Quote Originally Posted by Ronin View Post
Used Poles in 2006 and 2007 (both years only got to Champex) used them again in 2009 and got round this time, entered for 2010, will use the poles again, I use them purely for ascents, but not all the time only when having problems, found it faster to ascend without them, I used Leki Carbon poles (non antishock) raidlights would be no good for me (I weigh just short of 99k)
I do beleive if you did get a leg injury on route they would help you continue (not that, thats advisable) Ran in Salomon XT Wings in 2009, found them very good, right balance between cushioning and grip.
On the subject of poles, wouldn't you expend more energy using poles, your arm muscles are going to be worked harder with the pushing action, so could you be drawing calories away from the legs? What about the extra mental effort used to think about how you are using your poles? Again more glucose needed for the brain... I think that if we were designed to be four legged then we would be four legged.

I think they are a great workout, Nordic walking looks good, as does XC skiing, but I can't help thinking that all of that tech stuff that is currently used to sell what is essentially a stick (and they're not cheep) strikes me as just another marketing ploy to grab our hard earned.