walking sticks: yea or nay?

After being diagnosed with arthritis in my hips, knees and lower back recently, I started using walking sticks for local hikes, especially if there are hills or rain involved. I notice that they give me a better aerobic workout as well as exercising my arms, but I am not sure it makes a great difference to the joints. My next trip in a few months is to Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. I am not doing the Inca trail hike. Part of this trip is a group (Peregrine) and the rest is independent travel. I am trying to decide if I should take my walking sticks or not. They become faily compact, but not compact enough for the small bag I want to take. If I take them, I will be needing to take a somewhat bigger bag. What do you folks advise?

I take a walking stick that folds up into 3 parts and fits well in my backpack. Some walks are on boardwalk type and walking sticks are hopeless there as they fall into the cracks. But any uphill walking definitely needs a walking stick. Have a look around camping shops, they usually have quite a variety of sticks.

It sounds like a question of a (it must be very) small bag vs. a slightly larger bag and >comfort walking - especially downhill. I use trekking poles when trekking and at this stage of life really do need them going downhill on day 5 or 8 or whatever.

I agree - take the sticks! And the pair, not just one. I have seen some that break into thirds quite awhile ago at Capital Iron here in Victoria, and I know that Canayjun has one. I don't know what the quality of that type is, but I do know that one of my cheapies bit the dust while I was on my last trip.

I don't know what's happening in Canada, but in the US, REI and Campmor always have some good very light ones (pairs) on sale for around $60-70USD.

mine are the kind that roll up into themselves and do become quite small, but not small enough for the bag I would like to take (as bun_cha guessed correctly!)..I bought mine at REI and they are the good kind, a pair. I have some time to make the decision, but I guess the bigger bag may have to be used. Airlines won't let these things on in carry on luggage anymore.

#5 properly used the wrist straps are there to carry a good amount of your weight. Actually they go around your hand not your wrist. Buy a video on how to use them. Some poles come with a video.

I use the tie straps on my backpack to secure them to the outside of my pack. Sticks on one side, umbrella on the other. No problem. You can put them inside a backpack but it is a pain taking them in and out. You must check in your luggage.

Don't leave home without them.

There are different views on the type and use of hiking sticks.
I experimented with different sticks in preparing for Mt. Fuji a few years back. For hiking I now use two aluminum walking canes. They give good support and are better than hiking sticks for weight bearing. I turn them around. The weight/support is then on the palms of your hands and not on the wrists and fingers. They are more maneuverable. They telescope for packing. I last used them in Machu Picchu, where hiking stickes are prohibited, altho' I saw some folks using them, with the tips of the sticks covered with duct tape.

Anyway, that's my two cents on this topic.
SanchoPanza

Third time lucky as this is not posting. grrr. Take the stick. \
Heres a link to a product that has given me considerable relief from the pain and swelling associated with joint injuries. It was primarily designed for equine use which is how I found it from friends who are involved with world class eventing and use it on knock injuries.

My knee joint has reduced in circumference by 1 and a half inches - giving significant pain and mobility relief.

http://www.backontrack.co.nz/

After last trip where I was in a fair bit of pain, next time I'm taking my fold up stick. It helps take the pressure off my bad knee, I don't limp so much, and it gives me more stability. I don't do trips that involve a lot of hiking any more but even walking around historic sites - especially somewhere like Petra which is where I hope to be later next year - involve a lot of walking and some climbing.

Took my white stick to Ecuador in 2003. It was non-folding and I almost missed the flight out of Spain due to a prolonged altercation with security (I won in the nick of time). The only times it was useful were crossing busy streets in Quito and as a balancing aid climbing Cotopaxi. After the first week I dumped it with a friend and went without. I felt much happier when not having to consider where to stow it so that I didn't poke or trip someone.

Dave

Hi Zosu:
I have the same kind of sticks as you which didn't fit into my small case. Then I discovered I could pull them apart (3 sections) and they fit perfectly and no problem assembling them.

Why didn't I think of that. The airlines smashed mine together so tightly I couldn't separate the sections. The sticks made of carbon fiber are less likely to bend during transit than the aluminum poles. Worth the extra expense.

I am a walking sticks fan as long as they fit inside of the pack for airlines etc,

I've used them for years and strongly recommend them. Packing can be a nuisance, but you may find it possible to pack them on a diagonal, as often they fit that way. Put socks on both ends so you don't pierce the pack On smaller packs that carry on, I have affixed them with backpack straps after putting rubber indoor cane attachments or safety covers (both of which which come from the manufacturers and are sold in outdoor stores) to the tips. Most recently, as we are in our 70's and are considered infirm old ladies, we merely walk on with them as canes and have had no questions. Also, my newest sticks (Leki antishock Makalu )collapse even shorter than my old ones, making packing easier.

They really just don't work for me. I've been told a thousand times from the day I first started hiking as a teen in 1970s that walking sticks are the you-know-what, and I just can't make them work. You cannot use your binoculars, camera, etc. Your hands are taken up, and if you can't see (and for the artist/photographer in my soul photograph) then what's the point of the trip? I can walk for the sake of walking on a treadmill. I want to see/photograph the sights!!!

I haven't been able to figure out a solution to this problem. There have been occasions when the guide had to cut a walking stick for me where we stood but, unless I truly need it to get out of the rainforest alive, I'm still going to do without it because it's amazing how much it slows down your ability to get your binoculars up and running.

I have one very dominant hand and foot, the right. So I have to use the walking stick with my right hand. But if I have a walking stick in my hand, then my binoculars, cameras, etc. -- can't get to them in time. If I ever find I have become dependent on a walking stick, I'm going to fight it and try to see if I'm a candidate for knee replacement before I just give up and accept it. But that's just me.

Most walking sticks have a loop of some sort so that you can have it around your wrist. If you can let go of the stick (because it is still attached to you) then it will not interfere with cameras, binoculars, etc.

Peachfront - replacements are fantastic but they do come with some downsides and one is the pain immediately after surgery and the other the length of time they last. Some say ten years - others more and at present there are also concerns as to how many can be done. At the moment my knee replacement is being held off for those exact reasons. If I can manage without for a limited time and without damaging the other leg too much I have been advised to wait a little longer.