this post was submitted on 11 Jan 2024
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Looking for durable hiking poles and microspikes (discuss.tchncs.de)
submitted 11 months ago by Goodman@discuss.tchncs.de to c/buyitforlife@slrpnk.net
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Dear all, as the title says I am looking for some advice on durable hiking poles and microspikes/crampons.

I frequently hike in the alps and people have told me that there really are no durable microspikes and that the best you can do are repairable metal links. I was wondering if any of you have advice and or experience with these items.

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[–] jadero@slrpnk.net 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I can't help you with the poles, but I swear by these.

I know that's a Canadian site, but I've seen them in other stores, so I'd think they'd be available someplace closer to home.

I've had mine for nearly 20 years. Once winter hits, I wear them daily for my 5km walk and use them to hike out for ice-fishing, sometimes 10 km round trip.

I recently retired from the local volunteer fire and rescue. When they were looking for something for the members, I showed them mine. They brought in a few sets along with a variety of other options and these easily won the day.

Replacement studs are available, but I just use ordinary sheet metal screws. I'm sure that the official replacements must be hardened, but I just replace worn studs as necessary.

The only real downside is that they add a fair bit of weight. I just pretended that it was part of my fitness routine and now I hardly notice them. And they're still lighter than my snowshoes.

[–] Goodman@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Wow that's great. Hope they sell in EU as well. Those straps really make the difference compared to those rubber ones that go around your foot, as well as the repairability. Thanks!

[–] toaster@slrpnk.net 1 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

Edit: oopsies, I meant to comment under the top-level comment.