I prefer head height staffs. I live on the coast so we have large amounts of hills, steep terrain and rock cliffs. Having that extra length to reach down and stick into the rocks is a huge help when climbing up or down steep and dangerous terrain.
Walking stick makes a better weapon if the need arises. I fended off a pack of seven dogs with a walking stick when I was younger walking in the woods by my house. Pepper spray and a walking staff would make a great combo.
Cool thing bout the staff is that you can customize it to someone’s needs better. A lanyard, different grip, spikes or rubber stoppers, compasses, and decoration can be added. Not to mention it’s better for self defense and won’t get bent or fall apart and has a little more give so it won’t break as easily I think. Versatility and simplicity is what draws me. Trekking poles are cool for their own reasons too though.
I used to teach karate and have several red oak bo staffs. They make great walking staffs and you can get them for around $30 - $40. I also got some brass combination cane tips for about $12 and epoxied them on the ends. They have a steel spike on them for rough terrain and a rubber tip that screws on/off. I also had a broken one, thanks to my youthful enthusiasm, that I made into a cane by cutting it to the right length and put a brass hame on for a handle. The bo's don't have quite as much character as a knobby stick, though.
The wrist straps on the trekking poles are to support your wrist and also there so you constantly don't have to have a tight grip on the handle causing fatigue on your hands. I also agree with you though, trekking poles are the way to go.
i prefer the 1 hiking pole /stick, as u said it, it give one hand free to use phone or take water bottle, that stick is useful to balance out during going downhill as well as make it easier when hike up, also it serve other purpose like to protect oneself when face with snake, or wild monkey, or boar or dogs. also some part has muddy area, u can test it out with the stick to check the deepness, or in some stream. comparing to the staff, the stick has the front sharp edge that tend to help on some terrain also.
I prefer the aesthetic of the walking stick, but also recognize the usefulness of trekking poles. I have just started recently making my own bamboo walking stick and a pair of short bamboo trekking poles. Have the second coat my homemade wood finish (1/3 ea of Naptha, Epifanes and Boiled Linseed Oil). I will be adding paracord wrap and lanyard/wrist wrap, small backup compass (that work) and a few other goodies like ranger beads. For my walking stick I will be making one that will come apart but will be using 1 to 3/4 to 3/4 to 1 threaded copper connectors so that I can transport it easier, but still have the sturdiness. Great video, thanks!
I use the staff because supposedly if you hold it above your head and yell it scares of bears. They see how wide the stick is and they think your bigger than you actually are. I also use mine to help me jump over creeks to wide to jump normally
In a trail I would go with trekking pole but when crossing woodland I prefer the staff. It is as useful to push back branch and to protect you from there wipplash when to close to your buddy. The staff can also be manufactured on the go.
Main advantage of staff is one free hand, best choice when rock hopping (dry creek beds)... that is my main hiking terrain down in Baja Sur. The staff is excellent for distributing load when going uphill, and for balance assist when coming downhill... plus they are way cooler looking then trek poles.
My only beef with trekking poles is the tap tap tap they make on hard surfaces. Drives me nuts. Much better on my knees on trails but the long staff is much better when decending steep scree slopes. Once while my mates slid down on their backsides mudding and tearing holes in their pants and scratching up their palms, I carefully walked down with the staff to steady me, clean hands and bum! You should have seen the silent resentment as I stood silently waiting while they washed their hands and bums in the creek and applied band aids. Thanks for the vid, regards Fullspeed
Good info! I have a staff for day hikes, but was wondering about poles. I don’t experience a lot of significant elevation changes, nor backpack, nor usually cross water, so I now know that I don’t need them. Thanks for the info. Now I know that my staff is magical. 💫 Happy hiking!
The wrist straps fit best under the webbing between the thumb and index finger and around the wrist loosely. Your hand can balance on the trekking pole or the straps with a pivot point.
Its the Irish Gandalf!! 😄 That was good bro lol i needed that laugh. Thanks for the videos though! I JUST subscribed today but ive watched a couple videos before this one, one of which was the Teton backpack review. I must say that video gave me a confirmation on me wanting to purchase it as my first hiking backpack. Thank you again Sir! Happy Trails, happy life and God Bless!
Another great vid Leo. I personally have both options as well. The one I use the most is the Leki Sierra anti shock photo. As the name would suggest, it does have a camera mount under the wooden cap. Cheers, Mitch
Have to agree with your practical description of both: walking staff for day hikes and serious trekking poles for leaving town. I use mostly a wooden walking stick and it works fine as you describe. No need to spend $150 on gourmet trekking sticks made of Chinasium when a local straight stick about 60" in length will do very well.
I like using a staff for hiking. With a little fiddling you can put spike on the bottom and a snow basket when needed. A removable spearhead turns the staff into a useful self defense or hunting weapon.
I'm a trekking pole fan. For me I can tell a huge difference in my knees and the felt weight on my back when I use them. Especially in river crossings the two poles come in handy. I use z poles so the chance of mechanical failure goes down when compared to the flick locks. Nice video!! 👍
Definitely the walking stick, twice in my life i have had to defend myself against other people and i owe both times to having picked up a big stick so having a hiking staff with me to save me from what would at the very least be a bad beating. plus i like the extra stiffness, my knees are both pretty bad as well and that extra stiffness a hiking staff has helps when going downhill or over downed logs or trees, im not a fan of the springiness that the carbon fiber or aluminum trekking poles has, it is handy that they are height adjustable and the ones i have used had a removable grip on top that reveals a 3/8" screw end that you can attach a camera or spotting scope to (also accepts those forks that you use on a shooting stick)
@@furyofbongos other people lol, once when i was 11-12 years 4 older highschoolers ganged up on me (after shooting me with slingshots) so i picked up a big branch and whacked the biggest one right on the shoulder as hard as i could and ran away, they were too busy with their bro to really bother with chasing me. Then later on a few years after that me and a friend were on a sort of alley path that cut in between houses in a large neighborhood and about five or six guys all dressed in halloween costumes jumped us a few days before halloween, could have been kids or even adults, they beat my friend pretty good but since i had grabbed a big stick i was able to keep them away with only minor injuries after putting a myself in a corner where they couldnt surround me, against multiple opponents or bigger stronger people even a stick can make a difference.
