- Time of past OR future Camino
- Oct/Nov 2022_Mozarabe from Almeria
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My cheapo poles have the clunky locking system and I have never knocked any part of my body while using it (I only use one of the two poles).but if you have any positive comment about the clunky locking system... I'd love to hear your thoughts.
well that's a positive comment @DoughnutANZ good to know too that cheapo poles have worked for you too.. thanks.My cheapo poles have the clunky locking system and I have never knocked any part of my body while using it (I only use one of the two poles).
I now have several sets of poles with an external lever lock, after using poles with internal locking mechanisms for some years. I had similar concerns when I bought them that they might catch my clothing or body. That has never happened. The worst is that with one pair, the lower locking mechanism catches the steps of taller blades of grass if I forget to orient it so that it faces to the rear when I am walking. It is a little annoying, but really just a minor nuisance from time to time.Since my Exped poles had a 'twist lock' mechanism... I tend to prefer it...as the clip locks or whatever they are called...look bulky and I'm sure I'd knock my legs with those clunky locks for sure.
Thanks for your reply... I hadn't thought of Walmart. I'll be In Las Vegas visiting my son and family...and latest granddaughter...No 3.. I've often been to the REI shop there but it would only stock more upmarket brands.Where will you be in the US? Normally Walmart has cheap poles.
Thanks Doug. So I'll keep an open mind now about the external locking mechanism when I choose a new set of poles. What length do yours come down to?I now have several sets of poles with an external lever lock, after using poles with internal locking mechanisms for some years. I had similar concerns when I bought them that they might catch my clothing or body. That has never happened. The worst is that with one pair, the lower locking mechanism catches the steps of taller blades of grass if I forget to orient it so that it faces to the rear when I am walking. It is a little annoying, but really just a minor nuisance from time to time.
All of mine are three section poles, so they don't collapse that far. They are about 68 cm collapsed. My wife's Z-poles are about 2/3 this length collapsed.Thanks Doug. So I'll keep an open mind now about the external locking mechanism when I choose a new set of poles. What length do yours come down to?
I got these Cascade Carbon Fiber Collapsible Poles from Amazon…they are they same brand sold in Costco. It collapses to 16” so it easily fully fit inside my backpack. I was able to take it from SFO to Lisbon and back via TAP Air Portugal during a recent Camino Portuguese trip in July/Aug…no questions asked during security screening.Well - my Exped trekking poles were confiscated in May...(Santiago to Barcelona on Vueling). I don't blame the airline... it's pretty well know that security at Santiago airport will pull you up if you have poles in your carry on. I was taking an unplanned trip with only carry on and hoped for luck.. No such luck. I was given the opportunity to check them but as I had less than an hour at Barcelona and also had to get to another terminal for a Ryanair flight to Dublin... I wouldn't have had time to collect and re-check.
Well... I'm heading to Spain again but don't want to buy super expensive poles this time. I'm heading to USA for 5 weeks prior to my flight to Spain and can purchase poles there. (I'll be doing some walking in Utah)..
Since my Exped poles had a 'twist lock' mechanism... I tend to prefer it...as the clip locks or whatever they are called...look bulky and I'm sure I'd knock my legs with those clunky locks for sure.
I'm wondering if you can advise a brand that telescopes down to a reasonable size ., which would be okay for me to fit inside my backpack when checked in.. ( yes... my usual is to check in my pack)...
Would you tell me what minimum length yours can telescope to please. If I can't get something via Amazon in USA while I'm there... that is... a size that will fit into my pack... I'll buy an 'el cheapo' pair there.... and leave them with my son for use next time I visit or for them to use if they wish.. They won't be wasted. I can then get a pair at a Decathlon in Spain. Not sure though what is available in short transportable length in Decathlon though.. I'm not after expensive poles - having had one set confiscated... I'm happy to just have poles.
Sorry about the long winded post (that's just me)...... but if you have any positive comment about the clunky locking system... I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Because...Not this topic again ....
