My sister just got into hiking and I was thinking of getting her a hiking staff. I read Leki is a good brand. Anyone know of a good model and more specifically a good store to purchase from. Any outdoors man/hikers in So Cal? Can you recommend a good local store?
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-Paul -
I'm sure the local REI could point you in the right direction.Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas Edison -
As Tom says, REI is a good place to start. Sport Chalet would be good, too.
I have a Leki. It has a removable knob, exposing a camera mount. That's good. It's also telescoping, making it suitable for any sized person. I'm not thrilled with the rubber tip, though. It came off, exposing a spike intended for ice work (I think that's what it's for!).
I have a different stick that I really like (I don't know the brand). Simple aluminum pole with rubber tip, foam handle, wooden knob. Sturdy.
JRJRComment
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I did a lot of hiking as a teen and in college, including several hundred miles on the Appalachian Trail. I prefer wood, being a woodworker but the answer to your question depends (IMO) on what kind of hiking she is doing. If she is going primarily on day hikes on relatively smooth, well maintained trails, a metal pole (or even a ski pole) is fine. If she is hiking rougher trails or going on extended trips a good hardwood one is preferable. They are heavier but will stand up to more abuse, including levering your way up a rocky hill. Wood should last her lifetime. I've bent a metal pole before and seen a fiberglass one shatter. Look for interchangeable metal/rubber tips - metal for softer stuff, rubber for harder and//or slipperier terrain. Also look for a wrist strap.David
The chief cause of failure in this life is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment.Comment
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If she is backpacking, you might want to consider hiking poles rather than a staff. I started off using a stick (just a piece of wood i cut) and used that for quite a while, but now that i switched to a pair of poles i wouldn't want to go back. They are much more effective pulling youself up a hill or rockhopping across a stream. For poles, i have two pairs of Lekis which i like and have held up well. One is anti-shock and one isn't, and honestly i don't think anti-shock makes a big difference. As far as online stores go, i was able to get one pair very cheap through REI Outlet (www.rei.com/outlet), and Sierra Trading Post sometimes have some good deals.EricComment
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Paul,
This is a woodworking forum. Get an oak or ash broomstick and hardware.
http://www.treelineusa.com/catalog/walking_sticks.html
SteveI would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong. Bertrand RussellComment
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