@@ArcticGator Thanks! I live in LA and go to a car wash in the morning once a week. There's this man who takes a walk every day and passes the carwash and carries a short (16") stick or rod with him in his hand. I presume that's for self defense. You reminded me of him.
As the trekking pole shrinks, I can put it inside the backpack 🎒 and still go up/down hill or walk over river rock and boulders. I like the staff too. I use an Aikido’s Jo as walking staff.
Which would provide the most tensile strength in the event of an emergency where they needed to be used as poles for an improvised stretcher? I was recently involved in a precarious situation deep and elevated in the wilderness during frigid temps. A hiker was unable to walk. Fortunately, the chopper arrived in time. But I want to be better prepared if God forbid it happens again.
Ok. Just found this but I think it is still valid. One thing though, Large Leprechauns could use magic staffs I beleive. Thank you for the good info. The part abuout bad knees got me (same here). I have been using either a walking staff, a shepards hook, or my hook horn cane when I venture out to the woods. I like the hook end for grabing on to trees or what ever to go up or down inclines. I have been thinking about the trekking poles and may give them a try. Thank you for the info.
I tend to just use one trekking pole as a stick but if I am doing anything over 10 miles or bagging a summit then I take a spare pole. I just take cheap poles but I prefer a 'hook' handle, I find it comes in very handy especially when descending. The poles come in handy for ascending and descending but are also useful if I get cramp or twist a knee. But the main reason I always take at least one pole is because there are lots of holes hidden in the heather and the pole can find them before you stick your foot into one and you can also test bog and use it to balance across peat bogs. It also comes in handy for making sure you are not going to stand on a snake hidden in the heather. I like to have a hand free for carrying the camera but if my legs start to feel the strain, I have a pole that I use a staff that has a camera mount on the top, so switch from my selfie-spike to using both poles.
I've always preferred walking staffs but I'd say that's mainly because they turn into on going projects in the evenings after hiking. I usually cut them about head high (usually from saplings beavers have already chewed down) and begin carving them from the top. By the end of a hike they've turned into a wooden chronology of that trip. In the case where I'm using the same one on a second hike I continue carving concerned mainly with esthetics and only a little regard for story. I've been told that some of these staffs are quite good looking when completed. I've tried trekking poles but they aren't as easy to carve. I guess that's why the beavers don't mess with them. :-) Great topic for your video!
Thank you. In this video I was using a Condor chest rig with a condor T&T pouch attached. If you want to see a little more detail on the item, just search in TH-cam or Google Irish Zombie Nation Condor chest rig.
I've tripped with aluminum poles and bent the pole in the process. I have never tirpped using a wooden walking stick. I prefer the walking stick, even over to use of a cane which I think alters a person's center of gravity in way that a walking stick does not.
I agree, I do need to try out some Black Diamond poles. I'm still using these Foxelli trekking poles I got years ago and they're working for me though. When I do upgrade I'm going to look at some Black Diamond. Thanks for the suggestion, and thanks for watching!
It is possible to use 2 wood walking poles as tracking poles. They make metal points to go on bottom tip. They also make wood poles that come apart for travel. I have nice fiberglass tracking poles, but I much prefer to use my pair of wood poles whenever I can. I prefer the feel of wood, and I love that I can decorate them with medallions I pick up on my travels.
I prefer a pair 3-8 ft telescopic tarp poles, used either singularly or in pairs. Combined with a lavvu tent half the poles will create a lean to. If my partner is with me and we each have 1 pole I can use them as a bipod to create an 8ft diameter lavvu tent. Or if each of us carry 2 poles the I can set up a quad-pod for the tent.
Treking polls for long distance s but can you make a two in one if needed oh like for fishing on one haft then your sturdy walking. Stick in the bottom for that extra protection from big cat's and snakes and for looking under rocks etc.
Thanks. The product is made by Condor. It is the Condor chest panel and the Condor T&T pouch. You can find them through Condors website or on Amazon. I believe there's a review on my channel from a few years ago and links in that video. Thanks for watching!
THINK ! Use the Wrist Strap to put your weight on the pole and not wear yourself out holding the pole. And one other person posted that also ! Also Trekking Poles where originally Ski Poles... Have a wood Sheppard"s Cane from Tractor Supply and cut down to walking cane size... Also great for hitting a zombie over the head and they peak in late October ! tjl
I prefer a full seven foot staff. I can fight off a bear with it if need be. Trekking poles, are as you said, fraught with problems and subject to effing up for no reason. Never had to reset anything on my staff. I use it to flip away snakes, poisonous or otherwise, so I don't have to kill them as they play an important part in the scene of thing and they keep the rodents in check. I can also use my staff as an anchor point so I can rappel down a short cliff face. Try that with your trekking pole.
Sorry it took so long to get back to you but, if you had a full knee replacement and you're still having problems with it then you're doctor screwed up. I got a knee replaced as well and I have no issues to speak of, but I have always liked having a third point of balance. main thing id just to keep on hiking, and looks like we both are. Be safe my friend.
I haven't used either in the "Kansas wilderness" but have found places where I would definitely use them going down hill. I think that I would prefer trekking poles because I like using both hands and I've got a knee that acts up when on long hikes/walks.
never used either been camping and day hikes for a while but planning a long multi day trip and was wondering would they be worth it or not?And i also have a bad knee,how much pressure to they remove
+Tommy Broadbent Quite a bit actually. I'd say trekking poles take about a 30% removal of pressure off the knees. Especially when going down hill. I definitely recommend trying a pair out. It does take some getting used to. When I was younger I never used anything. Now that I'm older and I've got all these knee problems I find them to be a must.
