I wouldn't say you really need them, it's a very personal choice, and many people finished thu-hikes without them but there are situations they come in extremely handy. I hardly ever carry them on day hikes or weekend trips but I loved them on PCT for water crossings and they definitely helped my knees during long descents.
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I never had used them prior to my AT thru-hike last year. They saved my ass too many times to count. In addition to stability they helped with pace, and lessened the strain on my knees on downhills. I think a day hike with a small pack would be a different story. I am walking the camino is Spain this year with a pack weight of 15#'s. I doubt I will bring the poles.
I heard arguments for with and without last year on the trail. It boils down to preference and whether you have a tent that requires poles to set it up.
I need them. I have no idea if you need them.
"No Worries" 2015 GA-ME; 2016 LT End-to-End
Dont need them
Or a pack
Or shoes for that matter.
But some items make things easier
Still using my 6-ft. bamboo pole. Great for downhill. I only have to release my grip then tighten it again to "automatically" make it longer for downhills. I think this beats the devil out of trekking poles. Also it was once very useful when used as a "bayonet" (and my Quantico Marine corps training) to repeal a very aggressive black bear on the trail to the Chimeys in the GSMNP.
I wouldn't have wanted to have only trekking poles for this encounter. Also useful for once throwing a timber rattler off the trail. Six feet sometimes exponentially better than a 4-ft. pole.
I need them! They have saved me from many rolled ankles, falls, stumbles... Plus, they have assisted with climbs when I was exhausted! I would not hike without them!
No I would say they are not needed, but I still will not hike without mine for every reason previously mention. It is and individual choice. If you don't want to spring for the more costly poles, check a wally world for a pair. I would suggest flick locks over twist locks.
Blackheart
When I was younger and backpacked without trekking poles (they weren't common in the 80's), I took a
fall about every trip and was always lucky to not get hurt. As an old guy hiking with poles, I've only fallen
once. I shorten them for climbs and use my upper body more for going up steep trail sections. For long
downhills, I lengthen them and notice that they help a lot with knee wear and tear. And if I am in really
rocky sections of trail, I collapse and stow them in the pack. With trekking poles, you're more like a 4 legged
critter than a 2 legged one. But everyone has to choose what works for them...
At my age and with my knees ill take all the help i can get
Also good for:
Checking tall grass for rattlesnakes
removing spider webs
tent poles on a Zpacks tent
taking the weight of your arms off your legs and feet
poking in the direction of aggressive dogs
Rapidly removing body weight from an ankle that just rolled over and avoiding injury
Generating noise to scare off a bear
I also use a single pole, in my case a trekking pole. I have arthritis in my hands and alternate between them as they get sore.
My trekking poles are part of my must-have pieces of equipment. I use them for tent setup. When hiking up and down mountains they really take some of the pressure off your knees. I find them essential for balance when the terrain is tricky like stream crossings. I use them for getting a steady rhythm on flat trails.