Originally Posted by
staehpj1
I don't use poles to hike so they aren't an advantage for me either way, but some folks may like to have them even for short hikes when touring. So maybe in that case they might be an advantage.
I have them because I needed them for a different purpose for work. I have used them hiking on steep hikes in Alaska though. I only took one, but it was very helpful. For general hikes I haven's used them. I will say they came in handy while rehabbing a torn achilles tendon.
