[pct-l] To shocks or not to shocks.....

[Steven dvsteven]

I have to agree with Shroomer,
 
The only down side is the noise (well maybe the weight as others have said).  In my pre-thru hikes the noise is annoying to say the least (in the city, on hills and sidewalks).  I use BD Spires with shocks and they are noisy (but really nice poles).
 
For the last few years I've always hiked with poles, they add push up and stability down, and the motion is great for me.  I used really cheap poles on the AT in '06 and inded up putting screws in them to complete the trail, so I'd advise getting locking poles not twist locks.
 
Just my opinion,
 
HYOH
 
Flying Tortoise
 
 

From: baidarker at gmail.com
CC: pct-l at backcountry.net
To: paulrobisonhome at yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2010 23:15:55 -0800
Subject: Re: [pct-l] To shocks or not to shocks, that is the question...


I first started by using poles with shocks years ago, but have changed over
to non shocked, as I just don't like the constant noise of poles with
shocks, and never noticed any difference in performance.
 
As for hiking only one week without poles, it's perfectly doable, as we all
used to hike without them with no problem. Now that I'm used to using them
however I wouldn't consider hiking one day without them if I didn't have to.
It's all a matter of what you're used to. They provide great stability
over rocky terrain, increased my speed,and are a godsend in the muddy,
slippery trails I'm hiking on now in Northern CA.
I think they are a wonderful tool, and worth getting used to, but that's
just my opinion, others I met on trail, who were great hikers, didn't use
them. The vast majority of hikers did however.
 
Shroomer