I am thinking about buying a pair of trekking poles for dog-walks.  Currently, I am using my mother/step-father’s walking sticks to see if they help and, although heavy, I think they do.

The pretty antler tops are utterly useless and actually annoying, as I tend to hold the sticks further down, so they are not ideal but they give me the gist of what I should be feeling if I invest in proper trekking poles.

I did find that walking with a pole in each hand really helped my balance (non existent at the best of times) and with my speed and stability.  It was a great improvement.   I am hopeful they would help my spine too.

Thinking all these things while I walked, I sat down on a nearby rock to look up on the internet just how to walk with trekking poles. There is a method and I couldn’t work out what was right.  Apparently it is opposite leg to pole, which I find quite difficult (my brain fries while I try and change).  I would make a rotten soldier marching on parade, I think.

So sitting on my rock, I then looked at Amazon for vague prices and recommendations and trekking poles can range from £30 to £200.

So my question is, do you get what you pay for?  Sometimes buying the cheapest model can be a false economy.  I would be using them most days to walk the dogs across rough terrain, which can include mud and snow – they need to be hard-wearing and not going to break immediately, comfortable in my hands, and the right kit for the job.

And the grippy bit? Cork or rubber or foam?

So, if you use trekking poles, your input and recommendations would be invaluable to me.

Much thanks.