I'm going to be purchasing my first set of trekking poles and was wondering what everyones experience is with the built in shocks. In theory I like the idea, especially since I've developed tennis elbow in one arm. I'm buying the poles to help take some stress off my knees and back, so they will see some weight. On my last trip I used a walking stick and it helped quite a bit, so I think the poles are the next step. I'm 6'2" about 215 if that helps any.

All opinions are appreciated.

Personally, I prefer non shock.

My friend and I were hiking and he has shock and I don't. We traded for a few miles ans I never liked the antishock ones. It felt like I was putting the stick in some mud every time i planted. Even on hard ground.

I like to know exactly where my pole is and how much pressure I am putting on it. The antishock poles I've tried (albeit not many) are way too soft.

I suppose if you were hiking on granite for days on end it would behoove you to have antishock. I don't know...

My hands/ wrists have never gotten sore from the 'shock'.- blisters from the straps, but not 'shock' pain.

Carbon fiber is naturally anti-shock. Ok, it's not really anti-shock per se, it just absorbs some of the shock.

I'll vote for shock.
Bought a pair of Leki poles from American Hiking Society and they work well for my knees, wrists and elbows. I don't really feel the "mud" thing just a bit of compression and spring-back on rock/concrete surfaces.
Good luck!

Its that compression and spring back that I meant as 'mud'. It is too soft for me. Feels sticky, like mud.

OK now I'm talking in circles...

I understand the benefit of some antishock, but at least the ones I've tried were too soft. Like mtn bike shocks when your going uphill out of the saddle. I get the 'pogo' effect.

Maybe if there were elastomer bumpers instead of a whole spring mechanism, I would like them better.

And maybe those are out- I just haven't used any...

Anyway... I walk in the PNW so the ground is usually purty soft

Shock yes- but only if it's stiff and adjustable.

I love the Leki Super Makalu Cor-Tec poles that were given to me halfway down the JMT by BPL member Andrew.

They're rather heavy as such things go so I ordered a closeout pair of REI lightweight poles last year. One walk around the house (with rubber protectors on) and they went back. The Lekis can be adjusted for a nice stiff action but these felt like mush.

I tried poles with shocks for a few miles - swapped with a buddy - and the repetitive little sproinky noises the poles made just really bugged me. Perhaps there are poles that will not make so much noise, but the shocks added nothing to the experience for me to provide the incentive to research further.

I swapped hiking poles with my Dad on an overnighter a couple of years ago, his poles had shocks in them. I found them noisy, had a 'rattle' feel to them and pretty much pointless. I can't see the advantage of a shock and as Chris pointed out carbon poles are naturally dampening. Save yourself the weight, distraction and complications and buy a pair of un-shocked carbon poles.

No.

The "shocks" (on the Lekis, anyway) wear out eventually, and get loose and sloppy. I love everything about both my pairs of Lekis...but I've removed all the "anti-shock" apparati...and I've never missed that function.

No shock for me. Scared the hell out of me when I took a stumble and thought the poles were going to give way. I mostly use my poles for balance when crossing creeks so something solid is preferable for me.

Adam

I second that.' I use my poles for balance, I don't want any give in the suspension to disguise the feel. The one thing I haven't read here is a testimonial from someone who's sore arms were cured by going to shocks.

my poles are "shock-absorbing" but the springs inside are starting to wear out (they're cheap poles) and they are kinda noisy. The next set I buy will not have any "shock" capability. I'm pretty sure that poles w/o "shocks" are usually lighter than those with, and they probably last longer too.

Good point on terrain, I can see it being a big difference. I live in AZ and most of the trails I see are going to be hard packed or rock. I'm buying these in anticipation of a Grand Canyon trip in April which should have similar terrain. So the shock may be more applicable in that case.

The repetitive noise would get to me as well. I'll have to go take another look at the shocked ones and see how noisy they are. Something you don't really notice in the store.

Thanks for all the comments and keep them coming.

Heres how much I like anti-shock poles:

On a AT section hike I left a pair of anti-shock Lekis at a shelter one morning and didn't realize it until 2 miles later. It must have been the peace and quiet that distracted me. I actually considered if the poles were worth the 4 mile round trip to get them back. To be truthful they weren't. Gimmick!

Joseph

I've owned both shock and no-shock and I greatly prefer regular lightweight poles without springs. It's like a tight little sportscar, you can feel the road better with a tighter suspension.

I vote no. It would be nice to have them for descents, but for uphill climbs I don't like them at all. Like Chris said, carbon fiber poles kinda do the job anyways. I just sold my Leki Carbon poles on eBay. They were 13.6 ounces and I'm trading them out for GG LT-4s. Just waiting on Grant to let me know when he gets more in.

I vote for shock... I like them on the down hill.

but... that is one more thing that can break.

I vote no. I personally hate them. Too loud, no feel and I've never seen a pair that didn't break.

But in reality this is one of those things you won't know until you try it out.

My wife uses Black Diamond Trail Shock poles. I don't notice them making a noise, at all. The few times I've borrowed them they've felt stiff and responsive with no mushy feeling whatsoever.

I actually like them better than rigid poles for descending a particularly long, steep, rocky trail we frequent.

I say a BIG NO to shocks in poles.