Hiking Poles...Rainpants? Your thoughts??

[jackhinde]

my thoughts:
poles are silly.
rain pants are quite nice for a stroll through wet grass. hot and sticky walking in the rain though.

forgive me if my opinion tramples on toes, tis my first proper post

[sthughes]

I'm a total pole convert in anything up to moderate off track scrub, or large scree - then they get annoying. Also can be a pain on some board walks if the gaps are just right to jam them. I also use Black Diamond contour elliptic and are by far the best I have had. If you go off track (or are a big tall person) I would highly recommend them as they are very tough.
I hate overpants but sometimes you need em. If you are going absolutely no where near anything prickly or abrasive the bright yellow ones sold by O2 Rainwear are super cheap and super breathable (better than Goretex). But they are only good for proper clear tracks.

[under10kg]

Yes those bright yellow rainwear overpants are so soft you can sleep in them.
I have combined them with the rainwear parka and been warm in sleeting conditions even though they are so basic.
Vey easy to tear though so only for non scrub conditions like the overland.
$40 for a parka is petty good!

[JonnyBoy]

Another great thread for a Newbie like me!
Have to admit I'd not thought about trekking poles but I did some serious inclines this weekend round the coasts of Devon (England) and lots of people seemed to have them. My knees are pretty bad after 11 years of Aikido training and really killed me after a few hours so poles seem a good option.
Doing a quick bit of research the anti-shock poles look to be a good option.
Any advice on these and what I should look out for? (Got to be cheaper than knee surgery!)

[fitdingo]

I have been using treking poles for years, first walk was the Western Arthurs, tough descents and ascents. Even on flat they give me an extra 1/2km/hr pace.
A few days ago I used them at the Conondale Great Walk to wake up a snoozy snake and get him off the track!

[JonnyBoy]

Any thoughts on the grips guys? I stumbled on an Outdoor Gear shop in Cardiff today and found some... The grips were hard plastic and I'm thinking they would just shift pain from ankles and knees to the hands!

[wayno]

i've never had problems its still less stress on your hands than your legs endure. shock absorbing poles might be the way to go if you're really worried about that.