I'm heading to USA for 5 weeks prior to my flight to Spain and can purchase poles there. (I'll be doing some walking in Utah)..
... If I can't get something via Amazon in USA while I'm there... that is... a size that will fit into my pack... I'll buy an 'el cheapo' pair there.... and leave them with my son for use next time I visit or for them to use if they wish.. They won't be wasted. I can then get a pair at a Decathlon in Spain.
Come on, if we were to have a rule prohibiting repeat topics, this forum would be a very dead place. And I don’t think Spanish corporations are any more invested in my welfare than US corporations. My bet is that the walking sticks sold in both places are made in some country other than the US or Spain. Unless you are talking about buying a hand carved wooden stick from someone along the camino.Not this topic again .... Spain has some of the best outdoor equipment you can find. Why not buy from those who make the caminos possible, instead of some US corporation who has no invested interest other than your money?
Bonus ... no hassles with airlines.
Sorry about you losing your poles, Annie. I did a super quick search - trekking poles UtahWell - my Exped trekking poles were confiscated in May...(Santiago to Barcelona on Vueling). I don't blame the airline... it's pretty well know that security at Santiago airport will pull you up if you have poles in your carry on. I was taking an unplanned trip with only carry on and hoped for luck.. No such luck. I was given the opportunity to check them but as I had less than an hour at Barcelona and also had to get to another terminal for a Ryanair flight to Dublin... I wouldn't have had time to collect and re-check.
Well... I'm heading to Spain again but don't want to buy super expensive poles this time. I'm heading to USA for 5 weeks prior to my flight to Spain and can purchase poles there. (I'll be doing some walking in Utah)..
Since my Exped poles had a 'twist lock' mechanism... I tend to prefer it...as the clip locks or whatever they are called...look bulky and I'm sure I'd knock my legs with those clunky locks for sure.
I'm wondering if you can advise a brand that telescopes down to a reasonable size ., which would be okay for me to fit inside my backpack when checked in.. ( yes... my usual is to check in my pack)...
Would you tell me what minimum length yours can telescope to please. If I can't get something via Amazon in USA while I'm there... that is... a size that will fit into my pack... I'll buy an 'el cheapo' pair there.... and leave them with my son for use next time I visit or for them to use if they wish.. They won't be wasted. I can then get a pair at a Decathlon in Spain. Not sure though what is available in short transportable length in Decathlon though.. I'm not after expensive poles - having had one set confiscated... I'm happy to just have poles.
Sorry about the long winded post (that's just me)...... but if you have any positive comment about the clunky locking system... I'd love to hear your thoughts.
thanks for feedback Laurie.. I prefer to check my bag for a couple of reasons.Anyway… @OzAnnie, I think the best idea is to buy sticks in the US, take a lot of walks in Red Rock Canyon, and take them to Spain. I used collapsible sticks on my first two caminos and have gone to foldable since then, but I think Leki is the best collapsible stick. Not too expensive. They are likely to fit into your pack, though why in the world you would check your pack is beyond me.
Hi Dennis.. My post was rather long and you may have missed that I will be walking in USA before I head to Spain. IF I can confirm that I will be able to pick up a reasonable set in Spain when I land.. (I'm thinking of walking from Almeria from very late October.....unless I make a last minute change to that too.).. I'll get my regular poles there.Not this topic again .... Spain has some of the best outdoor equipment you can find. Why not buy from those who make the caminos possible, instead of some US corporation who has no invested interest other than your money?
Bonus ... no hassles with airlines.
Interesting ...thanks Kirkie.. There is an REI in Las Vegas (it's where my son and his family live)... I will look those brands up. I thought REI would only carry more expensive range..Sorry about you losing your poles, Annie. I did a super quick search - trekking poles Utahand found REI, not sure if they are actually in Utah - with a brand called Mountainsmith, and another Komperdell, both well under 50 dollars. Wish you luck.
