Field Reporting
This is the last report in a series of 3 for the Leki JR hiking poles. Please refer to my Initial and Field reports for any other questions or concerns.
This has been a fun test series for me, as it gets me AND my two boys out of the house. Of course my kids didn't think it was fun when I was making them march up two miles (3.2 km) and 1000 foot (305 m) elevation gain....
We have used these poles numerous times anywhere from the backyard to the beach to the National Forest, but for the most part its just been Dylan going. Bryan didn't like testing them as much as he thought he would, mainly because he was away from the TV for extended periods of time. I really had to encourage him to get out and hike. We hike in one local area quite a bit, and my youngest hates it because it is too steep for him. When Dylan first started using these poles, I had to teach him how to walk with them. He did not like using them, and for the most part he just carried them. He kept saying something about they made his arms tired. I was taking him on relativly easy but steep trails. It was not untill I got him out on some of the tougher trails in the Los Padres National Forest that he realized how the poles can really help him out. We crossed a lot of streams out there and he used them extensivly for that, and poking at some fish.
From Dylan:
We went hiking and camping in the National Forest. We hiked about two miles (3.2 km) in the mountains, and crossed a stream a few times. The poles really helped me balance across the stream bed while we crossed it. The thing I like most about the poles are they are easy to adjust to the right height for me. My brother also likes them because he is shorter and they can adjust to him as well. I like the grips, they do not make my hands sweaty.
After 6 months of use, the Leki Jr hiking poles have not torn up. I have used them on grass, gravel, dirt, sand and rocks. I am surprised how well they helped me. I did get tired of using them sometimes and carried them some. The times I used them at the beach, the sand would bould up under the baskets and make them heavier, but I just knocked it off. I liked using two poles, because they helped balance me while hiking and crossing over things.
From Bryan:
I liked using the poles. I like the colors, and the grips. I didn't like the straps wrapped around my hands, they hurt them some. I didn't like twisting them so much to tighten or loosen them. They helped me go faster up hills, and helped when crossing a stream. I liked using only one pole because it was easier to use while walking. The grips fit my hands just fine. I also liked being able to identify animals on the trails with the pictures on the poles.
I asked both kids if they could change one thing about the poles what would it be?
Bryan said he would take the straps off all together, and Dylan said he would make the straps velcro to make them easier to adjust.
Some of the things I would have liked to see on the poles, and Dylan agrees with me are:
Directions on how to adjust to the proper height.
Which way to twist the poles to loosen and tighten.
A different configuration of the wrist straps, example maybe use velcro.
Conclusion:
Both kids liked the poles, one liked hiking with two poles, and the other liked using only one. It was definitely a new experience for them to hike using poles. Both kids agreed the poles held up well over 6 months of use, and that they were light. Overall they were really happy with them. I was happy to be able to get them involved in the testing and to get them outdoors.
Thank You to BGT and Leki for allowing us to participate in this test series.
Brian
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