Customer Reviews

Telescopic Walking Stick

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I prefer wooden walking staffs, but wanted something that I could fit into luggage while traveling. I took a chance on the length of this one, which isn't specified. By my own unofficial measurement, it's just a little under 26 inches fully collapsed, which will fit into a large suitcase (diagonally) or a long duffel. So that's okay for me. Don't know what the story is for bringing it in an airplane cabin as a loose item, like a cane.

As for quality, you don't get what you don't pay for. I prefer that phrasing, since you don't always get what you do pay for. Other people have commented on the compass. It's basically a non-functional decoration, not even consistent enough to apply an offset, but that's a non-issue for me. The important thing is the construction of the stick, and that seems solid enough. I pulled the bottom section out entirely to look at the locking mechanism. It's a sort of plastic expanding wedge which may or may not be reliable in the long run. Don't under-tighten it, but I'd be careful about over-tightening it too. The instructions warn not to rely on the staff to support your full weight, but it does seem pretty strong. The shock absorbing mechanism is stiff enough not to be a distraction during normal walking.

If you're going to do serious wilderness hiking, then invest some more money in a higher quality pole. If you're going to navigate by compass, then spend the money to buy a good compass. For casual walking and hiking, though, I think this is a pretty good deal, and I'm satisfied.

UPDATE on the compass. I thought it was better to have no compass than one which was totally non-functional, so I pried it out of the handle. There was a little glue holding it in, but not much. Then I noticed that it seemed to be working properly. Checked it against a better compass, and the two agreed with each other. Popped it back in the handle, and it wouldn't work again. Took it out, it worked as well as you can expect for a cheap little micro compass. So something in the handle is slightly magnetized, or there's just too much metal around it. I'll leave it in, friction from the rubber handle should hold it in there, and just remember that I'd need to take it out to use it! Not what was intended, I'm sure.

This walking stick is pretty nice in most ways, but feels much heavier then my others. I would suggest spending more and getting a better, more lightweight stick if you are a serious hiker. However it is great for my kids (ages 10, 9, and 6)to take turns with because I don't panic when I see them doing stupid stuff with it like..randomly hitting a tree etc. It is well built, and has put up with a good amount of abuse.

This is a very affordable product that delivers on quality. I hike several time a week in a nearby State Park and this walking stick goes with me each time. The anti-shock feature works and the compass is an added feature. The stick looks good too.

The telescoping walking sticks are great for any age or height because of their telescoping capabilities. The rubber tips at the bottom do wear our quickly and I haven't been able to find any replacements that fit.

This walking stick is inexpensive compared to other models. I use it almost every day. I love it and have no regrets on purchasing it at all. I highly recommend it.
There is one tiny flaw, the compass, it doesn't work very well. If you just need a walking stick this is awesome, but if u want the compass then this is not the stick for you.

I have to say I am impressed with this walking stick the quality does not match the price. This is a sturdy durable walking stick that has exceeded my expectations.

I bought this for my aging aunt, who has major back problems and was actually using a cut mop handle to assist herself. This model telescopes, which allows the user to adjust its size according to his/her height. It has a wrist strap to keep it from being dropped over and over again, requiring the user to bend over and pick it up. It even has a shock absorber that can be locked off or on, depending on the terrain or the user's preference (my aunt really liked that feature). One feature that is somewhat unnecessary (in my opinion) is a compass, built in to the top of the handle. The stick is marketed as a walking aid (as in geriatric or slightly disabled), so I can only imagine a very few instances in which a compass would be necessary (and then, you'd have to know how to read one).

All in all, this is a very nice walking aid, and it is a LOT better looking than a mop handle (and a LOT less embarrassing).

I purchased these to have in case of an emergency and I needed to walk a distance more than a few miles. I have stability problems due to back pain. They were not easy to open and lock, and once locked, very difficult to close up again. I thought they were a good price, but I am convinced that I need to spend more money and get a real quality product. I would not recommend these to anyone.

I just bought two of these walking sticks and have used them about 5 times. I purchased them to use two ways--1) for fitness walking and 2) to take the pressure off an injured knee when walking/hiking downhill. I have never used any walking sticks before.
Pros:
Price is unbelievable
Light
Very sturdy
Telescopic for adjusting height or traveling
I like the shock-absorbing feature

Cons: Difficult to twist open if you don't have a strong grip or if you have arthritis in your hands

I have used them so far on flat hikes and hilly hikes on dirt fire roads. I read about nordic walking and fitness walking for burning extra calories and wanted to do it but everyone makes it sound so complicated I just use them like cross-country ski poles instead of worrying about it and that seems to work well. I sweat a lot more than I do when not using them. I also use them for support since I haven't been able to walk down any grade to speak of since injuring my knee a few months ago because if I tried, the pain would be back. If I were looking for a pole for ONLY the purpose of supporting that knee, I would get something like a cane, designed to put your weight straight down on, because it's hard on your hands after a while to use poles not designed for that. But the poles are plenty strong when using two at a time. The instructions say not to use the stick to support your weight so I wouldn't try it with only one. I essentially use them a little like crutches to take a bit of the weight off the injured knee on downhills. All in all a ridiculous value especially when compared to other brands.

Update May 2011: I haven't used these as much as I should :-) but with occasional use they are still holding up well. I'm finding the "twistability" to be more of a pain than I expected--I either have to leave them adjusted to the length I want (making them more awkward to transport), or wrestle with them for quite a while sometimes to untwist them to collapse or adjust. Instructions would be useful to make sure I'm doing not doing it wrong. There is a diagram on the pole itself but it's not terribly informative.

The antishock was great, it relief stress on yr wrist but the compass on the handle grip.... not only does it not work, it causes a blister on both me and my wife palm when we use it down the mountain as a support.
We were on gloves and the blister size is exactly the size of that round mini unservicable compass.
Well, the build of the walking stick is great and it can fit in the suit case for check in.
Dont forget to glue up the rubber booting at the tip of the stick, it might fall out during your outdoor adventure.