Hi Mellow Yellow..I got these Cascade Carbon Fiber Collapsible Poles from Amazon…they are they same brand sold in Costco. It collapses to 16” so it easily fully fit inside my backpack. I was able to take it from SFO to Lisbon and back via TAP Air Portugal during a recent Camino Portuguese trip in July/Aug…no questions asked during security screening.
Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles - Carbon Fiber Folding Walking Sticks with Quick Adjustable Locks (Set of 2) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071HXPSK5?tag=casaivar02-20
My experience has been quite different. Any cheap pole that I have bought has not been worth the bother. Mind you, some mid-range poles haven't been that good either, but they have lasted more than the three days that one cheap set of poles lasted before the spring mechanism collapsed. I currently have a mix of Leki, Helinox and Black Diamond poles, and have used Komperdell and Fizan in the past. They all have their advantages and disadvantages, but the current set are all looking good for a few more kms.I've used somewhat expensive trekking poles and super cheap trekking poles for walking the Camino. I noticed no real difference between any of them. None ever came close to collapsing on me and at the end of 800 kilometers save for the rubber tips, looked just like they did when they were new.
If I can't get something via Amazon in USA while I'm there... that is... a size that will fit into my pack... I
I think I’m as guilty as anyone in not reviewing old threads before I spout some nonsense. My excuse is that over time the advisable answer evolves. What was true a few years ago or when one was more able may be no longer valid. So re-hashing the “poles issue” keeps the topic fresh.Come on, if we were to have a rule prohibiting repeat topics, this forum would be a very dead place. And I don’t think Spanish corporations are any more invested in my welfare than US corporations. My bet is that the walking sticks sold in both places are made in some country other than the US or Spain. Unless you are talking about buying a hand carved wooden stick from someone along the camino.
Anyway… @OzAnnie, I think the best idea is to buy sticks in the US, take a lot of walks in Red Rock Canyon, and take them to Spain. I used collapsible sticks on my first two caminos and have gone to foldable since then, but I think Leki is the best collapsible stick. Not too expensive. They are likely to fit into your pack, though why in the world you would check your pack is beyond me.
I am trying to imagine how this might happen, but am having difficulty. Was more explanation given about how this happens?I was once advised when buying locally in San Sebastián not to buy latch lock style poles as the latch mechanism bolt was easily lost.
I looked today at some and they are fastened with a bolt. I guess the bolt had a tendency to fall out. The bolt on the right in the picture has some blue locktite compound on it. I don’t recall this in the past so maybe the issue is resolved. I don’t think the sales person was up selling me. In fact the poles were cheaper The poles were for the GR10 and he was concerned that on such a rigorous hike that poles would lastI am trying to imagine how this might happen, but am having difficulty. Was more explanation given about how this happens?
I still don't see how the screws/bolts would become so loose that they would fall out without being noticed. I have had poles with a similar lock for over a decade. It the screw loosens even the smallest amount, the lock no longer exerts enough pressure to keep the inner pole section from sliding up, and shortening the overall pole. At that point, it normally takes not much more than a quarter turn on the screw head to return the lock to full effectiveness. I have just checked on one my poles that has this type of lock, and it took nine full turns to remove the screw from its companion nut. The lock was completely ineffective after the first turn.I looked today at some and they are fastened with a bolt. I guess the bolt had a tendency to fall out. The bolt on the right in the picture has some blue locktite compound on it. I don’t recall this in the past so maybe the issue is resolved. I don’t think the sales person was up selling me. In fact the poles were cheaper The poles were for the GR10 and he was concerned that on such a rigorous hike that poles would last
Can we pack them in carry on ? Thank youI found some nice NACATIN break down poles at Amazon Canada. In their own bag, they will fit in the bottom of the pack.
As with the comments of others, that must be checked with each country's TSA regulations.Can we pack them in carry on ? Thank you
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