JOE
I bought these hiking poles in early 2018 to use for stability while walking or hiking so I don't have to use a cane or crutches. I have been using them a few times a week for more than a year now, and I really like them.
I am a 49 year old man who was disabled and forced into medical retirement at 34 years old following a parachuting accident in the Army. I have complex injuries at multiple levels throughout my spine and hips, and I've had 3 spinal fusion surgeries over the past 16 years. Chronic pain and muscle spasms are a constant part of my life, as are instability, sudden weakness, and endurance issues. Those all are obstacles I did not have to manage in my youth. I grew up as a 4-sport athlete and manual laborer who went everywhere on a bicycle. After high school, I was both a full-time Army soldier (Infantry and Field Artillery) and part-time college student raising a family and enjoying an active lifestyle heavy on fitness, sports, fun and excitement. After sustaining widespread injuries to such critical structural parts of my body, I have been struggling in what feels like a totally different life in a different body trying to adjust to the countless changes. For years, the damage to my spine and hips was getting worse, so I kept having to reduce my activities until I was about 80% chair/bedridden in severe pain and misery - and depression. After several surgeries and years of ongoing therapies, trying and adjusting medications, and learning what I can and cannot do (still learning 20 years after the accident), I finally found decent medical care and figured out things I can do to enjoy life again and manage my disabilities, pain levels, and muscle spasms and cramps. After years of atrophying and gaining weight despite reducing calories and eating healthy, I have been able to put together a therapeutic fitness routine to rebuild some physical capabilities and improve my mobility, strength, and endurance while also getting out and about more. That includes walking and some hiking on established trails. I'm not talking about 25-mile ruck marches with combat training exercises mixed in, and I'm not talking about climbing mountains or hiking all day off the beaten path like I wish I still could do. I walk routes of 1.5- to 3.0 miles around my home in a hilly area, almost entirely on asphalt roads or trails and concrete sidewalks. In public parks, the established hiking trails vary greatly in distance and usually are packed gravel, packed dirt, asphalt, grassy paths, or a combination of surfaces. In Ohio's Hocking Hills and Mill Creek Park, there are steps cut into the landscape made of stone, gravel, wood, packed dirt, and grass. Again, it's not climbing mountains, but it can include uneven terrain, steps of different height and depth, and some places can be slippery. For someone who has struggled with falling and fighting through pain and spasms to get out of bed or a chair, being able to walk outdoors and enjoy the scenery and fresh air again is thrilling!
The TrailBuddy Trekking Poles give me the added confidence and stability support I need to be able to continue being active and working on my fitness. They look sporty and athletic, so I don't have to feel embarrassed using a cane or crutches -- and that can be a huge psychological factor for some people. I'm grateful to have my canes, crutches, and even an electric handicapped scooter when I need those devices, and I DO still need them all at times. When I want to feel a bit more like the athletic, physically fit, strong, active person I was the first 30 years of my life, grabbing my trekking poles to go for a walk or going to a park to hike in nature is a big deal, especially leaving the scooter at home and leaving the cane/crutches in the car.
When I'm feeling really good, I can collapse the poles and store them inside their bag (in which I also keep spare tips and tips for different types of terrain), and I slip the bag into my light backpack or strap it across my back. The poles are lightweight. They're easy to adjust, and the licking mechanisms never have failed me or even slipped a little bit. I'm 6'0" tall and my weight has gone from 245-230 pounds. When I need to, I lean onto the poles for support, and they have always supported my weight without a problem.
They're a great buy at a good price.
I have never owned another pair of hiking poles, so I cannot compare with other brands, mechanisms, or materials. I used other people's poles a few times before buying my own, and I've checked out poles in sporting goods stores. I use tripods for my camera, binoculars and telescopes, so I've used collapsible devices with different kinds of locking mechanisms. I generally do not like adjustable/collapsible locking mechanisms that screw to tighten or loosen. The hinged flip-tabs on these poles actually have surprised me with how sturdy and reliable they are. They're adjustable, too, so you can tighten the locking tabs more or less depending on your preference.
My wife, kids and grandkids have all used my poles, so they've been adjusted to different heights many times. The poles have markings on them to use as guides when adjusting. I know which markings I use for my comfort, and I can tell at a simple glance if the poles have been adjusted or not. I always check the locking mechanisms at the same time, and then I'm off!
There can be some chafing on my hands around the wrist straps, but I prefer mine to be slightly snug. If I'm hiking, I keep gloves with me, and wearing gloves can reduce the chafing.
All-in-all, I'm very happy with these walking poles for how I use them, and I recommend them to anyone who wants some mobility stability and support but doesn't need to worry about whether or not they're tough enough to make it to the top of Mount Everest. They might he good enough, but I'd probably take a backup set or two if I were going to do more strenuous and more rugged hiking and climbing. I also would seek advice from experienced climbers regarding the best equipment to use on rougher terrain.
| Brand | TrailBuddy |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum |
| Color | Blue Lake |
| Shaft Material | Aluminum |
| Extended Length | 54 Inches |
| Handle Material | Cork |
| Item Weight | 1.21 Pounds |
| Maximum Height Recommendation | 54 Inches |
| Folded Size | 24.5 inches |
| Lock Type | Lever |
| Base Material | Rubber |
| Manufacturer | TrailBuddy |
| UPC | 860290001251 866069000302 |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 25.26 x 4.9 x 2.1 inches |
| Package Weight | 0.73 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 26.18 x 5.63 x 3.03 inches |
| Brand Name | TrailBuddy |
| Part Number | 1A |
| Grip Type | Cork |
A. Martinez
Matt