7k7k99,

You should be able to get a decent collapsible hiking staff for under $75. I haven't seriously researched the topic, but played with a few at some camping stores. They seemed quite capable.

If you are a photographer you might even look for one with a mount on top to allow double duty as a mono-pod. I picked up a Bogen collapsible mono-pod that I have seriously considered using as a hiking staff (Probably seriously voiding any warranty).

For those on a budget (and no requirement for compact dimensions) check out the staffs from Cold Steel.

http://www.coldsteel.com/sticks.html

The white wax wood sticks are real bargains compared to the common yuppie tree hugger wood hiking staffs, (no offense to yuppie tree huggers. I'm just more of a masmmie tree hugger [middle aged suburban Mr. Mom]) and have real world potential as defensive tools.

I plan on picking up one of the long white wax wood staffs and giving it a twirl. I figure I'm less likely to damage my nads or eyes with a staff than I am with a set of nunchakus! <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

TR

I've seen it before. My opinion is that it IS pretty. And most of it is effective (I want to see the squirrel that was supposedly taken with the blowgun- the blowgun is a lousy weapon until you've practiced with it for a LONG time).

But, in all honesty, my opinion of it is the same as the newest Life Capsule from Triple Aught: "survival bling". Except for the blowgun, a good bamboo staff can do everything here for half the cost, and that includes a better knife in the form of the Cold Steel Bushman and a screw, or a custom plug bayonet-type set up using a blade from a knife maker's supply house. Or I can make a better staff (free, just takes time), add a triple tine firsh spear (about 3 bucks), a good knife, and a small pack for the same price.

http://www.leevalley.com/gifts/page.aspx?c=1&p=52925&cat=4,104,53221&ap=3

I received one of these as a christmas present. They're quite nice, and this particular one is much better features for the price then I've seen elsewhere. The retailer is local to me, but I know they do a lot of mail order sales. I don't know recognize the brand on the staff itself, but the one I have seems to be good quality and Lee Valley is well known for only selling high quality items.

Alex

I've read on a few backpacking sites that many also use rattan staffs - the kind used in marshall arts training (also called a "bo". They are as light, if not lighter than bamboo and will take much more punishment than bamboo (which is why rattan is used instead of bamboo).

I've borrowed my kid's rattan bo staff with a rubber foot added to one end for hiking and really liked it. Not fancy, but extremely lightweight, smooth (easy on the hands), very strong, and warmer than aluminum in the winter. I think the bo cost about $25 purchased from the Taikwando instructor. I need to buy one for myself.

My big question is: Which is better, a single staff ? or two hiking poles? I kind of like the idea of two hiking poles.

I was thinking bamboo becuase I can put stuff in it if I'm smart about what I put in and how much, which is one of the advantages to the thing from the link.

>>Which is better, a single staff ? or two hiking poles?<<

I don't believe there is a simple correct answer to that question, Ken. There is certainly a lot of personal opinion on the question and probably arguments to be made for every approach taken.

There are folks who intently and noisily stride along with two poles as if they are cross-country skiing some circuit. I have mixed emotions about that technique - mostly not favorable, but hey, that's just my opinion. Back country skiing is the only time I personally use two (ski) poles. I've done a couple of snowshoe trips where I tried two poles and 1) I don't need them 2) I don't like having both hands encumbered all the time.

Apart from skiing: I almost always use one staff - a long one that is a bit taller than me. Sometimes I use a short walking aid - a traditional ice axe - but only when I am mountaineering. And sometimes I use none - when I absolutely, positively, must have both hands free for quick use of a shoulder arm. (A shoulder arm is not the dictum for me - it is the potential need for quick action with it.)

Something this whole thread has me thinking about: To the best of my (limited) knowledge, aboriginal peoples around the world either use one long (tall) walking aid (for more than just aiding sure footing) or none (because they need hands free for weapons or burdens or there is no energy/safety benefit to an aid OR nothing suitable is available in their environment). I am not aware of any who use two short poles. Two short poles probably would be easier to fashion - deliberate or expedient - than one long pole. Does anyone know of aboriginal peoples who use / used two walking aids?

Put me in the "One long stave" camp for 98% of my walking. It has proven to be useful and versitle for me, and it suits me aesthetically. I don't like the <clack> <clack> <clack> of the mechanical walking sticks anyway - extremely annoying noise to my ears. Try your two bo technique and a single stave and use what you like best.

Regards,

Tom

I am a big fan of trekking poles. I have hiked many miles with a pair of these in my hands, and have found them nearly indispensable when carrying a load over rough terrain and moving fast over a long distance. They are great especially when descending steep terrain. I have used single poles before, but much prefer a pair. The wrist straps allow me to still use my hands for basic tasks while moving. If I need my hands to be free, I typically need both hands to be free so the poles stay in the truck.

Currently I have a pair of Leki Ultralights that have held up remarkable well. These poles are light, strong, and comfortable. They also collapse small enough to fit on the side of my pack, so I have them when I need them but can climb and scramble without them. These poles have earned a permanent place in my truck, when there not in use that is…

I really like using a hiking stick of some kind. My current favorite is one leg of a shooting bipod. But in the past I have used ski poles, collapsible expensive hiking poles and wooden sticks. Sometimes I like one, sometimes another.

Get the cheapest thing you can find. Try it. You will see the advantages and gradually you will find what works for you. There are many $20 poles on the market now. Most are good enough for starters and actually they work quite well. I think even Wal-mart sells them now.

Or do you mean hippie tree huggers? The picture that comes to mind when I hear "yuppie" is Stephanie and Michael from "Newhart" talking about the "B-Mer".

The term my wife uses (to describe me <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />) is "peace freak". Suppose that qualifies as a tree hugger too <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

If you can find one, I highly recommend the "Walkabout Stick" made by Newt Livesay. It's not collapsible, but it's darn near impossible to break! Made out of a material called "saynite" which I think is a fancy name for habenero strength fiberglass. They cost about $25.

The website newtlivesay.com, has been down for several months. You might keep an eye out (or do an occaisional web search) for that name or "Wicked Knife Company".

I'm just a very satisfied customer with the products, not a paid endorsee <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />