LEKI Wanderfreund AS Trekking Staff

I own many different canes and walking sticks.I am a 300+ pounder, and both my left knee, and my right hip have been replaced. So I use a cane almost daily, and for the last 30yrs. For comparison, I am 6'0" tall.I bought this to carry when traveling, and to carry on my recumbent, as it easily shrinks down to a very manage-able length. This is very light, perhaps the lightest stick in my rather large collection. Yet, it is very strong, and at my size, I do feel comfortable using it, with no fear that it will fail to support me.This stick provides for multiple hand positions, and because it is so easy to change it's length, you can make it long enough to also use as a walking stick. In closing, I am glad I bought it, and plan to make this one of my primary walking aids.Edit 03/16/12This is now my primary cane. Due to it's lightness, and small size when shrunk down, I have found it way simple to carry and use! Even though I am a big guy, it has never failed me, and I now am wanting to get a second one just to carry in my car.*** UPDATE *** 07/10/2013I have not bought another cane since buying this. While I have many 'sticks' in my collection, this has become my primary go-to cane for all uses now. It has not failed, worn, slipped, bent, or even looks different than brand-new. I am always 'shrinking' it down for portability, and then 'stretching' it out for use. No slop, no problems, just sheer happiness and joy.I will state again, my current weight is 311 pounds, 6'0" with a 30" inseam. One wonderful benefit of this is how light it is! My hands are slowly getting bad/weak/OA - and this 'cane' allows me several different hand positions, plus, due to it's light weight, it does not tire my hands.I realize this is more of a "sports device" - but I hope others in need of a "cane" will give this a try, as it really will open up a new world of ease-of-use, class, lightness to your daily use and life. Compared to a $20 buck wood cane - weight, comfort, secureness in use, and portability when not being used make this a HUGE value, more than worth the price difference.HEADLINE - Leki provides Freedom, and Ease to the Handicapped / find it here~!

I bought this pole for an eight hundred-mile walk of California's El Camino Real. It got me there (and back again) without a hint of trouble. This little beauty was indispensable for maintaining balance and confidence in slippery or off-kilter situations, for pushing off from a halt after walking for six hours, for pushing the crossing-light buttons on traffic lights, for propping my backpack up on the end of a bench or picnic table, and a hundred other things. It also, unlike some others, came with a removable rubber tip for use on concrete sidewalks or interior floors. You wouldn't believe with what regularity the small carbide tip would stick into the gap between sidewalk slabs! The anti-shock worked, I guess, although I'm not sure of the need. I was surprised at how well the pole worked on loose surfaces, like beach or river sand. Even without any powder baskets it would only sink in to the softest sand two or three inches.Why only three stars? Because of the material of the handle. My hands sweat, and I would have to change hands on this baby every five-to-twenty minutes, wiping my hands and the grip on my shirt. I was a little concerned about the shape to begin with, but it turned out to work well. The normal position was with the strap around my wrist and gripping the vertical section of the handle with the shorter end of the top pointing toward my arm. This allowed me to change positions in several ways, and also to move my hand to the top of the handle when on an uneven surface or when pushing myself up a hill.My next adventure will include a different pole with a cork handle, which hopefully will work better.

This was a gift to someone who needed a cane for everyday use. Since they only needed a one-time adjustment it works well for them. If they needed to adjust it for different terrains it would not work. In that case, I prefer the poles with the external locking mechanisms. Those are easier to understand and work.I find the Leki internal mechanism leads to adjustments that are beyond the stated MAX point. It can be confusing and difficult for some to understand. On the other hand, the Lekis are sleek and smooth and look very nice for city use.One thing I have noticed is that many people use a cane that looks too short. The Leki Micro should have worked in theory but it was too short for even a short person. The standard-sized Leki is a better fit and the recipient is now walking faster and more comfortably without stooping over to one side.

I received this and immediately tried it out on a hike in a hilly area. The grip is extremely comfortable. Changing the lengths as I hike the hills is very inconvenient, and the twisting needed to "lock" the length can cause quite a burn on the palms. I would have gotten the quick-release Leki, but it is non-anti-shock. That said, especially on the downhill, my hip and knees take a beating, and this works well once at the proper length.After a hike, I'm usually tired and my right hip does hurt. As a cane - again, once adjusted - this is very comfortable and supportive. I noticed that most reviewers are using this as a cane, and I agree with their assessments. On the other hand, I think this is a stretch to call this a "trekking" pole. For long hikes, I'll keep this in the car and use my Black Diamond quick-adjust anti-shock hiking poles.

These walking poles are great for taking with you when you travel. They can be packed down to go into standard size suitcase. Pole's are a wonderful item to have if trekking around Europe, on their cobble streets & hills. I have purchased three in the last 2 years . One for myself & two for my husband who has had hip replacement . For him they are the difference of having a walk or not . Would highly recommend. Will not travel without these .