When I picked out my first pair of trekking poles, I did zero research on them. I figured, “how different could a pair of sticks be?”. So when I walked into REI and saw their cheapest poles were $69.99, I was taken aback. I never expected they would be so expensive, but I had two days before I started my snowshoe season so I was in no position to be picky.

Fully Extended

But then it occurred to me to stop being such a gear snob and head across the street to the Dicks Sporting goods. I knew they wouldn’t have much to choose from but I knew it would be cheaper. My only criteria for trekking poles was short and sweet: I want to use them for backpacking and snowshoeing. Dicks Sporting goods had only one real option but it was exactly what I needed. Half the price for a pair of Yukon Charlies Pro Trekker II Trekking Poles with snow baskets included. I grabbed one of the 3 pairs left and headed to the register without a second thought.

Their maiden voyage was out on my snowshoe hike on the Lower Lamar/Valley trail in Idaho City, ID. The poles came with snow baskets which were an added bonus and they were very simple to screw on once I arrived at the trailhead. The Pro Trekkers have an adjustable length of 24″-52″, which I took full advantage of as the height of the trail edge varied from 6″ to 24″. Fast lock levers make changing the height of the poles pretty quick and easy. However, one dislike I had with this set of poles was there was no stop to prevent me from completely pulling out the adjustable length section and separating the pole into two pieces. The lower half of the pole slid right in again but I could see this being a problem if my hands were shivering from the cold.

Other features included molded rubber comfort grips which were indeed comfortable on the hands and offered solid grip even when wet. They also come with adjustable wrist straps, but if you aren’t using them, they tend to be in the way when you go to adjust your grip.

Recommendation: 

If you’re looking for an affordable grab-and-go set of poles for multiple seasons the Yukon Charlies Pro Trekker II Trekking Poles are a good choice. It comes with all the accessories beginners need and won’t break the bank if they end up sitting in a closet collecting dust.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Comfortable, no-slip grip
• Includes snow and trekking baskets

Cons:

• Adjusting height could be easier
• Wrist straps can be cumbersome

Chad Albright

Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.