I currently only use one hiking stick. I genuinely appreciate the heft however a recent hike on steep ascent and descent is making me realize the value in two poles.

A friend of mine is strongly against adjustable poles because he has seen others "with expensive, black diamond trekking poles" and other brands have their poles fail at the worst times. He told me at one moment a hiking friend's poles failed and he almost fell down a steep ridge line before being caught. It was at that moment my friend says he has "sworn off adjustable poles" because "we could have lost him".

So what are the thoughts about adjustable vs solid poles? I wanted adjustables for the convenience however I'm 230lbs. I'd hate to accidentally place too much weight on the poles and 'snap'. (I understand they're supposed to be mostly for balance but I'm sure they receive weight too)