[shotlady]

Have you incorporated one into yer bugout gear?
They can takes as much as 25% of the stress off your knees15% off yer back. They also help with balance and stability.

They can be as little as 19.00 up to several hundred.

I just bought one. Haven't used it yet.

 

[Lucky Jim]

I've been thinking of getting one for hiking purely to use in self defence if attacked by zombs, cattle, alien greys or Bigfoot etc, I could either whack them across the nose or be really mean and jab them in the eye
My only concern is that they might be made of wimpy lightweight aluminium and would only last for a few good whacks and jabs before denting and bending out of shape and becoming useless, forcing me to try to negotiate a ceasefire..
The sort that fold up would be most convenient so it can be stowed in the ruck when not in action.
At the moment I use this one, it's simply an old tent pole in 3 screw-together pieces made of tough steel and is a bit on the heavy side and should be good for beating a zomb to its knees without breaking-

 

[LunaticFringeInc]

I got a heavy duty telescoping aluminum paint pole I use as a walking stick. Not nearly as egronomically as a no kidding walking stick but it has a screw on attachment on the one end that allows me to screw the blade of my SOG Spirit on to it to create a pretty effective spear if I need to.

 

[Anthony]

Ive used them at a summer camp when i was a kid. They just seem to get in the way, also it feels to me like the 25% stress relief go to your deltoids.

-Anthony

 

[whoppo]

We keep Black Diamond lightweight trekking poles in the truck year 'round... in the winter we keep our snowshoes in the truck as well.
We have a couple pair in the motor home as well. They work quite well for backpacking or long hikes.
For short strolls, I augment my creaky old bones with a Cold Steel Dragon walking stick... a little heavy for long hikes, but excellent for "social work" should the need arise.