Leki Makalu As

Pros: Reduce leg strain considerably
Cons: Can get in the way, possible environmental damage, fairly expensive

You've been going for a long time, and you start to get weary. Your legs are turning to jelly and your muscles ache. Next time why don't you use your arms as well as your legs?

I confess I don't currently own a pair of hiking poles for reasons...

Pros: Lightweight lifesavers! 1,800 miles and counting. Terrific manufacturer backing.
Cons: Takes a little practice to know where best to place them as you hike.

I've backpacked 1,800 miles of the Appalachian Trail over the last four years and have seen the use of ski poles soar. Few serious hikers would be without them.

Hiking
Poles let me use my arms strongly while hiking, not so much to save my...

Pros: Great For Your Knees and Back: Helps Keep Your Balance
Cons: Erosion, and a Pain on Flat Land

I recently purchased my first set of the Leki Trekking Poles, (a little different form hiking sticks). I have used them on a couple of my hikes and I have loved them. I don't do a lot of flat land hiking, so this opinion will be centered toward mountain...

Pros: Priced right/warranty support
Cons: weak seam

The title is a little miss leading because they are truly beautiful hiking poles. The ugly is meant to reference durability, but I am getting ahead of myself.

I own three sets of Makalu trekking poles because they keep cracking and I have to...

Pros: Allows hikers to explore farther, faster and much safer than ever before.
Cons: Allows klutzes (moi), the out of shape, the overweight, deep wilderness entry.

I walked on Clouds Rest, Yousemite National Park, using rubber tipped Leki Makalu classic trekking poles and I did not scar the rock. Makalu, as a FYI, is the name of a very high mountain peak.

"Mine Furer, I kan valk"! (as per the Kubrick...

Pros: Improves Balance and curbs possible injuries
Cons: erodes soil and scars rocks

Kinda strange that this category is under "accessories" rather than the more appropriate and yet utterly empty "hiking poles" section (and epinions.com spelled Leki wrong...only one K ....anyways....

Since Leki began making...

Pros: High in quality, great reliability
Cons: They can be replaced by your old skiing poles just as easily as buying the real thing

Anything you buy by Leki is going to be high quality and long lasting. As a skier, I go through around 3 pair of poles a year to letting them drag, falling down, and people stealing them. I used to use my nice Leki's, but I was afraid someone was going...

Pros: It's like walking on four legs
Cons: Expensive

I suffered from two pretty bad knee injuries in the past couple of years. I am an avid outdoorsman and really enjoy hiking. I talking to my doctor he told me if I want to keep hiking I will need to buy a walking stick to relieve some pressure from my...

Pros: makes it easier to hike
Cons: bad for the environment

For someone who has problems with their knees or back and can only hike with some extra support. I think that hiking poles are a great idea. however, I believe that if you can get along without them you should. Here are some reasons why. I spent last...

Pros: Durable, Well Balanced, Comfortable for long treks.
Cons: None in comparison to any other I have used.

So you think that poles make no difference? Try again! Let's Go through the simple stuff.
1. These poles have a great balance. That's important if hiking is in your plans. Don't ever use a back country pole (if skiing) on a resort!...