My wife and I took about a 3 mile, hilly, 45 min., Power Walk this afternoon. The weather was almost perfect, albeit a little too warm. I carried one of my several, short (~34"), crookneck hickory walking sticks, It helps with my gamey knees & back, especially on the steep up and downhill portions. There is definitely a bit of a Victorian feel to perambulating with a walking stick. But, I've reached an age where it blends nicely with my white beard and dark hair.