I’ve long disparaged ‘hiking canes‘, … despite evidence to the contrary. Most of the best hikers in the world use them for longer trips.
Yet I’m ready (finally) to try a pair. Here’s why my Adventure Racing team is testing them:
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Backpacker calls them the “best carbon poles we’ve ever tested“, awarding them the Editors’ Choice 2011 award.
besthike.com 
I tried these two years ago – they are definitely the ticket. Telescoping poles never made any sense – we had to wait until the excellent engineers at BD realized folding poles weigh less and have no moving parts to break (although the beta version actually did break at the joint).
You’re right Rick; virtually all L-D hikers use poles, and they are used in mountain running races in Europe as well (rarely here). And darn nice to have if an animal is giving you trouble.
They seem to work on a similar system to an avalanche probe. Very clever. It’s always the screw tightenings that go on poles and these avoid that completely.
I’ve a pair of the back diamond flick-lock poles and I like that system but these look even better. Only downside is that you can’t change the length but I don’t suppose adventure racers ever worry about doing that anyway.