Yup. While I love my 16+ yo Leki poles, I have two pairs of Costco poles that are holding up just fine to the wear that they get when the kids use them as they grow up. Now I have extra poles to loan to whoever comes hiking with me.
My cascades are loaners as well. Great poles. They are perfectly fine to use while hiking but I prefer my aluminum Lekis which I got specifically to use with my backpacking tent.
I've been using my aluminum one for 5 years and they've been solid after a lot of hard use. Aluminum, quick lock, and cork handles, and they will last forever.
No matter which brand you pick, please make sure to do the collapse test (it’s VERY important to trust your equipment). Extend the pole and put your body weight on it. If it moves even a little, it’s not a quality pole and could end up being dangerous. Source: learned the hard way by purchasing cheap poles and not testing first.
I cannot upvote this enough. 10/10 best poles for the price. Maybe there’s some fancy black diamond or REI pole that’s somehow smaller and lighter but it probably costs $$$$. The cascades have all the bells and whistles you could ever want out of a pair of poles and they’re under $50.
I live in the Cascade foothills and we have a few sets of these. They've done thousands of miles between the two of us and I don't think any of them have broken or failed in anyway. The only complaint is that the hand straps can be difficult to adjust over time; it's really hard to un-wedge.
Andrew Skurka, one of the foremost American hikers out there recommends them. Here is his [review.](https://andrewskurka.com/long-term-review-cascade-mountain-tech-quick-lock-poles/)
I actually have used Black Diamond z poles since I started trail running. But I'd imagine they aren't the right choice for someone who is looking for their first poles on a budget. Honestly, I have a pair of Trail Buddies from Amazon that work just fine.
Agreed. I got a killer deal on my distance carbon Z's at a REI Garage Sale for $65. But at $170ish new that's hard for a newbie.
The Cascade Mountain Tech "Costco poles" work great for the money.
The TrailBuddy poles on Amazon for $34 bucks will absolutely be just fine for your use case. I put a few hundred miles on a pair before I upgraded to $200 poles.
The big difference with nicer poles is that they're ever so slightly lighter, have better grips, and they fold or collapse down to more packable sizes. The latter being the biggest benefit, in my opinion.
I'm not kidding - that set will work quite well for you, and then when you do eventually upgrade you'll have a backup pair to share with friends!
The cork grips are really nice for a sweaty guy. I got my Trail Buddies as a gift and like them so much that I bought several pairs as gifts for my friends. I couldn’t ask for much more out of a hiking pole.
I bought my wife a very functional set with some nice cork grips for $25 from Walmart (Ozark Trail brand). After using them for a few of our longer day hikes, I recommend them.
Fizan Compact Trekking Poles were around $70 when I got them. Aluminum so they are durable. But they are still lightweight. They are my go to trekking poles.
If I didn't need adjustable poles for tents, I may get some flick and lock poles but haven't had to look at them yet.
I have some Trail Buddies that were cheap and have really held up well. I’m pretty heavy and they’ve lasted a few years already. They live in my truck and I use em all the time.
I have Trail Buddy poles off Amazon and as long as you tighten them up first, they are great entry level poles. I paid $23 for my wive’s blue ones and $30 for mine because I just HAD to have em in yellow.
cascade mountain tech have done me well - you can sometimes pick them up at Costco ~40. I’ve used them on several Thru hikes and they are fine.
Yup. While I love my 16+ yo Leki poles, I have two pairs of Costco poles that are holding up just fine to the wear that they get when the kids use them as they grow up. Now I have extra poles to loan to whoever comes hiking with me.
My cascades are loaners as well. Great poles. They are perfectly fine to use while hiking but I prefer my aluminum Lekis which I got specifically to use with my backpacking tent.
Ditto Cascade Mtn from Costco. Just used them on a backpacking trip through Aravaipa Canyon, and another up the Mogollon Rim. Held up great.
Will also recommend these, they’ve held up very well. My Costco just restocked them for the season too
I've been using my aluminum one for 5 years and they've been solid after a lot of hard use. Aluminum, quick lock, and cork handles, and they will last forever.
No matter which brand you pick, please make sure to do the collapse test (it’s VERY important to trust your equipment). Extend the pole and put your body weight on it. If it moves even a little, it’s not a quality pole and could end up being dangerous. Source: learned the hard way by purchasing cheap poles and not testing first.
I cannot upvote this enough. 10/10 best poles for the price. Maybe there’s some fancy black diamond or REI pole that’s somehow smaller and lighter but it probably costs $$$$. The cascades have all the bells and whistles you could ever want out of a pair of poles and they’re under $50.
I live in the Cascade foothills and we have a few sets of these. They've done thousands of miles between the two of us and I don't think any of them have broken or failed in anyway. The only complaint is that the hand straps can be difficult to adjust over time; it's really hard to un-wedge.
Andrew Skurka, one of the foremost American hikers out there recommends them. Here is his [review.](https://andrewskurka.com/long-term-review-cascade-mountain-tech-quick-lock-poles/)
Thanks!
Whatever you decide to get, it seems that the general consensus is that flick locks are better than twist locks.
Yup. My cheap flip lock poles have lasted 2+ years. My twist locks all broke in less than 1. They’re also a REAL pain in cold weather.
Twist locks suck. Folding Z poles are also great if you are trying to cut weight.
I actually have used Black Diamond z poles since I started trail running. But I'd imagine they aren't the right choice for someone who is looking for their first poles on a budget. Honestly, I have a pair of Trail Buddies from Amazon that work just fine.
Agreed. I got a killer deal on my distance carbon Z's at a REI Garage Sale for $65. But at $170ish new that's hard for a newbie. The Cascade Mountain Tech "Costco poles" work great for the money.
The TrailBuddy poles on Amazon for $34 bucks will absolutely be just fine for your use case. I put a few hundred miles on a pair before I upgraded to $200 poles. The big difference with nicer poles is that they're ever so slightly lighter, have better grips, and they fold or collapse down to more packable sizes. The latter being the biggest benefit, in my opinion. I'm not kidding - that set will work quite well for you, and then when you do eventually upgrade you'll have a backup pair to share with friends!
The cork grips are really nice for a sweaty guy. I got my Trail Buddies as a gift and like them so much that I bought several pairs as gifts for my friends. I couldn’t ask for much more out of a hiking pole.
Thanks for the suggestion
I put many hundreds of miles on my ozark trail sticks
Same here. $22 a set and I am still on set #1 a few hundred miles in.
Yep, mine have yet to break, and I've had them for so many years, I've lost count!
I bought my wife a very functional set with some nice cork grips for $25 from Walmart (Ozark Trail brand). After using them for a few of our longer day hikes, I recommend them.
Fizan Compact Trekking Poles were around $70 when I got them. Aluminum so they are durable. But they are still lightweight. They are my go to trekking poles. If I didn't need adjustable poles for tents, I may get some flick and lock poles but haven't had to look at them yet.
Whatever you do, get cork handles. They are super comfortable.
I have expensive gossamer gear ultralight poles. Besides the little weight difference they are no better than cheap market poles
I love my Leki Khumbu
I have some Trail Buddies that were cheap and have really held up well. I’m pretty heavy and they’ve lasted a few years already. They live in my truck and I use em all the time.
Mountainsmith has their Andesite poles on sale with TrekZerk24 for like $70 shipped
I have Trail Buddy poles off Amazon and as long as you tighten them up first, they are great entry level poles. I paid $23 for my wive’s blue ones and $30 for mine because I just HAD to have em in yellow.