[pct-l] To shocks or not to shocks, that is the question...

[Paul Robison]

Like you,  my trekking poles are my tent poles, so i'll take something strong 
over light in this instance.  obviously if you have tent poles and just want 
some balance and support, then Gossamer Gear makes a nice ligthweight pole...  
3.4 ounces a pole  ( under half yours )

i use Black Diamond Ergo Corks and have for a long long time...  i use them 
because i am left handed, and at the time they were the only style that did not 
have twist locks.   twist locks will come unthreaded with a left handed twist 
over time,  thus causing slippage both times i have used Lekis.

if you're right handed then options are limitless for you...  but if you are 
using your trekking poles to hold your shelter up i'd be wary of using a 3 or 4 
ounce carbon pole to hold that kind of load in a strong wind.

can you lock the shocks before you use it to hold the tent up?   additionally,  
consider it might be stronger with the shock because things will bend instead of 
break in a big gust.






________________________________
From: giniajim <jplynch at crosslink.net>
To: Paul Robison <paulrobisonhome at yahoo.com>
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Sent: Tue, December 28, 2010 5:47:07 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] To shocks or not to shocks, that is the question...

 
Mine are Komperdell's (REI branded) and weigh 20 oz for  the pair.  I've had 
them at least 10 years.  Haven't looked at poles  for a long time so don't know 
if that weight is high or still in range of newer  equipment.  I've never felt 
like they were "too heavy", but I'm not a  mileage monster either.  

 
 
 
----- Original Message ----- 
>From: Paul Robison 
>To: giniajim 
>Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net 
>Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 4:42    PM
>Subject: Re: [pct-l] To shocks or not to    shocks, that is the question...
>
>
>i, personally, go no shock because i never noticed them helping,     and no 
>shocks are lighter.   'swing weight' of a pole is huge    compared to pack 
>weight,  a couple ounces is a big    deal.
>~Paul
>
>
>
>
________________________________
 From: giniajim <jplynch at crosslink.net>
>To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>Sent: Tue, December 28, 2010 3:07:50    PM
>Subject: Re: [pct-l] To    shocks or not to shocks, that is the question...
>
>I use poles    with shocks, but have never noticed that they make any 
>difference.  The    important thing to me is that they collapse into a smaller 
>length for carrying    in a pack or duffle bag.  
>
>
>  ----- Original Message ----- 
>  From: Sam Griffin 
>  To: pct-l at backcountry.net 
>     Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 2:35 PM
>  Subject: [pct-l] To shocks    or not to shocks, that is the question...
>
>
>  Hey, I was    wondering if anyone had input regarding trekking poles with
>  shocks.    Is the feature really necessary? I'll be using the poles for my
>     Shangri-La as well, and was wondering if shocks pose issues for    
>shelters.
>  Any input would be great!
>
>     -Sam
>