>>2580365walking sticks are based. i highly recommend you embed and sharpen a concrete screw in the end of it. not only does it serve as a decent spear for +0 weight or complexity but it acts the same way as the carbide tips do on trekking poles giving you way better bite. it makes a world of difference on wet rock, where you need it most.
i think walking sticks make a lot of sense if you're a 1x pole-fag and planning to carry it the entire time. its slightly heavier but the way you carry it doesn't really feel like it. you can't strap a good size walking stick/staff to your pack without issues clearing brush/trees but you can ditch it anywhere without littering. but most importantly it doubles as a very effective and un-assuming and legal-everywhere defensive weapon.
i prefer the trekking pole(s) for more intense stuff or if i'm using it to pitch my tarp but the walking stick/staff is actually very enlightened on easier hikes and day hikes. never know when you need to clobber something.
>>2580408the best eurofag trekking pole deal are the naturehike clones of the black diamond distance z's on aliexpress. they're carbon, cork handle, tent pole folding style, adjustable, and come with the full accessory kit.
apples and oranges equally good deal as the ameriburger costco ones. the costco ones are more solid and the chink ones fold way smaller. different styles of poles.
i have a real pair of real distance z's and several other $200 sets of poles from niggering the pre-covid REI garage sales. bought the chink ones for my mom and they're honestly better.