Hey there from India... I guess there is no clear choice. It all boils down to the context. For example, I go on a lot of hikes in the Himalayas for which I have to first take public transport from the city (bus, train etc) for the iver ight journey. Trekking poles are lighter (u can pack 2 for weight of one staff), unobtrusive and adjustable in length. I love them for day hikes or in trails that are is frequent use. On the other hand , hiking staff, while being a pain to lug around in buses, and heavy, are really useful if one is going on trails that pass through villages where u may be set upon by dogs, or on trails that gain lot of altitude and u can go from hot lower altitudes to where u may expect to encounter patches of frozen ice. A staff does really well in clearing those gnarly ice patches. Trekking poles are useless there
I have REI trekking poles. I usually use only 1 for everyday....but when walking lots, I would use 2. I have MS and I am very unbalanced....LOL well I should say I lose my balance often.
I look for ski poles at thrift stores and u can pick up a fiberglass sorting pole for around $15.00. I currently have both.my sorting pole is longer,but both make for excellent trekking poles at an inexpensive price
I've seen a few people on bike paths in the city with the trekking poles too. Thinking I'm gonna join them. Just doing my researchbefore I buy, any advice? ?
In my expirience, bamboo stick is the best since it's cheap, durable and light. Especially being a scout in southeast asia, this is essential tools from making tent to flag poles and of course hiking.
I’m excited about going for a walk with my 3 foot Shillelagh...to the liquor store, prob carry tucked under my arm lol then maybe leaning against while I hold the can high getting the last sip of beer
I have used walking sticks, most are to small. I have used treking poles. I perfer a hiking stick, but most are to small in length. The idea length is your height (or at least shoulder height), thus you can grab the stick at shoulder height and pull down on them. This helps going down hill. In olde times hiking sticks tended to be taller, mostly to be used as quarterstaffs in self defense. Down steep grades a 8 foot hiking pole is nice, put it two feet below you and use it like a tree you grabbed to balance yourself. This man had a 60 inch hiking stick, 60 inches in the length permitted by UPS and the Post Office without paying extra. Thus most hiking sticks tend to be 60 inches in length. A longer stick is better for most people, but hard to find. As I said above, the stick should be your height, unless you are climbing steep terrain, then an 8 foot stick is better, but only if going down steep grades. An 8 foot hiking stick is difficult to move about in woods, thus disliked except going down steep grades.
I prefer a single staff, sized just long enough to lean my chin on my hands on top of it while taking breaks. I keep a Kelty Strider hiking staff in my car since it's collapsible.
Both walking staffs and trekking poles are fine. I’m a poles guy, improves my balance in uneven terrain. However, that belly pack thing is simply out of league! Which is the site to get one of those? Great video, keep up the good work.
I use both as well. Just depends on what I'm doing. Longer hikes and backpacking, I'm using trekking poles. Day hike, I'm using the staff. As far as that pack goes. It's when I pieced together myself. If you want to see what it is search for Irish Zombie Nation Condor chest rig. The video should pop up and you can see how I put it together. Thanks for watching!
A tall walking staff is great for short walks through the woods, etc where you are not covering say, over 5-6 miles, but for long distance hikes/walks, the trekking poles, two of them, are great. I did a 500 mile walk utilizing a pair of them and they worked well, and took a great deal of stress off of my knees. I wouldn't do another long distance walk without them. The set I had were a cheap set like you have in the video, and had that spring shock absorb in them. I didn't like it either, and my next set won't have that, but for 22 bucks they did the job and were better than nothing.
Mark Lee Definitely helps with the knees as you said. I've upgraded to a pair from Foxelli that are flip lock with cork handles, much improved over what I was using. Thanks for watching!
The only difference is that trekking poles are ajustable, everything else is the same. You could put a lanyard, button cumpus, different grips and feet on you staff.
@@anthonyholden6898 the front pack is a Condor chest panel will the Condor TnT pouch attached. I believe I have a Gerber Strongarm mounted under it. The backpack is a Teton Sports Grand 5500.
@@IrishZombieNation cool I think I will look into it because I have been interested in a harness based carrying system for a while now that's purely recreational but from a prepper mentality
I gave up looking for one that I can paracord my hatchet to for moderate woodwork. I just bought a 4-foot bar of solid 7075-T6 aluminum, instead. When it arrives, I'll superglue an oak grip, bevel the corners with an angle grinder and weld a piece of 416 steel to the bottom. I'll also weld more 416 steel pieces so I can properly and quickly mount a hatchet. At 1.8lbs., it's a bit heavy, but that's the price of durability. This should speed up the time it takes me to make a shelter or sled.
I have several walking staffs. I walk the woods and have found that poplars are straight light and strong. If you got two about the same size you might be okay. Downfall is they don't break down and don't have shock absorbers. I let mine "season" in the shed for a year or so. Cut em in the spring and next spring decide what to do with them.
I perfer the trakking poles like you said for longer walks. Better quality ones will be much better then the cheep ones. I have the REI traverse ones that were on sale for $80. One advantage is that come with cork handles that handle the sweet much better.
Jeffrey S I upgraded to a pair from Foxelli that are flip lock with cork handles as well. Love them. Definitely better than what I using. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment.
Me , I am a walking staff guy. I started by cutting a sucker branch off a tree in the yard. Then I forgot about it in the garage for about a year. Now mine is 83 inches long, it is taller than I am at 5' 11". I started using it walking my dog and the first few times felt like Moses walking through the wilderness. Now it has a bend where it leans against the wall behind the front door. Originally I was going to fix it up but never did, now it has character, knots and such. The length changes constantly by sliding through my hand. So I never think about making it longer or shorter. My son has gotten me into back packing and a few times on crossings I had to palm the top which means trecking ploe would be to short. We have used it as a hand rail to help my daughter in law make a crossing. Last up grade was a new rubber foot that comes off to hold a spike. The only downfall I have seen is a lot of people use trecking poles for their tarps. I thought about making one that came a part for that purpose, but can't give up my old friend Stick. We are buddy's now. I think a lot is what you start with and get used to. My son uses trecking poles and has offered them to me to try. In all fairness I should try it, but I am afraid Stick will get jealous. :-)
Bruce Ferguson I have an old walking stick as well that I miss taking out. It has a giant skull on top of it which I though was cool as hell when I was younger. Lol. That stick has soon many places.
a walking stick is fine but I prefer poles. I have Cascade Mountain Tech poles I got at Costco for about $30 or so. Along with some things you mentioned --these poles are carbon fiber so they are also a lot lighter that a stick
no, I surely didn't know you were Leo. surely you shouldn't be sure of such certainties that aint so ;) anyway, sticks are the o.g trekking poles. I'm old school. I'm "sticking" w/ the classic.
I keep switching back between both. With my knees the way they are I need the trekking poles for long hikes with heavy weight on my back. But day hikes with a smaller pack I still love the walking stick. Plus the walking stick just looks a hell of a lot better. Feels more natural. Thanks for watching!
Try the Crawford Survival Staff 👍. Another is the RANGER Survival Staff (by a U.S. Army Ranger) 👍. Both are VERY good. They're definitely NOT like the expen$ive, crappy, gadget aluminum junk sticks found on Amazon.
Trekking poles suck. A sturdy 5-6 foot staff is helpful for crossong streams but I don't want to carry it the rest of the time so I find a good stick in the woods, use it once and discard it.
I'm like you... I prefer my wizard staff for less strenuous hiking where balance and hills are not an issue and poles for more serious hiking (or days when I'm lazy).. My walking staff is from www.etsy.com/shop/bearpawrustics. It's a 60" rustic ash staff that I have cut down to size. I also added a metal spike on the end for protection (we can have unfriendly critters on our trails). The metal spike has a removable rubber cover. The trekking poles i bought are cheap ones. I've not had them long enough to know if they are going to fall apart, but for now I like them.
1. you don't know how to really use a hiking poles. As far as getting items I could put on gloves etc while going down a slope. but you really need how to use the straps.
A staff finds you or rather you find each other. There is one waiting for you in a forest or woods. The greater your magic and wizard abilities the more grand your staff will be; a lesser staff or merely a walking stick for instance will just go with whomever, yes random noobs, like I said, have some wood out there waiting for them. Same goes for shillelagh.
This is the best answer anyone could have ever given to the question, "walking staff or trekking poles?" I really need to up my wizard abilities. I keep spending all my experience points on whiskey. LOL! Thanks for watching, appreciate the comment.
I found my walking stick at a Farmer’s Market. It knew just where to be so that I would find it. It was crafted by an artisan whose higher self knew I would be there even before I did! 🧙♀️
I prefer head height staffs. I live on the coast so we have large amounts of hills, steep terrain and rock cliffs. Having that extra length to reach down and stick into the rocks is a huge help when climbing up or down steep and dangerous terrain.
The wizard staff of course as it gives me power over the elements
ULTIMATE METAPHYSICS - Gandalf!
YOU. SHALL. NOT. PASS!
Yes, this
Walking stick makes a better weapon if the need arises. I fended off a pack of seven dogs with a walking stick when I was younger walking in the woods by my house. Pepper spray and a walking staff would make a great combo.
I completely agree. Appreciate the comment, and thanks for watching!
Lol nice. Especially so one doesn't have to kill just to defend from an animal.
Cool thing bout the staff is that you can customize it to someone’s needs better. A lanyard, different grip, spikes or rubber stoppers, compasses, and decoration can be added. Not to mention it’s better for self defense and won’t get bent or fall apart and has a little more give so it won’t break as easily I think. Versatility and simplicity is what draws me. Trekking poles are cool for their own reasons too though.
Agreed. Thanks for watching! Appreciate the comment!
I wear stiletto heals with carbide tips and both right and left-handed catcher's mitts in case I fall.
Sounds like we should party together.
I used to teach karate and have several red oak bo staffs. They make great walking staffs and you can get them for around $30 - $40. I also got some brass combination cane tips for about $12 and epoxied them on the ends. They have a steel spike on them for rough terrain and a rubber tip that screws on/off. I also had a broken one, thanks to my youthful enthusiasm, that I made into a cane by cutting it to the right length and put a brass hame on for a handle. The bo's don't have quite as much character as a knobby stick, though.
Good info, thanks!
The staff enchantment spells don't seem to work on my trekking poles.
+f47lbx3 Have the Gods blessed your poles? Mine were blessed by the REI God of Trails.
The wrist straps on the trekking poles are to support your wrist and also there so you constantly don't have to have a tight grip on the handle causing fatigue on your hands. I also agree with you though, trekking poles are the way to go.
i prefer the 1 hiking pole /stick, as u said it, it give one hand free to use phone or take water bottle, that stick is useful to balance out during going downhill as well as make it easier when hike up, also it serve other purpose like to protect oneself when face with snake, or wild monkey, or boar or dogs. also some part has muddy area, u can test it out with the stick to check the deepness, or in some stream. comparing to the staff, the stick has the front sharp edge that tend to help on some terrain also.
I prefer the aesthetic of the walking stick, but also recognize the usefulness of trekking poles. I have just started recently making my own bamboo walking stick and a pair of short bamboo trekking poles. Have the second coat my homemade wood finish (1/3 ea of Naptha, Epifanes and Boiled Linseed Oil). I will be adding paracord wrap and lanyard/wrist wrap, small backup compass (that work) and a few other goodies like ranger beads. For my walking stick I will be making one that will come apart but will be using 1 to 3/4 to 3/4 to 1 threaded copper connectors so that I can transport it easier, but still have the sturdiness.
Great video, thanks!
Sounds great. Thanks for watching.
Mr. Wicked: Thank you for your elaborately presented alternative.
excellent topic for a video. something i have myself wondered about more than a few times. keep up the great work!
Thanks!
Irish Zombie Nation
I use the staff because supposedly if you hold it above your head and yell it scares of bears. They see how wide the stick is and they think your bigger than you actually are. I also use mine to help me jump over creeks to wide to jump normally
In a trail I would go with trekking pole but when crossing woodland I prefer the staff. It is as useful to push back branch and to protect you from there wipplash when to close to your buddy. The staff can also be manufactured on the go.
Agreed. Thanks for watching.
Main advantage of staff is one free hand, best choice when rock hopping (dry creek beds)... that is my main hiking terrain down in Baja Sur. The staff is excellent for distributing load when going uphill, and for balance assist when coming downhill... plus they are way cooler looking then trek poles.
My only beef with trekking poles is the tap tap tap they make on hard surfaces. Drives me nuts. Much better on my knees on trails but the long staff is much better when decending steep scree slopes. Once while my mates slid down on their backsides mudding and tearing holes in their pants and scratching up their palms, I carefully walked down with the staff to steady me, clean hands and bum! You should have seen the silent resentment as I stood silently waiting while they washed their hands and bums in the creek and applied band aids. Thanks for the vid, regards Fullspeed
You bring up good points, thanks for the comment.
Good info! I have a staff for day hikes, but was wondering about poles. I don’t experience a lot of significant elevation changes, nor backpack, nor usually cross water, so I now know that I don’t need them. Thanks for the info. Now I know that my staff is magical. 💫 Happy hiking!
The wrist straps fit best under the webbing between the thumb and index finger and around the wrist loosely. Your hand can balance on the trekking pole or the straps with a pivot point.
Its the Irish Gandalf!! 😄 That was good bro lol i needed that laugh. Thanks for the videos though! I JUST subscribed today but ive watched a couple videos before this one, one of which was the Teton backpack review. I must say that video gave me a confirmation on me wanting to purchase it as my first hiking backpack. Thank you again Sir! Happy Trails, happy life and God Bless!
Appreciate the kind words sir, as well as the sub. Happy trails!
Another great vid Leo. I personally have both options as well. The one I use the most is the Leki Sierra anti shock photo. As the name would suggest, it does have a camera mount under the wooden cap. Cheers, Mitch
KTMitchell1953 Thanks! I'm going to look into those. A camera mount wouls be awesome.
Have to agree with your practical description of both: walking staff for day hikes and serious trekking poles for leaving town. I use mostly a wooden walking stick and it works fine as you describe. No need to spend $150 on gourmet trekking sticks made of Chinasium when a local straight stick about 60" in length will do very well.
Indeed. Thanks for watching!
I prefer the walking stick, but I went to public school...
Haha! Same here.
TheSmokinApe ，
I like using a staff for hiking. With a little fiddling you can put spike on the bottom and a snow basket when needed. A removable spearhead turns the staff into a useful self defense or hunting weapon.
I gotta say I'm really enjoying the extra speed and ease of the hike with my leki corklite poles.
Bear Bones I've heard good things about that brand, going to have to check them out. Thanks for watching.
I'm a trekking pole fan. For me I can tell a huge difference in my knees and the felt weight on my back when I use them. Especially in river crossings the two poles come in handy. I use z poles so the chance of mechanical failure goes down when compared to the flick locks. Nice video!! 👍
Tim Watson Thanks man. Tell me more about these Z poles. Never heard of them.
Look up Leki Micro Vario for an example :)
A staff that is at least head height has helped me greatly traversing muddy and rocky terrain, and it just looks great.
Definitely the walking stick, twice in my life i have had to defend myself against other people and i owe both times to having picked up a big stick so having a hiking staff with me to save me from what would at the very least be a bad beating. plus i like the extra stiffness, my knees are both pretty bad as well and that extra stiffness a hiking staff has helps when going downhill or over downed logs or trees, im not a fan of the springiness that the carbon fiber or aluminum trekking poles has, it is handy that they are height adjustable and the ones i have used had a removable grip on top that reveals a 3/8" screw end that you can attach a camera or spotting scope to (also accepts those forks that you use on a shooting stick)
What did you have to defend yourself against?
@@furyofbongos other people lol, once when i was 11-12 years 4 older highschoolers ganged up on me (after shooting me with slingshots) so i picked up a big branch and whacked the biggest one right on the shoulder as hard as i could and ran away, they were too busy with their bro to really bother with chasing me. Then later on a few years after that me and a friend were on a sort of alley path that cut in between houses in a large neighborhood and about five or six guys all dressed in halloween costumes jumped us a few days before halloween, could have been kids or even adults, they beat my friend pretty good but since i had grabbed a big stick i was able to keep them away with only minor injuries after putting a myself in a corner where they couldnt surround me, against multiple opponents or bigger stronger people even a stick can make a difference.
@@ArcticGator Thanks! I live in LA and go to a car wash in the morning once a week. There's this man who takes a walk every day and passes the carwash and carries a short (16") stick or rod with him in his hand. I presume that's for self defense. You reminded me of him.
As the trekking pole shrinks, I can put it inside the backpack 🎒 and still go up/down hill or walk over river rock and boulders.
I like the staff too. I use an Aikido’s Jo as walking staff.
Very nice. Thanks for watching!
Which would provide the most tensile strength in the event of an emergency where they needed to be used as poles for an improvised stretcher?
I was recently involved in a precarious situation deep and elevated in the wilderness during frigid temps. A hiker was unable to walk. Fortunately, the chopper arrived in time.
But I want to be better prepared if God forbid it happens again.
Great video! Very helpful for those of us with bad knees that still want to get out there.
+Kit Katz Thank you!
Very good video. Interesting, informative and reader friendly. Ty.
Thank you!
Ok. Just found this but I think it is still valid. One thing though, Large Leprechauns could use magic staffs I beleive. Thank you for the good info. The part abuout bad knees got me (same here). I have been using either a walking staff, a shepards hook, or my hook horn cane when I venture out to the woods. I like the hook end for grabing on to trees or what ever to go up or down inclines. I have been thinking about the trekking poles and may give them a try. Thank you for the info.
Good point about the leprechauns. Thanks for watching!
I tend to just use one trekking pole as a stick but if I am doing anything over 10 miles or bagging a summit then I take a spare pole. I just take cheap poles but I prefer a 'hook' handle, I find it comes in very handy especially when descending. The poles come in handy for ascending and descending but are also useful if I get cramp or twist a knee. But the main reason I always take at least one pole is because there are lots of holes hidden in the heather and the pole can find them before you stick your foot into one and you can also test bog and use it to balance across peat bogs. It also comes in handy for making sure you are not going to stand on a snake hidden in the heather. I like to have a hand free for carrying the camera but if my legs start to feel the strain, I have a pole that I use a staff that has a camera mount on the top, so switch from my selfie-spike to using both poles.
+Nymeria Meliae Great points!
A staff can be awkward, but the hand can quickly adjusted to exactly where it's needed.
Good point.
I've always preferred walking staffs but I'd say that's mainly because they turn into on going projects in the evenings after hiking. I usually cut them about head high (usually from saplings beavers have already chewed down) and begin carving them from the top. By the end of a hike they've turned into a wooden chronology of that trip. In the case where I'm using the same one on a second hike I continue carving concerned mainly with esthetics and only a little regard for story. I've been told that some of these staffs are quite good looking when completed. I've tried trekking poles but they aren't as easy to carve. I guess that's why the beavers don't mess with them. :-) Great topic for your video!
Views and Reviews The beavers know what's up.
Irish Zombie Nation Yes the beavers do. I've often wondered if I've deprived one of an addition to his home but art knows no pain.
I use both at different times. It's always good to remember a old saying........ " Speak softly and carry a big stick."
Great Video .can ya tell me what type front pack you use ? thanks
Thank you. In this video I was using a Condor chest rig with a condor T&T pouch attached. If you want to see a little more detail on the item, just search in TH-cam or Google Irish Zombie Nation Condor chest rig.
I've tripped with aluminum poles and bent the pole in the process. I have never tirpped using a wooden walking stick. I prefer the walking stick, even over to use of a cane which I think alters a person's center of gravity in way that a walking stick does not.
Wonderful video 😍💚 🏞️😊. Thx
Much appreciated! Thanks for watching!
You gotta get some Black Diamond trekking poles... never had an issue with them and I'm 250 lb + pack load (usually around 30 lb)
I agree, I do need to try out some Black Diamond poles. I'm still using these Foxelli trekking poles I got years ago and they're working for me though. When I do upgrade I'm going to look at some Black Diamond. Thanks for the suggestion, and thanks for watching!
It is possible to use 2 wood walking poles as tracking poles. They make metal points to go on bottom tip. They also make wood poles that come apart for travel. I have nice fiberglass tracking poles, but I much prefer to use my pair of wood poles whenever I can. I prefer the feel of wood, and I love that I can decorate them with medallions I pick up on my travels.
You're absolutely right. Thanks for watching!
I prefer a pair 3-8 ft telescopic tarp poles, used either singularly or in pairs. Combined with a lavvu tent half the poles will create a lean to. If my partner is with me and we each have 1 pole I can use them as a bipod to create an 8ft diameter lavvu tent. Or if each of us carry 2 poles the I can set up a quad-pod for the tent.
Sounds like a good set up. Thanks for watching!
@@IrishZombieNation thanks for the nice video
Treking polls for long distance
s but can you make a two in one if needed oh like for fishing on one haft then your sturdy walking. Stick in the bottom for that extra protection from big cat's and snakes and for looking under rocks etc.
I believe the walking staff would make a better defensive weapon when needed....IMHO
+James Workman Absolutely. The trekking poles would just snap.
Cool chest rig!
Where can I purchase one?
Thanks. The product is made by Condor. It is the Condor chest panel and the Condor T&T pouch. You can find them through Condors website or on Amazon. I believe there's a review on my channel from a few years ago and links in that video. Thanks for watching!
THINK ! Use the Wrist Strap to put your weight on the pole and not wear yourself out holding the pole. And one other person posted that also ! Also Trekking Poles where originally Ski Poles... Have a wood Sheppard"s Cane from Tractor Supply and cut down to walking cane size... Also great for hitting a zombie over the head and they peak in late October ! tjl
I've sometimes wondered how a pair of quality canes would compare to trekking poles.
I prefer a full seven foot staff. I can fight off a bear with it if need be. Trekking poles, are as you said, fraught with problems and subject to effing up for no reason. Never had to reset anything on my staff. I use it to flip away snakes, poisonous or otherwise, so I don't have to kill them as they play an important part in the scene of thing and they keep the rodents in check. I can also use my staff as an anchor point so I can rappel down a short cliff face. Try that with your trekking pole.
+Ken Parnell Can't go wrong with a staff. I just find poles easier on my knees when hiking.
Sorry it took so long to get back to you but, if you had a full knee replacement and you're still having problems with it then you're doctor screwed up. I got a knee replaced as well and I have no issues to speak of, but I have always liked having a third point of balance. main thing id just to keep on hiking, and looks like we both are. Be safe my friend.
a bear will kill you and a seven foot staff go and try it and just let us see the vid
I am in the market for both, any suggestions on suppliers and makers, looking for the pole first.
Check out Black Diamond and Foxelli.
I haven't used either in the "Kansas wilderness" but have found places where I would definitely use them going down hill. I think that I would prefer trekking poles because I like using both hands and I've got a knee that acts up when on long hikes/walks.
I've always found stout branches on the side of trails and repurposed them as walking sticks.. will have to get a proper one eventually..
never used either been camping and day hikes for a while but planning a long multi day trip and was wondering would they be worth it or not?And i also have a bad knee,how much pressure to they remove
+Tommy Broadbent Quite a bit actually. I'd say trekking poles take about a 30% removal of pressure off the knees. Especially when going down hill. I definitely recommend trying a pair out. It does take some getting used to. When I was younger I never used anything. Now that I'm older and I've got all these knee problems I find them to be a must.
Irish Zombie Nation what would you recommend in a pair of trekking poles?
Hey there from India... I guess there is no clear choice. It all boils down to the context.
For example, I go on a lot of hikes in the Himalayas for which I have to first take public transport from the city (bus, train etc) for the iver ight journey. Trekking poles are lighter (u can pack 2 for weight of one staff), unobtrusive and adjustable in length. I love them for day hikes or in trails that are is frequent use.
On the other hand , hiking staff, while being a pain to lug around in buses, and heavy, are really useful if one is going on trails that pass through villages where u may be set upon by dogs, or on trails that gain lot of altitude and u can go from hot lower altitudes to where u may expect to encounter patches of frozen ice. A staff does really well in clearing those gnarly ice patches. Trekking poles are useless there
I have REI trekking poles. I usually use only 1 for everyday....but when walking lots, I would use 2. I have MS and I am very unbalanced....LOL well I should say I lose my balance often.
I look for ski poles at thrift stores and u can pick up a fiberglass sorting pole for around $15.00. I currently have both.my sorting pole is longer,but both make for excellent trekking poles at an inexpensive price
I've seen a few people on bike paths in the city with the trekking poles too. Thinking I'm gonna join them. Just doing my researchbefore I buy, any advice? ?
I'd suggest going with the flip lock style instead of the ones you twist to lock. Thanks for watching!
In my expirience, bamboo stick is the best since it's cheap, durable and light. Especially being a scout in southeast asia, this is essential tools from making tent to flag poles and of course hiking.
Absolutely! Thanks for watching, appreciate the comment.
I’m excited about going for a walk with my 3 foot Shillelagh...to the liquor store, prob carry tucked under my arm lol then maybe leaning against while I hold the can high getting the last sip of beer
I have used walking sticks, most are to small. I have used treking poles. I perfer a hiking stick, but most are to small in length.
The idea length is your height (or at least shoulder height), thus you can grab the stick at shoulder height and pull down on them. This helps going down hill.
In olde times hiking sticks tended to be taller, mostly to be used as quarterstaffs in self defense. Down steep grades a 8 foot hiking pole is nice, put it two feet below you and use it like a tree you grabbed to balance yourself.
This man had a 60 inch hiking stick, 60 inches in the length permitted by UPS and the Post Office without paying extra. Thus most hiking sticks tend to be 60 inches in length. A longer stick is better for most people, but hard to find. As I said above, the stick should be your height, unless you are climbing steep terrain, then an 8 foot stick is better, but only if going down steep grades. An 8 foot hiking stick is difficult to move about in woods, thus disliked except going down steep grades.
I prefer a single staff, sized just long enough to lean my chin on my hands on top of it while taking breaks. I keep a Kelty Strider hiking staff in my car since it's collapsible.
Sounds good. Thanks for watching!
that belly pack is great! do you have a vid on it?
Thanks! I do have a video on it, here is a link:
th-cam.com/video/sAUlesVz8T0/w-d-xo.html
Both walking staffs and trekking poles are fine. I’m a poles guy, improves my balance in uneven terrain. However, that belly pack thing is simply out of league! Which is the site to get one of those? Great video, keep up the good work.
I use both as well. Just depends on what I'm doing. Longer hikes and backpacking, I'm using trekking poles. Day hike, I'm using the staff. As far as that pack goes. It's when I pieced together myself. If you want to see what it is search for Irish Zombie Nation Condor chest rig. The video should pop up and you can see how I put it together. Thanks for watching!
New sub, thanks for the content!
Thanks for watching, appreciate the sub!
A tall walking staff is great for short walks through the woods, etc where you are not covering say, over 5-6 miles, but for long distance hikes/walks, the trekking poles, two of them, are great. I did a 500 mile walk utilizing a pair of them and they worked well, and took a great deal of stress off of my knees. I wouldn't do another long distance walk without them. The set I had were a cheap set like you have in the video, and had that spring shock absorb in them. I didn't like it either, and my next set won't have that, but for 22 bucks they did the job and were better than nothing.
Mark Lee Definitely helps with the knees as you said. I've upgraded to a pair from Foxelli that are flip lock with cork handles, much improved over what I was using. Thanks for watching!
Awesome video. Thanks
Thanks for watching!
The only difference is that trekking poles are ajustable, everything else is the same. You could put a lanyard, button cumpus, different grips and feet on you staff.
What is the bag that you are wearing?
Are you referring to the backpack or the chest pack?
@@IrishZombieNation I only saw the front, but the whole thing I'm interested.
@@anthonyholden6898 the front pack is a Condor chest panel will the Condor TnT pouch attached. I believe I have a Gerber Strongarm mounted under it. The backpack is a Teton Sports Grand 5500.
@@IrishZombieNation cool I think I will look into it because I have been interested in a harness based carrying system for a while now that's purely recreational but from a prepper mentality
I gave up looking for one that I can paracord my hatchet to for moderate woodwork. I just bought a 4-foot bar of solid 7075-T6 aluminum, instead. When it arrives, I'll superglue an oak grip, bevel the corners with an angle grinder and weld a piece of 416 steel to the bottom. I'll also weld more 416 steel pieces so I can properly and quickly mount a hatchet.
At 1.8lbs., it's a bit heavy, but that's the price of durability. This should speed up the time it takes me to make a shelter or sled.
I have several walking staffs. I walk the woods and have found that poplars are straight light and strong. If you got two about the same size you might be okay. Downfall is they don't break down and don't have shock absorbers. I let mine "season" in the shed for a year or so. Cut em in the spring and next spring decide what to do with them.
Beginner Bushcrafter Tooley Nice, thanks for the advice.
I perfer the trakking poles like you said for longer walks. Better quality ones will be much better then the cheep ones. I have the REI traverse ones that were on sale for $80. One advantage is that come with cork handles that handle the sweet much better.
Jeffrey S I upgraded to a pair from Foxelli that are flip lock with cork handles as well. Love them. Definitely better than what I using. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment.
No problem, thanks for taking the time to create the videos.
Me , I am a walking staff guy. I started by cutting a sucker branch off a tree in the yard. Then I forgot about it in the garage for about a year. Now mine is 83 inches long, it is taller than I am at 5' 11". I started using it walking my dog and the first few times felt like Moses walking through the wilderness. Now it has a bend where it leans against the wall behind the front door. Originally I was going to fix it up but never did, now it has character, knots and such. The length changes constantly by sliding through my hand. So I never think about making it longer or shorter. My son has gotten me into back packing and a few times on crossings I had to palm the top which means trecking ploe would be to short. We have used it as a hand rail to help my daughter in law make a crossing. Last up grade was a new rubber foot that comes off to hold a spike. The only downfall I have seen is a lot of people use trecking poles for their tarps. I thought about making one that came a part for that purpose, but can't give up my old friend Stick. We are buddy's now. I think a lot is what you start with and get used to. My son uses trecking poles and has offered them to me to try. In all fairness I should try it, but I am afraid Stick will get jealous. :-)
Bruce Ferguson I have an old walking stick as well that I miss taking out. It has a giant skull on top of it which I though was cool as hell when I was younger. Lol. That stick has soon many places.
I like both depends on where I'm walking and the terrain.
Same here.
I really don't use either but I do like my walking stick I made I use once in a while
a walking stick is fine but I prefer poles. I have Cascade Mountain Tech poles I got at Costco for about $30 or so. Along with some things you mentioned --these poles are carbon fiber so they are also a lot lighter that a stick
Jack Murphy I'm going to have to check those out. Thanks for the suggestion.
I will stick with my Shileliegh. ☘👍
The sheleighly is an all-purpose tool for sure.
...learn how to spell it...@@IrishZombieNation
@@tomdonaghy8757 Voice to text doesn't always work. Bite me. 😁
I dig that chest rig.
Gerber strong arm?
Yes. Good eye.
TWO STAFF!!
Woah, dual wielding on the staves? Amazing, lol!
The straps on the trekking poles are to help with supporting weight.
As a gentleman who, like yourself, carries a bit of “tactical girth,” I prefer the staff over the the trekking poles. Seems more natural to me.
New video idea, based off of your pros and cons from each, what if you did a set of DIY pvc trekking poles/survival poles?
Thanks
Thanks for watching!
I found a walking stick ( staff for the wizard) with a removable cap that has a ice pick in the bottom.
Shawn Maloney I've seen those. Need to give one a try.
i just bought the cold steel dragon walking stick
I use a single walking stick. Less is more. Also one arm gets tired you can switch.
Good point!
I like a walking stick, I like to whip it around like a Ninja.
i have a magical staff......it spits when people rub it.
Same here. 😂
no, I surely didn't know you were Leo.
surely you shouldn't be sure of such certainties that aint so ;)
anyway, sticks are the o.g trekking poles. I'm old school. I'm "sticking" w/ the classic.
I keep switching back between both. With my knees the way they are I need the trekking poles for long hikes with heavy weight on my back. But day hikes with a smaller pack I still love the walking stick. Plus the walking stick just looks a hell of a lot better. Feels more natural. Thanks for watching!
Try the Crawford Survival Staff 👍. Another is the RANGER Survival Staff (by a U.S. Army Ranger) 👍. Both are VERY good. They're definitely NOT like the expen$ive, crappy, gadget aluminum junk sticks found on Amazon.
Will do. Thanks!
Trekking poles suck. A sturdy 5-6 foot staff is helpful for crossong streams but I don't want to carry it the rest of the time so I find a good stick in the woods, use it once and discard it.
I like the walking staff for most hikes, but if I’m doing a heavy elevation, I go trekking poles. Need the 4 wheel drive.
Roger that, I do the same these days. Thanks for watching!
i preffer a staff going roughly up to my chin
Appreciate the comment, and thanks for watching!
I use 2 walking staffs on hikes unless I'm carrying a rifle.
I'm like you... I prefer my wizard staff for less strenuous hiking where balance and hills are not an issue and poles for more serious hiking (or days when I'm lazy).. My walking staff is from www.etsy.com/shop/bearpawrustics. It's a 60" rustic ash staff that I have cut down to size. I also added a metal spike on the end for protection (we can have unfriendly critters on our trails). The metal spike has a removable rubber cover. The trekking poles i bought are cheap ones. I've not had them long enough to know if they are going to fall apart, but for now I like them.
I'm going to have to check out that staff, thanks for the comment.
i feel like moses with staff
Hey great Video.
+Outside Material Thanks!
I like the walking stick when I'm out, it seems more traditional to me than my hiking poles.
I agree. It just feels natural. Thanks for watching!
1. you don't know how to really use a hiking poles. As far as getting items I could put on gloves etc while going down a slope. but you really need how to use the straps.
Adventures with Frodo What?
A staff finds you or rather you find each other. There is one waiting for you in a forest or woods. The greater your magic and wizard abilities the more grand your staff will be; a lesser staff or merely a walking stick for instance will just go with whomever, yes random noobs, like I said, have some wood out there waiting for them. Same goes for shillelagh.
This is the best answer anyone could have ever given to the question, "walking staff or trekking poles?" I really need to up my wizard abilities. I keep spending all my experience points on whiskey. LOL! Thanks for watching, appreciate the comment.
I found my walking stick at a Farmer’s Market. It knew just where to be so that I would find it. It was crafted by an artisan whose higher self knew I would be there even before I did! 🧙♀️
That staff is waay too short. Can't call the elders with that thing.
You make a very good point. 😂 Thanks for watching!
All I have ever used is a walking stick,,,,
Grumpy Guy It's a no-failure option for sure.