Trekking poles are really useful. When walking downhill, they provide more stability and remove stress from your lower joints. It’s also easier to walk uphill with them. In case you encounter wild animals, you’ll have something to protect yourself with. Your hands will be moving all day, so your fingers won’t swell after a long day of hiking. They’re also super useful for technically difficult parts of the trail, like mud, rocks, and river crossings. They greatly reduce the chances of you falling and spraining your ankle. And finally, some tents can be built with trekking poles. This means you can keep your tent poles at home and save some weight. I used to hate trekking poles as well. But since I started using them, I’m not going back anymore.
