Poles

And no I'm not talking about our friends from Poland...

REI Product Page

Alright... so I'm not a small guy. I'm not getting any younger. I insist on running despite these things. So I don't have great knees.

However, I try not to be outright stupid about things... and in addition to adopting a 'knee friendly' running stride, I'm also perfectly OK with poling my way up - and especially down - hills.

However, this grand dream has been put off - until now. I always held off on buying a set of trekking poles, even though I know they're for my own good. Two main reasons:

1) They look goofy
2) They're for old people
3) They're expensive

OK, three main reasons, but points 1) and 2) can be bucketed under "vanity" together pretty easily. Besides, the ones I'm getting are sort of tech-y looking. Sort of. And Paul Klein's Mom was a wicked fast hiker and SHE used them... she'd just go poling by everyone half her age, with that smooth pole flicking noise they'd generate. So that takes care of #2.

As for #3, they're on clearance, man! And better last a lifetime or I'm holding REI responsible.