>>1228794>>1228801They're just sticks. You can get different functions out of them, depending on the techniques you use.
I find them to be helpful going up slopes but I don't really use them going down slopes because while I don't want to wear out by leg muscles too much, my knees are still in good condition and can take the stress of walking down hill without risk of injury. Other people depend on them for going down slopes because their knees are old and using the poles can reduce stress on past/unhealed injuries.
When using them on flat terrain, the benefit is not immediately obvious until you twist an ankle and then, instead of falling over or dropping onto the twisted ankle, because your hiking pole is in your hand, you're able to catch yourself, stopping such a fall from progressing to the point of possible injury. I have heard anecdotal reference to "studies" showing that people using hiking poles on flat terrain took an average of 11% fewer steps, but I have never been able to source the claim. My own experience makes me think it's true, but it's hard to quantify the benefits of improved balance. The thing is, you may think you have perfect balance, but put a heavy backpack on your body and all of a sudden the way you walk is totally changed.
If you've never done any mountaineering with them, or extended uphill hiking (without getting breaks from the slope on flat terrain or going back downhill periodically), then you would probably be prone to calling them "sissy sticks" and just not understand what you're missing out on.
Poles also have the added benefit of being able to function as tarp supports, so for a lot of people, there is no backpacking anymore without them.
