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Photo credit: National Park Service |
[After a strenous month of hiking research] both of us developed knee pain. The next summer we used Leki trekking poles every day for three months and our knees were never strained. We felt like four-legged animals. We were more sure-footed. Our speed and endurance increased.
On the other hand, they also reported the reaction: "So where are your skis. Ha ha ha!"
An article at Outside sums up the research and also gives the contrarian view:
On the other hand, the Switzerland-based International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation sounds a more skeptical tone, suggesting that using poles too much will sap your balance and coordination, thus raising the risk of accidents in situations like crossing ridges that are too narrow for poles.
In other words, poles make you weak! Do you vant to be weak? Or do they make you a sure-footed animal?
This article on PubMed summarizes the research.
Interestingly, pole users burn more calories. That could be a good thing (you're hiking to control your weight) or a bad thing (your food supplies are running low).
You do protect your knees — but, retorts the Mountaineering Federation, the joint stress is good for you. (See also this.)
As they say on the Internet, your mileage may vary.
Hopeless moderate that I am, when carrying just a day pack, I often carry just one pole, thus gaining some balance but keeping a hand free. The last time I was deer hunting in rocky country, I stashed the pole at one point along the trail in. Not having it was another reason to slow down, and slowing down is a Good Thing (TM) when you are hunting.
In a related issue, I will admit to saying something snarky the first time I saw somone snowshoeing with ski poles — especially as she was in a flat meadow. It seemed like belt + suspenders overkill. But I will admit that ski poles are a help when side-hilling in Rocky Mountain powder.
It's just that I always think that if you're on snowshoes, you need hands free for tools — rifle, saw, whatever.