Bushwalk Australia

Hi everyone!
A friend said only get cheap walking poles because you'll lose them because you're not used to having them. Is that true?
I'm in the "buy good buy once" camp and don't want to buy something and then upgrade... but don't really want to lose $200 poles either...

Nope, had the same pair now for about 13 years. Mind you, I cheated and bought three of the same originally and have basically used the third pole as spares over the years to mend the other two.


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I've started using them this year, but not sure why you'd lose them?

I use cheap S/H ski poles as walking aids and I've never lost one, I'm sure if I bought a set of $200- walking poles I'd be sure to lose them on day two. However my ski poles are about $200- to replace and so far not lost them

So my friend said you lose them because you put them down and then forget to pick them up again...and leave them behind. Just because you aren't used to walking with them so you for forget to pick them up again

Stacey Kate
It’s like anything, you’ve just got to try remember to keep gear at hand. Advancing years not withstanding! Only times I’ve left poles behind is when seated in a cafe or pub. Never out bush though. Seem to have trouble with umbrellas and reading glasses though! Left a few pairs on planes and in airports. So I’m guilty but not to buy walking poles because you might lose them seems a little out there.

I've walked away from my glasses a few times. Irrevocably only once.

Never left a pole or poles behind. Given how accustomed I am to using them, I don't think I could.

If they are carried and seldom, if ever, used (???) I suppose it's possible.

Single pole user, mostly. I've never lost one but I have occasionally walked off without it.
Fortunately always remembered and retrieved it before I got too far, or someone else noticed and told me.

I had the same concern about poles. Then when I fractured my ankle, and it didn't heal up properly, poles became essential for me to get back into the bush. While I had to back track a few metres early on, I've never lost a pole. On a walk, anyway. Currently trying to figure out where I put my favourite pole after a recent walk...

Just need to develop the habit of looking around you, after you’ve had a break, before you start walking again. Much easier if there are two or more of you walking together.

A strip of fluoro-coloured tape around the pole can prevent it from blending into the background.

Thanks all!! Sounds like I'm not crazy for wanting to buy a good pair the first time then
I'm generally a very responsible person and rarely lose things so if I'm conscious to pay attention hopefully it will be ok

I am obviously the odd walker out in this. The wrist tendinitis plays a part.

One got blown off the southern end of Olympus (a sudden big gust that was the first wind that morning). One dropped into a deep hole between boulders on the southern side of Ossa. One went downstream whilst crossing Powena Creek in flood. My first got left behind at the Quamby carpark. The most recent was left at the Cardigan Creek carpark. After losing four Black Diamond Carbon Corks, I went to el cheapo carbon fibre poles, which tend to break (especially if you fall on them).

I used to stop for lunch then bound off full of energy and leave the poles behind. I never lost them, but it was a pain having to go back for them.

I solved the problem completely by making it a habit, whenever I stopped, of putting down the poles in the direction where I would be departing. Then, if I forgot to pick them up, I would trip over them. This cured the problem quickly.

I make a habit of always putting my pack on then having a last look around where I stopped before stepping off.

It also helps if you keep things generally in the same area rather than spreading your gear around all over the place.

ChrisJHC wrote:I make a habit of always putting my pack on then having a last look around where I stopped before stepping off.

It also helps if you keep things generally in the same area rather than spreading your gear around all over the place.

Same here on both counts. Works for me.

Never lost 'em, had the same cheap as chips pair for ~5 years and ~6,000km. Have had to replace the tips once at the ~2,500km mark.

ribuck wrote:I used to stop for lunch then bound off full of energy and leave the poles behind. I never lost them, but it was a pain having to go back for them.

I solved the problem completely by making it a habit, whenever I stopped, of putting down the poles in the direction where I would be departing. Then, if I forgot to pick them up, I would trip over them. This cured the problem quickly.

Excellent idea. Think I'll do this from now on.

Mine are getting on 10 years, and despite hating them, they just won't break, so can't get new ones.

As other have said, look around after all packed up. Put random items like poles ahead of you on the trail, not behind. And if you won't use them for a while, strap them to your bag.

Oh, and I've had enough close calls where they now have my mobile number written on them.

I lose about one pole per year - I lead groups of students, usually I'll be busy answering questions, helping adjust packs, telling them to turn off the *&%$#! music! etc, and lose concentration. I think I should tie the wrist strap to my pack every time I stop, so it bangs my leg when I put my pack on.

Skibug

After getting way too many small needle hakea splinters i needed a walking pole / machete combination
$1.50 total
the colour means chance of loss is minimised

I have 'lost' the buckets off the ends of them, usually a small bit at a time.

I use the 'stow on the go' feature of the Osprey packs... works quite well stowing or retrieval.