shelter type, as the same source shows free standing shelters are by far the most common. It’s not a physical disability; most are in their early 20’s. It’s not “hurr they dumb, I’m smart”; figuring out what works and what doesn’t is extremely common, with people swapping out gear pretty often. They’re literally never off trail.';

'>>2720697
Does that number of people using sticks include the 75% of hikers who drop out?
>literuhhly
Oh, nevermind, I didn't know you were retarded. My bad.';

'>>2720717
Do you think there’s a connection between their use of trekking poles and them dropping out?

Use your words.';

'>>2720719
No, I think that saying 95% of people using the sticks doesn't really matter when 75% of the same group quit. Would you like me to draw you a chart? You can follow along with your crayons if you promise not to eat any of them.';

'>>2720722
If this is what you think then why did you phrase it as a question? Why not just say it? This is some woman shit.';

'>>2720722
Regardless, only 4% chose not to use trekking poles. You can’t only apply 75% of people dropping out to just those that used trekking poles because there isn’t any data that suggests that (as in, who’s to say that 100% of people that chose not to use trekking poles didn’t drop out?) in the end, the chart would stay the same regardless if a significant number of people dropped out or not unless you can prove that 100% of the 4% that didn’t use trekking poles made it the whole way through—and even then, the people that chose not to use trekking poles would still be a major minority';

'>>2720722
>I think that saying 95% of people using the sticks doesn't really matter when 75% of the same group quit.

I don’t follow. Why doesn’t it matter?';

'>>2720733
because he's completely mentally retarded and having an unfounded autistic meltdown over people using trekking poles for their intended purpose';

'>>2720733
Even more telling us the average distance hiked. I read somewhere (probably The Trek) that it’s over 1,400 miles including successful thruhikes. Im not sure how to do the math in this.

25% are successful: 2,170 miles
25% drop out very soon: 30 miles
100% total average: 1,400 miles

What’s the average of the remaining 50% who make I more than 30 miles but less than 2,170?';

'>>2720733
>you should definitely consoom this product here because I also consoomed it
>I only went /out/ one time, and I went home early, but consoom it anyway';

'>>2720739
You didn’t answer the question, and just made assumptions.

>consoom meme
No one recommended a brand or even a type. No on linked to REI.
>do it because I do it
No, do it because people who are more experienced than you do it. We learn from others.
>one time
I’ve been backpacking since my parents first took me when I was 3 months old, but I don’t think you’re referring to me specifically. Most people who drop out of an AT hike have more experience than you. You’re just some retarded child who should feel bad.';

'>>2720739
you have to be 18 to post here';

'it's genuinely strange how many of these threads devolve simply because some posters refuse to accept that different people might have different preferences, bodies, injury history, levels of comfort etc. that wind up impacting their gear decisions.';

'>>2720765
that's autism for you';

'>>2720697
All this tells me is 95% of "muh throooo hikers" are pants-on-head retards who refuse to pick up a stick off the ground';

'>>2720773
>3,000 people walking down the same trail
>they can all find perfectly good walking sticks
Bro, that’s rare even on my seldom used local trails.';

'>>2720799
Ah yes, because a stick will instantly disintegrate if you take it home with you to use later, thanks to nature's anti-theft system';

'>>2720773
>use a stick
What’s the advantage? Is it just a matter of being really, really poor?';

'>>2720864
The advantage is you didn't spend money on something you could get for free
>oh look, a stream
>not gonna get water from it though; I'd rather buy water
A fool and his money are easily parted.';

'>>2720954
A stick is not a trekking pole.
I would explain why but you're obviously retarded and your parents didn't give you enough attention.';

'>>2720983
>doesn't know how to use a stick
>calls others retarded
Okay';

'>>2720954
>non-collapsible
>no cork or even rubber handle
>not adjustable
>no snow baskets

I seriously don’t see any advantage. Trekking poles aren’t expensive. “Didn’t spend money” is fucking stupid, unless you are exceedingly poor.';

'>>2720991
>I must consooom because someone told me I had to have these features in a stick
I have a bottle of water I can sell you, anon. 100 USD and it can be yours.';

'>>2719045
Agreed. I was always dead set against them. After climbing down snow covered cliff faces, falling on 55 degree slopes packing elk out, i started carrying them in the steep stuff. I still see absolutely no need on flat country though';

'>>2721029
Damn, you just can’t let go of this meme. No one told me I needed those things. I figured it out on my own. Why haven’t you figured it out yet?';

'>>2721029
if you are too poor to spend 10 dollar on a hiking pole that beats a stick in all metrics, it might be you that is the fool';

'>>2721152
>if you choose to not spend money on something you don't need it means you're poor
I bet the marketing team at REI loves you';

'>>2721156
Nah. He’s right, you’re wrong.';

'>>2721152
The "hurr durr ur poor" mentality is the surest sign I don't need a thing';

'>>2721200
Might be too poor for education too.';

'>>2721156
technically there's very little you *need* to go on a thru-hike at all, but all the extra odds and ends make the experience a lot easier and more comfortable. that's what you're paying for';

'>>2719043
I prefer to carve my own wizard staff';

'>>2719045
Pretty much this. Going uphill is a "game changer", if you're fat, you'll still get tired, but if you are fit, you will see an improvement in stamina. Going downhill you will go a bit slower but you knees and ankles will suffer less. Since I have no joint problems I dont use them downhill, but I always carry them uphill.

Also, they have save me once from a big storm. Had to put a tarp where there were no trees and I used them to set it up, didnt get wet that night';

'>>2720954
A stick doesn't have the little metal stud on the end that sticks to rocks and roots like velcro. That little point is where 50 percent of their effectiveness comes from.';

'They're good for rocky, uneven water crossings and flat lands that are flooded/mucky. You can easily catch a toe or sink in the mud unevenly and the poles can prevent you from falling. A must have in mucky Alaska unless you enjoy being covered in mud or shredded by falling on stream rocks.';

'>>2719046
One is the way to go, all the functionality none of the faggotry';

'>>2721200
>doesn’t know if he wants them or not
Newfag';

'>>2721248
>They slow you down on the downhill
you're fucking high
I'm easily 2x faster using poles on the downhill. It's like downhill skiing with more steps... way way faster.';

'Trekking polls help you not look homeless too, which is important in towns where you might deal with cops. No homeless or vagabond is gonna have 200 dollar carbon fiber poles. Which also helps hitchhiking, just keep them visible and people will know you're a hiker not a bum';

'>>2719046
Only legitimate argument for them. Usually I see them being used by upper middle class midwits walking simple shit.';

'>>2719093
You are retarded, age cooms fast.';

'>>2723749
Shitpost bumpin';